Ocean lovers are fun to buy for. They're passionate about the ocean, and with that comes amazing marine books, ocean boardies and leggings, beautiful prints, photography gear, and loads more, depending on their personality and budget. Woo!
Below you'll find a big list of marine gifts but, if you're unsure, get this #1 bestseller, The World Beneath, you can't go wrong here, it's fascinating with big, beautiful images. We've included the dive and marine life map by Awesome Maps, fantastic underwater photography options like the Olympus TG-7, and to inspire the eco-aware there's this zero-waste starter kit. Have a scroll through, we hope you find something you love!
The Waterlust Whale Shark Collection is the best overall gift for scuba divers in 2026: sun-protective dive wear made from recycled plastic, with 5% of sales funding whale shark conservation. If you'd rather buy a book than clothing, 100 Dives of a Lifetime is a safe pick for any diver planning their next trip, and our chooser below sorts every other pick by budget and by who you're buying for, from stocking fillers under $30 to gear for a new diver's first Christmas.
Our best gifts for scuba divers for 2026 include:
- Waterlust Whale Shark CollectionBest overall gift
- Awesome Maps Dive & Marine Life MapWorld-exploring divers
- Oceanographic Magazine SubscriptionGiftable magazine
- The World BeneathSafe pick book
- 100 Dives of a LifetimeBooks to learn
- Olympus Tough TG-7 Underwater CameraUnderwater photographers
- UPTRUST Bamboo Cutlery SetBudget stocking filler
- Zero Waste Starter KitEco-friendly bundle
- Gnollko Wine Glass CharmsWine-loving diver
- Hammered Head Bottle OpenerBeer & wine lovers
Our picks
Read the full guideStart with these two. If your needs are different, there is a pick for you below.
Our pick
Tested by Mads
Waterlust Whale Shark Collection
An ocean lover's must-have, made from recycled plastic, with 5% of sales supporting the Marine Megafauna Foundation's global whale shark program.
Best Gift for World-Exploring Divers
Awesome Maps Dive & Marine Life Map
A hand-drawn world marine map, available as prints, stretched canvas, towels and coffee-table packages, that any ocean lover will enjoy even if they've never dived.
Picks for specific needs
Best Giftable Magazine Subscription
Oceanographic Magazine Subscription
Incredible stories and pages of glossy photography make this a marine lover's favourite, delivered issue after issue rather than opened once.
Best Gift Book Overall
The World Beneath
If you're unsure what to buy, this is our safe pick: an Amazon bestseller with big, beautiful images of the ocean's strangest, most fascinating creatures.
Best Gift Books for Ocean Lovers Who Love to Learn
100 Dives of a Lifetime
National Geographic photography and a bucket list of 100 dive sites make this the pick for a diver planning their next trip, with two more ocean books alongside it for anyone who loves to learn.
Best Gift for Underwater Photographers
Olympus Tough TG-7 Underwater Camera
Divers love nothing more than capturing the magic of the ocean to share with their less oceany friends, and the TG-7 is a rugged, easy starting point.
Best Budget Stocking Filler for the Eco-Conscious Diver
UPTRUST Bamboo Cutlery Set
A reusable bamboo travel utensil set for the diver who's trying to cut down on single-use plastic on trips.
Best Eco-Friendly Gift Bundle for Divers
Zero Waste Starter Kit
Encourage their inner ocean warrior with a reusable, plastic-free starter kit that bundles the everyday swaps a zero-waste beginner needs.
Best Gift for the Wine-Loving Diver
Gnollko Wine Glass Charms
A cheerful, inexpensive way to mark whose glass is whose at an after-dive debrief or a dinner party.
Best Stocking Filler Under $30 for Beer & Wine Lovers
Hammered Head Bottle Opener
A cast-metal corkscrew and bottle opener shaped like a hammerhead shark, an easy, playful stocking filler for any diver who also loves a drink.
Explore this guide 8 sections
Our gift picks for scuba divers and ocean lovers
Best Overall Gift for Scuba Divers & Ocean Lovers Waterlust Whale Shark Collection
Tested by Mads
Tested hands-on by Mads. Mads wears her Waterlust leggings every time she gets in the water: as a second skin under her wetsuit, which makes it much easier to pull on, and on their own for snorkelling in warm water.
An ocean lover's must-have, made from recycled plastic, with 5% of sales supporting the Marine Megafauna Foundation's global whale shark program.
Why we picked it
- Most of our whale shark research team snorkel and dive in Waterlust gear, and we love the designs and sun protection they offer.
- Made from recycled plastic bottles, so it's a gift that doesn't cost the ocean.
- Available as leggings, board shorts, a sun suit or a reversible top, so there's a fit for most divers on your list.
Worth knowing Simon co-founded the Marine Megafauna Foundation, which receives 5% of sales from this collection.
Best Gift for World-Exploring Divers Awesome Maps Dive & Marine Life Map
A hand-drawn world marine map, available as prints, stretched canvas, towels and coffee-table packages, that any ocean lover will enjoy even if they've never dived.
Why we picked it
- Illustrated with marine animals as well as dive sites, so it appeals to ocean lovers, not just certified divers.
