Punta cana dive coming up for newbie

[gwrrawing]

Hello, I need some advice. I will be spending a week in Punta Cana in October. I am a new diver, went right from open water to advanced, and havent completed advanced yet, but will prior to my trip. I have been emailing a PADI shop down there and would love to do the best dives possible for my experence, which probably means a pool, but beside that, I want to do a cave, wreck, out side only, and possibly one of there popular islands. Does anyone have any first hand experence that can direct me to a) the best dive shop to use b) your best recommendations c) is anyone from here going there around the 9th of October to the 15th, and need an inexperenced dive buddy? d) anything else you can add? Any help is better than none. Thanks.

 

[jlevine]

It might be best to request a moderator move this thread to the Greater Antilles subforum.

 

[gwrrawing]

Thank you, I will.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Who told you that you could do any kind of cave with an AOW cert? Why would you even try. An overhead environment is no place for a new diver regardless of what you have heard. What is your rush to do these dives? What new skills did you learn prior to your deep dive? What's your SAC rate? What gas plan did you have for the dive? Where was your buddy in relation to you? You can do all basic skills horizontal in midwater without changing depth, right? Otherwise going into an overhead is not a good idea.

 

[gwrrawing]

Sorry, the cave dive is supposedly very minimal, according to the dive shop. It is 20 feet down, with a rope pull that opens to an open cavern. I questioned the same things, but this is also why I need someone who knows what is down there and is it in fact safe to do the things they are telling me. Prior to my going I will complete my advanced, buoyancy, navigation, search and rescue. I am doing my first night dive this week. I will also do some wreck dives down in San Diego before going.

 

[gwrrawing]

Jim, I am new at this, so if I sound stupid, it is only because I am

 

[DRsharky]

If you are a new diver and want to experience safe diving the only shop I would recommend in Punta Cana area is Dressel Divers, they are at Iberostar resort.
If a shop offers you cave dives as a new diver, please check their feedback.