Without going into pros and cons of renting vs buying scuba diving equipment, let's talk about various types of scuba equipment that you should consider buying and how much you should budget for spending on them.

Mask: a mask can range from $20 to $150.00 dollars. A mask has relatively little travel inconvenience compared to other scuba equipment so packing it in a suitcase and walking around in it will not be a big challenge.

Snorkel: They should not run you more than $50.00, and lower end will be around $17.00

Fins: Although they are not as easy to pack as a pair of snorkels, they range from $30 to $150.00 and are more affordable than many other scuba diving equipment.

Regulator: They range from $150 - $500, sometimes even more and are at higher end of price range than other scuba equipment.

Exposure suits: They vary according to type (ie wetsuit vs drysuit). Check here for types and prices.

BC: Typically from $150 to $500.00 and like regulators, are also at high end of price range than other scuba diving equipment.

Weights: $1.70 a pound.

Tanks: Between $100 to $400.

For your actual dive you want to make sure you have following equipment.

Mask: This is essential for good visibiilty underwater. Remember, goggles will put too much pressure deeper you go underwater.

Snorkel: This is used primarily to conserve air in your tank at surface.

Fins: Try to move 30 feet underwater without a pair of fins and you will appreciate importance of scuba fins.

Booties: For colder environments, dive boots are a must in your inventory of scuba dive gear. They will protect your skin from cold water.

Mitts and Hood: Hoods are extremely important in colder climates. They protect your head, which has potential to loose most body heat underwater.

Appropriate wet suit: More useful in moderate to warm waters to protect your body from elements(i.e.sea urchins).

Weight belt and enough weights: To help you stay down deep underwater

BCD: Buoyance Control Device to help you maintain your buoyancy both underwater and at surface.

Regulator: with octopus(alternate second stage), low-pressure inflator hose, and submersible pressure gauge, dry-suit inflator: Regulators allow you to breath air from your tank at low pressure. One of more important components of your scuba gear checklist.

Tanks(checked and filled): The tank stores air that you need underwater to survive. There is an instrument that gauges amount of air left in tank to help you plan your dive.

Dive tables: The further deep you dive, more you need to be concerned about your decompression levels. Unless you have a dive computer in hand, it is almost mandatory to use dive tables to plan your dives for day.