Why bring your own gear?

Bring your own gear for the most freedom and flexibility to explore and choose your off-the-beaten-path island adventure. With your own gear, you can explore when and where you choose, at no additional fee for rentals or tours. Plus, it’s your gear. You know it best. Feel comfortable and confident in your own equipment.

Why not rent snorkel or paddleboard gear? Valid question. If you’re looking for a standup paddleboard, there’s no guarantee your hotel or island destination has SUPs available. (We did not see many boards on our recent trip to Isla Mujeres.) While most snorkel tours offer the use of their equipment, to have the most comfortable and enjoyable experience, it’s generally recommended to bring your own mask and snorkel.

Flying with your Inflatable SUP

One of the many things I love about my inflatable Paddleboard is that I can roll it up and take it with me on adventures in my own backyard or adventures abroad.

The paddle for my Badfish SUP breaks down into two simple sections and packs neatly alongside the rolled-up deflated paddleboard. The bag easily fits the included hand-pump and ankle strap to keep everything neatly together.

The heavy-duty canvas bag has a U-shaped zipper on the top/front of the bag that opens wide for easy packing. The backside has a handy backpack design with sturdy shoulder and waist straps for carrying the board from point A to point B. 

Although a bit on the bulky side for my short 5’3″ frame, the fully loaded bag is fairly lightweight at 37 lb (well below most airlines’ 50 lb. checked bag weight limit). On our trip to the Yucatan, we received no eyebrow raises during baggage check-in and sailed through customs in both the U.S. and Mexico.

Taking the Paddlboard off of the golf cart. We brought our own bungee cords to strap down the board to the top of the golf cart. Even though it was a windy day, and our cart was zippy (2o mph) the board stayed strapped on tight. And it’s  a cinch to load and unload!

Anchoring the SUP for snorkel/swim

If you’re interested in tieing off the board for an extended swim or snorkel without worrying about your board floating away, make sure to pack a small anchor.

We spent several hours exploring the reef area just outside our Hotel (see more about the best hotel to stay at on Isla Mujeres for a romantic and adventurous SUP/Snorkel vacation here).  20 feet of line worked great for the reef depths 8-12 feet, although another 5 feet would be ideal..

The lightweight (1.5 lb) anchor was easy to pack and well worth the extra weight.  While the anchor was too light for digging and holding on the soft sand beds, it hooked securely to the edge of a reef line. A 3 lb. anchor if you can swing the weight may be more ideal.

1. Inflatable Standup Paddleboard

For the past five years, I’ve taken my Badfish Monarch Stand-Up Paddleboard with me on river, lake, and ocean adventures. The feeling of walking on water and having rugged, reliable, and easily transported gear gives me a sense of freedom that I love.

Badfish is an American-made paddleboard designed and built by whitewater enthusiasts and river recreation engineers in Salida, CO. Badfish owner, Mike Harvey, patented the design and has been perfecting it for over a decade. 

Although Badfish makes SUPs for surfing and whitewater river recreation,  the Monarch is the brand’s most versatile paddleboard and was perfect for my lake life in Madison, Wisconsin. The inflatable board was also great for my apartment lifestyle, since I could deflated and stow the SUP and accessories all in one neat bag in my basement. 

Inflatable Stand-Up Paddleboard Recommendation: 

Badfish Monarch Inflatable Stand-Up Paddleboard

Board Package includes: Board, Pump, Paddle, Ankle strap, Carry bag

2. Bungee Cords (2, 48 inch)

Owning bungee cords is always a good and affordable investment. From camping to standup paddleboarding trips you’ll always be glad you packed a couple bungees for your travels and outdoor adventure.

What a bungee can do for you:

• Help tie together a broken bag in a pinch
• Secure your luggage to the back of a golf cart
• Strap the inflated SUP to the top of a golf cart.
• Double as a laundry line for hanging your wet swim trunks and towels. 

Bungee Cord Recommendation: 

HDX 48 in. Super Duty Bungee Cords 4-pack. ~$8

• Steel hooks for strength and rust resistance.
• Rubber cord keeps its strength and elasticity
• Polyethylene braid jacket offers weather resistance and water repellence

If you don’t already own a pair, pick up some bungees from your local hardware store or order online from the Home Depot or Amazon.

3. Small Anchor, D-ring and Line

Another handy gear item for a Stand-Up paddleboard adventure is a small anchor. With an anchor, you can take a rest, swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or just meditate on how awesome your life is at this moment.

