Dive Gear for Komodo – 2025

I wanted to record notes on the dive gear I used on this trip so I can create a gear reference for diving in Komodo. I also plan to make a regularly updated gear page on my website (simonjps.com) listing my dive gear, with short reviews and affiliate links. Since I’m an experienced marine biologist and diver, I think some people will find my gear choices useful—but I’ll present it in a grounded, practical way.

Buoyancy Control Device (BCD)

My BCD is a Cressi Travel Light. I’ve had it for years, and it’s extremely comfortable and lightweight. It’s one of those pieces of gear that, if I lost it today, I’d replace with exactly the same thing tomorrow.

I like that it has metal D-rings and plenty of attachment points because I often clip equipment to myself. I haven’t used wing or backplate systems much, but I prefer the jacket style. It suits me as a photographer and researcher since I often find myself in awkward underwater positions or upright over the reef looking for animals.

I really like having integrated weights in the BCD—it’s far more comfortable than a weight belt, and once you’ve used an integrated BCD, it’s hard to go back.

For accessories, I use small clips to secure my octopus and a small carabiner for my air gauge. Even though I use an air-integrated dive computer, that computer is mounted on my camera rig (see Underwater Photography Gear for Komodo), so it’s easier to glance at the gauge for tank pressure.

Regulator and Gauges

I use a full Apeks setup: an Apeks XTX 40 first stage and an Apeks XTX 50 second stage, paired with an Apeks SPG. It’s a robust, reliable system that’s essentially a solved problem for me.

On my first stage, I also have a Shearwater transmitter for my Shearwater Perdix AI dive computer.

Dive Computers

Shearwater Perdix AI

I love the Shearwater Perdix AI—it’s nearly perfect for me. The only major feature I wish it had is GPS integration for automatic dive site logging.

Update – they do now!!! Perfect dive computer. Much rejoice…

Apple Watch Ultra 2

I also use an Apple Watch Ultra 2 to log dives, mainly for the GPS. In practice, the Apple Watch’s GPS isn’t as accurate as I’d like—it often misplaces dive start positions, probably because I forget to initiate dives at the surface. It’s not ideal, as I prefer a “set-and-forget” system.

The Apple Watch isn’t great as a primary dive computer. It lacks the customisability I want—for example, I can’t disable the safety stop vibration. However, some people love that feature. A friend and colleague who borrowed it found it helpful for safety stops. Dr. David Robinson from Sundive Research uses it as his main dive computer and likes it.

For me, though, the Oceana+ app needs improvement. It’s frustrating to pay a subscription when it doesn’t work how I want. The extended Ocean Band is necessary if wearing it over a wetsuit or drysuit.

Mask and Snorkel

Earlier this year, I left my mask, backup mask, and snorkel on a liveaboard in Mexico, so I had to replace them. I researched options and returned to my old favourite, the Cressi Big Eye Evolution. It fits me well and offers great visibility. It’s not a perfect facial fit, but close enough that I still prefer it to alternatives.

For snorkels, I bought an Oceanic Ultra Dry 2, which came highly recommended for surface work and fast swimming—useful when chasing whale sharks. I haven’t used it yet, but it looks excellent.

Fins

My fins are Mares Avanti Power Open (closed-heel). I’ve had them since 2019, and they’ve done hundreds of dives. They’re powerful and popular among underwater hockey players.

They’re slightly longer than regular dive fins but shorter than freediving fins—sort of semi-freediving fins. That makes them ideal for strong currents, reef work, and photography. They’re excellent for snorkelling, diving, and light freediving.

I prefer closed-heel fins for the snug fit, but for those using booties, open-heel versions of the same model are a good alternative.

Footwear

I used lightweight neoprene booties, which are comfortable with my closed-heel fins. I think they might be from Tilos , possibly the same pair I used in Galápagos years ago. Any good neoprene booties will work well if you’re using closed-heel fins. Mine are pretty worn now because I walk in them so much, so I’ll need new ones before the next trip.

I also have Adreno thin socks, which are great for warm-water diving when neoprene booties feel too hot. They protect your feet from rubbing, which is important if you use closed-heel fins—barefoot diving will damage your feet quickly.

Exposure Protection

Water temperature in central and northern Komodo was about 29°C, so it was nice and warm. I mostly dived in shorts and a warm rash guard, likely by Adrenalin . I also wore a Sharkskin vest with an attached hood, which I love—it adds warmth without the constriction of neoprene.

For trips to the cooler southern areas of Komodo (e.g., Pink Beach, around 27°C), a shorty or full wetsuit is a good idea. Most people dive in wetsuits, but I’m fairly cold-tolerant. The Sharkskin vest is a great option for warmth and comfort.

Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) and Safety Gear

I always carry a large SMB attached to my BCD. Mine is about 1.8 metres tall, attached to a deploy reel that allows deployment from around 20–25 metres. I bought the reel from be-the-sport.co.uk.

This setup is essential for research dives where we may not have a dive operator and need to signal the boat. Even when diving recreationally, it’s a core safety tool—Komodo is busy with divers and boats, so being able to send up an SMB is important for visibility.

I recommend having a lower-profile deployable reel and a big SMB, as it’s your first line of defence to avoid getting lost or unnoticed at the surface.

Reef Hook

I carry a reef hook from Adreno in Australia. I didn’t use it much on this trip, but it’s invaluable when diving in strong currents. Komodo has strong currents due to the Indonesian Throughflow from the Pacific to the Indian Ocean. It used to have a reputation for being dangerous, but with good guidance, it’s manageable. A reef hook is good to have when needed.

Signalling Device

I keep a Mares magnetic shaker on me as well—handy for getting people’s attention underwater, especially when I spot something big like a manta ray. It’s a bit long and occasionally bumps into things, but I haven’t found a better alternative yet.

Bags

When diving with Dive Komodo, our gear stayed on the boat since we had a charter. With Dragon Dive, we carried our gear on and off the boat daily, so a mesh gear bag was handy.

It’s also useful to have a small water-resistant duffel or stuff bag for daily essentials—sunscreen, snacks, and a towel. Boats generally have dry areas, but splashing is inevitable. Madeleine used a Kathmandu Duffel (the Duffberg), which was perfect—so I borrowed it.

I also carried a small dry bag inside my duffel for valuables like my wallet, which worked well.

For travel, my dive gear goes in an Osprey 120-litre roller bag —more on that in my Travel Tech Gear for Dive Trips notes.

That’s all the dive gear I used on this Komodo trip. I’ve covered the underwater photography gear separately in Underwater Photography Gear for Komodo.

Underwater Photography Gear for Komodo
Travel Tech Gear for Dive Trips
Komodo Diving and Photography Trip – 2025