Buying gifts for scuba divers can be very difficult, especially if you are not a diver or buying something for the diver who has everything. That said, you can still buy many things for a scuba diver, from a new wetsuit and dive computer to an upgraded mask and dive light; the question is which one is best. So, what are some of the best gift ideas for scuba divers in 2024?
Mask Gifts for Scuba Divers
Tidal Mask Dual Lens
The Tidal masks are revolutionary and feature an anti-fog coating that guarantees your mask will never fog up again on a dive. The coating is so effective that the mask remains fog-free and easy to use even when subjected to a steam generator. Dual lens Tidal masks are available in various colors and with a clear or colored silicone skirt. You can also purchase replacement anti-fog films to keep your mask clear and fog-free for years to come.
Tidal Mask Single Lens
For those who don’t like dual lens masks and prefer the viewing angles of a single lens mask, Look no further than the Tidal Sports Single lens mask. This mask has all the same features and benefits as a dual-lens mask but features a single lens. The mask has the same anti-fog film, guaranteeing you years of fog-free diving. Like the dual lens mask, the Tidal Single lens mask is available in various frame and skirt colors and with clear and solid silicone skirts.
Within the technical diving community, the Oceanic shadow frameless mask was a pioneer and is still one of the most sought-after low-volume frameless masks. The revolutionary feature of the Shadow is that the mask has no plastic frame to hold the lens. Instead, the lenses simply slot into a groove in the silicone skirt. This makes the mask very compact and easy to clear, and it is the perfect backup mask since it slots easily into a BCD or leg pocket.
One of the main drawbacks of the original Oceanic Shadow is that it was not ideal for every face, and people with smaller, narrower face configurations tended to have trouble getting the mask to seal properly. That is why the Mini Shadow was introduced, and now any diver, no matter their facial shape, can find an Oceanic frameless mask to fist their face. The min shadow also makes the perfect mask for kids learning to dive.
Prescription Dive Masks
Sometimes, the choice of a perfect dive mask is limited because you need to have a scuba mask with prescription lenses. Fortunately, that is not the end of the world, and you have plenty of choices on offer. A prescription dive mask makes an ideal gift for a scuba diver since it is one of the last things divers invest in since they have learned to cope with less-than-perfect vision in the water. You can often buy lenses matching your prescription and place them in your dive preferred dive mask.
Snorkels
Tidal Roll Up Snorkel
When it comes to compact, easy-to-use, and stow-away snorkels, the Tidal Roll-up is hard to beat and is the perfect gift for the scuba diver who likes to wear his snorkel rolled up in his pocket. The tidal roll-up is super compact, rolling up to the size of a large bagel when not in use, making it easy to tuck away in a pocket or purse. The snorkel is available in four colors: pink, aqua, white, and black. If you are looking at wet snorkels, it does not get much better than the Tidal Roll up.
Tidal Dry Snorkel
If you are fed up with coming up coughing and spluttering when you put your snorkel back in your mouth, then the Tidal Dry Snorkel is an ideal choice. The snorkel’s dry technology will prevent water from entering from the top of the tube, whether on the surface in waves or diving underwater. The snorkel has a gasket that closes when submerged, protecting the snorkel tube from being flooded. The Tidal Dry snorkel also features a dry purge chamber so you can quickly and easily clear any droplets in the tube.
As its name suggests, the Oceanic is an excellent compromise between a snorkel that fits in a pocket and one with a purge valve for easy clearing. The Oceanic pocket also has a top deflector; while this is not a dry snorkel, it is a compromise between preventing water ingress without making breathing too difficult. The snorkel has a silicone rubber mouthpiece that is comfortable and easy to grip, and over is a good choice for a backup snorkel.
Fins
No Scuba diving gift list that includes fins would be complete without mentioning the legendary Mares Avanti Quattro Plus fins. These open-heel fins have been a mainstay of the recreational diving industry for years and are arguably one of the most popular fins among instructors. The fins feature four channels, adding flexibility allowing you to generate enormous power from your fin kicks. These fins are ideal for every diving situation and can be used with wetsuits and dry suits.
The ScubaPro Jet Fins are a legend in the diving and special forces community and have been in production for over 50 years. These fins are about as tough as they get and are made from heavy-duty rubber, with channels allowing water to move through them easily. Jet Fins also feature a spring steel heel strap, so you never have to worry about a broken strap. They are short, making them easy to pack. However, they are very heavy, so they are less than ideal for traveling. Also, their weight makes them more suited to drysuit diving.
The Tusa Hyflex is an excellent fin for the traveling diver. Its size means it can easily fit into most dive bags and hold all. Also, it is lightweight and compact without compromising its durability and robustness. The fin features TUSA’s unique “Vortex Generator,” designed to reduce the effort of kicking while maximizing the power generated by each stroke. The Tusa fins are open-heeled and come with an adjustable bungee strap.
