Packing Smart: The Complete Guide to Organizing Gear for Underwater Photography Trips

A comprehensive underwater photography kit featuring multiple camera housings, dome and flat ports, strobe arms, video lights, and various lenses—representing the complex packing challenge that awaits every traveling underwater photographer.

For underwater photographers, the journey to capturing stunning images beneath the waves begins long before you descend into the blue. How you pack your gear can mean the difference between a successful trip and a costly disaster. With airlines increasingly strict about baggage fees and weight limits, and the delicate nature of underwater photography equipment, developing a strategic packing system is essential. Here’s a comprehensive guide to packing for tropical diving destinations that keeps your gear safe, your costs manageable, and your stress levels low.

The Three-Suitcase Strategy

The foundation of efficient packing for underwater photography trips is compartmentalization based on durability, sensitivity, and airline regulations. A three-bag system divides your equipment logically: one for dive gear, one for clothing and durable photo equipment, and one carry-on for electronics and delicate items.

This approach offers several advantages. It distributes weight evenly across multiple bags, keeping each under the typical 50-pound airline limit. It separates items by fragility, ensuring your most sensitive equipment stays under your direct control. Most importantly, it complies with airline safety regulations regarding lithium batteries while maintaining security for high-value items.

Suitcase One: Diving Equipment

Your first checked bag should contain all your scuba gear. Many underwater photographers choose to travel with their own equipment rather than relying on rentals at dive shops. This ensures familiarity with your gear, proper fit, and consistent performance throughout your trip.

This suitcase should include your wetsuit, BCD (buoyancy control device), regulators, fins, mask, snorkel, booties, and gloves. Pack heavier items like your BCD at the bottom of the suitcase, and use your wetsuit to cushion and fill gaps. Roll your wetsuit rather than folding it to minimize creases and save space. Regulators should be carefully coiled and placed in a protective bag or wrapped around the BCD to prevent damage to the delicate first and second stages.

Suitcase Two: Clothing and Durable Photo Gear

The second checked bag serves a dual purpose, combining your personal clothing with the more robust elements of your underwater photography kit. This hybrid approach maximizes space efficiency while keeping durable equipment secure.

Your underwater housing is the star resident of this suitcase. Many housings are constructed from either aircraft-grade aluminum or thick plexiglass, making them remarkably resilient to the bumps and jostles of baggage handling. However, you should still provide some protection. Wrap the housing in soft clothing or place it in a padded bag.

Ports should be packed with care, even though they’re relatively sturdy. Dome ports and flat ports can be wrapped in bubble wrap, microfiber cloths, or a proper dome port bag. If you have multiple ports, pack them together with padding between them, ideally inside a case or bag. Place lens port covers on both ends to protect the glass elements and threading.

Strobe arms and clamps are forgiving pieces of equipment that can withstand considerable handling. Bundle them together with velcro straps or place them in a mesh bag.

Use your clothing strategically as padding throughout this suitcase. T-shirts, shorts, and swimwear can fill gaps around your photo gear, providing cushioning while maximizing space.

Suitcase Three: The Electronics Carry-On

Your third bag is perhaps the most critical and should always travel in the cabin with you. This carry-on suitcase houses all battery-powered devices, delicate optical equipment, and items that cannot be replaced easily at your destination.

Lithium batteries are the primary reason this bag must be carried on. Airlines have strict regulations prohibiting lithium batteries in checked baggage due to fire risk. Your carry-on should contain all rechargeable batteries for strobes, continuous lights, dive computers, and any other battery-powered equipment. Keep batteries in their original chargers or in individual plastic bags to prevent terminals from contacting metal objects.

Strobe battery packs are typically heavy and bulky but must travel in the cabin. Place them in the center of your carry-on, surrounded by softer items or in a proper padded photo gear case for protection.

Underwater video lights, particularly high-end models with large battery systems, belong in this suitcase. These lights are not only expensive but also contain sensitive electronics and powerful batteries. Wrap them individually in a and secure them so they don’t shift during transport.

Camera lenses are fragile and valuable, making them essential carry-on items. Pack them in their original cases if possible, or use padded lens pouches. Place heavier telephoto lenses at the bottom of the bag and lighter wide-angle or macro lenses toward the top. Fill any gaps with clothing to prevent movement.

The Essential Backpack

Your personal item or backpack is the final layer of organization and arguably the most important. This bag stays with you at all times and contains the most valuable and irreplaceable items.

Camera bodies are the heart of your imaging system and should never be checked. Pack your primary camera and any backup bodies in padded camera inserts or wraps. If you’re shooting with a crop-sensor camera for macro photography alongside a full-frame body for wide-angle, both travel in this backpack.

Strobe lights, despite their protective housing, contain delicate flash tubes and electronics that can be damaged by impact. Wrap each strobe individually and pack them securely in your backpack. The relatively light weight of most strobes makes them ideal backpack residents.

