Scuba Doctor Holiday Gift Guide 2016
For a more up-to-date gift guide, please see Scuba Doctor Holiday Gift Guide 2021 for the latest Xmas Gift Guide.
A Christmas Gift Giving Guide for the Family, Friends and Colleagues of Divers
Santa Lloyd and his Elfin Assistant Hannah are loading up the sleigh and fattening up the reindeer for a delivery of a slew of the hottest diving gifts to give (and get) for this holiday season! Geoff and Danni have been bringing Christmas cheer to the dive shop, and then we have Peter as our resident grinch.
Yes, it's that time of year again. Family, friends and colleagues know you love scuba diving but have no idea what you already own (apart from 'everything' if you ask other halves). They generally have even less idea what they should buy for a diver. Here we've got the perfect gifts for the Scuba Diver, Snorkeller, Freediver or Spearo to pass on as a gift guide.
Our Top Staff Requests For Santa This Year
Our staff get to play with all the diving toys so we asked them, "What do you want for Christmas?" Here are their top picks that are mostly within a reasonable budget. And for those of you who don't already have the extensive range of dive gear each of our staff members have, we also asked them about their top recommendations.
Toys
Lloyd still wants a H2Odyssey Torid-Pulse, the super underwater toy designed to shoot a high-speed bubble, like a smoke ring, very long distances underwater. Of course Lloyd considers it to be an extremely useful device to signal dive buddies underwater, or the support cover in the boat on the surface. He'd never say he just wants one so that he can play underwater tagger style games, or have some really serious fun while spending long times on the deco bar!
LED Dive Lights
Hannah still wants one of these super bright 1000 lumen dive lights if only to not feel left out because Lloyd and Peter each already have one. Our customers have dived with these lights to 154 metres, and easily get 3 hour burn times while cave diving using just 3 x AA batteries.
Going Retro
Suunto Clipper L/B Dive Compass (SH)
RRP: $35, Our Price: $33, You Save $2 (6%).
Geoff is hoping to get one of these very small, yet fully functional compasses. He wants to put it on the wrist strap of his smartwatch and combine the best of two worlds.
Looking Cool
Danni has been eyeing off a pair of these light and sporty sunglasses. They float when dropped in water and provide virtually 100% UV protection. The Polarized lenses will protect her eyes from glare out on the water.
Absolute Beginners
For absolute novices that are either about to embark on qualifying, or have just qualified, as an open water diver, then the essential pieces of basic kit are a dive mask, snorkel and fins. Remember you can normally colour coordinate these three items, so if the recipient is keen on their appearance, you may earn extra brownie points for this. If you are unsure try this short test, ask them what car they drive. If they answer with an answer along the lines of 'a blue one' then you should aim to colour coordinate!
Diving and Snorkelling Masks
A mask with a quality, soft silicone skirt will generally fit all face types. Cheaper masks made using siltex won't conform as well to the diver's face and thus may be more prone to leaking. But we don't sell any silitex dive masks, so fear not!
Tusa Freedom Ceos Mask - Black or Indigo Skirt
RRP: $147, Our Price: $145, You Save $2 (1%).
This is the twin-lens mask we strongly recommend and sell the most of for divers with petite to medium sized adult faces. It has one of the best fitting, most comfortable skirts on the market. Plus it's available with corrective lenses.
This is the twin-lens mask we strongly recommend and sell the most of for divers with medium to large sized adult faces. It's a real winner for comfort and style. Plus it's available with corrective lenses.
Tusa Freedom Elite Mask
RRP: $172, Our Price: $155, You Save $17 (10%).
A low volume, single lens mask that offers a clear, wide view to the underwater world. This mask securely fits a wide variety of faces, and suits divers with petite to medium sized adult faces.
Apollo SV-1 Diving Mask
RRP: $119, Our Price: $109, You Save $10 (8%).
Lloyd prefers to dive with a single lens mask, so he likes this mask for it's great view. It's what he currently dives with because it works well when wearing a helmet. It suits divers with medium to large sized adult faces.
Cressi Action Mask with GoPro Mount
RRP: $99, Our Price: $89, You Save $10 (10%).
This mask lets you get into the action of the underwater world and bring back action video or still pictures with your GoPro camera. The built in Go-Pro camera mount offers divers a great way to shoot incredible video while diving in addition to keeping your hands-free.
