Cost of each dive when starting

[boulderjohn]

I got certified in anticipation of a tropical vacation. For years I would laugh at any suggestion that I would ever do anything other than tropical reef diving.

For the last decade, I would guess that 75% of my dives have been in a drysuit while holding a powerful light to cut through the darkness. I still do some tropical diving, but not much. I prefer the diving I am doing.

You just cannot predict where the spirit will lead you.

 

[Searcaigh]

Agree. You can get "hooked" and still spend relatively little money (it's called being Scottish--yes I can say that, being one. I just have a German name).

Och ye'r gonnae gie us a bad name Tom.

As others have mentioned shore diving is the cheapest option, but you need to know the dive sites. As a beginner you don't know what you don't know, and you don't have the experience to try new places on your own as soon as you're qualified.

Initially it costs money but the more you dive the cheaper it becomes, rent or borrow gear until you find stuff that works for you. My first BC lasted over 500 dives and my first regulator lasted for almost 20 years (no more spares).

Buying good quality with advice of friends as well as maintaining your gear helps a lot.

At least based in Florida you have access to decent diving all year round (weather permitting).

 

[Nathan Doty]

Try the meetup app. I found a kayak club using i4t, during my first trip with them found out he had just started a scuba one as well. We're doing our 1st trip on the 8th, out of Jupiter. $55 including tanks, so really cheap. Iirc there is a scuba meetup on the augustine side.

 

[Chavodel8en]

This question really depends on whether you live near any shore diving.

I'm two hours from Monterey/Carmel, with lots of good shore diving. So my initial start up costs of getting certified (thru AOW), buying equipment (everything but tanks) was ~$1800 total (not all at once).

But now, it costs me ~$20 for gas to get to/from and $15-20 to rent 2 tanks. I find buddies thru meetup or facebook, and have developed some regular buddies.


On vacation, I generally bring my gear and expect to pay ~$70-100 for a morning boat trip & 2 tanks.

 

[TMHeimer]

Buying used stuff that works and fits saves a lot. My first wetsuit lasted over 10 years. My bought used BC is still going, though at times parts of it falls off.....

 

[boulderjohn]

This question really depends on whether you live near any shore diving.

The OP is in Florida, so the question was answered on that basis.

I live in Colorado, where we are just a plane flight away from great scuba.

 

[FinnMom]

I spent a lot of cash buyinh BCD, regulator set and computer new when I was a new diver. Nowadays I know these things can be bought in quite good condition for 40-90 % less money. Find some experienced divers to help you select what you want, and find it for sale at reasonable prices. There is a lot of savings in not having shiny bling bling color-coordinated gear

 

[Nathan Doty]

I've got a thead going regarding gear, starting with my first regulator. Long and short of it I've got

Scubapro mk25/s600
Diverite transpac
Mares puck computer
Jet fins
Lights, doodads etc
I'm pretty much kitted out except tanks.
And I'm into the hobby (gearwise) about $50. Well, about $500 ish really but only 50ish actually out of pocket.
Patience, research, luck... its paying off.

 

[Neilwood]

I should have said in my post earlier, a lot of gear buying depends on size.

At my size (6'3 and a bit more padding than I should really have) there are not a huge amount of options for buying second hand especially with regards to wetsuit/drysuit, boots, fins, gloves etc. That means I need to look at new gear for those respects.

For other stuff, used is a good source IF you can wait until something comes up at the right price. I could have waited for a long time before a BP&W came up at the sort of price I would pay for second hand (allowing for servicing/testing).

 

[Barnaby'sDad]

I've got a thead going regarding gear, starting with my first regulator. Long and short of it I've got

Scubapro mk25/s600
Diverite transpac
Mares puck computer
Jet fins
Lights, doodads etc
I'm pretty much kitted out except tanks.
And I'm into the hobby (gearwise) about $50. Well, about $500 ish really but only 50ish actually out of pocket.
Patience, research, luck... its paying off.

If you decide to get tanks...check out Craigslist. I got a good deal on a couple of used AL80's (recent vis and hydros).

I'm keeping my eyes open for an HP100 or two on there at the moment. Nothing local so far.