Traveling with Spearguns and Freediving Equipment into Bali, Indonesia
Travelling with spearguns and freediving equipment can be a challenge, especially in a foreign country like Indonesia. We decided to write this post to give you all the tips you need to make it easy to get into the country with your prized speargun and gear.
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Tips and Tricks for Getting Your Gear into Indonesia
Bringing spearguns into Indonesia can be daunting—especially when you don't know the language or the ins and outs of Indonesian culture. However, bringing them in is possible and we've never had any serious issues. The key is knowing how to handle customs, using the right language and most importantly being prepared.
Disclaimer: I mention a heap of brands in the below article BUT we do not receive any commission for directing you to purchase from them. They have purely been recommended based on personal experience. However, if you do work for one of these companies, please email us. We would LOVE to forge a relationship with you.
Key Strategies:
- Never use the word 'speargun' – This is a huge red flag. Often customs workers will misunderstand the first part, hear “gun" and have you jammed up in customs while you freak out and wonder if you will end up like Schapelle Corby.
- Instead, refer to your equipment as 'fishing equipment' or, even better, use the Indonesian phrase 'alat- alat mancing'. Locals appreciate it when Westerners try to use their language, and this small effort can be the difference between getting hassled or passing through customs smoothly.
- Remove all tags from new gear – Indonesia imposes an import tax on new equipment, Customs officials can charge you thousands of dollars if your gear looks brand new. If they think your gear is new they will Google the equipment, find a price online and then try to charge you a percentage of that cost—which can be huge for your prized blue water cannon. We’ve been stung with this before, so disguise new gear as used by removing packaging, scuffing up items slightly, or mixing them with older equipment.
- Use speartip protectors–always put speartips on your shafts. This protects your cases internally but also hides their profile. Keep your gear packed securely, and always remain calm and respectful when dealing with customs officers
The Best Speargun Travel Case – Sportube
Why the Sportube Series 3 is the Best Choice
When it comes to protecting your speargun and freediving gear during travel, nothing beats the Sportube Series 3. It’s the preferred option over the Series 2 because of its larger size, making it perfect for a two-person trip—which is how you should almost always be traveling when going on a spearfishing trip- Never freedive alone. I had the Series 2 but managed to swap it for a Series 3, which was a great move. The only downside? My old one was orange, and my new one is black.
The Series 3 Sportube can fit:
- Four spearguns, including a bluewater cannon
- Two pairs of large Diver fins
- Wetsuits, floats, and all other necessary freediving gear for two persons
It’s a hard-shell case, meaning it can withstand rough handling from airline staff, and it comes with wheels for easy transport.
Where to Buy:
Directly, through the Sportube website of course!
You can also find them on Adreno, BUT they often carry a limited stock and do not receive shipments frequently. Make sure you call ahead and chat to the manager to secure one before it goes.
SIDE NOTE: This is an awesome piece of gear, and you can load it up with stickers to personalize it. You can even get a pad lock to further secure your gear. I use the SwissGear combination lock as it fits in the slot perfectly and is easy to use. Plus it’s cheap.
P.S. The final thing I love about the SportTube is that everyone in the airport asks what’s inside. The best response? Turn the question back on them—‘What do you think is inside?’ Some of the answers are hilarious, and it makes waiting in long airport queues WAY more fun."
The Poor Man’s Sportube – The Best Value Option
If you’re on a budget, a DIY PVC pipe case is a fantastic alternative.
How to Make One:
- Purchase a large PVC pipe from a hardware or plumbing store. (Take your gun to the hardware shop with you so you can make sure it fits snugly. You don't want it rattling around in there and every gun is different.)
- Glue end caps on for a secure fit.
- For extra security, get a lockable end cap from plumbing stores like Reece Plumbing in Australia. This lets you use a padlock for added protection.
- If you want to add a strap, you can drill a canvas strap straight into the PVC.
This method works great for transporting spearguns, but not so much for your carbon freediving fins. Before I got my Sportube, I used this setup in Indonesia, and it worked like a charm. It also looked hilarious strapped to the back of my scooter.
I still have my old “poor man’s Sportube” mounted on top of my van in Australia—it’s elite for traveling up and down the coast. So even when you upgrade to your sport tube you can still get some great value out of it. See the photo below
Modular, Demountable Spearguns
Full disclaimer, I have never used a modular gun so don't take what I say as gospel BUT these guns seem to solve a lot of the headaches that come with travelling with your gun. These are guns that split into two pieces and can then be reassembled with some screws. The benefits are obvious, not having to use a large case to transport your guns but allowing them to fit in your checked luggage around your clothes.
In my opinion, I'm a bit unsure of If I would ever buy one of these. Here’s why:
- Modular guns are expensive
- I worry that the screws could come loose during a dive day- seriously impacting performance.
- It's more bits of gear you need and if you are anything like me, more pieces of gear to lose
- Lastly, I need a big case to carry my large DiveR fins anyway so I might as well chuck my gun in too.
If you are interested in checking out these models, have a look at Riffe’s Euro Travel Speargun here.
Other Non-Recommended Options
There are plenty of other travel cases out there, but in my experience, most just aren’t worth it:
- Soft cases – These don’t provide enough protection, making your gear more susceptible to damage.
- Easily accessible cases – If customs officials can open your bag with ease, they might start asking questions you do NOT want to answer.
Spending money on proper protection is always worth it in the long run. A damaged speargun or missing piece of gear can ruin your entire trip and cost you thousands, plus not to mention the fish of a lifetime.
Final Tips
- Dry your gear before packing it. If your gear is wet in your Poor/ Rich Mans SportTube and it gets hot while on the tarmac or in transit, that thing will become a literal sauna. This will rust all your gear quickly.
Store your spears outside your trigger mechanism. I learned this tip from Paul at Kraken Spearguns, who makes all of our guns here at Aquatic Apes. He told me that because the two metals are different densities they can corrode one another more quickly, reducing the life of your shaft and trigger. Store them separately instead. It also reduces the overall length of your SportTube. Another pro tip? Use duct tape to keep your shooting line organized once the shaft is out of the trigger—otherwise, it'll end up more tangled than a hippie’s dreadlocks.
Need More Help?
If you have any questions, email or WhatsApp us, and we’ll do our best to help you out
