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The Complete Guide to Boat Diving: Tips, Safety & Boat Etiquette Every Diver Should Know
- Daniela Sutter
- Mar 1
- 13 min read
So, you finally signed up for that dive trip you’ve been itching to go on, or maybe you’re joining a local dive charter for the first time. Either way, before you go it is important to understand dive boat safety and etiquette.
So welcome aboard! On this month's blog we’ll share practical tips to help make your boat dives safer, smoother while also covering essential dive boat etiquette so you can be prepared to for your next dive boat.
Boat diving is an incredible experience, giving you access to sites you often can’t reach from shore, but stepping onto a dive boat also means sharing space with other divers and crew. Knowing how things work before you board makes everything safer, smoother, and far more enjoyable for everyone.
Picture this, it’s the first dive day of your trip. You’re with a new crew, heading to a new site, surrounded by new people, and about to begin a new experience. Feeling a little nervous? That’s completely normal. It’s a mix of excitement and a little bit of anxiety and it happens to all of us. The best way to manage those feelings is simple: be prepared.
Preparation
Preparation helps avoid or at least minimize that pre-dive anxious feeling and starts long before you step onto the dive boat, it begins when you start packing your gear. One of the simplest ways to help reduce stress before a trip is by using a gear checklist. It helps you stay organized and eliminates the last-minute questions of asking yourself, “Did I bring this? Did I pack that?”
To make things easier for you, we’ve included our go-to dive gear checklist at the end of this blog, the same one we use every time we head out on a dive trip.
Note: When diving with local charters (especially in the Northeast where we’re located) it’s essential to check each operator’s specific requirements before booking or arriving at the dock. For example, many New Jersey charters require divers to carry redundant air (such as a pony bottle), a DSMB, lift bags, wreck reels, and other safety equipment. As well as have experience in similar conditions, particularly for deeper wreck dives, stronger currents, or limited visibility. These requirements aren’t meant to be inconvenient, they’re in place for safety. Northeast diving often involves colder water, offshore wreck sites, boat traffic, and reduced visibility, making proper equipment and relevant experience essential. Please make sure to check with the each dive operation what their rules and regulations are.
Another important part of preparation is taking seasickness precautions, because let's be honest, no one likes to feel crappy while all your dive buddies are having an amazing dive day. If you already know you’re prone to seasickness or tend to feel unwell on boats, planning ahead is key. Being proactive can make the difference between an uncomfortable ride and an enjoyable start to your dive day.
How to prevent seasickness? If you plan to take seasickness medication such as meclizine (Bonine) or dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), it’s best to take it 1–2 hours before departure. For maximum effectiveness, some divers take it the night before, or even begin a few days in advance. Always consult your doctor before taking any medication you’re unfamiliar with, especially before diving, since some medications may cause drowsiness.
Once onboard, try to stay near the center of the boat, where movement is minimal, as well as making sure to focus on a stationary point on the horizon to help your body maintain balance.
What should I do if I get seasick? If you start to feel seasick, avoid using the boat’s head, as strong odors and confined spaces can make nausea worse. If you need to throw up, always use the leeward (downwind) rail of the boat and be sure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, dehydration can worsen seasickness and increase the risk of fatigue during dives.
Be on Time for the Boat
Prior to dive day, make sure you know both the meeting time and the actual boat departure time. Be sure to arrive on time for the meeting time, this allows enough time to complete all required paperwork, including liability waivers, dive shop or charter check-in, and to show proof of certification if you haven't done so already prior to dive day.
If the boat departs at 8:00AM, you definitely don’t want to arrive at 8:00AM and take the chance to cause a delay or be left behind.
My go-to saying is: “8 o’clock AIS!” (Ass In Seat!) — borrowed from one of the episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond. 😄
If your ass isn’t in the seat by departure time, the boat will be leaving without you.
And although, arriving early is appreciated, but it’s important to remember that the crew needs time to prepare the boat for departure.
