Beginner Dive Gear Guide for UK Divers
Complete beginner's guide to buying dive gear in the UK. What to buy first, budget recommendations, essential vs optional equipment. BSAC & PADI guidance for UK waters.
Obsessive researcher who reads every Reddit thread and expert review so you don't have to. Years of research behind every guide.
Looking for more gear recommendations?
Browse All GuidesDon't walk into a dive shop and buy everything at once. You'll spend £2,000+ on gear you might not like, in styles that don't suit your diving, for a hobby you haven't fully committed to yet. The smarter approach: buy in stages, rent the expensive stuff first, and let experience guide your purchases.
Budget Overview
| Setup Level | Total Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Essentials Only | £400-800 | First 20 dives |
| Quality Setup | £1600-2,800 | Regular cold water divers |
| Premium Setup | £2400-4,000 | Committed enthusiasts |
*Spread purchases over 6-12 months. Start with personal items.*
Not sure where to start? Take our 60-second quiz
What to Buy First: Personal Items
Start with gear that affects hygiene and personal fit. These items you'll want from day one.
Mask (£30-100)
Personal fit is critical. Try before buying. Used masks are unhygienic. Buy new.
Recommended: [Cressi F1](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004CWXKJ8?tag=divegearadvice-20&ascsubtag=beginner-dive-gear-guide) or [Scubapro Frameless](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001OPH0D8?tag=divegearadvice-20&ascsubtag=beginner-dive-gear-guide) *(Prices when reviewed: F1 ~£30 Frameless ~£50 | View on Amazon | View on Amazon)*
Boots (£25-60)
Walking over rocks and slipways demands proper dive boots. Size them for your fins.
Recommended: Cressi Isla Boots *(Price when reviewed: ~£30 | View on Amazon)*
Gloves (£15-50)
The water is cold. Even summer diving benefits from 3mm gloves. Winter requires 5mm minimum.
Recommended: Cressi 3mm Gloves *(Price when reviewed: ~£20 | View on Amazon)*
Snorkel (£10-30)
Basic requirement for surface swimming. Nothing fancy needed.
Recommended: Cressi Supernova Dry *(Price when reviewed: ~£15 | View on Amazon)*
Total for essentials: Around £90-240
What to Buy Second: Exposure Protection
After 5-10 rental dives, you'll understand cold water reality. Now invest in proper exposure protection.
7mm Wetsuit (£200-400)
The standard choice. Semi-dry design with sealed wrists and ankles. Proper fit matters enormously.
Recommended: Bare Reactive 7mm or Fourth Element Proteus II *(Prices when reviewed: ~£280 each | View on Amazon | View on Amazon)*
Hood (£25-60)
Essential for cold water diving. Heat loss from your head is substantial.
Recommended: Scubapro Everflex Hood *(Price when reviewed: ~£30 | View on Amazon)*
Optional: Hooded Vest (£40-80)
For extra warmth in shoulder seasons.
Total for exposure protection: Around £225-540
What to Buy Third: Dive Computer
After 10-15 dives, invest in your own computer. It's safety equipment that tracks your nitrogen loading across dive trips.
Entry-Level Computer (£145-250)
Recommended: [Cressi Leonardo](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F0HPBX4?tag=divegearadvice-20&ascsubtag=beginner-dive-gear-guide) or [Mares Puck Pro](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZ01K8M?tag=divegearadvice-20&ascsubtag=beginner-dive-gear-guide) *(Prices when reviewed: Leonardo ~£145 Puck Pro ~£160 | View on Amazon | View on Amazon)*
Mid-Range Computer (£320-600)
If you can stretch the budget, these are worth the investment.
Recommended: [Shearwater Peregrine](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Shearwater+Peregrine+dive+computer&tag=divegearadvice-20&ascsubtag=beginner-dive-gear-guide) or [Garmin Descent G1](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09TQKH8P5?tag=divegearadvice-20&ascsubtag=beginner-dive-gear-guide) *(Prices when reviewed: Peregrine ~£360 Descent G1 ~£320 | View on Amazon | View on Amazon)*
What to Buy Fourth: Fins
Rental fins work for learning, but proper fins improve efficiency and reduce fatigue.
