Can I bring my camera gear as carry-on?

Yes, you should. Keep camera bodies, lenses, and batteries in your carry-on. The housing and arms/trays can be checked in your hardshell case.

Do I need a red filter for cenotes?

Usually, no. Cenote water is crystal clear and often lacks the blue-water shift of the ocean. Your natural white balance or a custom white balance setting is usually sufficient.

What happens if I get sand in my O-ring?

Immediately stop. If you find sand, remove the O-ring, rinse it in fresh water, dry it completely, re-grease it, and inspect the groove before resealing.

How to Pack Underwater Camera Gear for Mexico Cenotes

To protect your gear, pack it in a dedicated watertight hard case like a Pelican 1510 with desiccant packs to prevent condensation. Carry the housing separately from the camera body, and always include a dedicated dive-gear repair kit with extra O-rings and silicone grease.

Disassemble the housing. Before flying, remove your camera body from the housing. Take the lens off the camera. Pack the camera and lenses in your carry-on luggage with padded dividers to prevent impact damage.
Prepare the O-rings. Clean your housing's O-rings with a lint-free cloth. Apply a very thin layer of silicone grease—only enough to make the ring look shiny, not wet. Pack a backup set of O-rings in a small, clearly labeled Ziploc bag.
Add desiccant packs. Cenotes are humid. Place 3-4 silica gel desiccant packs inside your camera housing before sealing it to absorb internal moisture and prevent your lens port from fogging up during a dive.
Use a hard case for the housing. Place your empty housing in a hardshell case with pick-and-pluck foam. Ensure at least 2 inches of foam exist between the housing and the edge of the case. Check your gear into the hold if the case is too heavy for carry-on.
Test your seals. Once you arrive in Mexico, perform a 'dry test' in your hotel sink before heading to the cenote. Submerge the sealed, empty housing for 10 minutes to ensure no bubbles escape.

Can I bring my camera gear as carry-on?: Yes, you should. Keep camera bodies, lenses, and batteries in your carry-on. The housing and arms/trays can be checked in your hardshell case.
Do I need a red filter for cenotes?: Usually, no. Cenote water is crystal clear and often lacks the blue-water shift of the ocean. Your natural white balance or a custom white balance setting is usually sufficient.
What happens if I get sand in my O-ring?: Immediately stop. If you find sand, remove the O-ring, rinse it in fresh water, dry it completely, re-grease it, and inspect the groove before resealing.