Remember, arriving too early doesn’t mean you’ll be allowed to board early. Unless told otherwise, of course.
The boat crew follow a system that works for them day in and day out, with pre-departure checks and routines designed specifically for boat safety and operation.
Rushing the process can be distracting for the crew as well as create unnecessary stress by feeling rushed, and even lead to mistakes or forgotten procedures. When they are ready they will let you know you are welcome aboard. There’s a method to the madness, trust it!
Set Up Your Equipment
Once you’re on the boat, it’s time to set up your gear. Most operators prefer that divers assemble their equipment as soon as they board, while the boat is still docked, to ensure safety and that everyone has everything needed before departure.
Note: Every skipper has different rules. Some may want you to set up immediately after boarding, while others may ask you to wait until the boat is underway. Always listen to the crew and follow their guidance for a smooth and safe experience.
Some dive operators (not all, and normally in vacation spots) offer valet diving services where the dive staff will carry, set up and sometimes even wash your dive gear. While all this pampering sounds nice, not all boats offer this service, so don't assume. Afterall, as certified divers, it is our responsibility to inspect our gear before each dive, so we are sure you have everything we need and is all in order.
If you’re someone like me, you may prefer to set up your own equipment. For me, it’s part of my personal dive routine so I know I have everything in order and crew is always respectful of that choice, but don't be afraid to as the divemaster for assistance if you need, they will be happy to help.
After setting up your gear, make sure to keep all of your belongings within your assigned station or designated area. Avoid spreading equipment into your neighbor’s personal space, and even though this may seem common sense, but never put weights on the seats where they can roll off and do major damage to someone’s bare tootsies. Ouch!
Minimize and Organize
Dive boats can get crowded with both people and equipment, so space is often limited. When transporting your gear to the boat, avoid bringing large bags or luggage onboard, this is a big no-no on dive etiquette as they take up valuable space and can quickly clutter the deck (with the exception of liveaboards of course). A reasonably sized mesh bag is ideal for transporting your dive gear, it’s easy to carry and compact enough to fold and store it onboard.
Tip: One of the easiest ways I’ve found to transport my gear to the boat is to wear my gear as much of it as possible. Yep! Just like you would in the water (obviously without fins and mask on). Put your BCD on, wear your wetsuit or rash guard and boots, and if it fits, place your mask inside your fins, or just carry your mask around your neck. Carry your fins and regulator in hand or on your BCD and dive computer on your wrist, then just bring a small to medium dry bag for personal belongings.
Bonus Tip: When carrying your gear in a mesh bag, pack in the same sequence you’ll set up your gear. For example, place your BCD on top, followed by your regulator, mask, wetsuit, boots, and fins at the bottom. This way, as each item comes out of the bag, it goes directly onto or around your tank, making setup smoother, faster, and more organized.
Most boats have a designated dry area for personal items you want to keep protected and dry. A small backpack or dry bag works perfectly for your essentials, such as sunglasses, defogger, chapstick, medication and perhaps a towel if the crew doesn’t provide one. If you’re diving from a resort, there’s generally no need to bring extra clothes on the boat. For some charters may be different, and if so, a small backpack will usually cover all your needs without taking up too much space.
For the girlies: We tend to overpack sometimes, but avoid bringing your entire hair-care routine onto the dive boat, especially if you’re diving straight out of the resort you’re staying at. But if you are looking to keep your hair tangle-free between dives, my go-to is the mini travel leave-in conditioner from Stream2Sea and it's perfect for dive trips, I always make sure to have my mini travel size with me in my drybag and the standard size in the room so I can refill it.
*You can shop Stream2Sea products through our affiliate link and get 10% off using code DANIDIVING
Pay Attention to the Briefing
Even if you are an experienced diver or have been at the dive site before, make sure to pay attention to the briefing as sometimes the dive plan may change. You'll not only get information about the dive site and conditions, so you know what to expect from the dive. Things like how the crew prefers you enter and exit the water, whether you should remove only your fins or your entire kit at the ladder before boarding, where the anchor or mooring is located. Dive briefings are also very important for emergency procedures, informing divers where the emergency O2 is located, life jackets and what to do in case of emergency.
