Tipping on guided dives

[DivingPrincessE]

I am going on my first dive trip next week and will be diving in Ft. Lauderdale, Cozumel and Belize. I read (here on SB) that the appropriate tip amount for DMs is $5-10 per tank or more if service is exceptional. In Fort Lauderdale though, the DMs don't automatically go with divers. I am paying an extra $30 for a DM guide...so would I tip an extra $10-20 on top of this or would the $30 include my tip??

 

[Doc]

Hard to say from your post.

Are you paying the extra money (+$30) for a DM because of a requirement of a cruise ship situation? If so, I can't help you with the math.

What's the entire set-up here?

By the way... if it's tipping in a day-dive op situation, find the DM right off and slip him $10. Tell him that you want to see cool stuff and that you'd appreciate it if he helped (you or) your dive buddy with "her" tank. You may well be amazed.

 

[battles2a5]

Well, if these are not guided dives and you are opting to hire a DM on your own, then you should still take care of the crew. In the US, DMs don't guide dive unless arrangements are made beforehand. They are usually handling the boat, helping to load/unload gear and tanks, hooking wrecks and getting divers in and out of the pool. So even if they aren't in the water guiding the dive they are earning their tips. So if I were in your situation, I would pay the DM and then tip the crew. BTW I think is it good that you are hiring a DM in a new diving environment, especially as a new diver. It should make your experience more enjoyable. Good luck w/ the trip.

 

[DivingPrincessE]

that you'd appreciate it if he helped (you or) your dive buddy with "her" tank. You may well be amazed.

I'm confused...how would they help with the tank??

 

[battles2a5]

Lugging tanks to/fro the boat, switching tanks between dives, etc.

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

In the US, DMs don't guide dive unless arrangements are made beforehand.

:no I have worked as a guide on a dive boat out of Key Largo, every trip with that company was a guided dive. Every dive boat in Hawaii does guided dives, you would have a very hard time not doing a guided boat dive here unless you rented your own boat.

Before you speak for the entire US you probably need to dive everywhere in the US.

A search for tipping dive master would have given you many threads to study, like this one;

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/cozumel/178630-tipping-divemaster-8.html

 

[Oriskany Divemaster]

Tips are appreciated over and above the investment you make in a guided dive. The only time I don't accept tips is from a photographer because my Modeling fee is more than enough to compensate me.

Mark Twain said it best when he was talking to Huck Finn just as Huck left on his raft trip down the Cooper River. "Tip all the divemasters as much as you can. It's just good Kharma."

 

[Jim Baldwin]

I am going on my first dive trip next week and will be diving in Ft. Lauderdale, Cozumel and Belize. I read (here on SB) that the appropriate tip amount for DMs is $5-10 per tank or more if service is exceptional. In Fort Lauderdale though, the DMs don't automatically go with divers. I am paying an extra $30 for a DM guide...so would I tip an extra $10-20 on top of this or would the $30 include my tip??

If you are going on a dive boat with say 10 other divers and there will be one divemaster on board to show the sites and you think he did a good job then $5 to $10 per tank would be fine.

On the other hand, if you will have your own private divemaster then $30 for this service would be very reasonable. You will certainly dive with the group but he will work to ensure your personal safety, help with buoyancy issues and help show the good things to see and in the end increase your comfort level. If you think he did good work and you want to tip him then do so. The $30 basically covers his/her tanks, and a space on the boat.

Divers going to a new area, going on boats for the first few times, low vis, currents, etc. will often hire a private divemaster for the day's diving. I have seen this a number of times.

 

[Doc]

Lugging tanks to/fro the boat, switching tanks between dives, etc.

Some dive boats I could climb the ladder with twins. Some I'm lucky to haul my own butt out of the drink. The quality of the ladder was your choice through the selection of the dive op. How the boatsman handles the physical problems it causes is up to your request and his eagerness.

If you want to hand a tank and BC up to a boatsman, learn how to do it first and always hand him $10 before the first dive!

At your exit, a great man will grab your flips and your first stage and help you up and out, he will guide you to your seat, spin you around and plug you in. He will have set a tag line and may well come around with water and more.

Before you stand up, they will have quietly checked your tank valve and you never noticed. If they're really good, they'll do do much for you, likely you'll not notice them doing anything above and beyond. Like a waiter. Stuff just magically appears.

 

[Scubakevdm]

I am going on my first dive trip next week and will be diving in Ft. Lauderdale, Cozumel and Belize. I read (here on SB) that the appropriate tip amount for DMs is $5-10 per tank or more if service is exceptional. In Fort Lauderdale though, the DMs don't automatically go with divers. I am paying an extra $30 for a DM guide...so would I tip an extra $10-20 on top of this or would the $30 include my tip??

Hi! I have a small dive op a bit north of Ft. Lauderdale. We charge $30.00 for a personal DM for people that want to have a DM in the water with them, giving them their undivided attention. This fee is passed directly to the divemaster who comes in to dive with you, who is an extra crew member on that trip. We also provide a boat DM to take anyone who would like to come along for free, and of course groups that want to take their own flag are welcome to do that as well.
Typically people who need a great deal of attention, people who don't want to dive with other divers on the boat, or people that are trying to improve some part of their diving are people that hire a personal DM. If you think that they did a good job, and you feel that they were there to help you, then a tip is probably appropriate. If you feel that they were just down there diving for their own pleasure, and didn't try to help you, I wouldn't tip them, and I'd post about it on the board.