{"id":562,"date":"2008-10-05T04:07:33","date_gmt":"2008-10-05T03:07:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/petitesbullesdailleurs.fr\/petitesbullesdailleurs\/?page_id=562"},"modified":"2025-01-13T13:07:23","modified_gmt":"2025-01-13T12:07:23","slug":"dive-bag-travel","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/petitesbullesdailleurs.fr\/en\/sac-bagages-plongee-voyage\/","title":{"rendered":"Packing: Which Dive Bag Is Best for Travelling?"},"content":{"rendered":"

My diving equipment and underwater photography gear<\/a> now take up the lion's share of my luggage. I can't travel light like I used to! But the basic principle is still valid: I have to be able to carry all my stuff on my own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Disclaimer :<\/mark><\/strong><\/span> this is NOT a sponsored article, I am not affiliated with ANY of the brands I may list below. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My diving travel bag since July 2018<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
I invested in a new rolling bag<\/strong> in 2018 to replace the previous one (see below). I wanted it to be designed in the same way: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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a bag large enough to hold my diving gear, clothes and a few (non-fragile) accessories for underwater photography; <\/li>\n\n\n\n
and opens into two wallet-style compartments (handy for separating diving gear from the rest). <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Again, I opted for a discreet bag, with no brand name written in big letters on it. <\/strong>In my opinion, there is nothing worse than displaying the name or logo of a diving equipment manufacturer on your luggage. It signals that there are valuable things inside, and that you are potentially a (very) rich tourist... <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I chose a reliable model<\/strong>, made by a well-known luggage brand (Eastpack) that guarantees its products for thirty years. Its name: Transver L<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Here$ <\/a>
On the right, my big Eastpack wheeled bag that goes in the hold on the plane. On the left, my Ikea wheeled cabin bag (Charles-de-Gaulle airport, Roissy, July 2018).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
This big Eastpack wheeled bag is less \"cheap\" than my previous Decathlon bag, and a bit bulkier (121 liters). I hope it lasts as long, if not longer!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So far, I am very satisfied with it. It is sturdy, handy, practical and does not attract attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Underwater photo logistics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
I don't carry my stuff around in a backpack like I did when I was 20... As I now carry a whole range of equipment for underwater photography, I've had to completely rethink the organization of my luggage!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That's why the solution of the big wheeled bag quickly became obvious. The photos below show why underwater photography requires special baggage logistics... <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Yes,$ <\/a>
Yes, I don't really look like a mermaid with all my photographic paraphernalia underwater! (Philippines, May 2018 - Photo by Steven Weinberg)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
$\"The$ <\/a>
The little mess I have to deal with on my travels to be able to take underwater photos... And again, the photo doesn't include the dome and lens for wide-angle shots. On the right, my camera with its 100mm macro lens. Only the most fragile items (camera, lenses, housing and portholes) and batteries remain in my cabin bag. I put everything else in the hold (Romblon, Philippines, March 2017).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
$\"There$ <\/a>
My configuration with the Ikelite housing (2016-2022).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
$\"My$
My Nauticam housing configuration for the Canon Eos R7 since 2023.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
The thorny issue of \"cabin\" baggage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In addition to the big wheeled bag that goes in the hold when I travel by plane, I have with me : <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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a \"cabin\" bag, also with wheels; <\/li>\n\n\n\n
a \"hand\" bag accepted by airlines, which is in fact a kind of shopping bag that can hold my 15-inch MacBook Air and precious things (papers, money), convertible into a backpack, found at Uniqlo<\/a>. Inexpensive, discreet and very well done.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
In the wheeled cabin bag, I put:<\/strong> my underwater photography equipment that is too valuable or fragile to go in the hold, i.e. the watertight housing Nauticam<\/a> and its portholes (wide-angle dome + macro porthole), the Canon EOS R7<\/a> and lenses, underwater flash batteries (which are not allowed in the hold). Add to this your electronic equipment (dive computer and back-up hard drives), a fleece jacket for transport (especially in Asia, where the air-conditioning is often cranked up to the max), and an emergency mini-change (in case the hold bag containing your clothes doesn't keep up, a precaution I've been taking since it happened to me in 2015). \u2192 Go to an island far from everything<\/a>). I also put a multi-pocket jacket in it, to transfer my lenses on me, if I need to lighten this bag at a baggage check at the airport. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the handbag:<\/strong> my MacBook Air 15\" and my iPhone (and their chargers), money and papers, my airplane survival kit (mask, earphones and earplugs, compression socks, mini toiletry kit). I usually keep this bag with me on the plane, tucked under the seat in front of me, and place the other in the overhead luggage compartment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The question of overweight luggage <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
