Location...location...Where to start ?

[Mike vL]

I just completed my Confined Water/Class last weekend, and now of course I am eager to go out and do my OW dives. Oh my, there are so many places...I was thinking about the Carribean or Mexico for the 4 dives. Anybody a good recommendation where to go, or where not to go? I would like it easy but not boring, so I can really learn this the right way.
Any feedback would be much appreciated.

And another one...in February I will have a few days in Thailand, any location recommendation for that? By then I will have my certification done, but I would still say I am a Beginner, so take it easy with me on those suggestions
Thanks!

 

[terrasmak]

Do you have a local lake or quarry to do it in. The when you go on a vacation you dont have to waste your time with class, just go blow some bubbles.

 

[RecTecBecky]

If you must go 'away' for your OW dives, look at something like Devil's Den in Williston, FL. I take OW students there in the winter to avoid the 48 degree water in the quarry. If you're looking for something more exotic, try Roatan, Honduras.

 

[halocline]

Cozumel is a very popular place for OW referral dives. If you head over to the cozumel forum you'll get many recommendations for dive ops. Bonaire is another great spot for new divers.

Doing your OW dives in the warm clear caribbean is a great idea. In some ways it's the perfect environment to get your first dives in. When you have a little more experience you can tackle the colder more challenging lake environments. Some people will say that you should do your OW in a more challenging environment so you're "prepared" to dive in more conditions. I disagree with that; nobody's really prepared after 4 dives, and in most learned skill activities, especially potentially dangerous ones, it makes much more sense to begin with the easiest enivronments and progress to more difficult ones. The only problem is you're going to get spoiled!

 

[Walter]

Do your checkout dives locally. Folks who do so are more likely to dive locally on a regular basis. Folks who dive locally on a regular basis are less likely to drop out of diving.

 

[ZzzKing]

John Pennecamp Park off Key Largo has some sites that are not too deep, including some old broken up wrecks that are interesting to tool around. It would certainly be good for for four dives.

 

[CAPT HOOK]

Try the Keys - lots to see and shallow dives give you a chance to get things right; plenty of bottom time!

 

[REII]

Cancun or Cozumel is always a good choice. Warm clear water, and probably your cheapest trip option.

TOM

 

[Mike vL]

I appreciate everybody writing me back on this. Great information. I am in Minnesota, you probably know now that a local dive is "out of question" unless I want my first ice dive under my belt already ;-))
I will probably be one of the "warm weather divers". I am very excited about it at this point (just bought a regulator, as I prefer to use my own). I think BC I will start renting for now until I know for sure I like diving long term. Anything else I should buy now, rather then rent?
Do you guys think this is a good approach, or am I "blowing bubbles" on this?

I think I might check out the Keys via Internet some more. Only been there once, and that was a Harley weekend trip.
Thanks again to all of you!

 

[Ron Brandt]

Cozumel..... I can meet you there at Christmas.

Ron