Stocking Stuffers for Scuba Divers: Small Gear They Will Use

The best stocking stuffers for scuba divers are small consumables and carry items that do not depend on size, fit, training or a service technician: mask defog, microfiber cloths, a dry pouch, a waterproof notebook or slate, and travel organizers. Leave out anything that is life-support equipment, sized to the diver, or tied to a maker's service instructions.

What makes a good stocking stuffer for a diver

A stocking is small, so the gift is too. For divers, the sweet spot is gear that gets used up or replaced often, travels easily and does not need a fitting. That covers mask care, drying and cleaning, and carry items. It rules out most of what divers care about most: masks, fins, wetsuits and computers, all of which are fit-led or personal.

If you want something bigger, our gifts for scuba divers roundup covers wider ideas, and our dive computer gift check explains why a computer is rarely a stocking-sized decision.

One practical test helps: picture the diver unwrapping it. If the first question is "what size is this?" or "is this the right type?", it belongs in a different gift. If the reaction is "I needed one of those," it belongs in the stocking. Divers who travel often will use up small items faster than weekend divers, so match the quantity to how often they go.

Mask extras

Defog is the classic. Masks fog, and divers run out. The exact product matters less than that it is a maker-approved way to treat a mask, and some divers have strong preferences, so buy a common type or two small ones. Follow the mask maker's instructions for new and used masks, since treatments differ. Our mask defog guide goes through the options.

Other mask extras include a soft case or pouch for protecting the lens and a neoprene or fabric strap cover that makes a strap easier to wear with long hair. Check the mask has a standard strap before buying a strap cover. A small lens cloth is also welcome, since fingerprints and salt film show up on glass.

Carry, dry and drying

Dive trips are a pile of wet and dry things. A small dry pouch keeps a phone, keys and cards dry on a boat or at the beach. A mesh bag helps with masks, snorkels and wet small items. A compact microfiber towel dries faster than a cotton one and packs flatter. A luggage tag helps a bag find its way home.

These are low-stakes gifts because the size and style are forgiving. Check what the diver already carries before choosing, and see the dive bag guide if you are considering a larger bag. For electronics protection, a dry pouch is only as good as its closure, so ask the seller what the closure is and test the pouch dry first.

Logbook, slate and writing gear

Many divers still keep a paper logbook, and many also use an app. A waterproof notebook or a small slate with a pencil or wax marker suits both kinds of diver, and costs little. If the diver uses an app, a notebook is still handy for jotting notes between dives. The dive logging post explains the app side.

A spare pencil, a lanyard and a small zip pouch for a logbook make the gift feel complete. Choose plain styles over elaborate ones, since divers handle these things with wet hands.

Care items that are low risk

Some care items suit a stocking if you read the label. Wetsuit shampoo is one: DAN's gear care guidance mentions wetsuit shampoo for odor in the post-dive rinse. Check the label against the suit's material, and see the wetsuit care guide for the routine. A reef-conscious lip balm or sunscreen is another small gift; our guide to sunscreens for divers covers what to read on a label.

Keep to the tools you can use without instruction. Anything that touches a regulator, buoyancy device or computer should follow the maker's manual and a qualified technician.

What to leave out of the stocking

Some small items look like stocking stuffers but are not. O-rings and silicone grease are the classic example: the right type and size depend on the equipment, and incorrect parts or lubricants can cause problems. Spare parts for regulators or buoyancy devices, tools for servicing, and tank accessories belong in the maker's and the technician's hands. Safety signaling gear and cutting tools are personal choices too, with their own training and carry preferences.

Anything sized to the body is out as well: gloves, boots, hoods and straps. If you want to give one of these, ask the diver for their size and preferences, or give a shop gift card. The same goes for anything that goes inside the mouth, on the face or around the ankle unless you know the diver's exact kit.

If you are tempted by an item in these categories, put a gift card from the diver's dive shop in the stocking instead. The shop can match the item to the diver's kit, and the diver can choose with the manual and the staff in front of them. A card also keeps the stocking from holding something the diver feels obliged to use.

A quick pick table