As I said above, I only put one big rolling bag in the hold. This rolling luggage, divided in two compartments like a \"wallet\", contains :<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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on one side, my complete diving equipment ;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
on the other side, a few items of clothing and accessories related to the underwater photography I mentioned above (flash units without batteries, battery charger, flash arms and floats, flash cables).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
It's a good thing this bag rolls! The whole thing easily reaches 28-29 kg... \ud83d\ude31 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because of the extra kilos of my underwater photography accessories and diving equipment, I can't keep within the 20-23 kg limit usually allowed in economy class on international flights. I therefore prefer to travel on airlines that allow 30 kg in the hold at no extra cost<\/strong>. Fare policies change regularly, so I take the time to check carefully before booking, even if it means paying an overweight supplement if there's no other option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Overweight charges are rarely a problem on the local airlines I often fly (Indonesian, Malaysian, Philippine): they are very low compared to Europe. You can either pre-pay them when you book online, or pay them at check-in, in which case they are sometimes charged at a \"discount\" to the customer (and especially to the customer, when she gives a big smile at the counter and says hello in the local language)... \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For flights between Asian countries, I've often used the low-cost airline AirAsia, which allows you to purchase additional kilos up to a total of 30 kg at the time of booking, over and above the basic 15 kg in the hold...<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Watch out for Emirates:<\/mark><\/strong> During the stopover in Dubai, this company has the habit of checking again the weight of the hand luggage of the travelers. Employees are waiting for you with a scale, just before the access to the boarding room... Better not to exceed the 7 kg allowed<\/strong>For photographers, they are very strict, the extra kilo is charged at full price (and impossible to board the plane without paying). For photographers: I advise you to take everything heavy out of your cabin bag. The easiest way is to wear your camera around your neck and to put your lenses in a multi-pocket jacket...<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2010-2018: my first wheeled bag<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
This is the bag that faithfully accompanied me on all my diving trips from 2010 to 2018: a lightweight, inexpensive 90-liter wheeled bag found in a major sports chain (Decathlon) in early 2010 (this Newfeel bag is no longer sold).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
$\"-\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
$\"-\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
$\"-\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
$\"-\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
$\"-\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
$\"My$ <\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Its two compartment design was very practical. My complete diving equipment was stored on one side. The clothes and part of my underwater photography bardas on the other. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I completely revised my luggage logistics starting in 2010, when I started to carry more substantial photo equipment to make underwater images. I talk about it in these articles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2192 No more backpacks, long live the wheelie bag!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2192 Photo Equipment and Dive Gear<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I've relinquished my \"backpacker\" status, carrying all my belongings on my back\/shoulder, without regret. It's much less exhausting to be a \"rollpackeuse\"... \ud83d\ude02<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This compact, unobtrusive wheeled bag attracted much less attention than the bulky diver's travel bags, all of which have a clearly identifiable brand name written across the top. It lasted eight years, three to four trips a year, and was often abused!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"My$ <\/a>
My bags: a big one for the diving equipment and clothes, a small one for the photo equipment...<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
