Tipping?

[ronpriskie]

I am going on my first resort dive trip. Is it customary to tip the DM and if so, how much? Thanks for any input

 

[Web Monkey]

I've never been to a dive resort, but can tell you that the DMs on boats most certainly appreciate a tip.

If you happen to be going somewhere that was recently flattened by a hurricaine, make it a big tip. They need it.

Terry

I am going on my first resort dive trip. Is it customary to tip the DM and if so, how much? Thanks for any input

 

[ronpriskie]

Thanks, but how much? Fixed dollar amount ($10, $20, $50, ??) or percentage of the trip (ie waitress style 10%, 15%, 20%, ??)

 

[stu_in_fl]

where is the resort ?...different countries have different customs...

 

[ronpriskie]

Grand Cayman Island

 

[Web Monkey]

Thanks, but how much? Fixed dollar amount ($10, $20, $50, ??) or percentage of the trip (ie waitress style 10%, 15%, 20%, ??)

Usually I usually give $20 for a 2 or 3 tank trip, although I've given both more and less depending on circumstances. I left a really big tip when I was unbeleiveably, astonshingly seasick and the DM kept bringing me water and helping me find the side of the boat, and a really small tip when the DM took me though a nice 60 minute dive in about 25 minutes and made some half-funny-half nasty remarks about me bringing a 19cu ft pony.

As near as I can tell being a DM pays somewhere around not-enough-to-live-on, so I figure if I can afford to fly to where I'm going, pay for a boat trip and bring several thousand dollars worth of equipment, the least I can do is help out the guy who's going to show me where the cool stuff lives.

Note that I base this on nothing in particular and have no idea what other people give. It will be interesting to see what other people say.

Terry

 

[larrandall]

Most Instuctors and DM's depend on making more on tips than their meager salary (we don't do it for the money, we do it for love of diving). I would recommend that you treat it like any other service oriented business. 15% or more depending on service of the crew and how personable your guide is. Also keep in mind that a lot of operations with more than one DM, instructor, or guide usually pool and split tips, sometimes even with the Captain. Have fun in the Caymans and stick with small operators for the best service.

 

[ronpriskie]

Larrandall, thanks for info. How do you tell a small operator from a large one?

 

[dkktsunami]

I am going on my first resort dive trip. Is it customary to tip the DM and if so, how much? Thanks for any input

20%, sometimes more, of the cost of the trip. Divemasters work hard for their money, don't get paid well, and when they are good at their jobs I don't mind letting them know. I'm 62, kids are grown, and I can afford to occasionally tip generously. I'm going to Little Cayman in January - you are going to love the place. Diving is unbelievably good.

 

[stu_in_fl]

for florida and the carribean i usually go with $5 per tank - for other places, depends what the custom is.