Choosing your first scuba gear shouldn’t be complicated. The right setup can make all the difference - not just for comfort, but for your confidence and safety underwater.
That’s why scuba gear packages are the best place to start. Instead of piecing everything together yourself, these bundles include all the essential components: Carefully matched to work seamlessly together.
In this guide, we break down the best beginner scuba gear packages available at Bluewater Photo & Scuba, so you can confidently choose the setup that fits your diving style, travel needs and budget.
How to Choose the Right Scuba Gear Package
Keep it simple
As a beginner, you don’t need overly technical gear. A clean, easy-to-use setup will help you focus on your diving - not your equipment.
Warm or Cold water
Choose your gear based on where you’ll dive most: Colder water needs more robust protection, while warm water setups can stay lighter and simpler.
Think about travel
If you plan to dive internationally: Lightweight gear makes a huge difference.
Consider future upgrades
If you only dive occasionally, a basic package is usually enough, while frequent divers benefit from investing in higher-quality gear.
Do you want a dive computer included?
One key decision is whether to include a dive computer: it adds better tracking and safety, while skipping it keeps the upfront cost lower.
Our Top Picks for Beginner Diver
CRESSI TRAVEL PATROL PACKAGE
If you plan to dive while on holiday, weight and size matter more than you think.
The Cressi Travel Patrol Package is designed to keep things light, compact, and easy - without sacrificing
reliability underwater.
What's included?
- Cressi Patrol BCD
- Cressi MC9 + Compact Regulator
- Cressi Octopus Compact Pro
- Cressi Donatello Console 2 (incl. Dive Computer)
Why this is a great choice
- Lightweight setup makes it ideal for flights and limited luggage
- Streamlined design reduces drag underwater and helps maintain a better trim throughout your dive
- Simple, travel-focused configuration keeps setup quick and stress-free before and after dives
- Reliable performance ensures you can count on it in warm water and typical recreational conditions
Key Details
- BCD Type: Back-inflation (better horizontal trim underwater)
- Weight: Lightweight travel system (5.7 to 6.4 lbs)
- Weight System: Weight Pockets
- Regulator Set: Hyperbalanced 1st Stage & Pre-Dive/Dive Adjustment on 2nd Stage
- Dive Computer: Simple one-button control with audible Alarms
- Ideal Use: Travel / Warm water / Recreational diving
Keep in mind!
- Lightweight design may feel less robust than heavier setups
- Best suited for warm water diving
CRESSI START-ER PRO PACKAGE
Just finished your certification and looking for your first setup? The Cressi Start-ER Pro Package keeps things simple, durable and affordable - without cutting corners where it matters.
What's included?
Why this is a great choice
- Excellent value makes it a strong entry point into owning your own gear without a big upfront investment
- Straightforward setup is easy to use from day one
- Durable construction designed to handle frequent use: ideal for training and early dive experience
- Stable BCD design adds confidence both on the surface and underwater - especially for newer divers
Key Details
- BCD Type: Jacket style for stability
- Weight System: Quick Release System for convenience and safety
- Regulator Set: Unbalanced 1st Stage & Pre-Dive/Dive Adjustment on 2nd Stage
- Ideal Use: Training / Local diving / Occasional diving
Keep in mind!
- Focused on simplicity
- Slightly bulkier for travel
CRESSI START-ER PRO DIGI 2 PACKAGE
The Cressi Start-ER Pro Digi 2 Package takes things one step further by including a digital gauge: Giving you more insight, safety and flexibility underwater.
What's included?
- Cressi Start Pro 2.0 BCD
- Cressi AC2 + Compact Regulator
- Cressi Octopus Compact Pro
- Cressi Digi 2 Console
Why this is a great choice
- Digital gauge adds an extra layer of safety by helping you track depth, time and tank pressure in real time
- More future-proof setup, allowing you to grow into more advanced diving without needing immediate upgrades
- Combination of simplicity and added functionality strikes a great balance for progressing divers
Key Details
- BCD Type: Jacket style for stability
- Weight System: Quick Release System for convenience and safety
- Regulator Set: Unbalanced 1st Stage & Pre-Dive/Dive Adjustment on 2nd Stage
- Console: Digital gauge (clear and easy-to-read)
- Ideal Use: Regular diving / Skill progression
Keep in mind!
