In the Caribbean, the common practice is $5 to $10 per dive. If I'm on a package deal, I usually pay them at the end of the week.
Tipping Divemaster when abroad
- Thread starter Texas_Aggie06
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letsgodiving
Contributor
There isn't an easy formula, a lot depends on the type of boat and quality of service.
Some boats have 35 divers and one DM, that is 70 dives in a trip, two trips a day. If everyone tipped $10 a dive the DM would earn $1,400 a day.
If I am on a big boat and the service is average I tip about $20 for the three of us. If the DM does something special I tip more. On a small boat, 6-8 divers, I tip a lot more.
Some boats have 35 divers and one DM, that is 70 dives in a trip, two trips a day. If everyone tipped $10 a dive the DM would earn $1,400 a day.
If I am on a big boat and the service is average I tip about $20 for the three of us. If the DM does something special I tip more. On a small boat, 6-8 divers, I tip a lot more.
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Texas_Aggie06:
Should be the same for a guy or a gal.
Sorry- couldn't help myself. I'll just sit over here quietly now with my hands folded on top of my desk. Sorry.
I spent a year studying abroad once. She got a restraining order.
I always tip the DM, generally $5-$10 per tank. If they do more, they get more. If the DM wants to share with the captain, that's his business. I know the captains get paid, but many DMs don't or get paid little.
I had a dive on the Duane in the FL Keys back in January. The current was ripping and my instabuddies didn't use the anchor line to descend. For some stupid reason I tried to get them back on the line, but it didn't work. I tried to drop them on the wreck but we missed it. By the time we resurfaced 10 minutes later we were 1/2 mile from the boat. We dropped to 40 feet to swim back to the boat. 10 minutes later we were even farther from the boat! I signaled the DM and he got the captain to come get us. On the second dive he told me it was OK to lose my buddies as soon as we were in the water. He got a big tip.
I had a dive on the Duane in the FL Keys back in January. The current was ripping and my instabuddies didn't use the anchor line to descend. For some stupid reason I tried to get them back on the line, but it didn't work. I tried to drop them on the wreck but we missed it. By the time we resurfaced 10 minutes later we were 1/2 mile from the boat. We dropped to 40 feet to swim back to the boat. 10 minutes later we were even farther from the boat! I signaled the DM and he got the captain to come get us. On the second dive he told me it was OK to lose my buddies as soon as we were in the water. He got a big tip.
nagel
Contributor
I typically tip the DM $5-$10 per tank and the Boat Captain the same. I expect them to work out the tips for the rest of the crew. Of course, if I get crappy service, the tip goes down.
Last year, I did 4 boat dives with a shop and on 3 of them another diver was along (I didn't know this diver prior). At the end of the day each time, as I was offering my tip, the other diver would say, "Oh I didn't bring anything - I'll catch you next time". I can see maybe once, but stiffin the guy 3 times - what balls. At least I thought they did a good job and deserved a customary tip - I guess to each his own.
S. Nagel
Last year, I did 4 boat dives with a shop and on 3 of them another diver was along (I didn't know this diver prior). At the end of the day each time, as I was offering my tip, the other diver would say, "Oh I didn't bring anything - I'll catch you next time". I can see maybe once, but stiffin the guy 3 times - what balls. At least I thought they did a good job and deserved a customary tip - I guess to each his own.
S. Nagel
I paid my divemasters so they didn't have to get tipped. Geez - I was dumb - I could have had them work for free! I still got tipped heavily even though I owned the company and told the customers that it was absolutely not necessary. Don't worry - it was all shared.
DM's get paid in Mexico, but something on the equivalent order of $33US/month. Tips are kinda important since they're also living in resort areas.
In Florida, divemasters do not get paid. Such a deal! Some boats, I even do the tieing-in and releasing the hook so they can stay dry, so I really don't need any divemaster services.
I still give them $5 and make sure everyone else on the boat forks something over. The DM fixes your gear or helps you out, you better fork over at least $10. More if it's appropriate.
So if you dive with the same op for a week in Mexico, throw the DM a nice tip if you had fun. It will make a difference to the DM, and you will feel GREAT!
DM's get paid in Mexico, but something on the equivalent order of $33US/month. Tips are kinda important since they're also living in resort areas.
In Florida, divemasters do not get paid. Such a deal! Some boats, I even do the tieing-in and releasing the hook so they can stay dry, so I really don't need any divemaster services.
I still give them $5 and make sure everyone else on the boat forks something over. The DM fixes your gear or helps you out, you better fork over at least $10. More if it's appropriate.
So if you dive with the same op for a week in Mexico, throw the DM a nice tip if you had fun. It will make a difference to the DM, and you will feel GREAT!
AbyssalPlains
Contributor
empty...
The Horn
Contributor
This tipping thing, like the loot bags at kids birthdays has gotten out of hand. Speaking as a rude Canadian we only tip at food places. Wouldn't occur to me to tip on a dive boat and wouldn't feel bad at all about not doing so.
ScubaSteve
Wow.....what a DB
Well, this Canadian agrees that tipping may have gotten out of control, however I believe we tip for excellent service. If I dive and feel the service was good/great, I tip (no official formula though because every boat / outing is different). If I happen to forget 
(I am human after all) and realize after, I feel guilty :whack: but sleep at night none the less. I believe we tip because we were given something that we appreciated....this can be a meal or a diving experience.
(I am human after all) and realize after, I feel guilty :whack: but sleep at night none the less. I believe we tip because we were given something that we appreciated....this can be a meal or a diving experience.Similar threads