- Available in several formats: framed prints, stretched canvas, a foldable coffee-table version and even a towel.
- Not just for divers, ocean lovers will love the drawings of marine animals too.
Worth knowing It's a decorative gift rather than dive gear, so it suits someone who wants to relive or plan trips rather than someone who needs new kit.
Best Giftable Magazine Subscription Oceanographic Magazine Subscription
Incredible stories and pages of glossy photography make this a marine lover's favourite, delivered issue after issue rather than opened once.
Why we picked it
- A subscription keeps giving throughout the year, rather than being unwrapped once and set aside.
- Glossy, photography-led storytelling suits anyone who already loves underwater photography.
Worth knowing It's a subscription, so it suits someone who wants ongoing reading rather than a one-off object to unwrap on the day.
Best Gift Book Overall The World Beneath
If you're unsure what to buy, this is our safe pick: an Amazon bestseller with big, beautiful images of the ocean's strangest, most fascinating creatures.
Why we picked it
- Fascinating and beautiful, the kind of book an ocean lover leaves out on the coffee table rather than shelving.
- Written by underwater photographer and marine biologist Dr Richard Smith, so the science holds up, not just the photography.
- Books that are equal parts fascinating and beautiful, the same goes for the ocean books below.
Worth knowing It's a photography-led book rather than a field guide, so it suits someone who wants to browse and admire rather than identify species.
Best Gift Books for Ocean Lovers Who Love to Learn 100 Dives of a Lifetime
National Geographic photography and a bucket list of 100 dive sites make this the pick for a diver planning their next trip, with two more ocean books alongside it for anyone who loves to learn.
Why we picked it
- 100 Dives of a Lifetime is a National Geographic bucket list of dive sites organised by experience level, from beginner wrecks to expert cave dives.
- The Life & Love of the Sea (the shorthand on our old page was simply 'The Sea') pairs underwater photography with writing on the ocean's science, history and culture.
- Citizens of the Sea draws on the Census of Marine Life to explain how sea creatures defend themselves, migrate and mate, in short, readable chapters.
Worth knowing These are coffee-table and armchair-reading books, not dive-planning references, so they suit someone who loves the ocean more than someone about to book a trip.
Best Gift for Underwater Photographers Olympus Tough TG-7 Underwater Camera
Divers love nothing more than capturing the magic of the ocean to share with their less oceany friends, and the TG-7 is a rugged, easy starting point.
Why we picked it
- Waterproof to 15 metres without a housing, so it's ready to hand over on a dive trip without buying extra gear.
- A macro mode built for close-up reef and critter shots, exactly what most new underwater photographers want to capture first.
Worth knowing It's an entry-level underwater compact, so a serious photographer on your list will outgrow it faster than a diver who just wants holiday snaps.
Best Budget Stocking Filler for the Eco-Conscious Diver UPTRUST Bamboo Cutlery Set
A reusable bamboo travel utensil set for the diver who's trying to cut down on single-use plastic on trips.
Why we picked it
- Packs a fork, knife, spoon, chopsticks and a cleaning brush into a case small enough for a dive bag.
- A small, inexpensive way to encourage their inner ocean warrior without asking them to change much.
Worth knowing It's a small, low-cost gift, so it works best as a stocking filler or add-on rather than a main present.
Best Eco-Friendly Gift Bundle for Divers Zero Waste Starter Kit
Encourage their inner ocean warrior with a reusable, plastic-free starter kit that bundles the everyday swaps a zero-waste beginner needs.
Why we picked it
- Comes packed in a reusable metal lunch box, so nothing about the gift itself is single-use.
- Ethique's plastic-free shampoo and conditioner bars and a set of reusable steel straws round out the eco gift without much extra research.
Worth knowing Several of these products come and go out of stock, so treat this as a starting shopping list rather than a single gift you can buy in one click.
Best Gift for the Wine-Loving Diver Gnollko Wine Glass Charms
A cheerful, inexpensive way to mark whose glass is whose at an after-dive debrief or a dinner party.
Why we picked it
- 16 charms in a set, so there's one for everyone at a dive club dinner, not just a pair.
- A small, easy add-on gift alongside a bottle of wine or a bigger present.
Worth knowing It's a novelty gift rather than dive gear, so it suits a stocking filler or add-on more than a main present.
Best Stocking Filler Under $30 for Beer & Wine Lovers Hammered Head Bottle Opener
A cast-metal corkscrew and bottle opener shaped like a hammerhead shark, an easy, playful stocking filler for any diver who also loves a drink.
Why we picked it
- A 2-in-1 corkscrew and bottle opener that doubles as a talking point on the bar cart.
- Pairs well with the shark bottle opener keychain and a set of stingray felt coasters if you want to build out a themed bar gift.
Worth knowing All three items here are novelty bar gifts rather than dive gear, best paired with a bottle of something as a stocking filler.
Which one is right for me?
- Not sure, want the safe choiceThe World Beneath
- Under $30UPTRUST Bamboo Cutlery Set
- For the underwater photographerOlympus Tough TG-7 Underwater Camera
- For a new diverWaterlust Whale Shark Collection
- For the wine or beer-loving diverHammered Head Bottle Opener
- For the eco-conscious diverZero Waste Starter Kit
- For the diver who loves to read100 Dives of a Lifetime
Who’s behind this list of gifts for scuba divers?
