The airport security people are used to seeing scuba gear. I've flown often since sept 11th and carry-on my regulator which has my computer in it. A couple times they just asked me if I had scuba grear in my bag or what it was and they were ok with it. Once they opened it and looked inside quickly and when they saw it was scuba regulator they were ok with it.

I usually carry on a bag with my regulator, dive camera, and mask. They see it all together and don't bother you.

Just don't try to take your dive knife in your carry on luggage. or any 'repair' tools for your regulator, etc. They will confiscate them.


The water temp was very nice while we were there in June. I dove in a 2mm/3mm shorty the entire week and never got cold doing several dives a day. There were alot of people just diving in swim suits and a few of them got a little chilled on a few dives such as the Antilla where you are out of the sunlight since you are swimming in and around the large ship and the water wasn't as warm. You should be fine in a skin, but if you might as well pack the 2mm since it won't take up that much more room, especially if it's a little chillier there in the winter months (but I doubt it). That way you won't have to wear a rental suit that everyone else has pee'd in. ;-)

FYI. I saw only one person wearing a full suit the entire week and it was a girl who said she was cold natured. It was also her first open water dives since certification also I found out. The dive masters all tended to wear full suits the entire time, but they dive all day long and could easily get chilled.

hope that helps some. email if you have more questions.

I've also traveled several times since 9/11 with my dive gear. No problems what so ever.

I typically pack most of my gear in a travel bag as checked-baggage. My regulators and dive computers go as carry-on. I also take my UW camera as carry-on. Prior to 9/11 I got very use to having security open the case for closer examination.

I usually use a full 3mm suit for dives in Aruba. The average water temp is around 80 degrees, but it can get down to 75. On most of the dives I've been on almost everyone was wearing some sort of exposure protection, from skins to shorties. There was even one drysuit.