The anchor was one of the most invaluable paddleboard accessories on our snorkeling trip to Isla Mujeres. With the help of a small anchor, we could snorkel and swim freely on the reef without worrying about the paddleboard floating off.

We used a four-pronged, 1.5 lb. folding anchor which we  clipped  to the bow of the board with a D-ring. Before we left, we added an old dog chain to the anchor-end to get more drag weight along the sea bed. Good trick!

Anchor Recommendation:

Gradient Fitness Marine Anchor, 3.5 lb Folding Anchor, Grapnel Anchor Kit for Kayaks, Canoes, Paddle Boards (SUP), (3.5 lbs) ~$38

This anchor comes with it’s own clip, buoy and stowage bag, which would have been great for keeping the line tidy on the SUP and stowing in the luggage.

4. PFD – Personal Flotation Device

Even if you don’t feel like wearing it, it’s always a good idea to pack and carry your PFD (personal flotation device) on your paddleboard. On many US water bodies it is required by law (know before you go!) Always check weather conditions before heading out on your board. In the event that the weather turns quickly, a PFD can literally save your life.

I prefer wearing a low-profile women’s paddling PFD. Why? The cut around the armpits doesn’t interrupt your paddle stroke or cause uncomfortable rubbing or chafing. I purchased an NRS Sirens PFD a few years ago and love it. I wore it for three weeks during a whitewater rafting trip down the Grand Canyon, and it saved me through a few hairy swims. Astral is another very popular women’s PFD brand that many of my kayaking girlfriends swear by.

PFD Recommendation:

NRS – Siren and Astral – Available at REI Coop

REI COOP carries a variety of PFD gear and will be happy to help size you. If you’re not already a member of the COOP, join and save big with member discounts and end-of-year dividends.

5. Waterproof Speaker

Give your day on the water a soundtrack by bringing a portable waterproof speaker. One of my favorite memories of our snorkel trip to Isla Mujeres was jamming out to our Surf and Sun playlist while riding the aqua blue glittering swells over the reef. 

If you want to turn your paddle float into a party or meditation bliss lounge, you’ll want a speaker that can get wet. After researching all the options, we purchased the JBL Flip 5 speaker. We liked it so much that we bought two. 

What I love about it: It’s a great size and shape. The tubular design fits great in my little hand. It’s simple to use, and the sound quality and volume are excellent (can you say bass?!) Plus, it comes in a variety of fun colors. 

We’ve taken the JBL Flip5  on some very wet adventures, and it’s stood up to the test every time (including a paddleboard ride through the riffles/rapids on the San Marcos River and SUP/snorkeling in Isla Mujeres). Despite all the big splashes, the tunes keep going.

Waterproof Speaker Recommendation:

JBL Flip 5 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker (REI carries!)

The speaker operates within about a 30-foot radius from your wireless device. You can also daisy chain speakers to extend your party further. Finally, don’t forget to securely attach the speaker to your board to keep the party afloat. Protip: let the device dry completely before charging.

6. Waterproof Cell Phone Case

Though paddleboarding is a great activity to ‘unplug’, we like bringing our phone and waterproof speaker to play tunes and snap an occasional photo.

Great news: you don’t have to break the bank to protect your prized possession (although Cell phone loss/damage insurance is always recommended for safe measure!) I bought two Magellan Outdoor waterproof phone cases that my partner and I have used on numerous paddling and kayaking adventures for the past three summers.

The iPhone 11 fits perfectly inside the case and seals at the top simply without any removable (losable) parts. The touchscreen functionality works great, not noticeably different than without the case, and you can take some pretty amazing pictures through the plastic film!

I tested snapping an underwater photo during our snorkel trip and it seemed to work great, although I was too timid to go too deep with it. For $7, I’m very pleased with the performance.

Waterproof Cell Phone Case Recommendation:

Magellan Outdoors Waterproof Floating Phone Case

7. Drybag

Not only great for keeping your things dry, but a dry bag is also a  convenient way to keep small  items organized and on the paddleboard  (sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, lip balm, trucker cap, cell phone, keys, snacks, wallet, etc.)

While loads of different sizes of drybags are on the market, I prefer an 8L bag. It’s large enough for my SUP needs and lightweight for traveling. Get one with a plastic window to quickly find what you’re looking for. Leave some air in the bag when rolling it for some floatation if the bag slips overboard, and buckle it closed around your SUP bungees for extra security.

The Sea to Summit dry bags are designed specifically for backpacking, adventure travel, and water sports. They’re lighter weight and more packable than traditional dry bags. You can find a selection of Sea to Summit Products at REI COOP.

