Complete Dive Gear Package Guide (UK)
Diver since fourteen. Learned in open water off the Atlantic coast and the Florida Keys, and have dived everywhere from Sipadan to the cold water of home. Decades of gear choices — good and bad — behind every recommendation.
Just so you know, some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy something via them, we get a small kickback. You don't pay more, but it helps toward the next dive trip.
Looking for more gear recommendations?
Browse All GuidesA package deal can be genuinely good value -- or it can be a collection of gear that doesn't quite match your diving, assembled by someone who wanted to shift stock. The difference isn't obvious from the price tag. It's in the cold water rating of the regulator, the thickness of the wetsuit, and whether the BCD's weight capacity matches what you'll actually carry. This is how to tell the good deals from the traps.
Quick Picks
| Best For | Package Type | Why |
|---|---|---|
| New Cold Water Divers | Complete package with 7mm wetsuit | Everything you need, matched equipment |
| Budget Buyers | BCD + Regulator bundle | Core equipment, buy wetsuit separately for fit |
| Upgraders | Premium regulator package | Quality life-support, keep existing BCD |
| Travel Divers | Lightweight package | Compact BCD, travel-friendly gear |
Always verify cold water rating before purchasing any cold water package
What Packages Typically Include
Standard dive gear package: BCD, regulator with octopus, gauges, gear bag.
Complete package: Above plus wetsuit, mask, fins, boots.
Premium package: Above plus dive computer.
Prices range from budget basic packages up to premium complete setups.
The Savings Reality
Package discounts typically run 15-25% versus buying individually. On a typical complete setup, you might save a meaningful chunk. That's worth having.
However, savings disappear if package items don't match your needs. A modest saving means nothing if the included wetsuit doesn't fit cold water conditions or the regulator isn't cold water rated.
When Packages Make Sense
Beginners who need everything: If you're buying BCD, regulator, wetsuit, and computer simultaneously, packages offer genuine savings with matched equipment.
Budget-conscious buyers: Package deals make quality gear accessible at lower total cost than buying premium items individually.
Those without strong preferences: If you don't care about specific brands or features, package items work fine.
When to Buy Separately
Specific feature requirements: If you need a particular BCD style, regulator type, or computer feature, packages rarely match exactly.
Quality priorities: Package items tend toward mid-range. If you want a premium regulator or specific BCD, buy separately.
Fit-critical items: Wetsuits and masks in packages often disappoint. Fit varies too much for one-size-fits-most approach.
Cold Water Package Concerns
Cold water regulators: Ensure package regulators are environmentally sealed. Tropical-focused packages may include unsealed regulators unsuitable for cold water temperatures.
Wetsuit thickness: Cold water packages should include 7mm suits. If the package only includes 5mm, it's designed for warmer waters.
Integrated weights: Cold water divers carry more weight. Verify BCD weight capacity meets cold water requirements (8-12kg typically).
What's Usually Missing from Packages
Packages commonly exclude:
Hood (essential for cold water): Add a small amount
Quality gloves (cold water-appropriate): Add a small amount
Torch (recommended): Add a moderate amount
SMB and reel (essential for cold water): Add a small amount
Budget extra for cold water accessories on top of the package price.
Retailers Offering Packages
Simply Scuba has competitive packages with good brand selection. Online ordering with returns accepted.
Mike's Dive Store bundles packages with personal service and fitting assistance.
Local dive shops often bundle training courses with equipment packages. The fitting support and ongoing relationship may justify price premiums.
BSAC and PADI centers sometimes arrange group purchases for members with club discounts.
Package Evaluation Checklist
Before buying any package:
1. Is the regulator cold water rated? (Essential) 2. Is the wetsuit 7mm or appropriate for cold water? (Essential) 3. Does BCD weight capacity meet cold water needs? (Essential) 4. Can you try on fit-critical items? (Important) 5. What's the returns policy? (Important) 6. What warranty and service support exists? (Important)
Package Brand Comparison
Understanding what different brands offer in their packages helps you make informed decisions.
Scubapro Packages Scubapro has premium packages pairing their Hydros Pro BCD with MK25 EVO regulators. Cold water performance is excellent, but prices run higher than competitors. Expect to pay at the premium end for complete setups. Service network is excellent.
Mares Packages Mares has good mid-range packages with their Rover and Dragon BCDs paired with various regulator options. Mid-range price point for complete packages. Good value for recreational cold water diving.
Cressi Packages Cressi has entry-level packages at accessible prices. Their Solid or Start BCDs with MC9 or AC2 regulators suit beginners. Budget-friendly packages. Ensure regulator is cold water rated for cold water use.
Apeks Packages British brand Apeks focuses on cold water performance. Their packages pair Exotec or Black Ice BCDs with XTX or XL4 regulators. Premium pricing but designed specifically for cold water conditions.
