Update 5 years later:
Pretty much quit diving after that terrible trip. Got back into it a bit a year ago when I started visiting Mexico more frequently, mainly cenote diving in Tulum. Recently did my first diving liveaboard in 5 years on the Gaia Love in Raja Ampat and loved it - while everyone WAS older, the mix of people was much better IMO. Just friendlier and more open, and overall level of service and experience was top notch.
Other random observations from revisiting this thread:
- I still prefer to rent over buy, especially as I am now a digital nomad.
- Agree that milennials probably prefer unique experiences - the only other liveaboard I've considered doing is Galapagos.
- Am definitely more of a vacation diver which is why I love Tulum cenote diving so much (VERY different from ocean diving, super chill) and which I usually pair with yoga and meditation retreat lolol
- Think broadly Asia is a better fit for me personally for ocean diving - higher diversity of people (more Europeans, Asians, etc. - not just Americans) - with the exception of Galapagos (probably a one and done thing)
- Definitely agree with the scuba diving + something else trend for milennials rather than pure scuba
- Have noticed more young Chinese divers, especially women! as it is apparently now "cool" for young Chinese women to dive and take hot photos underwater LOL - befriended some this time in Sorong - but they are more Instagram oriented, care less about technical details and more about the photo and going to be more destination specific. (Don't think all locations will benefit from them)
Overall, I laughed a lot at this thread. I came back to ScubaBoard for the first time in 5 years today because I wanted to write a trip report for my Gaia Love liveaboard and then remembered this thread lolol.....
I have since also picked up other new hobbies which involve lots of "older people" (pickleball, which I enjoy for the variety of people both by age group, profession, etc.). I definitely now realize it is my aversion to a certain person and a certain type of person (will avoid being so direct this time but you can draw your own conclusions...) that drove this post. Plus the terrible state of the coral in the Maldives which I am happy to report is NOT a problem in Raja Ampat!
I will continue selectively diving, focusing my time, energy - and money - on what I've enjoyed the most. For me, that's Tulum cenote diving and diving on the Gaia Love which was the best liveaboard that I've been on!