Simon is a shark conservation biologist and world-renowned underwater photographer who dives, snorkels and freedives for a living. He is a co-founder and Principal Scientist at the Marine Megafauna Foundation, where he leads the global whale shark research and conservation program. His marine research and photography are routinely covered by major media outlets, including the BBC, National Geographic, Discovery Channel, and New York Times amongst many others. One of his photographs was chosen as a personal favourite of Sir David Attenborough’s, in conjunction with BBC’s Blue Planet II series, and another illustrates one of the global PADI scuba diving certification cards.
Mads is an avid scuba diver and recreational freediver who’s dived some of the most spectacular locations around the world, including Misool and northern Raja Ampat, Lembongan, Lembeh Strait, Tulamben, Fiji, Vanuatu, and of course at home in Australia. She’s a minimalist and likes to travel light (which Simon encourages, as he can then use her baggage allowance!!), opting to mostly hire dive and snorkel gear wherever she goes. She’s been sampling the world’s equipment for over a decade. She has opinions.
What to look for
Match the gift to how they dive
A book or wine charm suits any ocean lover, but camera gear or dive kit needs to match the diving they already do. When in doubt, ask what they're missing rather than guessing at gear.
Sun-safe and eco-friendly gifts travel well
Reef-safe swimwear, reusable travel gear and eco-friendly starter kits work for snorkellers and divers alike, and none of it takes up much luggage space on a dive trip.
Check stock before you buy
Popular dive-gift products go in and out of stock, especially smaller or novelty items. Check the page is live and read recent reviews before you commit, particularly close to Christmas.
A subscription keeps giving
A magazine subscription or a donation to an ocean charity in their name lasts longer than a single unwrapping, and suits someone who already has plenty of gear.
Questions readers ask
What's a good gift for someone who just started scuba diving?
Practical, reef-safe gear they'll actually use is a safer bet than dive equipment, since a new diver hasn't settled on their preferred brand of mask or fins yet. Sun-protective swimwear like the Waterlust collection, a good ocean book, or a small eco-friendly kit all work well.
What should I get a diver who already has everything?
Look at what they don't already own: an action camera for video, a magazine subscription for ongoing reading, or a themed print or map for their wall.
Is underwater camera gear a good gift for a diver?
Yes, if you know roughly what they already own. An entry-level compact like the Olympus Tough TG-7 suits someone without a dedicated underwater camera.
What's a good stocking filler for a scuba diver?
Small, inexpensive extras work well: wine glass charms, a shark-themed bottle opener, reusable travel cutlery or eco-friendly straws all fit in a stocking and suit any ocean lover, not just a diver.
The bottom line
Start with the Waterlust Whale Shark Collection
It's our overall pick for any scuba diver or ocean lover, and 5% of its sales fund whale shark conservation. If you're unsure, The World Beneath is a safe bet; for the underwater photographer, the Olympus Tough TG-7; for a budget stocking filler, the UPTRUST Bamboo Cutlery Set or the Gnollko Wine Glass Charms.
Picks at a glance
Every pick in one table. Swipe sideways on a phone.
| Pick | Best for | Price | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterlust Whale Shark Collection | Best Overall Gift for Scuba Divers & Ocean Lovers | Simon co-founded the Marine Megafauna Foundation, which receives 5% of sales from this collection. | |
| Awesome Maps Dive & Marine Life Map | Best Gift for World-Exploring Divers | It's a decorative gift rather than dive gear, so it suits someone who wants to relive or plan trips rather… | |
| Oceanographic Magazine Subscription | Best Giftable Magazine Subscription | It's a subscription, so it suits someone who wants ongoing reading rather than a one-off object to unwrap… | |
| The World Beneath | Best Gift Book Overall | It's a photography-led book rather than a field guide, so it suits someone who wants to browse and admire… | |
| 100 Dives of a Lifetime | Best Gift Books for Ocean Lovers Who Love to Learn | These are coffee-table and armchair-reading books, not dive-planning references, so they suit someone who… | |
| Olympus Tough TG-7 | Best Gift for Underwater Photographers | It's an entry-level underwater compact, so a serious photographer on your list will outgrow it faster than… | |
| UPTRUST Bamboo Cutlery Set | Best Budget Stocking Filler for the Eco-Conscious Diver | $ | It's a small, low-cost gift, so it works best as a stocking filler or add-on rather than a main present. |
| Zero Waste Starter Kit | Best Eco-Friendly Gift Bundle for Divers | Several of these products come and go out of stock, so treat this as a starting shopping list rather than a… | |
| Gnollko Wine Glass Charms | Best Gift for the Wine-Loving Diver | $ | It's a novelty gift rather than dive gear, so it suits a stocking filler or add-on more than a main present. |
| Hammered Head Bottle Opener | Best Stocking Filler Under $30 for Beer & Wine Lovers | All three items here are novelty bar gifts rather than dive gear, best paired with a bottle of something as… |
Last updated on
