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Hello! Welcome. I'm 45 and just got certified. Be warned- this is seriously addictive stuff. Get out now while you can! Lol...
 
You will be surprised at the numbers of older divers you meet. Younger divers, building their lives and careers, cannot always afford the costs (which can be significant) of scuba diving and travel on a regular basis. I think Scuba is a great hobby for older people. When you reach a certain level you will find recreational Scuba to be significantly easier and far less scary than lots would have you believe.
 
I am also a newbie (start lessons next week) and on the older side (38). Scuba is something I always wanted to do, but never seemed to have the time or money. While I am still usually short on time, I am now in a position financially to finally be able to do some of the things I had been putting off. Next summer.......private pilot's license!!!
 
Thanks to all for your replies. Things in the pool went well, and everyone in my class (me, my wife and her dad) :-) all passed our exams. I'm kind of sad it is over. I was really having fun.

Unfortunately, it is winter here and if I want to do my OW dives soon I will have to travel. I am really comfortable with my instructor though, so I would like to do my OW with him. However, everyone keeps telling me to get a referral and go someplace nice and warm (the Florida Keys were suggested).

Does anyone have any advice on this? I'm curious about what other people's experiences have been.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again.
 
Just wanted to chime in I got certified at 37. As far as time & money, what about comparing it to some other 'sport' hobbies - against the cost of a bass boat, SUV & gun collection, etc...?

For perspective, you can fly down to Bonaire with a group for a week, and the costs would break down roughly like this:

1.) $1,000 round trip airfare.
2.) $800 Stay at a decent resort (basically, a room) & unlimited tank use (pick up filled tanks, drop off empties) & truck rental (stick shift); often nitrox is at no extra cost.
3.) Marine park fee isn't too bad; figure $50 - 60 for a tank of gas for the week.
4.) Groceries & eating out maybe run $400 apiece or so for the week?

In that week, you'd do about 15 - 20 shore dives.

Those costs can vary either way. I just want to give you a quick idea how my rough experience has been. And I plan around $2,500/person/week, roughly.

Some people go down to Cozumel, Mexico & use a boat charter.

I haven't priced Florida Keys trips.

Richard.
 
I used Delta FF miles to get to Bonaire, then called Tropical Divers and got a small apartment with a pickup truck (dive tank rack in the back) and unlimited nitrox - even came with an instructor/guide to get us started and check us out - all inclusive package for a week for $750 a person.

They will accept a referral letter from your local dive shop and you can finish your certification there. All shore dives, your own pace, mostly very very easy.

Only problem is - you will come back so spoiled that every dive thereafter will be a letdown.

Insel Air flies to Bonaire from Miami (via Curacao) for a lot less than $1000.

Keys are gonna be frigid next week! Bonaire is just 50 miles north of Venezuela in the warm and balmy south Caribbean.
 
And I got certified at 46. Now I dive Nitrox - which my son calls "geezer gas!"
:santa3:
 
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