Pack a 3mm wetsuit for most of the year in Komodo and Raja Ampat, a 5mm or a 3mm with a hooded vest if you are diving south Komodo between December and March, and always a reef hook, an SMB with spool and a torch. Everything goes in a soft duffel, never a hard case — phinisi cabin storage is under the berth. Lithium batteries travel in the cabin, quantities are limited on domestic flights, and pre-purchased excess baggage is far cheaper than counter excess.
What should you actually bring, by region and season?
| Where and when | Exposure | Extras that matter |
|---|---|---|
| Komodo, north sites, April–November | 3mm full suit | Reef hook, SMB, spool, gloves permitted for hooking |
| Komodo, south sites, December–March | 5mm, or 3mm plus hooded vest | Torch for low visibility; plankton-rich, cooler water |
| Raja Ampat, Dampier Strait, October–April | 3mm full suit | Reef hook for Cape Kri and Blue Magic, SMB, pointer |
| Raja Ampat, Misool | 3mm, sometimes 5mm on deep pinnacles | Torch for overhangs and Boo Windows |
| Banda Sea crossing, March–April and September–October | 3mm full suit | Surface marker essential — open water, real drift |
| Snorkelling anywhere | Rash guard or shorty | Sun protection beats thermal protection at the surface |
Two notes on the wetsuit. Water temperature across these regions sits in a comfortable tropical band for most of the year, but four dives a day compound the chill in a way one dive never does. And south Komodo in the wet season is genuinely cooler — that is the plankton bloom that brings the mantas, and it comes with a temperature price.
The current kit: what a Komodo or Raja Ampat dive really needs
- Reef hook. Not optional in Komodo. It lets you hold position at Batu Bolong or Castle Rock without touching coral. Hook into dead rock or rubble, never living reef.
- SMB and spool. Your own, at least 1.5 metres, and know how to deploy it from depth. Drift diving in these seas means surfacing away from the boat as a routine event, not an emergency.
- Torch. Overhangs, pinnacle walls, low-visibility plankton days, and a backup for any night dive the itinerary allows.
- Computer. Yours, with a spare battery or a charging cable. Repetitive multi-day diving in remote water is exactly where a shared rental computer is a bad idea.
- Whistle or surface signalling device. Costs nothing, weighs nothing.
- Spares kit. Mask strap, fin strap, O-rings, mouthpiece, cable ties. There are no dive shops at anchor.
How guide ratios, tank fills, nitrox and surface intervals are handled on our boats is set out on the phinisi dive charter page. Which sites actually demand the reef hook, and at what experience level, is covered in the Komodo dive site guide.
How do you look after a camera on a wooden boat?
Three enemies: humidity, salt and charging capacity.
| Problem | What actually works |
|---|---|
| Humidity and fogging | Silica gel in every housing, changed daily; assemble the housing in the coolest, driest part of the boat, usually the saloon in the morning |
| Salt on housings and ports | A dedicated freshwater rinse tank on the dive deck — camera tank only, never the one with fins in it |
| O-ring failure | Inspect and grease before every dive; carry spares for every O-ring on the housing |
| Charging | Generator hours are finite; charge during the run between sites, not overnight if the boat asks you not to |
| Bumps in the tender | Hand the camera down and up — never climb a tender ladder holding it |
Most charter phinisi have a camera table with power outlets on the main deck. Ask before you book if you are carrying a serious rig; the answer tells you a great deal about the boat. There is more on power, rinse discipline and golden-hour anchorages in our photography and drone guide.
What about drones and batteries on domestic flights?
Lithium batteries — drone, camera, torch, power bank — must travel in your cabin baggage, with terminals protected. Airlines cap both the watt-hour rating and the number of spares, and Indonesian domestic carriers enforce this at the gate as well as at check-in. Bring them in a clear pouch and expect to be asked.
On flying itself: national parks and marine protected areas impose their own restrictions, and rules differ between Komodo and Raja Ampat, and between one year and the next. Never assume a permission exists. Ask the operator before departure and the ranger on the day, every time.
Why a soft bag, and how much can you bring?
Phinisi cabins store luggage under the berth or in a low locker. A rigid case will not fit, and the crew will end up wrestling it into a passageway. Pack a duffel, empty it on day one, and the crew will stow the folded bag in the hold for the week.
On the flights in, domestic Indonesian allowances are modest, especially on turboprop services into Labuan Bajo. Buy extra weight in advance rather than at the counter. Regulator, computer, mask, prescription medication and camera bodies go in the cabin; fins, BCD and wetsuit go in the hold. The full arrival sequence for Flores is in our Labuan Bajo arrival guide, and the Papua equivalent covers Sorong in similar detail.
The non-diving essentials people forget
- Reef-safe sunscreen, and a long-sleeved rash guard, which works better than any sunscreen
- Seasickness medication started before the crossing, not after
- A dry bag for tender rides — you will get wet, every time
- Rupiah in cash for park fees and crew gratuity
- A reusable water bottle
- Soft-soled shoes or bare feet: a phinisi deck is wood, and shoes stay off
- A light layer for night passages on the upper deck
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a 5mm wetsuit in Indonesia?
Not usually. A 3mm covers most of the year. Take a 5mm or a hooded vest for south Komodo between December and March, and for four-dive days if you feel the cold.
Can I rent gear on board?
Rental sets are generally available and should be reserved with your booking, especially in peak season. Bring your own mask and computer regardless.
Is a reef hook really necessary?
In Komodo, yes. It is the difference between watching a cleaning station calmly and finning hard into current while touching things you should not touch.
How many spare batteries can I take on a domestic flight?
Limits are set by watt-hour rating and airline policy. Check your carrier’s published rule before you fly, carry them in the cabin, and protect the terminals.
Is there a camera rinse tank on board?
On well-equipped boats, yes, separate from the general gear tank. Confirm when booking if photography is central to your trip.
Can I charge equipment overnight?
Usually, but generator schedules vary. Ask the crew and follow their guidance — the boat’s power budget is shared.
Should I bring a hard case for my camera?
Bring the hard case for the flight if you must, but plan to stow the gear in soft luggage on board. Ask the crew where the case can live for the week.
What if I forget something?
Labuan Bajo and Sorong both have dive shops for consumables and small spares. Do not count on a full kit at short notice in peak season.
Send us your kit list before you pack
Charters are operated by Komodo Luxury, part of Juara Holding Group, running Indonesian dive voyages since 2015. Tell us your certification level, camera setup and season, and we will send back a packing list specific to that boat and route — including what the vessel already carries so you do not fly it halfway around the world for nothing.
WhatsApp: +62 811 3823 875 · Email: sales@komodoluxury.com