If The diver you are looking for a gift or prefers closed-foot fins, then the Cressi Reaction Pro is an ideal choice and one of the best closed-foot fins on the market. The fin is made using a patented system where the frame is molded using three different materials. This gives immense strength, durability, and comfort when wearing. In addition to being powerful, the sole is covered in thermos rubber to provide excellent grip when moving around on boat surfaces.
If you have ever seen Force Fins, you probably scratched your head and wondered how they work, but they do very well. These are the ultimate fins for generating power in the water and are ideal for getting from A to B. If you are into swim finning and diving, the Force Fins are well worth considering due to their outstanding performance. One thing to remember is that to get the most out of your Force Fins, you need to be in excellent physical condition.
BCD
Oceanic OceanPro BCD
If you look at many professional divers' gearboxes, you will more often than not find an Oceanic OceanPro BCD lurking in there. This unisex BCD is the perfect example of a jacket-style BCD, with just the perfect number of features, making it ideal for virtually every diver. Pros like it because it is super durable and can take the wear off day after day of diving.
Scubapro Hydros Pro / X Dive BCD
The Scuba Pro Hydros Pros is one of the ultimate customizable BCDs on the market today. Not only that, it is also available in male and female fits, making it ideal for either sex. The rugged and durable BCD has many features you can choose and switch between uses. This makes it the perfect BCD for different diving conditions, temperatures, and diving styles.
For those looking for a budget option, the Cressi Start is perfect. This rugged, tough BCD was initially designed for dive shops, and while it lacks some features, it is very tough and priced competitively. If you are beginning or still working out your diving journey, the Cressi Start makes an ideal starting point and won’t break the bank either.
The Zeagle Fury is a solid all-rounder for divers looking for something a little more than an entry-level BCD, and that is ideal for all diving conditions, both in a wetsuit and a drysuit. The Fury is solid BCD, with two different types of integrated weight systems and a very adjustable harness, making it suitable for use with all kinds of suits. The Fury also features multiple zipped pockets for securing dive accessories.
If you are looking for the perfect combination of a lightweight hybrid BCD, look no further than the Scubapro Litehawk, which comes in at a featherweight of 2.2kg/4.85 lbs. The Litehawk is perfect if you prefer to dive a wing-style BCD and have a very uncluttered and clean setup. Also, the unit packs flat, making it an ideal travel option.
No BCD list would be complete without the Cressi Travelight, which is ideal for both female dives and those who travel a lot and want to keep the weight of gear to a minimum. That said, despite its lightweight, the Cressi is no slouch in the features department with side pockets, integrated weight pouches, and a whopping 8 D-rings.
Dive Computers
The Cressi Leonardo is the ultimate budget dive computer crammed with affordable features, making it an ideal gift for the scuba diver in your life. The Leonardos is easy to use with a huge screen and depth rated 120m/393ft. In addition, it features three modes, air, nitrox, and gauge, and can be used with Nitrox mixes up to 50%. For additional safety, The Cressi Leonardo uses an adapted RGBM decompression model. Finally, you don’t have to worry about battery changes on the road since the battery is user-replaceable.
The Garmin Descent G1 Solar is so much more than a dive computer, although, on that side of things, it delivers, with a 100m/330ft depth rating and all diving modes, including trimix, both open and closed circuit. The Garmin Descent pushes the envelope in everyday use, with everything from sleep and workout tracking to a heart monitor and contactless payment. There is virtually no activity you can do where Garmin would be unusable. The unit is even stylish enough to be worn as an everyday item.
The Shearwater Teric can do it all in glorious color. The watch-style dive computers are perfect for recreational as well as technical diving. The Teric has five modes: Recreational, Technical, freediving, Rebreather, and gauge. Depth-rated to 152m/498 ft, the Teric can go virtually anywhere you want to take it. If you dive, the Teric can do everything you will ever need.
Wetsuits
Nothing beats a shorty when the water is warm, and the sun is shining, and the Cressi Tortuga is pretty much the industry leader at the minute. The Tortuga is easy to don and doff with its back zip. In addition to the thermal protection, the suit provides UV protection in the covered area. There are two models of the Tortuga, one for men and one for women.
If you are heading to the tropics but still want a full suit, the Cressi Morea 3mm is ideal. This highly flexible suit comes with padded knees and shin pads to prevent abrasion and damage when you need to kneel in the water. In addition, the non-slip chest patch keeps your BCD straps secure where they need to be. There are two models of the Morea, one for men and one tailored for women divers.
