very new to diving and wondering how to arrange a trip.

[dhuskins]

I'm with Harry. I do my own research.

I start with Trip Advisor to look for the top rated dive operations. I then do Google searches for dive operators and their websites. Lastly, I scour ScubaBoard and other online sites for recent comments and observations. Based on this information, I look for the operation that most closely matches my interests.

For example, I am willing to pay a little more to get on a smaller boat. When I was first starting out, I preferred smaller boats in the Caribbean because it meant more personal attention from a divemaster who would take me on a tour and help me remember to check my gauges. Now I prefer smaller boats because I can avoid the congestion and have more influence on the dive site choices.

Once I have nailed down the dive operation I will be using, I contact them for more information: What hotels they recommend? What is nearby them? What other attractions are in the town that I might want to visit on the last 24 hours of the trip? Do they have an afternoon boat? (Yes, I am addicted to diving.) What time do they pick me up and roughly what time they return me to the hotel.

I tell them what my skill level is and what gear I am bringing. This lets them know what to expect from me and what other advice they can provide me about their rental department and services. I don't ask them if their dive trips are suited for my skill level as they will always say "yes".

With that information, I look for a hotel. I then book the hotel and call the dive operation back to make reservations. Then, the day before I leave, I call the dive operations again to confirm the pickup time and location for the first day of diving.

For example, I was in Aruba last May and dove with S.E. Fly'n Dive. They have nice, small boats, and the crew is wonderful. Having said that, they were ALWAYS late leaving because coffee drinking on the picnic bench takes forever. A morning dive knocks out most of the day. I have heard good things about Pelican and Mermaid. Red Sail is probably the largest operation on the island and has the largest (read: crowded) dive boats.

If your goal is to see the largest collection of marine life, then my recommendation is to ask the operator. Smaller boats (3 to 6 divers) are more inclined to be swayed by your request than boats with 20 to 40 divers on it. In any case, the boat captain will tell you that dive conditions come first when selecting a site. If they have a choice between two or more sites, they will let the desires of the divers sway the choice.

 

[scuga]

I should have specified that I am already going to Aruba. I found out 2 weeks ago. That is when I did the padi online course, scheduled a private pool session, booked a trip to Florida all in three weeks to get to ow certified diving by the time I have to go. It's funny seeing those people with the "How much did your certification cost" post with like 250 and I have spent 5 times that.

I think I'll go with a smaller operation, I don't want to be the new guy out of 40 if I can be the new guy out of 4.

How does diving with a buddy work out if you are going by yourself? Do they pair you off on the boat? How much time to they give you to figure out your buoyancy before the dive commences?

 

[vladimir]

How does diving with a buddy work out if you are going by yourself? Do they pair you off on the boat? How much time to they give you to figure out your buoyancy before the dive commences?

Yes, typically they will pair you off, or ask a buddy team to make it a trio, or ask you to tag along with the divemaster. In the second two cases in particular, be sure to clarify what you expect from your buddies before the dive--people can have markedly different concepts of what the buddy system entails.

How much time to they give you to figure out your buoyancy before the dive commences?

You should have your buoyancy "figured out" before your instructor certifies you. To the extent that your exposure protection changes between the Keys and Aruba though (not much, I'd think), you might have to make a small adjustment.

 

[boomhwr]

I have done resort dives around Playa and found things were really different down in Mexico. Had to do a pool check out at 0800 at two of the resorts. One took three intro to scuba people with us that took a lot of babysitting by the staff. But there were five divers and three staff to with us. The one I liked the best was Dressel Divers. Pool check out in the morning and depending on how that went, they decided what dive location to head to for the dive. I am the only one who dives in the family so I am always solo. Paired with the DM on all but two dives and had a great time. The other two, I was paired with a crazy Brit with hundreds of dives and he helped with technique and showed me places to look for fish that I never would have thought of. Great time.
Another trip I was picked up in Telum and driven to Playa Venturas and will never do that again. Terrible equipment and 20 people on the boat. Paired with DM and made eye contact three times. Kept getting pushed out of the way when there was something to photograph and when paired to surface, the "kid" did not know the signal for out of air! First experience with a sticking guage, probably still reads 500psi.
To make a short reply long, choose carefully and if possible speak to the dive shop in advance.