Why Black Skirt Diving and Snorkelling Masks Are Better
Clear skirts on diving and snorkelling masks are popular because they minimise the claustrophobic feeling some people get when they wear a mask. Nevertheless, clear skirts actually interfere with vision. Extraneous light entering through the clear skirt makes it more difficult for the eye to focus and causes reflections that obscure vision. Demonstrate this by looking out a window from a lighted room at twilight. You will see better by cupping your hands around your eyes as you press your face to the window. For these reasons, knowledgeable divers and snorkellers seeking the best possible vision prefer masks with black skirts. And we do too!
Corrective Lens Dive Masks
If the diver usually wears glasses while on their surface interval (that's when they're not diving), then it would be wise to get them a gift voucher so that they can get a dive mask with corrective lenses. We have a good selection of Corrective Lens Mask Packages available.
'Bifocal' or 'Gauge Reading' Lenses
If the diver usually needs reading glasses, then they could benefit from a dive mask fitted with 'gauge reading' or 'bifocal' corrective lenses.
Tusa Freedom Ceos Mask with Corrective Lenses -+B
RRP: $303, Our Price: $295, You Save $8 (3%).
If you need a bifocal mask and have a petite to medium sized adult face then this is the dive mask we recommend. This is a top quality mask suitable for scuba diving, snorkeling, freediving and spearfishing. It fits a wide range of face shapes, plus has the greatest range of normal and bifocal corrective lenses available.
Apollo SV-2 Diving Mask with Corrective Lenses -B
RRP: $279, Our Price: $259, You Save $20 (7%).
For those divers with medium to large sized adult faces who need bifocal corrective lenses, we recommend this great dive mask. It's our top selling mask and comes in a great range of colours with bother clear and black skirts.
Freediving and Spearfishing Masks
Tusa Panthes Freediving Mask
RRP: $62, Our Price: $46, You Save $16 (26%).
Designed specifically for freediving and spearfishing enthusiasts requiring an ultra-low volume mask with exceptional field-of-vision.
Cressi Nano Black Mask
RRP: $139, Our Price: $125, You Save $14 (10%).
An ultra low volume mask for for advanced freediving and spearfishing. The small outer dimensions mean minimal drag through the water and low internal volume for easy clearing and equalisation.
Diving Snorkels
Scuba Diving Snorkels are very much one size fits all, the only exception being younger teens and petite ladies who may prefer a smaller mouthpiece. Some divers prefer as simple a snorkel as possible. Others prefer a snorkel with devices to help stop water getting in, or to easily purge any water that does get in.
Apollo SV Dry Flex Silicone Snorkel
RRP: $50, Our Price: $45, You Save $5 (10%).
This is our value for money diving snorkel this year. It's high quality, and low cost. It has a splash guard that eliminates 90% of any water entering the snorkel while on the surface, plus a purge valve for easy water clearing once surfaced. You can pay a lot more money and still not get a snorkel this good. Plus it's available in a great range of colours.
Tusa Hyperdry Elite II Snorkel
RRP: $91.50, Our Price: $82, You Save $9.50 (10%).
This is the best features of TUSA's snorkels combined into one top-of-the-line model. With a low-profile dry top and angled purge chamber, staying dry has never been easier.
Aqualung Snap / Nautilus Roll-Up Folding Travel Snorkel
Our Price: $36
If you rarely use a snorkel, but like to have one handy just in case, then this is the snorkel for you. It rolls up into a compact 85 mm diameter by 40 mm wide shape that can easily fit into almost any BC pocket.
Freediving and Spearfishing Snorkels
Apollo SVS Pelagio 'J' Spearfishing Snorkel
RRP: $40, Our Price: $36, You Save $4 (10%).
The "J"-style tube is built from a special polymer with amazing memory properties that allow the snorkel to bend against objects and then spring back into its original position.
Cressi Corsica Snorkel
Our Price: $44
A classic "J"-style snorkel that has been tried and true, designed specifically for deep spear fishing and free diving.
Diving Fins
You will need to know the persons foot size to purchase dive fins. However the first choice is whether to go for full foot fins or adjustable heel fins.
For warm water diving (i.e. where you get in the sea without screaming or taking a sharp intake of air), your diver will appreciate a pair of full foot fins.