I was very happy with it, until it let go of me in May 2018 when I returned from a trip to the Philippines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The handle ended up coming off its rail and the two corners at the bottom front were all frayed. On the other hand, the zippers still held and the whole canvas was still in good condition. Quite sturdy, so despite its very small price, a very good investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Until 2009: my backpacker's luggage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The photo below was my backpacking and diving gear, before 2010. Back then, I was a backpacker. I didn't yet have a big watertight housing for underwater photography, which today represents a whole lot of extra gear to carry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Big$ <\/a>
Large backpack (green) + diving bag (black) + small \"cabin\" backpack.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
I would then travel with the following three pieces of luggage:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
a large backpack<\/strong> (the green thing) for clothes and the rest (10-12 kg); <\/li>\n\n\n\n
a pudding bag<\/strong> with shoulder strap for diving equipment (10-11 kg) ; <\/li>\n\n\n\n
a small backpack<\/strong>my \"carry-on\" luggage, where I kept my compact camera of the time and its little case, the laptop and small fragile and\/or precious things (iPhone, papers, money)...<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
All of this was within the usual limits of economy class luggage at the time: about 20 kilos in the hold (my two big bags) + a few kilos in the cabin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Clothes: the tropical minimum<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
As for the rest, what do you pack for a diving holiday in Southeast Asia or the tropical islands? As little as possible!<\/strong> \ud83d\ude0e \ud83c\udf34 In the course of my travels, I've learned to pack only the essentials. I've compiled a short checklist below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Long live summer clothes!<\/mark><\/strong> My usual destinations have the same climate: hot and humid. I don't have to worry about buying anything: if I need something, I buy it on the spot (and it's much cheaper than in France). No problem to get flip-flops, tee-shirts or sarongs in Asia!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Clothes: tops<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n
some strapless tops for the \"beach\" places<\/li>\n\n\n\n
two T-shirts covering the shoulders and several thin long-sleeved tunics. Both to respect certain places and situations (cities, Muslim countries, temples) and as protection against mosquitoes at night. Preferably things that are easy to wash and match with any stocking.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
a small fleece jacket for all those air-conditioned places that are often in \"fridge\" mode (planes, buses, boats, shopping malls, etc.).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Clothing: stockings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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shorts (below the knee)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
long pants (for air travel, and for places and circumstances where it's not a good idea for a woman to go bare-legged)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
a skirt and\/or a summer dress with straps<\/li>\n\n\n\n
one or two shorts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Undergarments<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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panties and bras: simple and comfortable<\/li>\n\n\n\n
in sufficient quantity for a week<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
At the feet<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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a pair of canvas sneakers that I wear on the plane, which I use only when I have to walk a little<\/li>\n\n\n\n
a pair of flip-flops that don't weigh anything in the bag and that I have almost permanently on my feet<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
I'm not a trekker, so I don't bother with heavy hiking boots or socks...<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My indispensable accessories<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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3 or 4 bathing suits (I'm in the water all the time, I like to change)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
2 to 3 pareos or sarongs (one \"clean\", one or two others for the beach and sea outings - I often buy new ones on the spot)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
a hammock (one of these light models as found everywhere in Asia)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Sun glasses<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
I do not take bath towel for a long time, it is now everywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Toilet stuff<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Shampoo, conditioner, shower gel or soap, toothpaste, moisturizer, sunscreen, etc. I used to take shower products in minimal quantities in small bottles for my arrival, as I often bought them on the spot to save weight in my luggage. Now, I use solid products (soaps Unbottled<\/a> or Uma\u00ef<\/a>) and biodegradable, both to save weight and reduce pollution. As they're not easy to find when I travel, I take as much as I need with me. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
Toothbrush, hairbrush, hair elastics, tweezers, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Girls' special:<\/mark> <\/span><\/strong>Whether you use tampons, pads, cups or menstrual panties, it's best to remember to take your sanitary protection with you, because we're not sure we'll find the solution we prefer everywhere, especially with tampons...<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Drugs: small medical kit for sores<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