 

[k ellis]

well if you are set on flying to Aruba then the advice given is great. A cheaper alternative thats unique is going on cruises that go to your destination. These can sometimes save thousands of dollars that would otherwise line greedy airlines pockets.

Just as an example I can drive to Galveston and hope a carnival ship for say 400 dollars in an off season and goto 4 destinations. The flight alone would be 400 or more plus the stick you in the backside fee of 25 dollars or more per bag is murder.

As you goto these destinations you can look around maybe even charter a dive excursion through the cruise and try them out. Many are popular destinations known world wide such as Anthonies Keys Resorts in Isla Roatan Honduras. By doing my cruise I got to go to the resort and see the rooms and was very well impressed (though not with the remainder of the island)

If you do eventually choose this option you can meet and exchange information with the ops and build a good relationship that gives memories for a lifetime of cherishment.

If you choose to stay landlocked then the florida keys are an awesome choice but beware that the area is not a choice stay between Miami and Key Largo. I stayed there in Florida City and was told by an officer myself that tourist dont stand a good chance of coming out with some sort of financial loss or bodily harm. So I would recommend staying somewhere like Key West.

and with a little closer to home I would say the dive shop is a vital piece to the puzzle. If the shop owner himself is limited in his knowledge of your dream destination Im sure he has other clients that come in all the time and one of them would be bound to know something about the choice you have made.

Good luck!

 

[k ellis]

It's funny seeing those people with the "How much did your certification cost" post with like 250 and I have spent 5 times that.

Wow I have heard here its as low as I think $235.00 to certify from start to finish. When I travel I see some WAY overpriced cost like 500 dollars or more for an openwater cert. Knowing what I do now I would never travel to say florida and cash out 500 dollars plus for the same thing I can get here for half of that!

But to each his own

 

[vladimir]

These can sometimes save thousands of dollars that would otherwise line greedy airlines pockets.

Many of the airlines provide their service at less than what it costs them to provide it. United, American, Continental, and Delta all posted pre-tax losses in 2009, in addition to many of the foreign carriers. And, as an industry, they have been doing it for years. Not exactly the hallmark of greed. Of course they would like to charge you too much, but it is a fiercely competitive business. Airline travel is one of the great bargains out there--take advantage of it. Cruise Lines, like Carnival and Royal Caribbean, on the other hand, are solidly profitable year-in and year-out.

 

[vladimir]

Wow I have heard here its as low as I think $235.00 to certify from start to finish. When I travel I see some WAY overpriced cost like 500 dollars or more for an openwater cert. Knowing what I do now I would never travel to say florida and cash out 500 dollars plus for the same thing I can get here for half of that!

But to each his own

Where is the coral reef in Oklahoma?

 

[k ellis]

Where is the coral reef in Oklahoma?

only a plane ride away. Certify in Oklahoma lake and fly with C card in hand to the ocean. 250 dollars saved

 

[k ellis]

Many of the airlines provide their service at less than what it costs them to provide it. United, American, Continental, and Delta all posted pre-tax losses in 2009, in addition to many of the foreign carriers. And, as an industry, they have been doing it for years. Not exactly the hallmark of greed. Of course they would like to charge you too much, but it is a fiercely competitive business. Airline travel is one of the great bargains out there--take advantage of it. Cruise Lines, like Carnival and Royal Caribbean, on the other hand, are solidly profitable year-in and year-out.

That they are but at the same time with one small exception in the gratuity of 10 dollars per day their charge is up front and honest. You get on the ship and dont buy one single item then you are paying only what the ticket cost is. On the other hand the greedy and yes I did say greedy airlines wont come out and charge a higher price for the ticket but instead lure you in with un underpriced ticket then punish you for wanting to take your luggage. That is greed when you deceive people to gain profit.

Anyway this is not something to debate so I am sorry to have ruffled some feathers