Beginner’s Guide to What to Wear Scuba Diving — From Rash Guards to Scuba Bikinis

So you've decided to take the plunge into the underwater world, welcome to one of the most incredible communities on the planet! Whether you're signing up for your first Open Water course or planning your next dive trip, one question always comes up:

"What should I wear scuba diving?"

The truth is, choosing the right divewear isn't just about comfort. It's about performance, protection, and even ocean conservation. In this beginner's guide, we'll break down what divers actually wear under the waves, how to stay protected from the elements, and why sustainable divewear — like The Dive Compass Scuba Bikini — is changing how divers gear up.

✨ Ready to gear up? Shop our scuba diving swimwear →

What to Wear Scuba Diving: The Essentials

When you're new to diving, it can be confusing to figure out what to wear — especially since what you see on social media isn't always what's practical. Let's break it down layer by layer.

1. Swimwear or Scuba Bikini (Base Layer)

Your base layer is what you wear directly against your skin — and yes, it matters. Traditional swimwear often slips, rides up, or stretches out under wetsuits. That's why scuba bikinis are specially designed for divers:

• They stay in place under wetsuits and BCD straps.
• They're quick-drying and durable, made to handle saltwater and sun.
• They offer full freedom of movement — no distractions while you dive.

🌿 Eco tip: The Dive Compass Scuba Bikini is made from 75% recycled polyester — helping reduce plastic waste while keeping you comfortable underwater. Every order plants a coral through our Save Our Seas Pledge.

2. Rash Guards (Sun and Skin Protection)

Rash guards are lightweight, long-sleeve tops made with UPF 50+ sun protection. They're a diver's best friend both above and below the surface.

Why divers wear rash guards:

• 🩵 They block 98% of UV rays, keeping you safe from sunburn on the boat and during surface intervals.
• 🪸 They protect you from jellyfish stings, coral scrapes, and wetsuit chafing.
• 🌊 They reduce the need for sunscreen, helping keep toxic chemicals out of our oceans.

Rash guards are available in both cropped and full-length styles. Cropped rashies are perfect for warm waters and tropical dives, while full-length designs provide extra coverage and can be worn as a base layer under a wetsuit.

💙 Sustainability note: All Dive Compass Rash Guards are made from recycled polyester in our US/Mexico production and feature ocean-inspired prints that celebrate marine life — from octopus patterns to whale shark designs.

3. Wetsuits (Thermal Protection)

Depending on where you dive, a wetsuit may be essential. This also depends on your cold tolerance — personally, I prefer wearing a 5mm wetsuit even in warmer water temperatures around 28–29°C because I tend to get cold. The most important thing is wearing what you feel most comfortable in — getting too cold during a dive can completely ruin and shorten the experience.

Here's a general guide to wetsuit thickness:

• Warm water (26–30°C / 79–86°F): 3mm long wetsuit or shorty
• Temperate water (20–26°C / 68–77°F): 5–7mm full wetsuit
• Cold water (below 20°C / 68°F): 7mm+ full semi-dry wetsuit or drysuit

Your wetsuit keeps you warm by trapping a thin layer of water against your skin that your body heats up.

🌱 Pro tip: Wear a rash guard or scuba bikini underneath your wetsuit to stay comfortable and make getting changed between dives much easier.

4. Dive Leggings (Versatile Coverage)

Dive leggings are becoming increasingly popular for women divers. They're lightweight, flexible, and perfect for warm-water dives where a full wetsuit isn't needed.

Benefits of dive leggings:

• Prevent scrapes and jellyfish stings.
• Add sun protection during long surface swims.
• Offer flattering, second-skin coverage that layers easily under a wetsuit.
• Take you from the boat to the beach bar without changing.

🌿 Eco tip: Our dive leggings are made from recycled polyester and cut with a high, wide waistband that won't roll under a weight belt.

5. Accessories (The Small Things That Make a Big Difference)

Once your layers are sorted, a few extras can transform your comfort in the water:

• Dive booties: Essential with open-heel fins. They prevent blisters and protect your feet on rocky shore entries.
• Dive socks: Thin neoprene socks that make full-foot fins far kinder to your heels.
• Gloves: Useful in cooler water or on wreck dives but check local rules, as many marine parks ban them to protect the reef.
• Hood or beanie: You lose a surprising amount of heat through your head. A 3mm hood can add a full dive to your day.
• A headband or buff: Keeps your hair in place and stops your mask strap from tangling and tugging at it. Pair it with a scrunchie and a leave-in conditioner, saltwater, sun, and a mask strap are not a gentle combination.

