Why are scuba holiday packages so expensive?

[runsongas]

I have strong reservations when it comes to second hand equipment from questionable companies...

I only want new and from a reputable company either Aqualung or Oceanic..

Regs - $700
BCD - $800
2x Steel Air Tanks - $800
AI Dive Computer - $1200
Shark shield (necessity for the waters I am in) - $600

AI dive computer is not necessary. Plenty of divers in florida don't bother with a shark shield even though florida gets the most shark attacks in the world every year. you can find a cheaper bcd than 800 also.

I dive an agir bpw, apeks regs, a pair of worthington hp100s, a fusion tech drysuit, and a shearwater petrel that were all bought used. feel free to not dive with me because I am using all "cheap second hand gear".

I don't find most oceanic gear to be very good, only the wrist computers are relatively decent and the hollis f1/m1 fin/mask.

 

[dlofting]

The least expensive place we've gone for diving (so far) is Sabang in the Philippines. It cost us about $25 USD per dive, $40 USD for middle of the road accommodation and about $25 USD per person, per day for food. That's about $140 US a day assuming we do 3 boat dives.....so the expensive part of that is the diving itself and $25 USD per dive is relatively cheap. However when you figure the cost of tanks, weights, compressor, boats, gas and divemasters it adds up. Even if we rent tanks locally they are $10 CDN with an airfill.....so a dive where the shop provides air only and we provide everything else is still $10. That's $30 a day for three dives. I'm pretty sure that was my daughter's entire outlay for some of the days she spent vacationing in Indonesia.....diving isn't cheap.

 

[Lucifer911]

AI dive computer is not necessary. Plenty of divers in florida don't bother with a shark shield even though florida gets the most shark attacks in the world every year. you can find a cheaper bcd than 800 also.

I dive an agir bpw, apeks regs, a pair of worthington hp100s, a fusion tech drysuit, and a shearwater petrel that were all bought used. feel free to not dive with me because I am using all "cheap second hand gear".

I don't find most oceanic gear to be very good, only the wrist computers are relatively decent and the hollis f1/m1 fin/mask.

As I live 10,000 miles from you in different environment with different depths my needs are going to be vastly different from your own needs. After much research on five computers an AI computer is necessary (for me) as I want the convenience of being streamlined and being given audio warnings regarding ascent rate + low air time. It’s a luxury I’m willing to pay for as ive already witnessed a few situations an AI dive computer would have been very helpful.

I’ve bought second hand equipment before.. and unless someone is thoroughly qualified to service and knows tell tale signs of deteriorating equipment they should steer clear of second hand scuba equipment. I am not willing to sacrifice safety to save a few dollars on second hand equipment. I’ve been in 2 serious situations in the ocean and i was lucky my fitness got me out of trouble.

Ok I realise these money related posts cause differences of opinion so I’m not going to continue posting in this thread.

 

[runsongas]

those situations are due to a skills problem, not gear deficiency.

gear does not determine diver skill. i'd rather have a good experienced diver in well worn gear for a buddy than a clueless newb with new gear from the LDS.

scuba gear is used the first time you take it diving anyways.

 

[KathyV]

It need not be quite so seat-of-the-pants to be economical. On Lembongan island, which is a ferry hop from Bali, Two Fish Divers offers two dives per day for IDR1100000 / USD79 / AUD 104, which includes lunch, and budget accommodations at IDR250000 / USD18 / AUD23 per night, which includes breakfast. I recall the brekkies and lunches being quite adequate. They have a nice pool. It's a dive resort. Nothing fancy, just a budget dive resort.

That's a good point, if one dive vacation venue is more than you are willing to pay, then you should look for other available options because you can often find one that works for you.

 

[KathyV]

...Ok I realise these money related posts cause differences of opinion so I’m not going to continue posting in this thread.

I'm sure that it is not personal, the pros and cons of buying used rental equipment is topic of interest to divers and different folks have differing views - and that's okay.

 

[Doc]

Scuba diving is expensive. For many people who participate, it's worth it.

Of course that is true, but a lot depends on what you can afford to spend and/or how far you are willing to go into debt for a vacation and dive ....

KV, If you remove that word "but", you'd be agreeing with that Old Bilge Rat. Not to worry, the OP has now been chased away.

 

[KathyV]

KV, If you remove that word "but", you'd be agreeing with that Old Bilge Rat. Not to worry, the OP has now been chased away.

I wasn't trying to chase the OP away! He is looking for advice on an affordable dive vacation and I hope he finds some useful information.

 

[Lorenzoid]

The OP seems to have his equipment sorted to his satisfaction.

Back to affordable scuba holiday packages? I'm interested in knowing what a good-value trip from Adelaide might be. Bali isn't the best diving in Indonesia, but judging from the number of Aussies there it is surely the most affordable destination for them--at least from western Australia. I have no idea where the cheap flights are from Adelaide. A short island hopper flight from Bali to Flores and the OP could dive Komodo. Now there is a serious Indonesia destination.

 

[Wingy]

West Australians have up to 16 flights a day to and from Bali for sometimes $99 - $250 return so it's the obvious cheap choice.

East Coast have low cost flights to Fiji, NZ, Vanuatu, Cook Islands and Hawaii even regularly discounted. From Adelaide the now gone OP could grab a $39 flight to Melbourne, a 6/7 package with flights and accom from a chain travel agency for $799 take a taxi and hit up a dive centre and do as many dives as he wanted. Example - 2 dives on Coolidge and Million Dollar point in Vanuatu $160Aud.

Or could skip commissions and book everything himself

I find this mentality interesting -

"I wouldn't dive with a buddy with second hand equipment"

"I am outraged at the price of a budget LOB - find me a cheaper boat! How dare boats charge so much!"

Dude got it all wrong. I'd rather pay more for a reputable safe boat than ask my buddy - oh, may I see receipts for your gear? Oh look. Flames coming from the engine room, they must have those boilers stoked, were making great speed!

You cannot put a $ value on memories. You can shell out a few bucks extra on your own safety or save 1000 rupiah...up to you.