All charging cables, USB cables, USB-C connectors, memory card readers, and power adapters should be organized in a small electronics pouch within your backpack. These small items are easily lost in larger bags, and having them readily accessible is essential for your workflow. Include a small power strip or multi-USB charger to maximize limited outlet availability in hotel rooms.

Your travel documents represent another critical category for backpack storage. Passport, wallet, identification cards, dive certifications, travel insurance documents, and printed hotel confirmations should be in an easily accessible pocket. Consider keeping digital backups on your phone as well.

Personal electronics like noise-canceling headphones, tablets, e-readers, and smartphones make long flights more bearable and belong in your backpack. These items also help you review images, edit on the go, and stay connected with dive operators or travel companions.

Finally, include a small first aid kit with seasickness medication, pain relievers, antihistamines, and any prescription medications you need. Tropical destinations may not have familiar brands readily available, and missing a dive due to a preventable ailment is frustrating.

Weight Management and Airline Compliance

Keeping each checked bag under 50 pounds is crucial for avoiding expensive overweight baggage fees. The three-suitcase system naturally distributes weight, but you should still weigh your bags before leaving home. Invest in a portable luggage scale to check your bags before heading to the airport.

If you find yourself over the limit, the easiest adjustment is moving heavier items from checked bags to your carry-on, provided they comply with airline regulations. Dive weights are heavy and often available at dive resorts, so consider leaving them at home. If you need specific weights, contact your resort or dive operator in advance to confirm availability.

Some airlines offer special allowances for sports equipment, including scuba gear. Research your specific airline’s policies, as this could save you significant fees. A few carriers recognize underwater photography equipment as professional gear and may provide additional allowances, though this varies widely.

Security Considerations

One often-overlooked aspect of packing is security. Traveling with expensive camera equipment makes you a potential target for theft. Using discrete luggage without obvious diving or photography branding reduces attention from opportunistic thieves.

Avoid suitcases plastered with scuba diving stickers or camera manufacturer logos. Generic black or navy luggage blends in better than specialized dive bags with “Underwater Photographer” emblazoned across them. Your gear is valuable, but it doesn’t need to advertise that fact.

TSA-approved locks on your checked bags provide a basic level of security. While determined thieves can bypass them, they deter casual theft and prevent bags from opening accidentally during handling. For your carry-on and backpack, never leave them unattended in airports, at dive shops, or on dive boats.

Consider travel insurance that specifically covers photography and diving equipment. Standard travel insurance policies often have low limits for electronics and may not cover underwater housings. Specialized policies designed for photographers offer higher coverage limits and better protection for your investment.

Pre-Trip Preparation

Successful packing begins with preparation at home. Test all your equipment before packing it. Fire your strobes, check your dive computer batteries, verify that your housing controls operate smoothly, and confirm that all ports mount correctly. Discovering a problem at the airport or resort is exponentially more stressful than finding it in your living room.

Create a detailed packing checklist specific to underwater photography. Standard travel checklists won’t include specialized items like port plugs, fiber optic cables, focusing lights, or spare O-rings. Update your checklist after each trip, adding items you forgot or removing things you didn’t need.

Photograph your equipment before packing. This serves two purposes: it provides documentation for insurance claims if something is lost or damaged, and it helps you remember where everything is when you’re packing for the return journey. A quick photo of each open suitcase takes seconds but can save hours of confusion later.

The Return Journey

Packing for the trip home requires the same care as your outbound journey, with a few additional considerations. Your gear has been exposed to salt water, sand, and sun, so it needs thorough cleaning before repacking. Most dive resorts have rinse stations, but if yours doesn’t, use a large container or bathtub to soak your equipment in fresh water.

Allow everything to dry completely before packing. Packing wet gear creates an ideal environment for mold, mildew, and corrosion. If you’re on a tight schedule and some items are still damp, pack them separately in plastic bags to keep moisture away from electronics and dry clothing.

Wetsuits and other neoprene items can be rolled and packed while slightly damp, but avoid packing them in sealed plastic bags for extended periods. If possible, pack wetsuits in a separate area or bag where dampness won’t affect other items.

Final Thoughts

Packing for an underwater photography trip is a skill that improves with experience. Each destination and trip teaches you something new about what works and what doesn’t. The three-suitcase system provides a reliable framework, but don’t hesitate to adapt it to your specific needs and equipment.

Remember that the goal is not just to transport your gear safely, but to do so in a way that’s cost-effective and stress-free. Spending a few extra minutes organizing at home can save hours of frustration at your destination. Your underwater images will only be as good as the equipment you bring, so protect your investment and pack smart.

The underwater world offers incredible photographic opportunities, and proper preparation ensures you’re ready to capture them. With your gear safely packed and organized, you can focus on what really matters: diving, exploring, and creating images that tell the story of life beneath the waves.