Dive Abroad with Satellite Coverage! The GARMIN inReach Mini Is Your Last Line of Defense on International Dive Trips!

The Editor shared a niche topic at the DRT Dive Show — "If You Get Swept Away, How Do You Get Rescued? How to Choose from 4 Marine Rescue Devices — Suitable for Both Scuba Diving and Freediving!" — and later turned the presentation into an article. Despite being a niche piece with minimal traffic, it actually generated a flood of private messages from fellow divers asking how to use and set up the GARMIN inReach Mini. So in this article, we'll walk you through step by step how to get your hands on the ultimate gadget for international dive trips: the GARMIN inReach Mini!

This article was written in May 2023. As information may change rapidly, buyers should contact Chunghwa Telecom and GARMIN directly for the latest details.

First, let us explain why the above disclaimer exists. The GARMIN inReach is a satellite product, and Taiwan's government regulates this category of device very strictly. The Editor has actually been in discussions with GARMIN since 2021 about how to cover this product, but due to NCC regulatory restrictions, the review process, and the production timeline for GARMIN inReach's own waterproof case, it wasn't until 2023 that the product could be sold and reviewed.

Because of these various regulatory constraints, the purchasing process for the GARMIN inReach is completely different from buying a standard dive computer. Relevant purchasing information is nearly impossible to find on the market. We therefore strongly recommend that if you're planning to buy after reading this article, you first contact Chunghwa Telecom and GARMIN to confirm the latest purchasing method — so you don't waste your valuable time acting on outdated information.

Step 1: How Do You Buy One?

Please note that because the GARMIN inReach is a regulated satellite product, it cannot be sold through any dive retail channels! Do not go to your local dive shop and ask them to stock it — under NCC regulations, satellite products can only be purchased through Chunghwa Telecom stores (Chunghwa Telecom exclusive purchase page).

Before you receive your GARMIN inReach from an online order, you can start the satellite service identity verification process to apply for a registration code. Based on the Editor's personal experience, we recommend going directly to a physical Chunghwa Telecom branch to apply for the registration code, as you'll need to present two forms of ID for verification. The online application process is more cumbersome — the Editor personally got stuck on a MAC computer — whereas the in-store registration code application takes about 10 minutes. Once you have the registration code, you can proceed to apply for satellite service.

The current Chunghwa Telecom price for the device alone is NT$12,990. The waterproof case must be purchased separately from Garmin Taiwan for NT$2,520 (waterproof case purchase link).

Step 2: How Do You Apply for Satellite Service?

Device-only price? Does that mean there's also a monthly fee? Yes — the GARMIN inReach you purchase from Chunghwa Telecom is a hardware unit. You still need to go to Garmin Explore to register the device and select a service plan before you can use the satellite functions. So please don't naively assume that buying a GARMIN inReach means you're ready to send a distress signal — you don't want to find yourself in an emergency only to discover you're holding a completely inactive device!

How do you activate your GARMIN inReach? First, visit the Garmin Explore website to register an account. Once registered, enter the registration code provided by Chunghwa Telecom along with your inReach IMEI number to complete the device binding.

Next, follow the guided steps to fill in all required information. One important point to highlight: according to feedback from the Garmin International Emergency Response Coordination Center (Garmin Response) and engineers regarding accidental SOS activations, when you press the SOS button the coordination center will first try to contact you using the contact information you provided to confirm whether it was an accidental trigger. If they cannot reach you, they will then contact your emergency contact to confirm whether you are engaged in an outdoor activity. Once a genuine rescue need is confirmed, they will immediately initiate the rescue procedure. It is therefore essential that you fill in your personal and emergency contact information accurately.

Beyond being a satellite distress beacon, the GARMIN inReach also lets you send messages to designated contacts via text when you have no mobile signal. You can set up several contacts and communication methods through the web or mobile interface; the GARMIN inReach supports SMS and email, among others.