My first-aid kit has been getting smaller and smaller during my travels, mostly to Asia and the Indo-Pacific archipelagos... Keep in mind that in tourist areas and big cities, there are usually medical facilities in case of a real problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Overall, the risk of contracting a serious illness is minimal for a Western traveller who is in good health, well nourished and up to date with his or her vaccinations. And if it does happen, you won't treat yourself: you'll consult a local doctor or use the services of a travel assistance\/insurance company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I'm happy here to give common sense advice, for small problems on the trip, not for serious situations. These tips obviously can not replace a medical opinion. But given the exorbitant price of some drugs (which often will not be used), the best is to take with you only enough to treat small disorders and small sores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Covid-19.<\/mark> <\/span><\/strong>This article dates from before the pandemic... In addition to the basic health recommendations recalled here, remember to take precautions to protect yourself and others in the event of Covid: mask, distancing, hand washing (soap and hydroalcoholic gel).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The really useful stuff<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Problems most likely to be faced: the famous tourista<\/strong> (traveler's diarrhea) and small wounds<\/strong> (bites, scratches, cuts, blisters, which heal poorly in a humid climate and can become infected).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, what is really useful in a travel first-aid kit: it is at least an anti-diarrhea<\/strong>, as well as bandages<\/strong> sterile and a disinfectant<\/strong> type Betadine (be careful with any small sores on the feet, as we're always walking around barefoot, in flip-flops, and they can easily become infected). I also carry waterproof bandages to protect a wound when I dive, as salt water only makes the situation worse...<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Possibly antibiotics<\/strong>If you know that you will spend time far from any city (where you can find a doctor and\/or a pharmacy). For example, I once had to find a pharmacy in a hurry between two planes in Indonesia, in order to get antibiotics for three days, in order to stop the infection of a palm blister (sic!) which had degenerated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For small ordinary ailments, I also take a few pills ofanti-pain with paracetamol<\/strong>Doliprane or equivalent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finally, very useful for the diver that I am: some drops to treat otitis externa<\/strong> (caused by poorly rinsed ears after immersions). The most effective for this type of infection, among those I tested: those named Ottopain in Indonesia or Panotile in France.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mosquitoes and malaria<\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe malaria<\/a> (also called malaria) is an infectious disease potentially deadly<\/strong>, caused by parasites of the genus Plasmodium<\/em>, transmitted by mosquitoes when they bite us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Malaria does not occur everywhere in equatorial or tropical regions of the world, nor in the same country considered a malaria-endemic zone. By this I mean: there is no need to take preventive treatment when you go to Phuket, for example... For malaria-infested areas, it is obviously advisable to consult a doctor before leaving<\/strong>. He alone can properly inform you about the risks of contamination where you are going and how best to prevent them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is not a matter to be taken lightly.<\/strong> As many travelers on the internet rightly remind us, it only takes one bite from a mosquito carrying the parasite to be infected for life...<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"My$ <\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
For me, it is rare that I take an anti-malarial treatment. I am often asked the question and I am always a little embarrassed to answer, knowing that it can influence the decision of other people. But it is a personal choice, and I assume the risk for myself, knowingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My decision is not a substitute for medical advice and is not a recommendation. Everyone to take responsibility with their health.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I usually stick to the simplest basic precautions, which have proven their worth: mosquito repellent, long sleeves and pants <\/strong>at dusk if needed, careful closure of the net<\/strong> around the bed if there is one and the room is not closed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I invite you to read this excellent article published by Fran\u00e7ois du blog Tourdumondiste<\/em>, which explains everything very well, with serious information (sourced) and advice \u2192 Should I take malaria medication when travelling?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Malaria is not the only thing to worry about:<\/mark><\/strong> mosquitoes can also transmit the dengue<\/a>...in particular. Protecting yourself with repellent and long clothing is therefore a basic precaution in all cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Techno: an indispensable superfluous<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