For those temperate waters or when you feel a little colder in warm water, the stylish Fourth Element Proteus II 5mm is a perfect choice. The suit features Glideskin wrist and Hydrolock inner neck seals to reduce water movement and keep you warm. The suit is durable and built to last with double-glued and blind-stitched seams, which are then tapped for additional strength. Thermal protection is improved with the addition of Hexicore linings on the body core.
Ideal for colder water, the Hollis NeoTek Semi-Dry is warm and feature-packed. The suit features a ThermaSkin inner liner, a front zip, and internal dams for wrist, ankle, and neck. For durability, the seams are butt jointed with a blind stitch and quadruple glued. In terms of onboard storage, the suite comes with large thigh pockets ideal for technical and recreational diving. The NeoTek V2 is available in 9 sizes, making it easy to find the right fit for you.
Akona Classic Line 7 mm Women
Women diving in colder water can rely on the Akona Classic Line 7 mm to keep them warm. Made from durable, high-quality Quantum stretch neoprene, giving it unparalleled flexibility and movement, not to mention the ease of donning. Also, the suit has Glideskin seals to reduce water movement, so you can stay warm on those colder dives. The suit is designed with the female form in mind, so it fits women divers, perfectly with no loose areas where water can pool.
Drysuits
SANTI E.Lite Plus
If you are looking for a premium gift for the technical diver in your life, then the SANTI E. Lite Plus is about as good as it gets. The suite has virtually every feature you could ever want in a dry suit. The telescopic torso allows you to fine-tune the fit so it is just perfect for your body. At the same time, the front entry zip and internal suspenders make donning and doffing, as well as wearing the suit, very simple. The suit also features SANTI’s smart ring system, so you can easily switch out a seal in the field without the need to take it into the shop. The suit also features high-capacity cargo pockets, Kevlar knee pads, and reinforcement on the sleeves, legs, and back. Needless to say, the E. Lite Plus is the perfect drysuit for any diving.
Aqua Lung Blizzard Pro
The Aqua Lung Blizzard Pro is the perfect choice for the diver who likes to hit the water when the mercury takes a plunge. This Neoprene drysuit is designed for cold water diving and is made from high-grade compressed Yamamoto neoprene. The Blizzard Pro also features internal suspenders for easy wear and has a large cargo pocket and a mesh drain panel. You can choose to have integrated boots or dry socks if you prefer the use of dry boots. The Aqua Lung Blizzard Pro is available in seven sizes for men and seven for women.
The DUI Yukon II is a fabulous choice if you are looking for a drysuit for a female diver who loves to travel. Made from durable laminated D9X material, the suit is strong and lightweight and should last for years while it travels the world. In addition, the suit has reinforcements in the lower arms, lower back, and knees to provide additional protection to these areas of high traffic and abrasion. The suit has internal braces for a comfortable fit, and the front zip makes getting in and out of the suit a breeze!
Reels & Spool
At some point, every diver will need to have a finger spool, even if it is only deployed SMBs. The OMS finger spool is perfect for that and is available in three lengths: 23m/75ft, 30m/989ft, and 45m/147ft. For additional safety and ease of use, the one-inch hole in the middle of the reel is now a concave opening on both sides.
Halcyon Pathfinder Reel 400
The godfather of a design often copied, the Pathfinder 400, is the perfect cave exploration reel measuring 400ft/120m. Its unique design means the line never becomes entangled in the rotation mechanism when reeling out or in. Although a little on the expensive side, its reputation as a top performer more than warrants it.
The Sucbapro Reel 75 is as robust as a tank with the performance of a high-end sports car. Made from an anodized alloy frame, it is tough and built to last. The reel is ideal for everything from exploring wrecks and caves to underwater search and navigation exercises. The reel even has a rotation mechanism with variable friction to give you perfect control.
The Apeks Ascend is an all-around reel that delivers outstanding performance and functionality. Designed primarily for DSMB deployment, the reel is perfect for every left or right-handed diver. With a thick rubber grip, the reel is ideal for bare hands or wearing thick gloves, making it suitable for cold and warm water diving.
Dive Lights
The OrcaTorchD710 is the perfect choice for a primary light for recreational diving or a backup light for pros. Delivering 3000 lumens, it has plenty of power to cut through the darkest of waters. The torch is easy to use with a push button switch and is compact enough to slot easily into a BCD pocket.
If you are looking for the perfect dive torch at a reasonable price, the Scubapro Nova 850 is a perfect choice. Powerful and compact with an 855-lumen beam, the Nova 850 is the ideal everyday carry dive torch that slips into a BCD pocket on every dive. Its 150m/492ft depth rating is also ideal for technical diving.
Although a little bigger than other compact offerings on this list, the Mares EOS 20RZ is a performance monster, delivering a massive 2300 lumens. If you are after the brightest of dive lights, you can’t go wrong with the Mares. The light is ideal for professionals to guide guests on night dives.
