40+ Unique and Useful Scuba Gift Ideas for Every Budget

1) Stickers & Pins

I don’t collect many things but stickers (and books) are an exception. Many scuba divers seem to share the obsession and can’t help but advertise a sport we love so much on the outside of water bottles, camera cases, laptops and suitcases.

Sometimes these stickers will come from things like gear purchases or cause promotions. However they can also be bought for cheap from various retailers. My personal favorites being: The Life of Sharks, Getting Salty, Girls That Scuba and Fin Pins.

2) Sunglasses Lanyard

Many people are probably familiar with the beaded glasses chains our grannies are so fond of. But they are fond of them for a reason! That reason being they are incredibly useful.

That’s why a sunglasses lanyard or even a special boating hat is the perfect gift to prevent our precious accessories flying off and away.

3) Waterproof Playing Cards

Unfortunately divers can’t spend their entire lives underwater. Instead get your giftee something to entertain them on their surface interval. Waterproof playing cards are travel friendly and are a great way to make friends. You can go simple and cheap with these or splash out a bit more on an Air Deck.

4) Key Chains

Keychains can be a simultaneously fun and useful scuba gift. For example a:

Mini scuba tank o-ring pick and case could save a dive day and looks very cute.

Shark bottle opener for some sundowners.

Dive Inspire Felt keychains and Marine Life luggage tags to make your bags easily identifiable.

5) Christmas Tree Ornaments

For a cute Christmas themed gift there are plenty of independent crafters making scuba themed ornaments.

6) Fun Diving Drink Wear

In amongst the more novelty scuba gift ideas is the fun diving drink wear. Like a something shaky wine glass, deep tea diver or my personal favorite mana tee mug from The Life of Sharks. For if you just want to have a little fun with your special someone.

7) Scuba Books

Books are pretty high up there on my list of best gifts. They are relatively cheap, cover pretty much any topic you can think of and hard to get wrong. Even if the person you are giving them too is not a big reader, nowadays you can find pretty much any title in audiobook form instead.

So if you are also inclined to go down this route then take a look at The Big Scuba Book List for Fact & Fiction Lovers.

8) Toiletries

For those that have been gifted body wash and perfume their entire adult lives then this suggestion probably has you rolling your eyes. But hear me out! 

Our bathrooms are being revolutionised by exciting, eco-conscious new toiletries. The first people jumping on board being scuba divers. Meaning any one of the things listed below could be a great creature comfort to someone out on a boat all day.

Reef Safe Sunscreen

SPF Lip Balm

Sunburn & Sting Gel

Leave In Conditioner

Shampoo Bars & Matador Travel Bag

Mini Hairbrush / Wide Tooth Comb

RipTie Hair Tie

Menstrual Cup

As you can probably tell Stream2Sea are our absolute favourites when it comes to reef safe products and if you use the code TRITONEXPLORERS at checkout you can get yourself 10% off!

9) Portable Luggage Scale

Nothing is as much of a struggle as the first time travelling with your scuba gear. The key to stress free packing? A portable luggage scale

These little suckers literally weigh nothing and take up no space. Yet can make the difference between a huge surprise bill at the airport and a smooth and easy check in.

10) Moldable Mouthpiece

Simple and yet oh so effective. When you need to have a regulator in your mouth for hours, comfort is key. For many people it can make or break a dive, so why not make it for them and buy them a moldable mouthpiece. 

The great thing is they don’t even need to own their own regulator to use it. Many shops don’t mind if you swap their mouthpiece out while you’re renting a regulator.

11) Mask Strap Cover

Most scuba masks come with a rubber strap which can make diving a little uncomfortable. Getting tangled in hair and ripping it out when you try to take it off.

The simple solution? A neoprene mask strap cover. Plus it adds a nice touch of personalisation to someones dive wardrobe, making it easier for other divers to recognise them underwater.

This usually hovers on the borderline of being either under or over $10 depending on what design you go for.

12) Buff

A buff is a very simple item of clothing but also amazingly adaptable. Essentially an open-ended tube, it can be twisted and folded into a hat, hair accessory, neck scarf and sleep mask. So be it to keep the sun of your skin, head warm after a dive or hair out of your face under the water, a buff is a scuba divers best friend. 

As such many marine apparel stores like Slipins, Waterlust, Girls That Scuba sell them. But in my option you can’t go wrong with the original.

13) WetChute

Those that know, know. Getting into a wetsuit is hard work! Thats why a clever company in the US have created the Wetchute out of up-cycled parachute material. All to help water sports enthusiasts slip into their wetsuits with ease (without having to rely on single use plastic bags).

14) Insulated Water Bottle

One piece of gear I never leave home without is my Insulated water bottle. Not only does it keep me hydrated but I have also used it to keep my tea/coffee warm when headed out for an early dive or to carry a cocktail to celebrate a the end of the day. All things I’m sure scuba divers would appreciate.

