What to pack for a dive trip: the list for San Andrés and Providencia

Dive documents and insurance

Bring your certification card: you need to prove your level to dive. PADI advises carrying both the physical card and the digital one, because the physical card saves you when there’s no internet and the digital one when you’ve forgotten the physical card. And your logbook, on paper or in whichever app you use, to record every dive.

Check the diving medical questionnaire too. According to DAN, answering “yes” to any question usually means you need a doctor’s approval, so sort it out before you travel. And never lie on it.

Check what your insurance covers. DAN points out that dive accident cover isn’t comprehensive medical insurance and that a supplementary policy for illness is sensible. If your travel insurance includes medical cover, read the terms to confirm that it covers diving, and consider a policy with medical evacuation.

A thin wetsuit or full-length body suit for 27 to 30 °C water

The water around the archipelago is 27 to 30 °C depending on the season, so a thin wetsuit is enough. PADI associates 3 mm suits with warm water and thin full-length body suits with very warm water; the latter also give good protection from sunburn.

However thin, a suit also protects you from cuts, scrapes and stings. And at depth the water can be cooler: 25 °C has been measured at about 26 m off Providencia in January. If you feel the cold, don’t skimp.

Mask, dive computer and small spares

If you have your own mask and it fits well, bring it. DAN’s travel checklist includes a spare mask strap or a second mask, along with other small parts such as fin buckles and O-rings.

If you have a dive computer, it goes in your hand luggage, as does your camera. Before you leave, check that your kit has been serviced and that your computer battery isn’t low.

Sun, health and medicines

A hat, water and sun cream are on DAN’s list of essentials. Choose a sun cream without oxybenzone or octinoxate and, better still, cover up with UV-protective clothing.

Medicines go in your hand luggage, with copies of your prescriptions in case they get lost. Some countries require the original prescription, with your name and your doctor’s signature, for certain medicines: check the rules for your destination. If you get seasick, ask your doctor for a remedy that’s compatible with diving.

The journey home and a quick checklist

Plan your journey home before you pack. DAN recommends at least 12 hours without flying after a single no-decompression dive and at least 18 hours after several dives in a day or several days of diving. That also applies to the flight between San Andrés and Providencia.

So you don’t forget anything:

• Passport and San Andrés tourist card.
• Certification card and logbook.
• Insurance policy that covers diving.
• Thin wetsuit or full-length body suit.
• Mask and spare strap.
• Dive computer, in your hand luggage.
• Sun cream, hat and water bottle.
• Medicines and copies of your prescriptions.