Tusa Solla Full Foot Fins
RRP: $129, Our Price: $116, You Save $13 (10%).
These are our preferred choice of full foot fins as they combine good propulsion and are light for traveling, which makes them a great choice for both scuba diving and snorkelling in the tropics.
In cooler waters, or where the shore diving is rocky, they will probably need some neoprene dive boots and a set of adjustable open heel fins. There are a wide range of dive boots, from thin 'sock' like ones through to all terrain rock boots. The thickness of the dive boot used effects which open heel fin size is required.
Apollo Bio-Fin Pro Fins with Spring Straps
RRP: $395, Our Price: $335, You Save: $60 (15%).
We prefer open heel dive fins with stainless steel spring straps and these our our favourite. They are rated the world's number one dive fins for very good reasons. And when Apollo provide a FREE mask and snorkel valued at $169 when you plunk down your money on a pair of the Apollo Bio-Fin Pro Fins with Spring Straps, you're getting a great deal.
Cressi Pro Light Fins - Open Heel
RRP: $119, Our Price: $105, You Save $14 (12%).
These are value for money fins that are great for both scuba diving and snorkelling. The blade is extremely flexible and has snap requiring less kicking effort.
If the diver you're buying for already has a set of open heel fins that have the more common rubber straps, they might really like the gift of a set of bungee or steel spring straps to convert their dive fins to this safer, more easy to get on and off setup.
Freediving and Spearfishing Fins
Cressi Reaction Pro Full Foot Fins
RRP: $109, Our Price: $99, You Save $10 (9%).
These fins have been designed not just for and spearfishing and freediving, but also for snorkelling, swimming and scuba diving. They will surprise you with their fantastic performance.
Cressi Gara Modular Full Foot Fins
RRP: $199, Our Price: $179, You Save $20 (10%).
These fins are a perfect choice for deep freediving and spearfishing. The modular design means you can interchange foot pockets and different stiffness fin blades.
Newly Qualified Divers
If you are buying for a relatively new diver then (rather worryingly) dive knives are very popular. Generally new divers will have the basics, but will be yet to accumulate the extras. Other good accessories include a dive bag, dive torch, or if you want to really impress, a dive package.
Dive Bags
Dive bags are quite easy to buy as there is really only one decision to be made, is it transporting your gear for travel, a wet dive boat bag, a dry bag, or a catch bag?
Dive Travel Bag
This large and spacious travel bag is also the Scuba Diving ScubaLab Best Buy 2014. So it's just not us that thinks this one is great!
Dive Wet Bag
If the recipient wants a wet bag, where they keep their kit together on a dive boat but it can drain easily after the dive, then go for mesh bag. This one is our favourite because it's spacious and tough. It also comes with carry handles and a shoulder strap for easy carrying. This is by far our best selling mesh dive bag.
Catch Bag
Seaka Catch Bag - Spring Loaded - Premium Quality
RRP: $99, Our Price: $89, You Save $10 (10%).
If your diver wants to be able to grab you a feed of scallops, abalone or a crayfish, then they'll need a good catch bag. This is our favourite because it's simply the best catch bag available. It's a no brainer. If your diver doesn't have one, they need one.
Dive Torches
A dive torch is a simple but really great gift. Underwater colours disappear quickly as you go deeper, but by using a dive light a seemingly dull grey rock can spring into view under the beam as a vibrant red or orange coral. They are also useful in and around wrecks to see hidden marine life.
We think this makes a great primary dive torch for the new diver. And if the diver already has a dive torch, it also makes for an absolutely brilliant backup dive torch. So you can't go wrong with this value for money gift.
Scubalab Testers Choice 2016, its beam is plenty powerful, and the sliding zoom head lets you adjust it to any width from 100-degrees to 12-degrees. The magnetic switch couldn't be simpler, and it fits in anything but a very small BC pocket.
An LED diving torch that outputs 850 lumens of light in a powerful focused beam. It features a novel magnetic dimmer switch that's totally intuitive and offers the widest possible range of power settings. Operation is simplicity itself — slide it forward for on, and the more you slide it, the brighter it gets. It has a rechargeable battery with a dual charging system (car or home).