15) Dry bags

Although rather boring, dry bags are hugely popular with divers because they are simple but effective. And aside from keeping stuff dry they can also make a pretty effective float or pillow when chilling out. Thus why they make a perfect gift for any outdoor enthusiast. 

16) Scuba Gear Labels & Tags

For someone that may have shelled out thousands on dive gear, a great gift is something to make sure they don’t loose it. 

This could be simple stickers like these gear name tags and tank identifiers from Dive Signs. Something more fun like these embroidered BCD tags. Or even let creativity run wild and provide them with some colorful gear marker paint.

17) Waterproof Changing Mat/Car Seat Cover

For divers who are driving to their dive site or changing by the shore, a waterproof changing mat and/or waterproof car seat cover Is going to be a real game changer when it comes to getting changed.

On a similar (but more expensive) note a car key case like the Dryfob can also be a huge help. Although all these items are more specific to the type of diving your person is partaking in. So make sure to ask.

18) Wetsuit Hanger

Wetsuits (like pretty much every piece of gear) don’t come cheap. They get dragged from place to place, dunked, dived and all sorts of other things along the way. But nothing ruins a wetsuit faster than storing it the wrong way. Hanging it from its shoulders from a thin hangar does exactly that.

However this also gives us the perfect opportunity for scuba gift giving. With simple wetsuit hangars or fancier ones with hooks for all the accessories. 

If you’re feeling creative you may even have a go at making one from PVC piping.

19) Log Book/Binder

Log books are a little bit like diaries for scuba divers. They can tell us where we’ve been and what we’ve seen. Some people taking it a bit more seriously than others.

Recently more people are opting to store this information digitally in the various apps available. However if your special someone still finds joy in putting it down on paper then a nice looking log book or even personalised log book could be a brilliant gift.

20) Slates or Wetnotes

Scuba divers can’t talk underwater. We have to communicate in other ways like hand signals and writing on slates or wet notes. These come in a variety of different styles:

Clip on sheets (big and small) which are useful for those studying, mapping or generally collecting data but could otherwise get in the way. These also can come pre-printed like these fish Id slates which are great for identifying marine life.

Wrist Slates which are curved to fit around the arm and are popular for ‘every-day’ use

Wet notes which are made of softer plastic and can hold a lot of information. You can even get them customised by Diveproof to contain tables, diagrams, etc

21) Colored Hoses & Straps

Some people just love to personalise their gear. That means if you know what look they are going for you will be able to gift them with things like a colorful dive computer strap or colorful regulator hoses.

22) Save-A-Dive Kit

For those of you who don’t know what a save-a-dive kit is then It does exactly what it says on the tin. It is a collection of spares, supplies and tools which could save you from having to sit out If your equipment breaks or goes missing. 

There are plenty of places to buy save-a-dive kits online, however we think it would make a far better and more thoughtful gift if you make it yourself. Don’t worry it’s not hard to do!

23) Multi-Tools

If you really can’t be bothered with the last gift suggestion but still think it’s a good idea then you may want to consider a scuba multi-tool instead. This one piece of gear will forever come in useful.

They come in various sizes specific to diving like the pocket sized pandora tool. I have even heard of some divers keeping this in their wet notes to use whilst in the water. Or if you would rather something more multi-functional then the leatherman can be used for all sorts of other outdoor activities as well.

24) Rash Guards & Swimwear

Wetsuits and drysuits are a bit too personal to be given as a gift without involvement of the person you are giving it to. However rash guards are the perfect in-between. They are sized just like normal clothing, are more affordable, fun and pretty much every diver can use them. Our favourite designs come from:

25) Towel or Changing Robe

After a dive there is nothing like getting warm and dry. Microfibre towels are great to do that. But even better than that is a changing robe!

You will see many dive pros practically living in these. Fourth element and other brands have even made some heavy duty ponchos for cold water divers.

26) Waterproof Speaker

Do you know someone who loves their tunes but doesn’t love getting their precious speaker wet? Well let them bring the party to the beach, boat and everywhere in between with a waterproof speaker. Simple, versatile and loads of fun. Not only will this gift benefit the one you love but everyone gets to enjoy it.

Here are some of the best waterproof speakers out there.

27) Waterproof Jewelry

It wouldn’t be a gift list without a jewellery. However opposed to the usual stuff, you may want to consider something water safe, otherwise it will corrode pretty quickly.

There are brands that sell ‘waterproof Jewelry’ but your best bet is to opt for something made of solid stainless steel, 925 Silver or Gold. Alloys may contain material prone to rust.

Luckily there are lots of stores out there that make a range of scuba related Jewelry from the fancy to the fantastical. Some of our favourites being GirlsthatScuba, Kamoka Sustainable Pearls and Vandaya. Etsy is also a good place to search for independent designers like these glass nudibranch earrings or jewellery made from invasive lionsish fin.

