Need Some beginner travel/certification help!

[a13firman]

Hello all!

This is my first post, so I apologize if this is in the wrong place. I just figured it was a general sort of travel question that didn't relate to any place in particular. Let me give a quick background: My certification trip to the Homestead Crater in utah was cancelled for this weekend. It was going to cost around $400 (hotel, gas, diving computer rental).

I would really love to have a memorable scuba trip this summer, so I was thinking since I am getting that $400 refunded, I would use it to get a much better trip. I was thinking something like Bonaire which I heard is great.

I just have a few questions:

1. Can you get CERTIFIED in a place like Bonaire (how would I go about arranging this)? Or would you all suggest getting certified back home?

2. Is Bonaire a pretty good value trip? I've heard that it is pretty expensive to get there, but cheap once you are there (any other trip suggestions are appreciated)

3. Where is a good travel site to get some sort of package deal for diving? Or do you guys plan trips by yourselves?

Thanks!!!

 

[dvrliz1]

A13...

Yes, you can get certified on Bonaire, no problem. What I would suggest is to do the book work online, then do the rest here on Bonaire! The most expensive part, sometimes, is the airfare. It depends on where you are flying from and how flexible you are. Hubby and I did RT from Bonaire to Atlantic City Airport (NJ) for around $400 but we had to go between MIA and FLL, but we were flexible, and things went great.

Once you get here you can do Bonaire "cheap". Staying at a smaller place (like Wannadive Hut, but no kitchen, or our place, with kitchen) is a good way to start. With a kitchen you can prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner and keep cold beer/drinks in the fridge. There are also quite a few good places to eat that are really cheap as well.

I would go to ilovebonaire.com It lists a large amount of places, from small to large. Most have dive packages. Book your airfare direct and you will be set.

Good luck!

Liz

 

[vladimir]

I just have a few questions:

1. Can you get CERTIFIED in a place like Bonaire (how would I go about arranging this)? Or would you all suggest getting certified back home?

Yes, you can get certified there. A lot of people will do the class and pool work at home and get a referral from their instructor that allows them to do the check-out dives at their destination. At the risk of stating the obvious, check-out dives will be easier and more enjoyable in Bonaire than Utah.

2. Is Bonaire a pretty good value trip? I've heard that it is pretty expensive to get there, but cheap once you are there (any other trip suggestions are appreciated)

It's a great value when you consider the quality and ease of diving, especially for a new diver. It's easy to find unlimited dive packages, so it's a favorite destination among the hard-core 4- or 5-dives a day types. Per-dive cost is low, but it might be hard for you to get there on a really tight budget. It would be worth saving for.

3. Where is a good travel site to get some sort of package deal for diving? Or do you guys plan trips by yourselves?

I plan all my trips myself, including to Bonaire. Search around here, got to bonairetalk.com, and pick the brains of some of the experts around here (like dvrliz1&#11014 before you book anything.

 

[knotical]

Welcome to ScubaBoard, and soon, to the world of diving.

Since you mentioned a Homestead weekend, I'll assume two things – that you've already done your class and pool training, and that you're in the Rocky Mountain area.

You might want to re-ask your question in this forum: Rocky Mountain Oysters - ScubaBoard
Which is frequented by folks who have done a lot of dive travel from our area.

Travel options to consider include the Cayman Islands, Cozumel, Florida Keys, and many others.

You should be able to get a referral from your instructor. Depending on the certifying agency, there might be some restrictions on which instructors you can be referred to.

If you did your class and pool training through a dive shop, they might already have trips planned, or can make suggestions.

Happy bubbles,

k

 

[a13firman]

Thanks for all of your input!

I should have said that I have done ALL of my pool work (and class work)--I just need the open water dives.

I am getting about $400 refunded (as I said), so am I right in thinking that it might be better to chip in a few hundred more for something like Bonaire?

 

[cdolphin]

Thanks for all of your input!

I should have said that I have done ALL of my pool work (and class work)--I just need the open water dives.

I am getting about $400 refunded (as I said), so am I right in thinking that it might be better to chip in a few hundred more for something like Bonaire?

First, do you have a passport?

 

[a13firman]

First, do you have a passport?

Yep. And the place that I did my Pool dives is PADI certified so that should make it easier to find another place internationally... right?

 

[spectrum]

It's April 24th. Why would you waste a whole spring of diving to spend some vacation time doing check-out dives? I'd suggest having your cake and eating it too. The upshot is that you'd be certified in your most challenging conditions and prepared to be an active local diver.

Pete

 

[herman]

Bonaire is great, my favorite place to dive but plan on at least another $1000 to $1200 by the time it's all done and you need to plan on at least a weeks stay. Also consider what you are going to do after you finish your cert. If no one else is going with you, who are you going to buddy with? Diving on Bonaire is mostly shore diving and a good buddy is important, you may find one and you may not. I am not trying to have you write it off, you just need to have a good idea of what is involved. A long weekend in the keys may would be a better option from a cost and buddy perspective. You should be able to do the keys somewhat cheaper and if you are lucky (most likely) you can pick up a buddy to dive with for a few more dives.

 

[cdolphin]

Yep. And the place that I did my Pool dives is PADI certified so that should make it easier to find another place internationally... right?

I agree with the others who say go to the Keys. I was there last year as a new diver and there are many training facilities/dive ops in the Keys, it's easy diving, cheap to fly there, and lots of available DMs and Instructors. Plus the dive ops sometimes offer guided dives - though you don't really need guides in the shallow reefs.

Lots of PADI operators.