Open Heel Fins (£65-150)
Better for cold water diving as they work with boots. Adjustable straps fit different footwear.
Recommended: [Mares Avanti Quattro+](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Mares+Avanti+Quattro+fins&tag=divegearadvice-20&ascsubtag=beginner-dive-gear-guide) or Scubapro Jet Fin *(Prices when reviewed: Avanti ~£80 Jet Fin ~£95 | View on Amazon | View on Amazon)*
What to Rent: BCD and Regulator
Rent these items while you're still learning. They're expensive, and you might discover preferences that change your purchase decision.
Rent for: First 20-30 dives, or until you're certain about continuing.
Benefits of renting: Try different styles, no maintenance costs, equipment always serviced.
When to buy: Once you know you'll dive regularly (15+ times per year) and understand your preferences.
When to Buy: Regulator
After 20-30 dives, you'll understand cold water diving enough to choose wisely.
Budget Regulator (£240-400)
Cold water rated, reliable. Perfect for recreational cold water diving.
Recommended: [Apeks XL4+](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MVQL97Q?tag=divegearadvice-20&ascsubtag=beginner-dive-gear-guide) *(Price when reviewed: ~£280 | View on Amazon)*
Mid-Range Regulator (£440-800)
Worth the investment if you're committed to cold water diving.
Recommended: [Apeks XTX50](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D6ZWT2TM?tag=divegearadvice-20&ascsubtag=beginner-dive-gear-guide) *(Price when reviewed: ~£440 | View on Amazon)*
When to Buy: BCD
Buy after you've tried different styles through rentals.
Budget BCD (£235-400)
Recommended: Mares Rover Pro or Cressi Solid Plus *(Prices when reviewed: Rover Pro ~£235 Solid Plus ~£255 | View on Amazon | View on Amazon)*
Mid-Range BCD (£360-600)
Recommended: Apeks Black Ice or Scubapro Hydros Pro *(Prices when reviewed: Black Ice ~£380 Hydros Pro ~£480 | View on Amazon | View on Amazon)*
Complete Setup Budget
Budget setup: Around £1200-2,000
Quality setup: Around £1600-2,800
Premium setup: Around £2400-4,000
Spread purchases over 6-12 months. Start with personal items, build from there.
Second-Hand Considerations
Safe to buy used: Fins, weights, gear bags, some BCDs with inspection.
Buy new or recently serviced: Regulators (get service records), computers less than 5 years old.
Always buy new: Masks, wetsuits, boots, gloves (hygiene and fit).
BSAC club forums and Facebook groups have active second-hand markets. Inspect before buying. Budget for regulator service (around £65-120) regardless of what the seller claims about recent servicing.
What to Avoid as a Beginner
Buying everything at once You don't know your preferences yet. Rent BCDs and regulators for your first 20 dives to try different styles.
Cheap unbranded gear Budget brands may seem attractive but often fail quickly. Stick to established brands even at entry-level.
Tropical-spec equipment Regulators without cold water rating, thin wetsuits, and masks designed for clear water won't work for cold water diving.
Second-hand regulators without service records Always budget £65-120 for a service on any used regulator. Better yet, buy new for life-support equipment.
Our Recommendation
Don't rush. Rent major equipment for your first 20 dives while you learn what you actually like. Budget around £400 for personal items and exposure protection to start. Add a dive computer after 10-15 dives. Then pick up a regulator and BCD once you're diving regularly and know your preferences. Considering a full package deal instead? Worth evaluating, but read the fine print.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Take our 60-second quiz to get personalised recommendations based on your current diving stage and budget.
Need inspiration for your next dive? Our best diving documentaries features nine films that every diver should watch.
Products Mentioned in This Guide
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Guides
Find Your Perfect Gear
Expert guides for masks, fins, BCDs, regulators, and more. Gear up safely for your next dive.
Browse All Guides