First time

[Jeffrey F. Worthington]

I just got my ow and am going to Puerta Vallarta. I'm excited but nervous because I know that I don't know much about diving but still want to dive. Any advice for a newbie excited to learn. Thank you for any advice

 

[BalekFekete]

Congrats on the certification first and foremost. I was in your shoes just a month ago, so fully understand how you're feeling right now. Trust in your training, but also know that not everything will either go according to plan or be something specifically covered during the training. Or...maybe it will be and you'll just have the time of your life! Just as likely.

I did a write-up of my experiences, with focus on what I had vis-a-vis unexpected issues with here. Feel free to give a read and, if it happens to be helpful, then my job is done.

Enjoy the dives, and be sure to check back in and let us all know how it goes/went!!

 

[nolatom]

I know nada about the destination, but..
Find a well-known shop or operator (others here may know). Tell them just what you told us (it's okay to say "I'm brand-new"), and do what they say or recommend. I predict it will turn out just fine.

Being a little nervous is good. Keeps you sharp. Welcome to the sport!

 

[flyboy08]

Welcome! Relax, enjoy...that’s all there is to do now

 

[Diver0001]

I just got my ow and am going to Puerta Vallarta. I'm excited but nervous because I know that I don't know much about diving but still want to dive. Any advice for a newbie excited to learn. Thank you for any advice

You don't have to organize everything yourself. Book some guided dives through a local shop and let them take care of the logistics. Be honest with them about your experience and what you want to get out of it. They'll do all the organizing. Most of the time, all you need to do is show up and dive.

R..

 

[TMHeimer]

We are assuming you plan to book dive charter boats, as I don't THINK the shore diving there is good or easy. There are many threads somewhere giving advice to divers planning their first boat dives.

 

[Efka76]

My advice would be the following:

1) Get more dives. Real life diving usually is a bit different from training dives. I experienced it by myself when I dived in liveaboard in Red Sea (diving conditions there much tougher comparing to my training dives in Thailand or Philippines).

Make your own research about diving centers in Puerto Vallarta. Look at tripadvisor, facebook reviews. Try to understand which dive centers provide good service. Then dive, dive and dive.

2) Think about your learning path as a diver. What courses are interesting to you. With which agency you are going to be associated, what are your plans for diving (wrecks, corals, deep dives, muck diving, cavern - cave, ice diving, etc.

 

[Jeffrey F. Worthington]

I did my ow in oregon and yes it will be a charter.

 

[Bubblesong]

Check your gear carefully before you get on boat. The personal experience stories I could tell you on this topic would require many beers.

 

[Glen Stone]

Awesome! Stay shallow, relax and keep it simple!