I have to admit, I'm getting a bit overloaded. I'm addicted to my toys! I used to travel for a long time without a computer, back when I was a real backpacker, but no more. Back then, to connect to the web and keep this blog up to date during my travels, I'd spend hours in local Internet caf\u00e9s...<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Laptop<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
With the amount of underwater pictures I make now, I can't imagine traveling without a computer. I can write my texts whenever I want, from my room or my terrace, sort my pictures as I go along on Lightroom<\/a>I was able to connect to the internet, either by using a wifi connection when there is one, or by using the shared connection of my iPhone in which I put a local SIM card (it's not expensive at all in Asia, very convenient to connect via the mobile network).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first time I decided to take a laptop with me, I opted for a lightweight, inexpensive netbook (a mini-PC laptop), the Medion Akoya<\/strong> (read here \u2192 My technomade mini-computer<\/a>). But from 2010, when I acquired my Canon 7D SLR camera<\/a> who is doing HD video<\/a>I gave it up: this little computer was not powerful enough...<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead, I took my old 15-inch MacBook Pro<\/strong>. Only, it gave me a fright when it broke down, with a beautiful black screen: it didn't like the humidity and heat at all. It came back to life afterwards, but the machine was already beginning to look obsolete by then. Technological toys evolve at breakneck speed!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, in January 2011, I fell for a 13 inch MacBook Air<\/strong>It was one of the first generation, very light, very good. I loved it and traveled with it for many years. But in the same way, it ended up not being enough for me, with the stock of Raw photos and videos I was accumulating... Its slowness, facing new software and ever larger files, became exasperating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"My$ <\/a>
My MacBook Air 11 inches, at Ankermi Happy Dive, in Maumere. (Flores, Indonesia, July 2011)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
In June 2016, I invested in a new machine, capable of processing a large number of files without dragging, and which has lasted several years: a MacBook Pro 15-inch Retina Display<\/strong> from mid-2015 (photo below), refurbished, with 2.5 GHz Intel Core i7 processor, 16 GB Ram memory and 1 TB SSD storage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the years went by, this computer in turn became obsolete for ever more demanding image, photo and video processing software... In 2023, I switched to a similar but more powerful and lighter computer: a MacBook Air 15 inch<\/strong>with M2 chip, 24 GB of Ram and 2 TB of storage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Photo and video equipment<\/h3>\n\n\n\nSince 2023, I've had a hybrid camera, Canon Eos R7<\/a>lighter and more modern than my old one Canon Eos 7D<\/a> acquired in 2010, which has never let me go. I only use the R7 underwater. For terrestrial photos and videos, I now use the iPhone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the R7, I take several 64 GB memory cards, a spare battery and its charger. For the lenses, I take a wide-angle (actually a fisheye) and a macro. See details here:
\u2192 Photo and diving: my equipment<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I also have a portable SSD hard drive for backing up photos and videos (I unload and store the originals on my MacBook Air).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finally, for underwater shots, I also carry an underwater housing. Nauticam<\/a> and various accessories: flash units and chargers, flash arms, power cords, dome and porthole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. iPhone and local SIM<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
I also mentioned this above. The iPhone has become my second camera. It allows me to make images without attracting attention<\/strong>And that's not all, since almost everyone now carries a smartphone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For all communications (phone, SMS, internet), my French SIM is an e-SIM, so I keep my main number associated with the smartphone without needing to physically occupy the SIM card slot. I slip into the iPhone a local SIM<\/strong> for the duration of the trip, which I buy on the spot on arrival. It's the cheapest solution. It gives you access to the Internet via the 3\/4\/5G mobile network (when available) and avoids roaming charges. The phone acts as a \"modem\" for the computer via connection sharing, when there's no wifi available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Power adapter and power strip<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In modest accommodations, it is rare to have more than one electrical outlet. And it is sometimes installed in strange places, in height, or near the door, or in an inaccessible corner behind the bed... So I take a strip<\/strong>\u00a0to plug in all my accessories and chargers more easily. Before I leave, I check the type of plug in the country I'm going to use. the adapter<\/strong> (but if you forget, you can find it on site).<\/p>\n\n\n