First Dive Trip: Curacao!

[Firebird2XC]

Hey all,

Ink's still wet on my OW/Nitrox certs.

Staying at the Princess Beach, diving with Ocean Encounters. Since I'm new, they're giving me a shakedown dive on Monday, then I'm diving Tues-Fri morning, flying home Saturday afternoon.

I've accumulated all my own basic gear minus a tank. And a camera. I'd really like an underwater digital, especially for the dolphin dive.

So riddle me this- boat diving, buddies will be assigned, etc. Shore diving I'll dig one up. I plan on diving Nitrox, and doing do so in a very conservative, safe, self-aware fashion.

Any tips, pointers, *constructive* criticisms? I'm really trying to learn all I can...

 

[James R]

Since you are a new diver my tip is simple: don't get a camera yet. Worry about your diving, not crashing into the reef, and mainly having fun!

Crawl. Walk. Run.

Enjoy Curacao! The diving there is great...at least I think so

 

[diversteve]

When you do the dolphin dive at first until they settle down they're going to go streaking past. Focusing thru the viewfinder of a camera you won't even see them coming. Until you've seen it you don't really appreciate how truly optimized they are for moving thru the water. As you're swimming out to the site - the boat moors nearby - watch for the dolphins, they made a couple of passes over our heads but many in our group missed it while looking down at the reef.

I shoot video and during that part of the dive I just picked up movement in the distance, panned as fast as I could move the camera and hoped to get something. A couple times it actually worked..

Later the trainer will bring them in for pictures/encounter etc. The site is a mixture of flat sandy areas and storm damaged reef. So I'd wait until then b4 taking pictures - just focus on staying off the reef. You'll have plenty of time for interaction with them in the sandy area - it's designed for both you/them to be able to do so. The trainer will explain what to expect in some detail what to expect before you even ride out to the site - 5mins. thru the breakwater off OE's dock - their main location at the Seaquarium (where the dolphins live) not your location at PB. IDK if they pick you up - or transport you there but it's just a few minutes away.

For shore diving, check into the Dive Bus. It solves the "buddy" issue and they'll take you to some of the better sites. Also an orientation for if you later go out on your own. If there's two of you they'll pick you up also but IIRC it's practically across the street from the FB entrance. http://www.the-dive-bus.com/

You'll need a car to access any of the better sites out west. Some are a little above your skillset - either current or you need good nav. skills to find your exit point - often a small cove break in the ironshore cliffs. It all looks pretty much the same once you get out of view of the beach. Generally the reef parallels the shore so you just swim into any current present, turn and swim back to your entry point.

You'll also need to bring your buddy, at most you won't find one. If you dive with the Dive Bus, ask Suzy for site recommendations. Or the OE staff. Many of the sites have on-site operators for tank rentals/food etc. Some have a dive dock to get you a little closer to the reef. Most also collect a small usage fee in guilders - like $3-4 U.S.

 

[Dive the World]

nice and easy.

enjoy

 

[Firebird2XC]

Since you are a new diver my tip is simple: don't get a camera yet. Worry about your diving, not crashing into the reef, and mainly having fun!

Crawl. Walk. Run.

Enjoy Curacao! The diving there is great...at least I think so

Good point. Being good with my buoyancy and being careful with the marine life (and my own) are my primary concerns...

... but if I have the time of my life, but nobody sees it on Facebook, did it really happen?

---------- Post Merged at 09:42 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 09:39 PM ----------

Later the trainer will bring them in for pictures/encounter etc. The site is a mixture of flat sandy areas and storm damaged reef. So I'd wait until then b4 taking pictures - just focus on staying off the reef. You'll have plenty of time for interaction with them in the sandy area - it's designed for both you/them to be able to do so. The trainer will explain what to expect in some detail what to expect before you even ride out to the site - 5mins. thru the breakwater off OE's dock - their main location at the Seaquarium (where the dolphins live) not your location at PB. IDK if they pick you up - or transport you there but it's just a few minutes away.

For shore diving, check into the Dive Bus. It solves the "buddy" issue and they'll take you to some of the better sites. Also an orientation for if you later go out on your own. If there's two of you they'll pick you up also but IIRC it's practically across the street from the FB entrance. http://www.the-dive-bus.com/

You'll need a car to access any of the better sites out west. Some are a little above your skillset - either current or you need good nav. skills to find your exit point - often a small cove break in the ironshore cliffs. It all looks pretty much the same once you get out of view of the beach. Generally the reef parallels the shore so you just swim into any current present, turn and swim back to your entry point.

You'll also need to bring your buddy, at most you won't find one. If you dive with the Dive Bus, ask Suzy for site recommendations. Or the OE staff. Many of the sites have on-site operators for tank rentals/food etc. Some have a dive dock to get you a little closer to the reef. Most also collect a small usage fee in guilders - like $3-4 U.S.

Thanks for the tips! I'm aware a lot of the sites will be beyond my abilities.. I'm reading up on Wannadive about the sites.. and plan to carefully approach any dives where I go out with just a locally acquired buddy.. I plan on living to be old enough to terrorize my grandchildren someday- and I don't even have kids yet.

As for DiveBus- I already bought a dive package through OE... how can I work that with DiveBus? If OE supplies my air/nitrox- am I on the hook with DB for another package? Seems like it would be cheaper to just rent a car and split the cost with a buddy I dug up locally..

 

[bbarnett51]

I suggest starting out with a GoPro. You can turn it and strap it to your head so you aren't messing with it. A camera is a bad idea for most beginner divers. But a gopro might be your answer.

Also, start slow and hire a divemaster on your first dive. You will learn more during that dive than you did in all of OW probably. It won't take but a few dives and you will be comfortable. Just don't be scared to go over everything with your dive buddy. Have a plan before you get in and the dive will be much more enjoyable.

 

[Firebird2XC]

I suggest starting out with a GoPro. You can turn it and strap it to your head so you aren't messing with it. A camera is a bad idea for most beginner divers. But a gopro might be your answer.

Also, start slow and hire a divemaster on your first dive. You will learn more during that dive than you did in all of OW probably. It won't take but a few dives and you will be comfortable. Just don't be scared to go over everything with your dive buddy. Have a plan before you get in and the dive will be much more enjoyable.

Yeah, not a problem at all. I'm going to be required to do a checkout dive. That same day, the booking agent got me a lead/group afternoon boat dive.

I'll have a few opportunities to get wet with trained professionals before I wander off with another random diver.

In the interim, I am going to try to do some more lake diving. At the very least, buoyancy practice in a swimming pool.