👉 For a stage-by-stage breakdown of what I actually wear from the moment I arrive at the boat to the drive home, see my Scuba Diving Outfit Guide.

What NOT to Wear Scuba Diving

Just as important as what to pack is what to leave at home:

• Cotton anything. It soaks up water, holds it, and chills you fast. Stick to quick-drying technical fabrics.
• A regular bikini. Triangle tops and tie-side bottoms shift under a wetsuit and BCD straps and adjusting yourself at 18 metres is nobody's idea of a good dive. I've written more on why most bikinis don't work for diving.
• Dangly jewellery. Loose necklaces, hoop earrings, and rings can snag on gear or slip off in the water.
• Chemical sunscreen. Oxybenzone and octinoxate bleach coral. Choose reef-safe mineral formulas or better still, cover up with UPF 50+ fabric.
• Brand-new gear you haven't tested. Try everything on before your trip. A wetsuit that fits in the shop can feel very different after a boat ride.

Your Dive Day Packing Checklist

Screenshot this before your next trip:

• ✅ Scuba bikini or swimsuit (worn under everything)
• ✅ Rash guard — cropped for warm water, full-length for coverage
• ✅ Wetsuit appropriate to your water temperature
• ✅ Dive leggings for warm-water dives
• ✅ Booties, socks, or gloves as needed
• ✅ A dry change of clothes and a warm layer for the ride back
• ✅ Reef-safe sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, and a reusable water bottle
• ✅ A spare set of swimwear because nothing dries as fast as you'd like

Frequently Asked Questions

What do you wear under a wetsuit?

Most divers wear a scuba bikini, swimsuit, or rash guard underneath. A smooth base layer makes the wetsuit far easier to pull on and much quicker to change out of between dives, I break the full layering system down in my Scuba Diving Outfit Guide.

Can you scuba dive in just a bikini?

In warm, tropical water — absolutely, and plenty of divers do. Just make sure it's a bikini designed to stay put. My guide to the best swimsuits for scuba diving covers exactly what to look for in fit and fabric.

Do I need a rash guard if I'm already wearing a wetsuit?

You don't need one, but it helps. A rash guard prevents chafing at the neck and underarms, adds a little warmth, and keeps you covered on the boat between dives.

What should I wear scuba diving in warm water?

A scuba bikini with a rash guard and dive leggings is a brilliant warm-water combination, full sun and sting protection without the bulk of a wetsuit.

Do I have to wear a wetsuit to dive?

Not always. Above roughly 28°C many divers skip it entirely. But cold tolerance is personal. If you run cold, wear the wetsuit! Shivering through a safety stop is the fastest way to spoil a good dive. Still deciding? Read Rash Guard vs Wetsuit for a side-by-side comparison.

Keep Reading: More Divewear Guides

This guide covers the basics — these go deeper on the questions divers ask us most:

• The Best Swimsuits for Scuba Diving (That Actually Stay Put Under Your Wetsuit) — What separates a true scuba bikini from fashion swimwear, and a checklist for choosing one that won't shift mid-dive.
• Rash Guard vs Wetsuit Diving: What Do Scuba Divers Wear? — A side-by-side comparison of warmth, sun protection, and mobility, plus the water temperatures where each one wins.
• Scuba Diving Outfit Guide: What to Wear Scuba Diving — My four-stage dive day system, from arrival to surface interval to the dry-bikini ride home.

Dive Beautifully, Dive Responsibly

What you wear underwater says something about how you dive. Every piece of Dive Compass divewear is made from recycled polyester, produced ethically in the US and Mexico, and designed to survive season after season of saltwater — because the most sustainable garment is the one you don't have to replace.

🪸 And every order plants a coral through our Save Our Seas Pledge, so the reefs you're gearing up to explore are still there for the divers who come after you.

See you beneath the surface. 🌊

We make dive-specific swimwear at The Dive Compass, scuba bikinis, rash guards and leggings built to stay put under a wetsuit, in recycled fabric, made to order. Every piece plants coral.

✨ Ready to gear up? Shop our scuba diving swimwear built to stay put

Not sure of your size? Our size charts use body measurements, not garment measurements — and if you're between sizes, our size guide walks you through it. Still unsure, email andrea@thedivecompass.com with your measurements and we'll tell you your size before you order.