Role Call
A dive boat roll call is a safety procedure conducted by the crew to account for all divers, normally done before departure, and before and after each dive, ensuring no one is left behind. The divemaster calls out names on the passenger list, requiring each diver to verbally respond and be seen, ensuring everyone is safely back on board.
Important: Divers should only answer for themselves and should not answer for others to avoid any confusion.
Rinse Buckets on the Boat
Dive boats often have separate rinse buckets for cameras and masks, and it’s important to use them correctly. Even if it seems like a small detail, but camera rinse buckets have clean fresh water and help prevent equipment from overheating and stop saltwater from crystallizing, and some cameras even require the housing to be flooded.
Dunking your mask in the camera rinse bucket can introduce oils, sunscreen, sand, and other residues that may negatively affect delicate camera lenses and equipment. Not to mention nose drip and natural defog (yes, saliva) that may still be on the mask. Yuck!
Pool is Open!
Once the boat crew gives the heads-up that it’s time to gear up, it’s important to be ready at the appropriate time, especially when diving as a group. Before putting on your BCD, make sure your cylinder is fully open, your mask is prepped, and you have all the gear you’ll need for the dive.
Remember your safety/buddy check BWRAF (BCD, Weights, Releases, Air, Final check - also Fins, Mask, Snorkel). Most of these steps can (and should) be checked even before starting to gear up. When entering the water, make sure to follow the crews' direction and suggested entry technique and be aware of other divers, normally the ones closer to the exit go first, unless told otherwise.
Tip: Set up your gear station next to your dive buddy or even better, if the boat layout allows and it is not far away, sit facing each other. This is best for smaller boats or with center seating, it makes it easier to do a visual check of each other during gearing up, all while staying in your assigned spot.
In the Water
Is finally dive o'clock! When taking the giant stride (or back roll) into the water, make sure to follow the instructions from the crew. Whether is a positive or negative entry, stay by the buoy or meet underwater at the mooring line. Always remember to OKay the divemaster, look below before descending and keep an eye on the dive guide and your buddy.
Other things to remember that are also part of boat etiquette, but underwater:
Control your buoyancy and position underwater: Be mindful of your surroundings at all times. Being properly weighted and maintaining good trim improves your body positioning in the water.
Respect the locals: Don’t disturb, touch, or chase marine life, including corals, which are living organisms too. And let’s be honest, Mr. Turtle probably isn’t enjoying a camera shoved in his face while he’s trying to enjoy a meal. Often, when you stay calm and don’t pursue marine life, they often come to you naturally, creating a far more memorable and respectful interaction.
Chasing marine life often causes divers to become so focused on the pursuit that they lose awareness of their depth, ascent rate, and air consumption. This can result in ascending too quickly, descending deeper than planned, or wasting air due to overexertion.
Be an aware diver: Stay with your buddy, stay with your group. Pay attention to the dive time, dive depth, and sense of direction. Even though you may be following a guide, it is important to be aware of your surroundings and the dive plan in case of separation.
Make sure your equipment is streamlined: Don't be that diver with the octopus hanging and banging on the reef. Streamlining your gear not only prevents damaging the reef it also reduces drag...and not to mention that makes you look way cooler!
Be mindful of others: When the divemaster shows you something cool, don't crowd the area. Wait for your turn and don't get in the way of someone's shot or even accidentally kicking another diver taking away enjoyment of the dive.
At the End of the Dive
This is every diver's least favorite part...when the divemaster gives the thumbs up or deploys the DSMB signaling that it’s time to end the dive.
Most dives last around one hour, and while some divers may finish their dive with plenty of air left in their tank, it’s important to remember that dive boats usually run on a schedule. They may still need to return to the dock and prepare for the next trip. Respecting the maximum dive time helps keep everything running smoothly and prevents the rest of the group from waiting on that one diver who’s stretching their air to the last drop.
