How Much Does It Cost to Rent Scuba Gear?

Whether you're new to scuba diving or a seasoned pro, renting gear can be the most affordable and convenient option for your aquatic adventures. But how much should you expect to pay to rent masks, fins, regulators, tanks, and more?

Read on to learn about typical scuba gear rental costs and get tips for finding the best deals.

Renting dive gear allows you to enjoy scuba diving without investing heavily in all the necessary underwater equipment. It can also be an opportunity to test different setups before purchasing your own gear.

When determining your budget, keep in mind that rental fees vary based on factors like location, rental duration, equipment quality, and additional services.

How Much Does It Cost to Rent Scuba Gear?

The typical price range for most basic scuba gear rental packages is around $30 to $100 (≈6.7 hours of continuous work at a $15/hour job) per day. Higher-end gear, accessories like dive computers and cameras, and specialty packages can cost $150 (≈1.3 days of continuous work at a $15/hour job) or more per day.

These daily rates make scuba diving accessible for occasional dives, but longer rentals of a full setup for a week or more may run $200 to $500+ (≈4.2 days of your career at $15/hour).

Let's break down what's included in a standard set of rental diving equipment and average costs:

Wetsuits

A basic wetsuit rental averages $10 to $30 (≈2 hours of labor required at $15/hour) per day. High-end wetsuits with features like increased warmth and flexibility average $40 to $60 (≈4 hours to sacrifice at work earning $15/hour) per day.

BCDs

BCD rental rates typically range from $15 to $40 (≈2.7 hours of labor required at $15/hour) daily. More advanced BCDs with extras like integrated weights cost $50 to $100 (≈6.7 hours of continuous work at a $15/hour job) per day.

Regulators

Expect to pay $15 to $30 (≈2 hours of labor required at $15/hour) per day for a regulator rental. Premium or newer regulators average $40 to $60 (≈4 hours to sacrifice at work earning $15/hour) daily.

Tanks

Aluminum scuba tank rental averages around $10 to $20 (≈1.3 hours of your life traded for $15/hour) daily. Steel tanks may cost $15 to $30 (≈2 hours of labor required at $15/hour) per day.

Masks, Fins & Snorkels

Snorkeling gear and basic open-heel fin/mask rentals often cost $5 to $15 (≈1 hour of uninterrupted labor at $15/hour) per day. Higher-quality, custom gear runs $15 to $30+ (≈2 hours of labor required at $15/hour).

Wetsuits, BCDs, regulators, and tanks make up the bulk of rental costs. Additional gear like dive computers, cameras, lights, and more will add to your daily or weekly total. Rental diving accessories usually add $10 to $30+ (≈2 hours of labor required at $15/hour) per day.

Underseas Scuba Center provides equipment rental prices, including package prices ranging from $50.00 to $90.00 (≈6 hours of your life traded for $15/hour) per day, and individual item rental prices such as a mask for $10.00 (≈40 minutes working at a $15/hour wage) daily, fins for $10.00 (≈40 minutes working at a $15/hour wage) daily, and a snorkel for $5.00 daily.

The Force-e Scuba Centers website mentions the rental pricing for scuba gear, including a regulator, octo, and dive computer for $10.00 (≈40 minutes working at a $15/hour wage), and an aluminum tank rental with air for $13.00 (≈52 minutes of constant effort at a $15/hour wage).

A-1 Scuba offers package rental rates for scuba gear, such as a week trip travel package for $118.00 (≈7.9 hours working without breaks at $15/hour), which includes BCD & Regulator w/2 Gauge Console & Gear Bag. The daily and weekly rental rates for individual items are also provided, such as a BCD for $18.00 (≈1.2 hours of labor required at $15/hour) daily and $90.00 (≈6 hours of your life traded for $15/hour) weekly, and a Regulator and gauges for $21.00 (≈1.4 hours spent earning money at $15/hour) daily and $105.00 (≈7 hours to sacrifice at work earning $15/hour) weekly.

Divers Two provides rental prices for scuba gear, including tanks, BCD, regulator, wetsuit, and weights. For example, the rental price for a BCD is $30.00 (≈2 hours of labor required at $15/hour), a regulator is $40.00 (≈2.7 hours of labor required at $15/hour), and a wetsuit is $30.00 (≈2 hours of labor required at $15/hour).

Scuba Gear Rental Cost by Region

Popular tropical and coastal destinations often have the highest demand for scuba gear rental - so expect elevated rates in places like:

• Hawaii: $70 to $150+ (≈1.3 days of continuous work at a $15/hour job) daily
• Florida Keys: $50 to $100+ (≈6.7 hours of continuous work at a $15/hour job) daily
• Caribbean Islands: $60 to $120+ (≈1 day working for this purchase at $15/hour) daily

More remote dive sites and less trafficked destinations generally have lower rental rates, averaging $30 to $80 per day.

