What's in My Gulf Dive Bag (Georgia → Florida)
Packing for a Gulf weekend from Georgia means car logistics matter as much as underwater gear. This is the loadout that survives a 5-hour drive and a double-dip Saturday.
On your body
- Low-volume mask + backup mask in car
- Snorkel (simple, no fancy valves)
- 3mm wetsuit summer / 5mm winter Gulf
- Weight belt + weights (test fit before trip)
- Long-blade fins
- Gloves and socks/booties
- Pole spear or 75–90 cm gun
Safety & legal
- Dive flag on float — bright, tall, visible
- Float line rigged and untangled
- FWC regulations printed or saved offline
- Buddy agreement — roles, max depth, surface interval
- First aid kit + shears
In the car (Georgia drive essentials)
- Large cooler + ice (two bags if Sunday drive home)
- Fish bag / stringer legal for transport
- Towels, shade tarp, change of clothes
- License proof, ID, cash for ramps
- Phone mount charger — nav + weather all weekend
- Zip bags for licenses, receipts, ramp fees
Truck-to-boat logistics matter as much as the gun setup.
Pack order that saves Friday-night chaos
- Dry docs and electronics in one cab bag
- Wet kit in mesh bag in the bed / dedicated wet zone
- Cooler empty until ice stop closest to the coast
- Guns secured — never loose under shifting gear
- Printable list: dive bag PDF
What I stop buying
- Gimmick snorkels that leak
- Cheap fins that cramp on long surface swims
- Third "maybe" gun before shot placement is consistent
Gear picks (Amazon)
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
→ Florida Gulf trip planning guide