Packing for long-term travel with scuba gear

[eve05]

I'm about to head off without a return ticket, sometimes working and sometimes just traveling as a backpacker. I'm very much on a budget while I travel and I'm looking for ways to save on the luggage fees on planes.

I have full gear (except tank and weights) that I plan to travel with. My equipment is geared towards traveling and is as light-weight as possible.

Does anyone have any tips for packing the gear or generally avoiding excess luggage fees? I travel with a backpack that fits as a carry-on on most airlines.

 

[tursiops]

Wear a "photographer's vest" with lots of pockets to carry gear.
Disassemble your reg/hoses.
Some countries will not let you in unless you have a return ticket.
Use airlines that allow one bag to be checked free-of-charge.

 

[Edward3c]

Wear a "photographer's vest" with lots of pockets to carry gear.
Disassemble your reg/hoses.
Some countries will not let you in unless you have a return ticket.
Use airlines that allow one bag to be checked free-of-charge.

This, and some countries require a work permit, which may need to be applied for before arrival, i.e. Thailand.

 

[Sascha314]

Ok wow what about your regular cloth? Or don't you wear anything?

As already recommended I would use some cloth with many pockets, and a big "personal item", as many airlines allow for personal item plus carry on.
You need to practice packing like use the pockets / space of your bcd to protect and put in most of the stuff.
Use all air spaces like from fins to put in socks and underwear.

May I ask which countries you travel/plan? Because of temperature and what you need.

 

[Living4Experiences]

My two cents...wear a fisherman's vest onto the plane, which has multiple pockets inside and out and also a large pocket on the backside. You could also wear your BCD on the plane.

 

[Lorenzoid]

I did something like that--headed to Central America with a one-way ticket, and backpacked and scuba dived around--but I rented all of my gear except mask and computer. I suppose whether it makes sense to take lots of gear depends on how much of one's time will be spent diving as opposed to other activities. Good luck!

 

[eve05]

Ok wow what about your regular cloth? Or don't you wear anything?

As already recommended I would use some cloth with many pockets, and a big "personal item", as many airlines allow for personal item plus carry on.
You need to practice packing like use the pockets / space of your bcd to protect and put in most of the stuff.
Use all air spaces like from fins to put in socks and underwear.

May I ask which countries you travel/plan? Because of temperature and what you need.

I don't really have specific countries, but I am planning to at least go to the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand. I have backpacked before, so general stuff is not a problem. I'm more concerned over the weight of my carry-on on the plane.

 

[Sascha314]

I don't really have specific countries, but I am planning to at least go to the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand. I have backpacked before, so general stuff is not a problem. I'm more concerned over the weight of my carry-on on the plane.

I was more concerned about Dive Equipment PLUS general stuff. Or did you backpack with this combination before? Sounds like nice countries, enjoy!

Yeah weight will be an issue. I believe european airlines at least have like max 8kg.

 

[Edward3c]

I don't really have specific countries, but I am planning to at least go to the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand. I have backpacked before, so general stuff is not a problem. I'm more concerned over the weight of my carry-on on the plane.

Be careful going into Australia and New Zealand, they are very touchy about visitors having the possibility of working. And will refuse entry on a whim.

 

[Wobbegong_th]

May be I'd watched too many episode of "Border Security Australia" on YT, but it seems that Australia is very strict on visa type requirement. If you are on tourism visa and cannot show proof of how you'll support yourself financially without working, they'd turned you around back to where you'd came from.

As for packing, I think typically scuba fin is longer than carry on size limit. I'd recently pack my dive gear for travel and need a 24" suitcase to fit the fin, which is larger than airline carryon limit.
It would also depend on the airline you're traveling with, some are notoriously strict and would weight and size-check every carry on item, especially Low Cost Airline.