Light & Motion Sola Dive 2500 Spot/Flood Light
Our Price: $799
Most powerful rechargeable Sola underwater dive light, featuring 2000 lumens in a 60 degree flood beam with a 600 lumen 12 degree spot beam. Waterproof to 90 metres. This dive light has the sort of design and build quality that reminds us of the space program.
Dive Packages
We offer a few different package combinations:
- Regulators - the bit with all the hoses you breathe through underwater
- Buoyancy Control Device (BCD) - the 'bladder' which keeps them afloat at the surface and deflates to allow the diver to descend.
- Complete Scuba Packages - which include regulators, BCD and gauges.
- Freediving and Spearfishing Packages - great value for money and top performance.
- Snorkel Sets and Packages - for all budgets and sizes.
Regulators
Dive Perfect Matilda Streamlined Sport Diver Regulator Package
RRP: $1,199, Our Price: $1,009, You Save $190 (16%).
Every detail of this product has been carefully designed to deliver a regulator package of the highest quality with improved safety. These regs meet the tough CE EN250 European standards, and are cold water and Nitrox ready.
Cressi T10-SC Master Regulator Set - DIN or Yoke
RRP: $979, Our Price: $859, You Save $120 (12%).
This top-of-the-range Cressi regulator package, with its environmentally sealed first stage, has been designed for the more extreme cold/temperate water diving environments, but it's equally suitable for warmer waters. This regulator set delivers outstanding flow rates and superior resistance to freezing, plus it's extremely comfortable to use. Fantastic performance, stunning finish and exceptional value for money.
Cressi MC9-SC XS Compact Pro Regulator Set - DIN or Yoke
RRP: $699, Our Price: $649, You Save $50 (7%).
This great Cressi regulator package, with its environmentally sealed first stage, has been designed for the more extreme cold/temperate water diving environments of both technical and recreational divers, but it's equally suitable for warmer waters. This regulator set delivers outstanding flow rates, plus it's extremely comfortable to use, all essential qualities for any regulator.
For recreational divers seeking value for money regulator performance we recommend this regulator set. Lightweight and compact, this is an ideal reg set for the rigors of local diving, plus great for the traveling diver.
BCD Options
Eventually they will need the Buoyancy Control Device (BCD) too, but your budget will determine if you can include this. Don't worry if you can't, all BCDs are compatible with all regulators, so they can easily be added later. One note here, if you are buying for a lady make sure you get a package with a ladies BCD.
For both new and experienced divers we strongly recommend you look at a rear-inflation jacket BCD. This one is a great choice. Rear-inflation BCDs provide better stability and allow the diver to obtain better trim in the water.
Scubalab Travel BCs Best Buy 2016 plus Testers Choice 2016. A back inflation style buoyancy control device that is extremely lightweight, weighing in at a mere 2 kg (4.4 lb) in size medium, making it irreplaceable for the traveling diver.
While you can buy a wide range of traditional jacket BCDs with wrap around inflation bladders online, our favourite for 2014 is still the Cressi R1 Weight Integrated BC. It's made rugged and durable to take the rigors of frequent diving, and is more feature packed than comparable jacket BCDs.
Someone You Really Love
This section also is applicable for people buying for divers who have incriminating information or photos on you. You really need to prove your love so unfortunately (for you, not us or them) you will be required to invest some serious cash (read plastic). Seriously, there are some really great items in this category and you'll be relieved to know this is possibly the easiest category to buy for:
Dive Computers
The first thing to suggest would be a dive computer. It allows them to stay under water longer and provides greater safety.
Cressi Leonardo Dive Computer - Nitrox Wrist
RRP: $449, Our Price: $349, You Save $100 (22%).
For a new diver, plus the experienced recreational diver, this dive computer has got all of the essentials, yet is simple to use and ideal for those who 'just want to dive'. This value for money, dive computer was awarded Scuba Diving ScubaLab Best Buy 2014.
This elegant watch style, wrist dive computer supports using two different Nitrox mixes. It has a user replaceable battery and is the most reliable watch dive computer on the market today.
A more experienced recreational diver, or beginner technical diver, would be better off with a mixed gas dive computer with a large colour display. Designed for serious divers, the Suunto EON Steel covers Air, Nitrox, Trimix and CCR diving. We like the large, easy-to-read colour display, plus the ability to have multiple tank pods to monitor the pressure in muliple cylinders and the cylinders of other divers.
