tipping

[scubavaquera]

I always give at LEAST $5.00 per tank, but usually more. I know everyone is on a budget these days, but I think you should just figure in the daily tips as part of your cost of diving. The dive Op I use takes all of the tips and splits them evenly between the DM's on the boat, the sailor that stays on the boat, and the captain. I am always shocked and often embarassed when I see how many people give them nothing. They work their butts off to make sure we have a fun, safe dive and I darn sure think they are worth every peso I can give them. These guys rely on tips more than you know. (The DM's I know make about 150.00 a week for their 'salary'.)
I also tip the maids in my hotel room, and usually have to leave the money on the bed with a note or they won't even take it. When they realize it is for them, they always go above and beyond. Usually I have an abundance of fresh flowers placed around my room upon my return. I know they appreciate it.

 

[Jax]

$5/Tank is what I have tipped for years

EXACTLY my point! $5 years ago would buy you a fast-food meal and drink. These days, you might get a beer!

Isn't it time our tipping habits reflected the inflation?

Technically, $5 * (1.025)^10 = $6.40 these days. (Inflation factor =2.5%)

Isn't it time to match the tip to the day, instead of the same ol' $5 you've "tipped for years"?

 

[liuk3]

I usually tip $20 per day which typically comes out to about $7-$10 per dive.

 

[FishOutUvH2O]

$5-$7USD/tank if it's an operation that simply picks me up at my dock and drops me and my equipment back off at the end of the day.

$7.50-$10USD/tank if it's an operation that takes care of my equipment after the dive day.

$3USD/tank if the DM acts like a drill sergeant.

I'm an easy diver to deal with. I set-up my own equipment, change my own tanks, and break-down, and put away my own equipment. I also bring my own water and jacket.

 

[jfcl01]

$20 USD when I am with a dive op that does the full service thing...and because I am so fond of the DMs and the captains on the full service op I use most...usually some extra at the end of the 2-3 week stay during which they dutifully and affectionately took care of me. A little less on the other types of ops-but usually a bit more that $10/2 tank trip unless there was some reason for dissatisfaction.
I used to do the $5/tank until I started thinking one day, as I sat in the town plaza drinking my $4 iced latte...that my priorities were kind of a mess if I was going to spend $4on a coffee I was going to pee out in an hour, but was tipping $10 that was going to be split between the DM, captain, and the shop guy(s) who are behind the scene doing the prep stuff...after they threw my fat butt in the ocean and dragged it back out again at least twice a day.

 

[Budgirl]

Its good to see that you guys tip so well...Most of the divers we have been with gave very little or nothing at all. I saw a guy hand the divemaster a $5 tip each day - of course on the boat he couldnt help but brag about the half a million dollar condo he owned in Coz. We always do the $5 a tank, but if the divemaster is special we will do a little more. It all depends.

 

[RJP]

$20 for a two-tank charter.

 

[James R]

$20 for a two-tank charter.

Same here. $20 for me and $20 for my gf, and we give $10 each for a one tank night dive etc.

I've never had the unfortunate experience of dealing with a "bad" DM, which is nice. I'm not typically one to put up with much BS anyway, though. YMMV.

 

[farsidefan1]

When I dove with Scubamau they took total care of my gear, rinsed, loaded on boat, unloaded etc. Yeah I went with $10 per dive and quite a bit extra at weeks end. Of course they also gave me rides to the doctor each day after an unporvoked DCS hit. Treated me like family so they were worth every penny. $5 seems a bit cheap nowadays. You don't want them to mistake you for a .... Ok, I won't generalize but some cultures don't tip regardless of service and I don't want to short a good outfit.

 

[rorhound]

$10 ea everytime we step on the boat. Night dive or day dive. Dinner or lunch at a nice place for the DM and his family.