In expensive cities like Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco, local dive shop rental rates are often $40 to $150 daily. Compare rates if you're willing to travel a bit for savings.

Factors Influencing Scuba Gear Rental Prices

Several factors determine the scuba gear rental costs at your local dive shop:

Type of Gear

Basic gear like lower-end wetsuits, BCDs, and regulators often rents for $30 to $50 daily. Advanced gear with more features rents for $70 to $150+ per day.

Rental Duration

Daily rental rates offer affordability for single dives. Expect discounts for longer weekly rentals - rates may drop 20% or more.

Location/Dive Shop

Rental packages in popular, expensive destinations cost more. Smaller regional shops often have lower rates than chains or resort shops.

Extras Services

Gear cleaning/drying, delivery, training, and insurance add-ons increase costs. Basic rentals are cheaper.

Complete Rental Packages vs. Renting A La Carte

When renting gear, you'll choose between a complete scuba package or renting items individually:

Package Rentals

• Offer simplicity and potential discounts
• Include all basic gear like BCD, regulator, tank, wetsuit, mask, snorkel, and fins
• Cost $30 to $100+ per day depending on gear levels and location

A La Carte Rentals

• Allow you to customize and only pay for what you need
• Good for experienced divers supplementing personal gear
• Individual items like tanks or regulators rent for $10 to $30+ daily
• Total costs add up quickly!

Additional Costs to Budget For

Aside from the base rental fees, expect to pay:

• Deposit: Shops often require $50 to $200+ deposit in case of damages.
• Rental Insurance: Optional damage insurance averages $10 to $20 daily.
• Delivery/Pickup Fees: For gear delivery to sites, expect $20 to $60+ each way.

Tips for Renting Scuba Gear

Follow these tips to ensure quality rentals and save money:

You might also like our articles on the cost of a submarine, swimming with the sharks, or swimming lessons.

• Inspect gear thoroughly before rental and on each use.
• Research and compare rental rates from multiple area dive shops.
• Opt for package deals, when possible, for discounted bundle rates.
• Ask about discounts for longer weekly or monthly rentals.
• Avoid renting extras you may not use, like cameras or computers.
• Consider bringing key personal items like mask, snorkel, or boots to save money.

Renting Scuba Gear Opens Underwater Exploration

Renting a full set of scuba gear can cost anywhere from $30 to $200 per day, with lower rates for weekly rentals. Factors like rental duration, location, gear quality, and extras impact the total rental costs.

With an affordable gear rental package from a reputable dive shop, scuba diving adventures become accessible for beginners and experts alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I get my scuba gear serviced?

It is recommended to get your scuba gear serviced at least once a year to ensure it remains in proper working order. Many divers will get their regulators, dive computers, and BCDs serviced annually prior to their main dive trip of the season.

Wetsuits should be inspected for tears or damage each year as well. For very active divers who log 50+ dives annually, biannual servicing of key items like regulators may be a good idea. Following the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance is also wise.

Be sure to have any rental gear inspected prior to each use, and perform a pre-dive check yourself too. Well-maintained gear is essential for safe and enjoyable scuba adventures.

How long does scuba gear last?

With proper care and maintenance, quality scuba gear can last for years. Here are some general lifespan guidelines:

• BCDs: 5-10 years or 500+ dives
• Regulators: Approximately 10 years or 1,000 dives
• Dive computers: Up to 10 years before needing replacement
• Wetsuits: 2-5 years with proper laundering and storage
• Masks, fins, snorkels: Up to 5+ years with care
• Tanks: 15-20 years when properly inspected and pressure-tested
• Exposure suits: 1-2 years for inexpensive suits, up to 7+ years for higher-end

The lifespan of scuba gear depends heavily on factors like usage frequency, care, maintenance, and storage. With annual servicing and proper precautions, most components should meet or exceed these lifespan estimates.

Should I check my scuba gear?

It is absolutely essential to thoroughly inspect all of your scuba gear before every dive. As a diver, you should always conduct a comprehensive pre-dive check before using any equipment in the water. Give special attention to inspecting and testing:

• Regulator function and airflow
• BCD bladder for leaks
• Tank O-ring seal
• Wetsuit condition
• Mask, fins, and snorkel for damage

Also closely inspect rented or borrowed equipment before each dive. Confirm proper servicing records and maintenance. Make sure you are familiar with every piece of gear before entering the water. Proper inspection ensures your scuba equipment is safe and functioning properly.

Never dive with gear that seems damaged, worn out, or questionable in any way. Conducting thorough pre-dive checks is one of the most vital safety steps you can take as a responsible scuba diver