You may have noticed that we prefer and recommend wrist mounted dive computers. However, we also have both the Cressi Leonardo and Cressi Giotto dive computers available in a two gauge console with a matching surface pressure gauge (SPG) to also tell the diver how much air they have left.
Freediving and Spearfishing Computer
This watch style, wrist computer is designed specifically for freediving and spearfishing. It's the ultimate computer for ALL freedivers: depth training, static and dynamic apnea, spearfishing.
Dive Cylinders
Evey divers needs a good dive cylinder to go underwater. And every diver can always make good use of another dive cylinder.
Faber Steel Cylinder - 232 bar - 12.2 litre std - DIN/K Valve
RRP: $790, Our Price: $699, You Save $91 (12%).
For any diver, but especially those diving in cool and temperate water, this Faber steel cylinder is the ideal choice. It has a DIN/K valve and cylinder boot, plus is Nitrox ready. Technical divers going deep and wanting longer run times often twin up two of these cylinders.
Catalina S80 Aluminium Cylinder - 11.1 litre (80 cuft) - 207 bar
RRP: $525, Our Price: $500, You Save $25 (5%).
The 80 cubic foot aluminium cylinder has been the staple cylinder in the diving industry for many years. This cylinder is used by more divers, dive operators and retail dive stores than any other type of cylinder available. A great choice for those on a budget, or diving in warm water.
Underwater Images
Another brilliant gift is a dive camera or video unit. They range in price from about $500 upwards, but make for a superb present. These waterproof cameras or video units allow underwater images and memories to be captured forever.
Underwater Action Camera Video Solutions
For a simple underwater video solution, we'd suggest you get them a GoPro HERO5 Black edition. You really can't go wrong with this choice, plus it can be used to take photos as well. But to take it deeper than 10 metres, you'll need an underwater housing like the GoPro HERO5 Super Suit which covers you to depths up to 60 metres.
To really enhance underwater videos taken with an action camera you'll need an effective lighting solution.
Light & Motion Sidekick Duo Spot/Flood Light
RRP: $225, Our Price: $202, You Save $23 (10%).
Scubalab Best Buy 2016 for Video/Photo Lights. This game changing light is lighter than the GoPro and designed to leverage existing GoPro mounts with a simple adapter. The adjustable spot and flood modes give you the flexibility to control the amount of light to create the perfect POV footage.
This is the ultimate turnkey imaging setup for a GoPro or other action camera. The package includes two GoBe+ 700 Wide Lights, two Locline Arms, two Locline Mounts, a CNC milled Action Camera Tray will transform desaturated underwater video footage into impressively vibrant, high definition imagery. Wide flood beam pattern for a large pool of light to optimise overall visibility.
Underwater Video / Photo Lights
Underwater LED lights for video and photos have rapidly improved in recent times, and we have the best available. Chances are the diver you're buying for would love a new high quality light for their new or existing photo or video setup.
A versatile light and a great option for divers who want a compact, lightweight light at a good price point. It's not only a great light in water, but one of only a few lights that can be operated out of water. It has a USB rechargeable battery. Smooth 60° flood beam and 850 lumens of light.
Light & Motion Sola Photo 1200 Light
RRP: $519, Our Price: $467, You Save $52 (10%).
Perfect focusing and modeling light for underwater photography. 1200 lumens of white light, 60° flood beam. 300 lumens of red light, 60° flood beam.
This 90° flood beam video light hits a sweet spot for price and performance. It's a great value for the amount of light you get, maxing out an incredible 2000 lumens. It has three different power modes and a run-time up to 45 minutes on high. It's great for the GoPro or compact shooter wanting to fill more of a wide angle scene, or an entry-level option for SLR shooters.
A massive 2800 lumens of white light with 120° wide beam to cover all of your regular lighting needs, with 3 different power levels to choose from. The light also has 2 levels of red light to choose from for anyone trying to sneak up and get that perfect night shot. To top it off the light includes purple LED's (420nm) to get you that Ultra Violet effect!
Ultimate underwater imaging light for the serious pro! Whopping certified 8000 lumens, wide 90° flood beam. Fast Charge in 1 hr 45 min. Waterproof to 100 metres.
