Essential Scuba Diving Packing List for Cabo San Lucas
- angelavallemoreno .
- Oct 23
- 4 min read
(Your complete guide to what to bring for diving adventures in Cabo San Lucas, La Paz & beyond)
🌊 What to Include in Your Scuba Diving Packing List for Cabo
Cabo and the entire Baja California Sur are a diver’s dream: blue water, pelagic encounters, coral-covered reefs, and wide-open visibility most of the year. Whether you’re exploring Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, or La Ventana, this scuba diving packing list for Cabo ensures you have everything you need for warm, clear-water adventures.
At Breathe Out Baja, we believe preparation means freedom — less worry about gear, more focus on the moment you roll back into the turquoise. This guide covers everything you’ll want to pack for your Baja dive trip: essential gear, travel items, eco-friendly choices, and insider tips from our local pros.
⚓ 1. Core Dive Gear
Even though all our guests receive premium gear (XDEEP BCDs, Scubapro regulators, TUSA fins, etc.), many divers enjoy bringing personal favorites for comfort and fit.
Must-pack items:
Dive mask: Your own mask ensures a perfect seal and comfort through multiple dives.
Snorkel: Handy for surface intervals or calm bays.
Fins & booties: Open-heel fins are best for Baja’s rocky entries; bring thin neoprene booties.
Wetsuit: A 3 mm shorty in summer, 5 mm full suit from December–April.
Dive computer or timing device: Required for safe multi-day diving.
SMB and whistle: Always recommended for safety and surface visibility.
Mesh bag: Keeps your wet gear organized after dives.
Pro tip: If you’re flying in, pack your mask, computer, and certification cards in your carry-on. Airlines lose bags — masks don’t like being replaced last-minute.
🧥 2. Seasonal Wetsuit & Temperature Guide
Water temperature in Baja fluctuates widely throughout the year:
Summer (July–October): 25–30 °C / 77–86 °F — still comfortable with a 3 mm suit.
Autumn (November): 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F — warm, tropical conditions.
Winter (December–March): 22–26 °C / 72–79 °F — A full 5 mm suit, with a hood or shorty underneath on colder days, feels great.
Spring (April–June): 20–24 °C / 68–75 °F — transition period with improving visibility.
Insider note: Visibility peaks from October to January, making it the ideal window for Cabo dives, Gordo Banks pelagic runs, and La Paz sea-lion colony.
🏝️ 3. Travel Essentials for Baja
Between dives, you’ll be under Baja’s famous sun and dry Pacific breeze — comfort and protection are key.
Bring these basics:
Light layers: Quick-dry shirts, shorts, and a windbreaker for post-dive chill.
Reef-safe sunscreen: Zinc-based and biodegradable only — required in most marine parks.
Wide-brim hat and polarized sunglasses: Reduce glare and protect your eyes.
Reusable water bottle: Stay hydrated and skip single-use plastics.
Dry bag or waterproof backpack: Keeps electronics and clothes safe during boat rides.
Small towel or poncho towel: Useful between dives and after rinsing off.
Motion-sickness tablets: Some days bring a gentle swell — better to be ready.
🪪 4. Documents & Dive-Related Paperwork
Paperwork may not be glamorous, but it’s essential to smooth logistics.
Don’t forget:
Certification card (PADI, SSI, NAUI, etc.) or e-card.
Logbook: Digital or paper for tracking dives — we can stamp it for you!
Travel insurance covering scuba diving.
Cash (MXN): For park bracelets, tips, and local snacks.
Passport or ID: Keep a waterproof copy handy.
🐠 5. Tech & Accessories
Capture the magic and stay prepared for anything:
GoPro or underwater camera: Use a red filter below 5 m for true colors.
Extra memory cards & batteries: Salt air drains power faster than you think.
Power bank & multi-outlet adapter: Outlets can be limited in remote lodges.
Compact dive light: Handy for swim-throughs or evening checks.
Laptop or phone with cloud backup: Safeguard footage daily.
Pro tip: Always rinse cameras with fresh water immediately after dives to avoid salt buildup.
🌎 6. Eco-Friendly Packing
Breathe Out Baja is built on the belief that every detail matters — from the sunscreen on your skin to the care we bring to every moment at sea. Help us keep Baja’s marine life thriving with these conscious swaps:
✅ Reef-safe sunscreen only (no oxybenzone, octinoxate or parabens)
✅ Reusable water bottle
✅ No single-use plastics
✅ Biodegradable toiletries — especially if staying near the water
✅ Reusable mesh bag for gear instead of plastic bags
These small choices add up — especially in fragile ecosystems like Espíritu Santo and Cabo Pulmo.
🧭 7. Local Expertise: What We Provide at Breathe Out Baja
When you dive with us, most heavy lifting is handled already. We provide:
Top-quality gear (BCD, regulators, tanks, weights, fins, mask if needed)
Marine park permits and safety equipment
Bilingual dive pros with extensive Baja experience
Onboard snacks, fresh fruit, electrolytes, and water refills
Reef-safe sunscreen and towels
So while this packing list keeps you ready, you can travel light knowing the essentials await you on board.
💡 8. Insider Tips for First-Time Divers in Baja
Pack patience with your fins: Baja’s diving is ruled by nature — currents, visibility, and marine life change daily.
Respect marine life: Keep distance from sea lions, whale sharks, and rays; enjoy without intrusion.
Bring a lightweight hoodie: Evenings in La Paz and Cabo can cool off quickly.
Hydrate constantly: Dry air and long sun exposure dehydrate divers faster than they realize.
Enjoy topside time: Explore the beautiful landscapes, local tacos, and the laid-back Baja vibe.
📦 9. Packing Checklist Summary
Category | Essentials |
Core Dive Gear | Mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit, computer, SMB, mesh bag |
Travel & Comfort | Reef-safe sunscreen, hat, towel, reusable bottle, dry bag |
Documents | Certification card, logbook, ID/passport, cash, insurance |
Tech & Cameras | GoPro, spare batteries, power bank, dive light |
Eco Choices | Reef-safe sunscreen, reusable bottles & bags, no plastics |
Extras | Motion tablets, windbreaker, flip-flops, hoodie |
🌅 10. Why Packing Smart Matters
The less you worry about missing gear, the more mental space you have to enjoy what really counts — the quiet descent, the sunlight on sandfalls, the hum of your regulator, and the whale song echoing through the blue. Packing intentionally means fewer distractions and more presence underwater.
When you’re ready to experience Baja’s underwater world — from sea lions and mobula rays to hammerheads and whale sharks — we’ll take care of the rest.
🤿 Ready to Dive?
Plan your next underwater adventure with Breathe Out Baja — Ocean Explorers. Small groups, wild encounters, deep respect for marine life.
👉 Book your dive trip and experience Baja’s magic beneath the surface.
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