How to Negotiate Package Deals
Dive shops often have flexibility on package pricing, especially for complete setups.
Ask about substitutions: Most shops will swap package items for alternatives at adjusted prices. Want a different regulator? Ask if they'll credit the included one toward your preferred choice.
Bundle training: If you're also taking courses, negotiate combined discounts. Many shops offer 10-20% off equipment for students.
End of season deals: September-November sees better package prices as shops clear summer stock. Winter diving isn't for everyone, so demand drops.
Ex-demo and display models: Shops often discount lightly-used demonstration equipment. Ask about warranties and service history.
Package vs Individual: Cost Comparison
Let's break down a typical cold water diving setup both ways:
Individual Purchases: - BCD (Apeks Black Ice): mid-range - Regulator (Apeks XTX50): mid-range - 7mm Wetsuit (Fourth Element Proteus II): mid-range - Dive Computer (Shearwater Peregrine): mid-range - Mask, Fins, Boots: entry-level - Total: a substantial outlay
Comparable Package Deal: - Complete package with similar spec: a notch below buying individually - Savings: a meaningful chunk
The package saves money, but individual purchases let you choose exactly what suits your diving style, body shape, and preferences. Most experienced cold water divers buy individually after their first setup.
Training Course Bundles
Some dive shops and BSAC clubs combine equipment packages with training courses. This is often the best value available to new divers.
Course plus equipment: Many PADI Open Water or BSAC Ocean Diver courses offer discounted equipment bundles for students. You get kit that instructors already know, buying advice from people who've seen what goes wrong, and ongoing support as you develop your diving.
What these bundles typically include: Mask, fins, boots, wetsuit, and sometimes a BCD. Regulators are usually excluded from student bundles (rental covers initial training dives) but often offered at discount after qualification.
Questions to ask: Does the training centre have post-sale servicing capability? Can you return or exchange if something doesn't work? Are the included items the same quality offered in the shop, or lower-spec versions?
The dive shop relationship matters more than the initial discount. A shop that supports you through your first 50 dives is worth more than a small saving upfront from an online retailer you'll never speak to again.
What to Check When Your Package Arrives
Receiving a package at home rather than in person means you miss the fitting opportunity. Check these before using any equipment:
Regulator: Check dust cap is undamaged. Inspect hoses for kinks or cracks. Test purge button operation. Ensure gauge reads zero at atmospheric pressure.
BCD: Inflate fully and check for leaks over 15 minutes. Test dump valves from all positions. Check all buckles and D-rings function correctly. Verify inflator mechanism operates smoothly.
Wetsuit: Check all seams, particularly at armpits and crotch where stress concentrates. Confirm zipper operates freely. Test fit before removing any tags -- most retailers allow return of unworn suits.
Computer (if included): Activate before your first dive. Ensure battery indicator shows full charge. Set conservatism settings for beginner profile.
Most online retailers have 14-28 day return windows. Use them if anything isn't right. A package that almost fits is not a package that works.
Package Insurance Considerations
Equipment representing a substantial investment deserves protection. Standard home contents insurance rarely covers diving equipment adequately.
BSAC membership includes: Equipment insurance for BSAC members, plus liability cover and accident insurance. At around £70/year, it makes financial sense before any equipment purchase.
PADI insurance: PADI recreational membership includes some equipment cover. Check limits against your actual equipment value.
Standalone diving insurance: Providers like Dive Master Insurance and DAN Europe offer specific policies. Worth reviewing if your equipment value exceeds home contents policy limits.
What to check: Replacement versus market value, cover at dive sites and in transit, and whether serviced equipment is treated differently from unserviced kit.
Our Recommendation
Packages can offer genuine value for beginners buying complete setups. Verify cold water suitability before purchase. Budget extra for cold water accessories not typically included.
The diver who buys a package, gets properly in the water, and completes 30 dives will learn more about what they actually need than any amount of research before that point. If a package gets you diving sooner, it has done its job. Upgrade what doesn't work after you know why it doesn't work.
One useful test before buying: ask the shop if the wetsuit included is rated for UK water temperatures. A 5mm wetsuit in a package aimed at UK divers is a red flag -- most UK sites require 7mm from October to May. A shop that knows what they're selling will answer this without hesitation. A shop that deflects or doesn't know is telling you something about the quality of the package.
What You'll Need With It
Most beginner packages include no surface marker. An SMB is non-negotiable for UK diving — it's your surface visibility on the swim back to the entry point, especially in any swell.
UK diving rewards a torch even on daytime dives. Wreck interiors, overhangs, and silty conditions cut visibility; a torch reveals colour and detail that the water column filters out entirely.
Packages designed for warm-water diving rarely include cold-rated gloves. For UK water temperatures — 8-12°C from autumn through spring — 5mm gloves are not optional comfort.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Products Mentioned in This Guide
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