Dry Bag Recommendation:

Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Sack – 8 Liters

1. Snorkel

Anyone who remembers old-school open-ended snorkel tubes will appreciate just how far snorkel technology has advanced. We purchased Tusa’s Hyperdry Elite II snorkels for our trip to Mexico’s Isla Mujeres and were super happy with the purchase. 

Gone are the days of choking on a surprising flush of saltwater. The ‘dry top’ technology keeps splashing waves out and a float valve prevents water from flooding in. A high flow purge valve at the mouthpiece clears any remaining water. Choke less, breathe more!

The mouthpiece is ‘ortho-consciously designed” for comfort and to reduce jaw fatigue. After hours of snorkeling around like a little otter, my partner said his mouth felt good despite a little chafing around the gum, which he chalked up to normal use (like breaking in your flipflops after winter:-)

Snorkel Recommendation: 

Tusa Hyperdry Elite II

2. Mask

With interest in snorkeling and diving, we searched for a dual-purpose mask with tempered glass (for diving) and the ability to equalize (pinch your nose) while snorkel diving. The Tusa Freedom Elite Dive mask met both specs.

Comfort and fit are essential considerations in your mask selection. You want to make sure that the mask fits snugly to the contours of your beautiful face to avoid water leakage while at the same time not squeezing or pinching. TUSA has perfected the silicone ring design to ensure fit and seal. The large single lens also gives excellent visibility to your underwater world.

Pick one of their tropical-inspired colors to find your signature mask: Bougainvillea Pink, Cobalt Blue, Energy Green, Fishtail Blue, Flash Yellow, Light Blue, Moon Gold, Ocean Green

Mask Recommendation:

Tusa Freedom Elite Snorkel/Scuba Mask $90

3. Fins (Snorkel and Dive)

Snorkel fins are generally smaller than dive fins and are suitable for shallow snorkel dives and for surface swimming in shallow reefs.  As snorkelers who like to free-dive, we wanted the extra thrust performance that a dive fin provides and the option to add diving to our future water activities.

My partner purchased the Mares Avanti scuba fin that has a highly flexible thermoplastic rubber that moves like a sea lion’s flipper. Its built for comfort with great thrusting power to support you in deeper dives and strong currents.  He’s more interested in diving and bought these with that intent.

I chose the Tusa SF-22 Solla all-purpose fin since I’m more interested in snorkeling and would like to try diving in the future. If you’re only looking for snorkel gear, I’d recommend picking up the Tusa snorkel travel package. For $99 you get a snorkel mask, snorkel fins, and the advanced technology Hyperdry Elite II snorkel. The snorkel alone is worth $69!

Fin Recommendations:

Ultimate Dive Fin: Mares Avante Quattro Plus Open Heel, Bungee Strap Scuba Fin – $170

All-purpose snorkel/dive fin: TUSA SF-22 Solla Open Heel Scuba Diving Fins –  $135

Snorkel gear package: TUSA Sport Adult Black Series Visio Tri-Ex Mask, Dry Snorkel, and Fins Travel Set – $99

4. Dive Booties

If you have an open-heeled fin, you’ll definitely need dive booties. Booties with anti-slip rubber soles are also great foot protection for launching your SUP  from shore. We stayed along the rocky cliffside of the Garrafon reef and had to walk our gear over a shallow oyster bed to open water. The booties worked great.

Booties are made with super elastic neoprene. They come in different thicknesses, however, 3 mm is ideal for warm waters (tropical) snorkel/dives. I like an ankle bootie with a side zipper for the ease of putting on and taking off, like these Cressi Isla Boots. Plus they’re pretty cute to boot! Feel comfortable and confident knowing your feet are protected. 

Dive bootie Recommendation:

Cressa Isla Boot – 3mm $39

4. Mesh Dive Bag

A mesh dive bag was a must-have on our SUP/Snorkel adventure to Isla Mujeres. The Akona Caspian duffel bag we used was lightweight, quickly draining, easy and comfortable to port around on our shoulder, and kept all our stuff together on the standup paddleboard.

The Akona duffel’s mesh construction makes it convenient for rinsing salt water off your gear—make sure you do this after each use to keep your gear in the best condition—and allows gear to drain and dry quickly.

The dive bag easily fits both pairs of snorkel gear  (masks, fins, snorkels) with even more room to stash our extra water bottles, sunscreen, and waterproof speaker. We efficiently packed the loaded duffel into a softshell roller bag to check on the airplane. Keep it together with a mesh dive bag!

Snorkel bag Recommendation:

Akona Caspian LT Lite Mesh Duffel Bag