Note: During guided boat dives, the divemaster is typically the designated diver responsible for deploying the DSMB if necessary. However, it is highly recommended that every diver carry their own DSMB/SMB and know how to use it. In the event of separation, a DSMB/SMB allows the boat crew to quickly and easily locate the diver location underwater or at the surface.
Do you know the difference between a DSMB and SMB?
The terms DSMB and SMB are often used interchangeably, but did you know there is an important difference in how and when they’re used:
DSMB – Delayed Surface Marker Buoy
Is deployed from depth and sent to the surface before the diver surfaces. (The diver inflates partially at depth and it expands as it rises)
Often used to mark the safety stop depth (5m/15ft)
Must have a reel or spool attached
Has a dump/over-pressure relief valve (OPV) in case of over inflation
Allows the boat to track divers during drift dives or mid-water ascents
Essential for boat, drift, and technical diving
SMB – Surface Marker Buoy
Is inflated at the surface
Used as a visual reference
Helps boats see divers during pick-up or surface swims
Dive Flag
Even though not normally used when boat diving. It is important to know that DSMBs or SMBs are not to be used as dive flag. A dive flag is meant to be towed by the diver throughout the whole dive and is normally mandatory when diving in areas where there is boat traffic, and in most places it has specific guidelines.
This will be another one of our future blog topics. Stay tuned!
Meanwhile, below you'll find a few examples:
Now that you’ve learned the basics of DSMBs/SMBs and dive flags, let’s move on to what to do after surfacing and the proper procedures for safely returning to the boat.
Back on the Boat
When surfacing, remember these important boat safety rules:
Stay clear of the motor: Always keep a safe distance from the propeller area, even when the engine appears to be off.
Removing your fins: Depending of the type of ladder or water conditions the crew may have you remove the fins only when setting foot on the boat and sometimes before stepping on the ladder. Follow the crew instructions.
Boat ladders: Take special precautions near dive boat ladders especially when the water is rough. As much as you’d like to hang onto the ladder while waiting to get into the boat after the diver ahead of you, don’t do it. They could fall and land on top of you.
Give space to the diver boarding the boat: Stay well behind the diver climbing the ladder. If they lose their grip and fall back into the water, you don’t want to be directly underneath them.
Keep your mask on and regulator in your mouth until you are on the boat: For the same reason as above, unexpected slips can happen, and having the reg in ensures you’re breathing safely.
Once on the boat, hold on whenever you can: Even if you’re comfortable moving around in full gear, boats can rock unexpectedly.
Get ready for the next dive: As soon as possible, start setting up for the next dive if you’re doing one. It’s easy to get caught up chatting about how awesome the dive was and forget to switch tanks, then it’s time to dive again and you’re not ready.
Tipping the Crew
Your dive is over and now comes the question many divers ask: Do I tip? How much? When do i tip, and who do I tip? These are all great questions and ones that are best asked before the dive.
In many places, especially at dive resorts, there is a communal tip box. Tips placed there are usually shared among the entire dive operation according to their schedule for the week of diving. Because when we say dive crew, we don’t mean just the boat crew. This often includes the people filling tanks, dive shop staff, guides, captains, and everyone else involved that make your dive possible. They all play a role in the overall experience.
As a general guideline, $10–$20 per tank is typical, especially for a two-tank dive. That said, if a specific crew member went above and beyond or took extra care of you, it’s perfectly acceptable and appreciated to tip them directly.
Even in locations where you bring your own tanks, it’s still customary to tip something. After all, the crew is responsible for getting you to and from the dive site safely and supporting the dive operation.
Note: When in doubt, don’t hesitate to ask the dive shop or crew about local tipping customs, every destination is a little different, and they’ll be happy to guide you.
If you made until the end of this month's blog, thanks for reading. And as promised, attached is our go-to gear checklist, it is free to download and if you have any questions, feel free to contact us.
Hope to sea you soon!
Dani
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