Underwater Strobe Lights
For the serious underwater photographer the Sea & Sea YS-D2 Strobe offers exclusive features like no other strobe in the world. The YS-D2 is a powerful compact strobe that can be used for all applications from wide-angle to macro photography.
Experienced Divers
You are going to need to come up with something either new, or non essential, as the chance is the diver in question has everything they already need to go diving. Good options in this category would be the safety items, books, and stocking stuffers that follow.
If you are unsure, a good option in this category is to consider a gift voucher as it allow the recipient to choose what they want.
Safety
You want you loved ones to come back from their dive adventures safe and sound. Given most divers tend to overlook quality safety devices, giving them as a gift is a great way to let them know you love them.
The Basics
AP Diving Buddy Self-Sealing Delayed SMB
RRP: $99, Our Price: $90, You Save $9 (9%).
This is our favourite surface marker buoy. It features closed-circuit (one-way valve) construction, which prevents air spill at the surface. Inflate on the surface to attract visual attention, or use as redundant flotation. Inflate at depth to send up as a surface marker. You can chose between all red, all yellow, or combined red and yellow coloured Buddy Self-Sealing SMBs.
AP Diving Ratcheted Pocket Reel with 45m (147ft) Line
RRP: $179, Our Price: $162, You Save $17 (9%).
This reel is the perfect solution to the problem of bulky and cumbersome SMB/navigation reels. Weighing in at only 205 gm, the Buddy Pocket Reel can be easily stowed in your BCD pocket or clipped unobtrusively to a D Ring.
Suunto SK-8 Wrist Strap Dive Compass (SH)
RRP: $100, Our Price: $95, You Save $5 (5%).
Being able to find your way and navigate properly on a dive is always good. This is the world's most popular dive compass, and the one we all use as well.
IST Proline Multi-Page Wrist Slate
RRP: $30, Our Price: $25, You Save $5 (17%).
Whether you are a new diver or a dive instructor, or anywhere in between, a dive slate is great when you need to communicate underwater. This multi-page wrist slate is curved to fit-comfortably on your wrist. The three-pages give you more than enough writing space to get your message-across.
Ocean Hunter Inflatable Torpedo Float w Line & Alpha Flag (Ylw)
RRP: $49, Our Price: $46.50, You Save $2.50 (5%).
This is great for a scuba diving surface marker, or as a surface platform for spearfishing and free diving. It will help to keep your loved one safe by telling everyone on the surface where the divers are.
Diving Knives
IST Proline 7 cm Tech Diving DIR Knife with Sheath - Chisel Tip
RRP: $40, Our Price: $35, You Save $5 (12%).
This is our favourite small, compact, stainless steel dive knife. It has a cutting edge and a serrated edge with line cutter combined with a chisel tip all in a webbing sheath. Everything you need!
Tusa FK-11 Blunt Tip Diving Mini-Knife
RRP: $58, Our Price: $52, You Save $6 (10%).
This is our best selling dive knife, because of its multiple mounting options. It can be fixed with a stainless steel clip on your BCD, or with the includeed hose keeper on your gauge or inflator hose.
Ocean Design Predator SQR 420 SS Dive Knife - Chisel Tip
RRP: $49.50, Our Price: $45, You Save $4.50 (9%).
Considered by some to be the ultimate compact BCD or safety knife for scuba divers. The chisel tip blade is made from super strong 420 Stainless Steel. The Secure Quick Release (SQR) locking mechanism is the most effective available today.
Trident BC Titanium Knife - 75 mm blade
RRP: $175, Our Price: $158, You Save $17 (10%).
This is our favourite small, compact, titanium dive knife. It has everything you need in a safety diving knife and is made from high quality, corrosion resistant Titanium. Both Lloyd and Peter use this divers knife.
The benefits of having a dive knife and shears/scissors in the one handy tool. The knife cuts ropes and the scissors cut fishing lines and fish nets.
Spearfishing Knives
Ocean Design Predator SQR 420 SS Dive Knife - Pointed Tip
RRP: $49.50, Our Price: $45, You Save $4.50 (9%).
The ultimate compact spear fishing kill knife. The pointed tip blade is made from super strong 420 Stainless Steel. The Secure Quick Release (SQR) locking mechanism is the most effective available today.
