From paying marine park fees and tipping the crew on a liveaboard or withdrawing cash for local markets, having a card that works well overseas means less stress and fewer surprise bank charges.
Whether you’re joining us diving in Egypt, the Maldives, Indonesia, the Philippines or somewhere completely new, having the right travel card can make life so much easier – trust us, we’ve been caught short too many times before we used these cards!
Our community comes from all over the world, so there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But after travelling with hundreds of women on Girls that Scuba trips, these are the three travel cards we hear recommended time and time again.
This isn’t sponsored, we simply wanted to share what many of our guests have had great experiences using. PLUS, we personally use all 3 of these, and have for years, so we kinda know a thing or two about them.
Revolut
Best for frequent dive travellers
If your passport gets almost as much use as your logbook, Revolut is a fantastic option.
Many of our guests love it because you can keep multiple currencies in one account, making it ideal for multi-destination trips
It’s also handy for paying deposits, booking hotels, organising airport transfers and splitting restaurant bills with your new dive buddies.
Why we like it
- Hold multiple currencies in one account
- Great exchange rates when exchanging in advance
- Spend in over 150 currencies
- Freeze or unfreeze your card instantly if it goes missing
- Virtual cards for booking flights and accommodation
- Instant spending notifications through the app
- Easy bill splitting with friends
Good to know
Free plans have monthly ATM withdrawal limits, and exchanging money at weekends may cost a little more, so it’s worth checking which plan suits your travel style.
Wise
Best for international travellers
If your priority is getting an excellent exchange rate and knowing exactly what you’re paying, Wise is a brilliant choice.
Whether you’re paying for airport taxis, buying souvenirs, eating at local restaurants or spending a few extra days exploring after your dive trip, Wise keeps things simple.
Why we like it
- Excellent exchange rates
- Transparent fees
- Hold and spend multiple currencies
- Great if you’re travelling between several countries
- Fantastic for international transfers
- Easy-to-use app
Many of our guests also use Wise to transfer money internationally before travelling, particularly if they’re booking hotels or experiences outside of their Girls That Scuba trip.
Starling
Best for UK-based Girls That Scuba members
If you’re based in the UK and want one card that works just as well at home as it does on a dive trip, Starling is well worth looking at.
Rather than opening a separate travel account, you simply use it like your normal bank card while benefiting from no foreign transaction fees on card purchases.
Why we like it
- No foreign transaction fees on purchases abroad
- Competitive exchange rates
- Simple, easy-to-use banking app
- Instant payment notifications
- Perfect if you want one account for everyday life and travel
The only downside is that Starling is currently only available to UK residents.
Our top travel tips for Girls That Scuba trips
Whichever card you choose, here are a few things we’ve learnt over the years of travelling with divers around the world.
- Always choose to pay in the local currency. If the card machine offers to convert it into your home currency, say no—your card provider will almost always give you a better exchange rate.
- Bring two cards. Cards get lost, damaged or occasionally swallowed by ATMs. Having a backup can save a lot of stress.
- Carry a small amount of local cash. Some destinations still prefer cash for tips, small shops, taxis or local cafés.
- Tell your bank you’re travelling if your provider recommends it, especially if you’re visiting somewhere you’ve never travelled before.
- Set up Apple Pay or Google Pay before you leave, just in case you need it.
- Keep one card separate from the other. We always recommend leaving your backup card safely locked in your room or cabin rather than carrying both together.