What makes for a good trip report?

[jhawke]

I'm about to head to Utila in a couple of days and I would like to post my first trip report when I get back. I thought I would take some notes while I'm out.

I was wondering, what do people think makes for a good and helpful trip report? What kind of details do you look for? Commentary that's helpful?

Thanks,
Jason

 

[theskull]

Water and air temps, visibility, depths of dives you did and what features/creatures were seen, names of boats/dive shops/resorts and how they pleased you.

Any unusual occurrences or lessons learned, great meals enjoyed. And . . . would you go back, or recommend the site and operators to others.

theskull

 

[Cacia]

I like to read shortish ones with pictures and an offer to provide details on travel logistics etc. I always love to get the skinny on food. Names a couple great places to eat really do it for me.

On the diving, I like your impressions about what set this dive or this destination apart. In other words, I don't really care about your bottom time, etc. But if there were down drafts, or it was super easy for kids...that is useful.

Any personal observations, I really love. Like "this operator puts you on a program", "the operator gives lattitude for long dives, is flexible on site preferences"

And of course, any images that are beautiful, or show unique marine life will always rock my boat. People pictures satisfy my curiosity to...even the boat's pic is appreciated. I love trip reports!

 

[divebuddy68]

I think Catherine sums it up pretty well. I would just like to add that I always appreciate a frame of reference when you rate the diving. For example, I have seen trip reports that say the diving in XXXX was great, but I'm always wondering what you are comparing it to. If it's only your first dive trip or your only other trip was to a swamp or something I think it's important to qualify the rating. But... if you have been around the world and you say the diving in XXXX is great that really means a lot!!!

 

[TSandM]

I like long trip reports. I like information on the lodging, where you stored gear, how you transported it. What was the dive op like -- the people, the boat, the efficiency of the process. I like pictures of the above-water part of the trip (rooms, boats, etc.) as well as dive pictures. And I love the descriptions of the dives -- what the topography was like (entries for shore diving!), water conditions, what you saw.

But I'm living a lot of dive trips vicariously. What can I say?

 

[Jamdiver]

Having written trip reports in the past... ( http://dive.scubadiving.com/members/tripreports.php?s=3168)

I'd say it's important to present a holistic view to your trip, so info on lodgings, transportation to the resort of your choice, the diving, pics both underwater and topside, food, any problems you have are all important components.

It's also important to present this in an easy to read format, photos do help but even if you don't have any. It's still possible to present an interesting/compelling trip report .

As TSandM alluded to lots of people live vicariously through trip reports... helps to get through long days and fill the mind with dreams of far flung beautiful places .

 

[DeputyDan]

The TRUTH

and short paragraphs - not an 80 sentence paragraph

 

[sasscuba]

The TRUTH

and short paragraphs - not an 80 sentence paragraph

:lol:

 

[diveborg]

I like to read well formatted trip reports with decent grammar and reasonably correct spelling. Include details about food and lodgings. Include details about the dive operator such as if they allow diving freedom or a warning if they are the "dive police". Lots of use are photographers, so details about how camera friendly the dive boat is would be great. Topside photos are especially welcome. Size your photos so fit on the screen and can be viewed without side to side scrolling. 640 x 480 is a good size. If you can do thumbnails and link them to a larger image is best. Make the link open the larger image in a new window. Include one or two photos for some of the dives, but don't jam them all together, add some space between them. Actually, separate them with text if you can. If you have additional photos to share, make a gallery and put a link to it at the end of the TR.

Do not say that the Dive OP is "the best" unless you have been diving with the majority of the dive operators in the area. Do make a quality comparison between the OP in your report and previous OP's you have gone out with. Tell what you liked about the dive OP, their boat, and their diving style, but also include what you didn't like.

Finally, consider posting your TR on your own web space and just linking to it. You will have much more control over formatting that way.

I made a trip to British Columbia in 2005 and wrote a trip report about it. I have it on my own web space and just link to it.