28) Underwater Camera Accessories

If your scuba gift recipient already has a camera then you can easily give them accessories to make it more underwater friendly. First and foremost underwater housing to turn it into an underwater camera. Just bear in mind this may be quite expensive if they have a larger DLSR compared to a small action cam.

Other fun accessories include the Nu-Bear 4-in-one grip, selfie-stick, tripod and float. Or even a camera tray for more stable photos. If they want something more simple to hold onto then a strap or colourful paracord lanyard will also do the trick for less.

Lastly for more serious photographers is something like this GoPro Dome to capture split images above and below the water. Strobes and other forms of photography lighting could also be good.

29) Underwater Camera

If you’re scuba gift buying for someone with more expensive taste, then a camera will definitely do the trick. For those who would prefer something simple then an action camera like Insta360 are perfect and easy to accessorize (see ideas above). Plus not only do they make for amazing quality shots underwater but they also come in useful for a variety of other adventurous activities.

However for those who are more serious about their underwater photography then you could also go down the route of buying a specialist diving camera like the Olympus TG6. Or go all in with a full DSLR Underwater housing setup. This usually does cost a lot more than your average gift though.

30) Waterproof Phone Case

This scuba gift idea can swing between the extremes depending on your budget. If you are looking for something cheap and cheerful then a transparent plastic phone bag or waterproof phone case is an essential when around water all the time.

However at the other end of the scale waterproof phone housing for example from DiveVolk,  have become very popular in recent years as it allows divers to transform their phone into an underwater camera or even listen to music and watch movies on long deco stops.

31) Waterproof Backpack

It’s pretty obvious that divers love to be in the water but that doesn’t mean we want everything to constantly get wet. A waterproof bag to hold all your loved ones gadgets and gizmos is a prefect way to show you care.

Our absolute favourite is the Wandrd Prvke which we found was the best bag for zero-sacrifice travel. But if this is too far out of your price range there are plenty of other waterproof bags on the market or opt for a dry bag instead.

32) Diving Equipment Bag

Divers are very protective about their equipment, which is not surprising considering how much they spend on it. So if you really want to help them out then the best scuba gift you can give them is a kit bag. 

To keep it (relatively cheap) then a padded regulator bag works wonders. But if you want to go a bit bigger then a mesh gear bag or waterproof duffle are also incredibly useful.

33) Underwater Metal Detector

Want an unusual gift they will never see coming? Then an underwater metal detector could be the one for you. Admittedly they are a little pricy, however if your recipient is a scavenger, treasure hunter or aspiring archeologist then it will be well worth it. Here are the best underwater metal detectors for you to browse.

34) Prints & Photos

A Beautiful way to support artists and photographers but also give a wonderful gift is through purchasing marine art and photos. Some of our favourite artists include Francesca Page, Henly Spires, Jade Hoksbergen, Or for something a bit more 3D, Nautical Wood Maps. Originals will obviously be more expensive but if they are too far out of your budget then you may want to consider a print instead.

35) Dive Equipment

I was in two minds as to whether to put dive equipment on the scuba gift ideas list as most people are very picky when it comes to what they use. That being said, it is the most obvious choice. 

The easiest items to buy without needing to know much about your recipients preferences are accessories. Dive torches are useful for everyone, helping to bring back color, illuminating marline life in their hidey holes and of course is essential in night, wreck and cave diving. Dive computers and cutting tools are vital pieces of safety equipment. And compasses are useful for getting around.

However it’s always a good idea to get as much information before you buy so here are some of our equipment buying guides for reference:

36) Air Refill Card

Depending on the kind of diving being done, your special someone may dive independently of a tour operator. Instead opting to get their tanks filled at a local shop. If that’s the case then consider gifting them an air refill card. It’s a gift that I’m sure will be used up in no time!

37) Diving Insurance

Insurance may not be the sexiest gift but the safety of your special someone is pretty important. I would like to hope that most people have already taken care of this themselves, but if not then it’s the perfect opportunity for gift giving.

Divers Alert Network is who we use and can’t recommend them enough. With a 24/7 emergency hotline and amazingly responsive staff, whenever we have had to use our insurance they have not disappointed. Just remember to make sure the plan covers the kind of diving your recipient is doing (tech, professional, etc).

38) Diving Courses

Scuba diving is on a lot of peoples bucket list. Even if they don’t intend to take it up as a hobby. So with that in mind you may want to think about gifting either a one day Discover Scuba experience or Entry Level course. It is a skill which they will hopefully use and enjoy for the rest of their lives.

Better yet, if they are already certified then help them to level up with advanced, rescue or speciality courses. Or give them the opportunity to try something new with UV Night diving or Blackwater diving.

39) Diving Trips

If you have someone in your life you like enough to spend a huge chunk of cash on, then there is no more memorable a gift than that of a diving trip. Be it a weekend away or a liveaboard.

With hundreds of destinations around the world there are plenty of places I’m sure your loved one would love to see. Use this diving map of the world if your struggling for inspiration.