You can also pre-set some preset messages, since typing on the GARMIN inReach's tiny virtual keyboard is quite a chore. Common ones for hikers include things like "Resting," "Moving," or "I'll arrive late." Because your GPS coordinates are shared automatically when you send a message, this is a valuable safety management tool for tracking a hiking group's daily itinerary.

For diving, however, we'd realistically only use this device when caught in a surface drift situation, so you can configure a few preset messages suited for emergency scenarios.

The GARMIN inReach requires you to choose an annual service plan. As mentioned above, for diving we'd only use this device if caught in a surface drift situation, and we wouldn't be using the messaging function while in the water — so the Editor feels the basic "Peace of Mind" rate plan should be sufficient.

Step 3: How Do You Pair It with Your Phone?

The GARMIN inReach maintains Garmin's trademark high-quality Bluetooth pairing experience and user interface. Simply download the Garmin Explore app to pair via Bluetooth. Once paired, you can enjoy a range of convenient features.

After pairing, we recommend running an update first to ensure your GARMIN inReach is on the latest firmware. You can also download detailed map packages, which are very handy for reviewing waypoint records later.

Time to Put It to the Test: Real-World Experience on an International Dive Trip

The Editor traveled to Bohol in the Philippines for diving in early 2023. As many of you know, the outrigger boats (bangkas) commonly used in the Philippines are not equipped with AIS transponders, which means the rescue devices Taiwanese divers typically rely on — such as the Nautilus LifeLine or Dolphin — are essentially useless there.

Some divers use a phone inside a waterproof case or bag as a rescue signaling device, but mobile signal in remote parts of the Philippines is extremely poor, making this approach quite unreliable. So on this trip, we went ahead and used the GARMIN inReach as a live, real-world unboxing test for everyone.

Satellite Connection & Message Sending Speed: Fast

When you're in an open, unobstructed location, the GARMIN inReach connects to a satellite within approximately 3–5 seconds of powering on. In our real-world tests, messages were received by the other party within about 10–15 seconds. The recipient can also view your location, heading, and speed via a link embedded in the SMS or email, and reply directly to you out in the middle of the ocean.

Battery Consumption: Watch Out for Obstructed Locations

When it comes to battery drain, you absolutely must pay attention to whether you're in an open, unobstructed location. When you're indoors or somewhere with overhead cover, the GARMIN inReach will continuously search for a satellite signal, dramatically increasing power consumption. As a real-world example: if you leave a fully charged device indoors overnight, you'll lose about 80% of your battery. But if you leave it in an open, unobstructed spot with a strong satellite signal, it'll only lose about 10% overnight. Please keep this in mind — if you're moving indoors, power the device off to conserve battery.

You can also use the GARMIN inReach to log waypoints — a feature well-suited for researchers who need to record GPS coordinates for sample sites, without having to rely on a dive computer or a TG-6 camera.

The GARMIN inReach Mini is your last line of defense on international dive trips!

As the article title suggests, when you look at the most common diving distress beacons on the market today, if you need something that works abroad, requires no separate base unit, doesn't depend on the boat having any specific communication protocol, and allows you to actively call for help — the GARMIN inReach Mini is arguably the most suitable option available. But… even the best products have their drawbacks.

Drawbacks of the GARMIN inReach

Every product has its pros and cons — it all depends on the context in which you use it. Here are what the Editor considers the "drawbacks":

• High unit cost plus a recurring service fee: The device and waterproof case together approach NT$15,000, which may be a barrier to entry for casual recreational users.
• Initial setup is relatively complicated: The purchasing, registration, device binding, and information entry process is quite involved.
• NCC does not allow corporate applications: Current regulations only permit individual applications for satellite communication licenses — not organizations — which hinders organizational adoption and commercial rental business models.
• Banned in certain countries — do your homework first (North Korea, China, India, Russia, Iran, Thailand, Vietnam, etc.).

Related links:

• If You Get Swept Away, How Do You Get Rescued? How to Choose from 4 Marine Rescue Devices — Suitable for Both Scuba Diving and Freediving!
• Chunghwa Telecom exclusive page
• Garmin Explore website