A popular choice with spearos, plus commercial, military, and rescue divers. The Secure Quick Release (SQR) locking mechanism is the most effective available today. The neoprene leg harness provides comfort and automatic compensation for wetsuit compression.
Tusa X-Pert II Titanium Dive Knife - Pointed Tip
RRP: $224, Our Price: $202, You Save $22 (10%).
When only the best will do, this is the spearfishing kill knife you want. It's made from high quality, corrosion resistant Titanium. The knife has a serrated edge and a line cutter on one side with a full straight edge on the other side.
Emergency Air Source
If you ask any commercial diver for a tip on how recreational divers can dive more safely, they typically reply that we should all have an emergency/redundant air source. These two EAS setups are great for when you're in recreational diving mode.
H2Odyssey Extra Air Source with Catalina S13 Cylinder
RRP: $759, Our Price: $685, You Save $74 (10%).
This is great emergency air supply solution for divers not going beyond 30 metres deep. Carry it for use as an emergency supply of breathing gas in the event of a primary gas supply failure. Ready to use with Nitrox up to 40%.
H2Odyssey Extra Air Source with Catalina S19 Cylinder
RRP: $799, Our Price: $719, You Save $80 (10%).
This is great emergency air supply solution for solo divers and those doing non-decompression dives up to 40 metres deep. The extra air capacity enables you to safely get you back to the surface in the event of a primary gas supply failure. Ready to use with Nitrox up to 40%.
EAS setups like these are great for improving the safety of solo divers. And we all know you're diving solo if you or your dive buddy is more focused on taking underwater photos, shooting the next great underwater video, or hunting for scallops, crays and/or abalone.
Dive Books
Our favourite books include:
Shore Dives of Victoria (3rd Edition)
RRP: $32, Our Price: $31, You Save $1 (3%).
This excellent book by Ian Lewis covers some 120 dive sites from Cape Otway to Wilsons Promontory, including Port Phillip and Western Port. Site descriptions and historic information of wrecks adds to the value of the book. Quite superb.
There are several guides to Australian fishes, but none to compare with this excellent comprehensive reference book which covers some 950 species, all with a colour photograph, most showing the fish it its natural habitat.
This book by Bill Silvester is packed full of adventures, involving life-threatening experiences on shipwrecks in Southern Victoria. Using explosives to wrench non-ferrous metal in highly dangerous currents, this book will hold your attention as it recalls a diver's life in the 50's, 60's and early 70's using the primitive equipment available at that time. We cannot do anything like this now!
Great Stocking Stuffers
These items are just great for giving as simple little gifts, confident that any diver would appreciate receiving them.
Suunto Clipper L/B Dive Compass (SH)
RRP: $35, Our Price: $33, You Save $2 (6%).
Clip this small, yet fully functional compass to the strap of your dive computer or watch and you to find your way both under water and on land. Whether you're scuba diving, hiking in the mountains, or rock climbing in unfamiliar environments, the Suunto Clipper Compass is a great way to keep track of your whereabouts. It's also water resistant up to 500 metres.
Best Divers Magnetic Octopus/Regulator Hose Holder
Our Price: $50
This is the quick and easy way to secure your octopus or dive gauge console. There are similar but inferior products on the market. Most use low strength magnets and thus the hose breaks away when you don't want it to. The high power magnets in this product ensures they perform the way you want them to.
IST Proline Mini Multi Tool
RRP: $49, Our Price: $46.55, You Save $2.45 (5%).
This is one tool that does it all. Need a hex key, you got it. Need a screwdriver straight slot or Phillips, you got it. Need a Schrader Valve Tool, or O-ring Pick, baby you got it. This is one handy All-in-One Multi Tool for your Save A Dive Kit.
Best Divers Hex Multi Tool - Stainless Steel
RRP: $89, Our Price: $85, You Save $4 (4%).
This quality stainless steel, compact hex multi tool is the perfect accompaniment to any divers tool kit. With it you can remove and replace the most common scuba hoses.
Best Divers Multi Wrench Tool - Stainless Steel
RRP: $63, Our Price: $54, You Save $9 (14%).
This multi tool wrench is made from stainless steel and built to last. It fits most of the major manufacturers hose fittings and has a lovely ergonomic feel to it!
