What to pack when diving in Cabo San Lucas, from dive gear must-haves to eco-conscious packing tips, we’ve got you covered!
It’s holiday time! You’ve booked your flights, dive trip and stay in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. What’s left to do? Pack, of course!
Cabo San Lucas has unique weather and diving conditions depending on what time of year you’re planning to visit.
Due to this seasonal difference, it’s important to pack efficiently. How do you do that? A dive travel packing checklist.
Scuba diving pack list for Cabo San Lucas:
- Essential diving equipment
- Optional scuba gear
- Must-have dive accessories
- Clothing and personal essentials
- Documents and Travel Items
- What Not to Pack
We have breaking down the scuba diving packing checklist into sections to help you track and pack related items together.
What’s diving in Cabo look like?
You’re set to scuba diving in Cabo San Lucas, one of the top dive spots in Mexico. From Mobula Rays to Sea Lions, Reef Sharks to Humpback whales, from schools of tropical fish to macro favourites and the coral they live in, there’s something here for every kind of diver.
Though you can expect seasonal variations, boat diving is the norm all year round. Cabo San Lucas offers typical dive conditions with 40 to 100ft visibility and temperatures of 64°F (18° C) to 84°F (29°C).
Seasonality tips to Cabo San Lucas:
- Winter (December to February)
Water temperatures in Cabo range from 72 to 66°F (20°C to 18°C) in January, dropping slightly in February and March. This is prime whale watching season, with humpbacks frequently seen and heard. A 7mm wetsuit is essential for comfort during dives. Read our Winter Guide - Spring (March to May)
Water in Cabo remains on the cooler side in Spring, steady around 66 to 72°F (18–19°C). These are the coldest diving months in Cabo San Lucas. Divers should expect to wear a full 7mm wetsuit, possibly with a hood for longer dives. Read our Spring Guide - Summer (June to August)
In June, waters are still cool in Cabo about 66°F (17°C), but July and August warm up dramatically, reaching 75 to 80°F (25°C to 26°C). Suit choice can vary from 7mm early in the season to 5mm or even 3mm by August. Read our Summer Guide - Fall (September to November)
Autumn is the warmest and clearest diving season in Cabo. Water temps peak at 86°F (30°C) in September and October. A 3mm or 5mm wetsuit is typically sufficient. November sees a slight drop in temperature 79 to 82°F (26 to 28°C) and a return of whales, marking the start of the migration season again. Read our Fall Guide
Hang on. Where’s that checklist we promised? Right here.
Scuba gear packing list for Cabo San Lucas
Let’s start with the personal dive equipment that can help contribute to maximise your safety, comfort, and enjoyment in the water while diving in Cabo.
Essential Scuba diving equipment
Here are our top recommendations for dive essentials to pack for your Cabo San Lucas dive vacation. Don’t worry if you don’t have them though, the dive centre will provide them to you.
- Dive Computer: Required for personal safety and multi-day dive planning.
- SMB (Surface Marker Buoy): Crucial for diver safety and visibility, especially in areas with boat traffic or during drift dives
- Wetsuit and Thermal protection: Proper fitting wetsuit for the conditions and hooded vest so you can adjust any thickness of neoprene.
- Regulator: A balanced diving Regulator you can guarantee the service.
- Mask and Fins: Having a proper fit makes a big difference. A good pair of fins offering good balance of power and comfort for current it’s ideal !
- ECO friendly products: Defog, hair product, reef sunscreen…
Optional scuba diving gear
Now come to the types of dive equipment that are useful to have in Cabo San Lucas of your own but are not mandatory.
In general, custom fit or using gear that you’re already familiar with, does ensure greater comfort.
- BCD (Buoyancy Control Device)
- Backup mask
- Seasickness pills
- Defog / anti-fog mask
Must-have scuba diving accessories
Safety first, check. Custom fit, check.
With the basics out of the way, it’s time to get to the fun stuff i.e. gadgets that help you better capture memories, colors or even truly take in the spectacle sights that await you.
- Underwater camera / GoPro
- Spare batteries or charging kit
- Dive torch: for night dives at Pelican Rock or Baja Canyons
Clothing and personal essentials packing list
You’re set for what to wear and carry for underwater use in Cabo, what should you wear on land?
What personal essentials should you carry for the boat rides to the dive sites?
- Quick-dry towel & dry bag
- Sunglasses polarized and sun hat
- Reusable water bottle: Fill before tours
- Long-sleeved UPF sun shirts: Rash guards provided added sun protection after sunscreen
- Windbreaker or light hoodie for mornings on the water, during cold season
- Personal medical kit: Motion sickness tablets, ear drops, antihistamines
Documents and travel items for Cabo San Lucas
Whether at the Immigration counter or a dive centre, it helps to have your documents doublechecked in advance and at the ready.
Here’s what you’ll need to get around in this part of the world:
- Valid passport: Check expiry date!
- Printed copies of bookings: Hotels, transfers, dives…
- Dive certification card: Physical or digital via the PADI app
- Logbook: Many shops require them on check-in, especially for deep dive at Gordo Bank
- Travel and dive insurance: DAN, Dive Assure or equivalent
- Credit card and some USD dollars in cash: ATMs to withdraw Pesos are easily available in
town - Power plug adapter: Electrical socket of type A and B ar used in Cabo San Lucas
Eco-friendly considerations when diving in Cabo San Lucas
Be an advocate for reef protection by being mindful in your choice of sunscreen, toiletries, etc.
By doing so, you’d also be helping to preserve the natural habitat and avoid harm to marine animals. Check out our ocean conservation courses and actions if you want to learn more about it!
Here’s how you can play an active part in practicing sustainable tourism:
- Reef-safe sunscreen, biodegradable only
- Reusable toiletry bottles, avoid single-use plastic
- Dry shampoo or leave-in conditioner, eco versions
- Mesh bag: for collecting trash if encountered underwater
What not to pack!
While being prepared is a great quality to have, we want to make sure that you don’t overpack and end up with excess baggage.
At the same time, we urge you to rethink the temporary convenience of single use and throw plastic items.
Here are the things you’re better off not carrying to Cabo
- Dive weights and Full tanks: yes, it seems obvious but hey, just putting it out there. (They’re provided by the dive center.)
- Bulky dive manuals: usePADI eLearning or apps
- Avoid Single-use plastics
- Anything that can damage the reef: e.g., certain sunscreens, gloves and knifes not permitted in Cabo Pulmo National Park.
Get a head start on that stress-free holiday! Let us know if we missed anything so we can add it to the list and help other divers and travellers like yourself.
We’re more than happy to help so please do reach out to us at info@caboprivateguide.com if you have any further questions. See you soon in Cabo.
