Most dive itineraries start with a gateway airport and then a drive or ferry to the water:

Florida Keys: fly to Miami or Fort Lauderdale, then drive south to Key Largo and the Middle Keys. Key West has a small airport for end-of-trip hops.
South Florida (Palm Beach, Miami): base near the coast for quick morning departures and easy shore sites.
Hawaii: fly into Honolulu or directly to neighbor islands, then use rental cars and local operators. Most inter-island moves are by short flights.
California islands and kelp coast: fly to LA or San Diego for Catalina and Channel Islands access, or use San Francisco for Monterey Bay.
Inland lakes: fly to Reno-Tahoe for Lake Tahoe access.

If you are planning multiple regions, keep travel days light. A coast-to-coast transfer can consume a full day and can affect rest and dive scheduling.

Major gateway for South Florida diving, including Miami and drives south to Key Largo.

Convenient for South Florida charters and a common alternative to Miami for Keys road trips.

Closest gateway for Palm Beach diving, including bridge and drift sites.

A rental car is the default for most water-focused U.S. trips.

Florida Keys: driving is the main connector between islands; plan around weekend traffic.
South Florida: you can combine ride-shares with dive shuttles, but a car helps for multiple dive operators and shore sites.
Hawaii: a car is strongly recommended on most islands for reaching leeward beaches and harbors.
California: coast and island logistics are car plus ferry or charter boat.

For independent shore diving and snorkeling, learn local parking rules and any state requirements for diver-down flags.

Entry rules depend on citizenship:

U.S. citizens and permanent residents: generally need standard government ID for domestic travel, and a passport for international arrivals.
Visa Waiver Program travelers: typically need an approved ESTA before boarding.
Other international travelers: may need a visitor visa (commonly B-1/B-2) and should confirm requirements before booking.

Always check the latest guidance on official U.S. government sites before travel, and confirm any transit-country requirements if you are routing through Canada, Mexico, or other hubs.

Most U.S. coastal hubs have easy rentals for tanks, weights, and exposure suits. For travel convenience:

Pack regulators, computer, mask, and lights in carry-on where possible.
Avoid traveling with full cylinders. If you travel with a scuba cylinder, follow airline and security guidance for empty inspection.
Bring a compact save-a-dive kit (spare straps, mouthpiece, o-rings).
Expect wide exposure-range needs: 3mm to 5mm is common in Florida and Hawaii by season, while California often calls for 7mm or a drysuit.

If you are combining warm and cold regions on one trip, plan to rent the bulky exposure protection locally.

Cards and mobile payments are widely accepted in major coastal hubs (South Florida, Hawaii, California). Cash is still useful for small marinas, food trucks, parking meters, and tips in remote areas.

ATMs are common in cities and resort areas. Coverage can be thinner on small islands and remote coastal towns, so withdraw cash before long drives or island hops.

Boats and liveaboards may add USB charging and limited outlets. Pack a small power strip and label your chargers.

Communications

Cell coverage is strong in most cities and major coastal areas, with weaker service on remote island trails and offshore. eSIM options are widely available. Download offline maps for island and coastal road trips, and consider a waterproof phone pouch for boat days.

Language

English is the primary language nationwide. Spanish is widely spoken in many coastal regions, especially Florida and parts of the Southwest. Tourism hubs in Hawaii and California are used to international visitors.

Insurance

Carry travel medical coverage that works in the U.S., where healthcare costs can be high. For divers, consider specialized dive accident coverage and know the emergency hotline for your provider. Even on domestic trips, a dive policy can simplify evacuation and chamber coordination.

Packing list

Pack to the coast and season:

Florida and Hawaii: rash guard plus 3mm to 5mm wetsuit (season dependent), reef-safe sunscreen, and a light wind layer for boats.
California and colder regions: 7mm wetsuit or drysuit, hood, and warm surface layers.
All regions: SMB, whistle, spare mask strap, and a dry bag.

If you are mixing warm and cold regions, plan to rent bulky exposure gear locally to keep baggage manageable.

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