Apeks Luna
The Apeks Luna is the ideal mix of size and weight without sacrificing power since it delivers an impressive 2000 lumens. This robust light also has a digital display, allowing you to see how many minutes of burn time you have left. Burn time is where the Luna excels; depending on use, it can last 2 to 8 hours.
Taking it up a notch in terms of performance, the OrcaTorch D630 is an ideal gift for the technical diver in your household. This canister-style light delivers an incredible performance with a power of 4000 lumens. The lamp head comes with a goodman handle for wrist mounting. In addition, the canister is perfect for back mount or side mount diving configuration.
Accessories
ProShot Dive Universal iPhone Case
The ProShot Dive Universal case is the perfect gift for the diver who has an iPhone. The unit is compatible with all iPhones, including the 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. Depth-rated to 130 feet/40 meters, the ProShot Case turns the iPhone into an underwater shooting powerhouse and saves a ton of weight carrying specialized camera gear around. The case features an App as well as, a floating hand grip, and a protective travel case. You can also purchase red filters to make the colors of your underwater pictures pop!
ProShot Touch Case
The ProShot Touch Case is more of an all-around proposition when it comes to your iPhone and water sports. Depth rated to 15m/50ft, you can take it for a shallow dive or snorkeling. The Case is also ideal for days at the beach or on a boat since you can still use your touchscreen while the phone is in the case. Like its bigger brother, the Dive case, the touch case also comes with a floating hand grip, a wrist lanyard, and a protective travel case.
Sola Video 2500 Action Kit
If you regularly use a GoPro underwater, you will know how important lighting is for great images and videos. The Sola Video 2500 Action Kit Double by Light & Motion Dive is the perfect companion for the ProShot Dive Case and Go Pros. Depth-rated to 100m/330ft and providing a stunning 2,500 lumens, the SOLA makes shooting video with your ProShot Case a breeze. In addition, the SOLA is rugged and durable with a 1m/~3.3ft impact resistance rating. This means your SOLA system should be safe and secure even on bumpy rides on dive boats.
Diving in the open ocean carries its own risks, and one of the worst is getting separated from your dive boat; that is where keeping your loved one safe by buying them a Personal Locator Beacon comes into play. With a depth rating of 130m/425ft, you can take the Nautilus Lifeline on virtually every dive, and it will stay safe. In an emergency, all you need to do is activate your beacon, stay tight, and rescue should be on the way. One thing to remember when shopping for a beacon is that some only work in certain parts of the world, so double-check your beacon and locations.
Dive Bags
This polyester mesh bag is a beast that will keep your dive gear safe and make drying it easy. The Aqualung Explorer is a hold-all type bag, meaning, which means it does not have a shoulder strap. That said, it is the perfect back for packing your gear for a day or even a weekend of diving.
The TUSA bag is the perfect hybrid design between a duffel bag and a roller. With a durable wheel system, this bag is bound to survive even the harshest of treatments by airline baggage handlers and keep your dive gear safe for your next trip. The bag is ideal for the diver who spends a lot of time traveling with their gear.
Scubapro Caravan Bag
Another Hybrid bag, the Caravan is ideal for traveling divers who need to take their basic gear without packing the kitchen sink. At its heart, this is a compact, lightweight duffel bag with wheels. Despite its compact size, it has plenty of room for all your gear and is easy to maneuver on its wheel system.
Cressi Gorilla Pro XL
You have to ask yourself, what can’t you put in the Cressi Gorilla Pro XL? This cavernous waterproof hold all is perfect for transporting your dive gear wet or dry. In fact, if you normally dive from your car, this bag is ideal since it will hold all your wet gear and prevent the trunk of your car from getting soaked. At its price point, this bag is hard to beat.
Cressi Moby 5
What do you get the diver who has every piece of dive gear? A Cressi Moby 5, this utterly enormous bag will take about every piece of dive kit imaginable bar your tanks and compressor. The incredibly large and robust bag is ideal for travel and generally storing your dive gear away for the winter. Backpack-style shoulder straps make carrying this bag around a breeze when needed.
The Apeks 90L roller is the perfect scuba travel bag and offers the perfect balance between a size large enough to pack all your gear and one compact and light enough to make handling easy. The bag has a narrow profile and lots of pockets and pouches, so you can sort all the gear you need in an organized fashion.
Gift Cards
Sometimes, no matter what you try and think of, the diver has virtually everything they need, so what do you buy them in that case? The answer is pretty simple and easy: get them a gift card that they can spend on the dive gear they want. That way, it could be something they don’t have, or buying a replacement or even, in some cases, upgrading their equipment as their diving skill and objective have outgrown their current setup. In terms of the perfect card, Pro Shot and Tidal Sports have a wide range of cards to suit every budget, ranging from $50 to $400. Cards can be used on any items in the shop.