IST Proline Mini Tank O-ring Kit with Brass Pick
RRP: $20, Our Price: $18, You Save $2 (10%).
Comes with four common O-Ring sizes for valves. The threaded cap of the tank has an O-ring Pick to remove old O-rings with ease. This is a must for your Save A Dive Kit.
Sonar Abalone Tool Pro with Square/Blunt Edges
RRP: $60, Our Price: $55, You Save $5 (8%).
Help the diver in your life put food on the table as a more efficient hunter gatherer, with this specialist abalone tool with a webbing sheath and leg straps. The sheer size of the blade provides plenty of cranking leverage to make even the biggest of abs come away effortlessly.
Every one of Lloyd's wetsuits is hung using one of these hangers. They are simply the best way to hang a wetsuit or drysuit. Easy rinsing. Faster drying. It eliminates stress in the shoulder area allowing garments to hang to their natural shapes. It's also great for use with other heavy garments like motorcycle leathers, foul weather gear, leather coats etc.
Underwater Kinetics Super Hanger Package - 3 Hangers
RRP: $84.50, Our Price: $74, You Save $10.50 (12%).
This set of three hangers meets all your dive gear needs when it comes to properly hanging and drying your complete life support system and exposure suit system. We use them in the dive shop for our scuba rental equipment.
Northern Diver Steel Cylinder Tank Carry Handle - Fixed
RRP: $33, Our Price: $27, You Save $6 (18%).
Yes, this seems like a strange thing to be giving someone as a gift. But trust us, they'll really appreciate it. Once you've used one of these fixed tank handles on a steel scuba cylinder, you'll want to have them on all steel cylinders you have to carry. That's why we put them on our hire steel tanks. These are simply the strongest most durable tank handles available. Don't even think about the flimsy alternatives most other places sell — they're rubbish.
IST Proline Hi-Viz Glow LED Dive Beacon
RRP: $15, Our Price: $12, You Save $3 (20%).
A great signal cylinder/tank light on night or cave dives. Also suitable for plenty of other night-time sports applications like jogging, camping, fishing, and kayaking.
Ocean Design 40m Waterproof Dry Canister - Medium
Our Price: $22
This dry can is suitable for sunglasses, mobile phone, keys and other bits and pieces. It's rated as waterproof to 40 metres.
Sonar Inflator Hose Air Blower Gun Deluxe
RRP: $25, Our Price: $23, You Save $2 (8%).
Connects to a standard BCD low pressure inflator hose. Use your dive cylinder air to blow dry and clean your underwater camera, lighting and dive gear.
Novelty Gifts
The Scuba Doctor also has a great range of Novelty Gifts for scuba divers.
The TankH2O Water Bottle is a 750 mL, 100 percent BPA free, food grade, stainless steel water bottle for Scuba Divers and ocean adventurers. Give your scuba diver a TankH2O water bottle so they can show their love of sport diving and the dive lifestyle.
Trident Parking For Divers Only Street Sign
RRP: $38, Our Price: $19, You Save $19 (50%).
Lets everyone know that only divers should park in this spot. It makes a great gift for scuba divers, dive shops, dad, family or friends and thank you gifts. Adds a fun touch to gaming rooms and the garage. Makes a great gift for any diver with a car!
IST Sports Shark Shaped Bottle Opener and Keychain
RRP: $7, Our Price: $5, You Save $2 (29%).
This key chain is a great conversation starter and useful tool. It combines a handy lightweight aluminium key ring and bottle opener in the shape of a shark.
Sonar Bali Silicone Mask - Clear Skirt
RRP: $46, Our Price: $39, You Save $7 (15%).
Give your loved one a chance to experience vintage diving or snorkelling with this traditional oval mask. This mask is often used on models by underwater photographers. You can see more of the model's face throght the large oval tempered glass.
Things Not To Buy
Unless you are absolutely sure what size the diver is, avoid wetsuits and drysuits. You have more chance of guessing the lottery numbers than someone's suit size.
Still Not Sure? Get Them Gift Certificates
The Scuba Doctor Gift Certificates - $5 to $1000
If you still can't decide on a gift for the diver in your life for Christmas, then why not give them a Gift Certificate from The Scuba Doctor. You may think they already have all of the dive gear they could possibly need, but they WILL be hankering for something. This way they get to choose what's most important to them.