Dive Trip Value- Cost Per Dive

[RobPNW]

I know this is somewhat of a loaded question, and I'm sure there will be no disagreement here because there never is , but if you take the entire cost of a trip and consider how many dives you do, is there a cost per dive you consider a good value?

Looking at some of the liveaboards, if gotten at a special rate, let's say you get in 40 dives and the total cost is $4k. That's about $100 per dive. And it seems some of the SB invasion trips, you you take advantage of shore dives is about the same.

I know there are other variables to consider such as quality of the dives, location, weather, making friends etc. But all things considered, if it's a fun trip, would you consider $100 per dive a good deal in general?

 

[Lorenzoid]

I have never liked the idea of analyzing "cost per dive." Too many other variables to me, as you point out. But I believe @drrich2 has looked into this.

 

[rongoodman]

My upcoming trip to T&C will cost $3200(+tip and surcharges) for 27 dives and will include food and lodging for the week. In addition, we'll have access to more sites than the shore operations and won't be spending time in transit to and from the dive shop every day.

 

[RobPNW]

Seems my thread got posted twice so I must've gooned something up so moderators feel free to delete the duplicate.

 

[lexvil]

I think of it as hours under rather than number count, my last trip to Curaçao, with a house rental and all travel, meals, pick up truck and unlimited air cost about $80 per hour.

 

[RobPNW]

I have never liked the idea of analyzing "cost per dive." Too many other variables to me, as you point out. But I believe @drrich2 has looked into this.

Seems like the liveaboards tend to be pricier but I see value in "being where you dive" and eliminating overhead associated with commuting to and from the shop, and the boat travel to sites etc. I see they sometimes run discounts that would make the cost comparible. I've also considered doing back to back liveaboards so you get double the dives and leverage single plane fare. Anyone have a liveaboard outfit give a discount for back to back bookings?

 

[waterone]

Lots of variables depending on where you go and type of diving. But I think around $100 per dive including everything is a good deal.

I have often spent considerably more and also a decent amount less when including shore dives or going on a shore dive only trip.

I'm going to Hawaii in a couple weeks and I'd hate to calculate the cost per dive even when I add in about 10 shore dives that I will do. Maybe of I calculate it by hour like above it won't seem so bad..

 

[RobPNW]

Lots of variables depending on where you go and type of diving. But I think around $100 per dive including everything is a good deal.

I have often spent considerably more and also a decent amount less when including shore dives or going on a shore dive only trip.

I'm going to Hawaii in a couple weeks and I'd hate to calculate the cost per dive even when I add in about 10 shore dives that I will do. Maybe of I calculate it by hour like above it won't seem so bad..

Yeah Hawaii is going to be expensive no matter how you do it.

 

[-JD-]

Blackbeard's! Blackbeard's Cruises Bahamas Liveaboard Diving Official WS

Figure +/- $1300 with tip, 18-19 dives, 6 nights, basic (but solid) food and limited (selection: beer and punch-o-the-night) alcohol.

If you are OK with roughing it a bit and don't mind insta-roomates, it was hella-fun.

It is a mostly hands-off deal. They brief you, say pools open, and in you go ... You and your buddies, pick your plan and dive your tanks.

 

[broncobowsher]

Start trying to put numbers to it like this and you loose the fun.

Soon it start to turn toxic, I have to make xx dives for the value, forgetting about the quality of the dives and the overall vacation. When the dive count is all that matters, things get ugly.

I have no issue being on dive vacation and deciding I don't want to take this dive. That would destroy you cost per dive calculation. When you are talking $5k+ for 20ish dives.