How the heck do I get started?

[cave_diver]

In scuba diving, nothing beats training. So you really need to get wet, which means an online course alone won’t do! To find a good instructor in Mexico, look for a technical dive instructor who also teaches open water classes. I would recommend that you stay away from the resort classes. If you know where you are going, send me a line and I will be glad to recommend several good Instructors in Mexico.

 

[Peter Guy]

Heatherly -- If I read your post correctly, you'll be staying at the Aventura Spa Palace -- just for your information, that is NOT in Cancun, but about 100 KM south of Cancun near Tulum and Puerto Aventuras. So the information you received about working with dive ops in the Cancun area would not be very relevant.

There are at least two dive ops in Puerto Aventuras that could help you with a Discover Scuba course (there doesn't appear to be one directly associated with the Spa Palace, but that was just from a cursory review of their website).

The main dive op in P.A. is called Dive Aventuras (I think) and is located near the beach by the main hotel. Dennis Weeks runs a great shop, Aquanauts which is in the "shopping section" of P.A. (and Dennis sometimes hangs out on SB -- pez de diablo ) BTW, Dennis is a cave instructor, a very nice guy and I highly recommend him.

Good luck.

 

[JillGadget]

I will agree with Peter, Dennis has a good rep. When we were suppose to go Riveria Maya last year, I did a lot of research and his name popped up all over. You definitely want to go with someone recommended!!!! I can not impress that enough. Our hotel had damage from H. Dean so we were moved to cancun so did not use him, instead found Ben. Which we were happy as punch about.

Peter, wasn't Dennis with Diablo divers first?

 

[Heatherly30]

Oh this is overwhelming...

I am thinking that we will do a Discover class here in Ohio. If we love it, we will take our classes asap and get certified before fall of this year. If we go this route, we can dive, dive, dive when we're on our trip.

So Aventura Spa Palace is not in Cancun, it's in Puerto Aventuras? Again, pardon my lack of knowledge, when I go to their website it says Riviera Maya. What is that vs. Puerto Aventuras?

Since we will only be there for a few days, we will not be able to take classes or get certified while we're there. So, if we want to dive while we're there, we will have to get certified up here and do it soon. You also advise against a Discover Dive while we're down there?

 

[JillGadget]

Oh this is overwhelming...

I am thinking that we will do a Discover class here in Ohio. If we love it, we will take our classes asap and get certified before fall of this year. If we go this route, we can dive, dive, dive when we're on our trip.

So Aventura Spa Palace is not in Cancun, it's in Puerto Aventuras? Again, pardon my lack of knowledge, when I go to their website it says Riviera Maya. What is that vs. Puerto Aventuras?

Since we will only be there for a few days, we will not be able to take classes or get certified while we're there. So, if we want to dive while we're there, we will have to get certified up here and do it soon. You also advise against a Discover Dive while we're down there?

If you go to Riviera Maya you can learn a lot about the area and what you can do. It encompasses a large area. Beautiful country though. I think you would be wise doing what you need to do in Ohio, and enjoy your vacation. If you run short on time that is when you can do your open water referral dives in Mx. If you do, do that - make sure when you dive in Mx you dive with someone recommended and you tell the dive masters you are freshly certified!!!

Here is a link from diablo divers/Dennis Weeks.
Diablo Divers - Home
About Us

I know there is sooo much info coming at you. We all mean well and LOVE Scuba. Good Luck and let us know.
Jill

 

[redrover]

Oh this is overwhelming...

I am thinking that we will do a Discover class here in Ohio. If we love it, we will take our classes asap and get certified before fall of this year. If we go this route, we can dive, dive, dive when we're on our trip.

Okey dokey, ‘dive, dive, dive’ is what I want to hear before committing to classes. With that, by all means, get the classes and certified completely OW ASAP. ASAP meaning now ya gotta go find a good class and instructor, the most important thing. Also I warn you, check into the details. Outside of what you have, what is provided re gear and learning materials and what are you required to provide (rent or purchase?) Just be prepared for the cost involved, it is not always an all enclusive package getting certified.

There are a lot of these type discussions here on the board, sit down and read. It can be a bit tiresome at times weeding thru all the hijacking and chit chatting but there is a wealth of info. Amazing for me when learning, having found this board, how much I didn’t know I didn’t know.
And force yourselves out there into the cold dark quarries and get experience diving under your belts before going to the fun part of dive, dive, dive.