- Digital Gauge ≠Dive Computer (no indication of No-Decompression-Limits)
- Higher price than basic packages
AQUALUNG AXIOM i3+ BCD AND LEG3ND MBS REGULATOR + FREE DIVE COMPUTER
If you’re serious about diving and want gear that will last for years, this Aqualung Premium Package delivers premium comfort, performance and control - in warm and cold water.
What's included?
- Aqualung Axiom i3+ BCD (female/male)
- Aqualung LEG3ND MBS Regulator Set with Octopus
- Aqualung i100 Dive Computer (for FREE)
Why this is a great choice
- High-end regulator delivers smooth, effortless breathing at any depth
- Avanced BCD system allows more precise buoyancy control with less effort, improving overall comfort underwater
- Built for performance and offers a clear upgrade in handling and responsiveness for more demanding dives
- Environmental seal (first stage): protection against cold water and debris
Key Details
- BCD System: Jacket style with i3 inflation system (intuitive buoyancy control)
- Weight System: Weight Pockets
- Regulator Set: Hyperbalanced 1st Stage & Master Breathing System on 2nd Stage
- Dive Computer: Simple one-button control with LED Alarms
- Ideal Use: Frequent diving / Warm & Cold water / Long-term progression
Keep in mind!
- Higher price point
- Advanced features may be overwhelming at first
- Slightly heavier for travel
QUICK COMPARISON: WHICH PACKAGE IS THE BEST FOR YOU?
Cressi Travel Patrol | Cressi Start-ER Pro | Cressi Start-ER Digi 2 | Aqualung Premium | |
Best For | Travel | Budget Beginner | Value + Progression | Long-term investment |
Price | $849 - $1,199 | $899 | $949 | $2,108 |
BCD Type | Back Inflation | Jacket Inflation | Jacket Inflation | Jacket Inflation (Advanced i3 System) |
Reguator 1st Stage | Hyperbalanced | Unbalanced | Unbalanced | Hyperbalanced |
Reguator 2nd Stage Airflow | Dive/Pre-Dive | Dive/Pre-Dive | Dive/Pre-Dive |
|
Weight System | Weight Pockets | Quick Release System | Quick Release System | Weight Pockets |
Dive Computer | ||||
Skill Level | Beginner | Beginner to Intermediate | Beginner to Intermediate | Beginner to Advanced |
Overall |
What's the difference between ...
The second stage is the part you breathe from - it delivers air on demand at a comfortable pressure. The Dive/Pre-Dive switch adjusts airflow to prevent freeflow at the surface and optimize breathing underwater, while the Master Breathing System allows you to control breathing comfort with a simple turn, giving you full adjustment between minimum and maximum settings by automatically optimizing airflow and inhalation resistance.
Back-inflation BCDs hold air on your back, allowing for better horizontal trim underwater and a more streamlined diving position.
Weight pockets are integrated into the BCD and hold your weights securely. They include a quick-release mechanism that allows you to drop the entire pocket in an emergency.
In BCDs without integrated weight pockets, weights are stored in simple pouches and released by opening a quick-release mechanism, allowing them to fall out.
Why Trust Bluewater Photo & Scuba?
Expertise in Underwater Photography: We understand how gear performs underwater and are here to help you find equipment that feels right for you.
Competitive Pricing: Offers competitive prices with added value like expert advice and top-tier customer support. We will match and beat any price!
Established Reputation: Trusted by thousands of divers, photographers, and professionals worldwide.
Exceptional Customer Support: Personalized service from knowledgeable staff who care about getting you the right gear.
Transparent and Honest Advice: Recommendations are based on what’s best for your needs - not just what’s in stock.
Meet the Expert
Originally from Germany and now based on Portugal’s southern coast, Winona brings hands-on diving experience and a deep understanding of what divers really need from their gear.
Having spent the last three years underwater with over 450 dives, she knows how important it is to choose the right equipment and how frustrating the wrong choices can be.
With a passion for helping others avoid common gear mistakes, she now shares her knowledge with the Bluewater Photo & Scuba community, offering honest and practical guidance for divers at every level.