What's good for a first dive?

[lauramh]

Hello, I'm brand new here.

My best friend and I will get our open water certifications this summer.

Following certification, what geographic location/dive trip operator/whatever would be suitable for a first "real" post-certification dive trip?

Also, if my friend can't go along, do dive operators pair you with someone? Or do you really have to travel with someone else?

 

[cyklon_300]

divers were required by law to go to Cozumel...

 

[Natasha]

If you can afford to leave the US, I would say after diving in 12 islands, that Bonaire is the easiest for newly certified divers.
If the Dive Op doesn't have another diver to pair you with, I HIGHLY suggest you " Buy" a divemaster to be your buddy. The charge may be anywhere from $20.00 to $40.00 but it is well worth it.
As for resorts and dive ops:
Plaza Resort Bonaire is tops
And their dive op Toucan Diving is rated in the top 10 in the Caribbean.
Good luck! And welcome to the world of SCUBA.

PS If you can't afford to leave the US, try Florida. The Springs, and the Keys offer reasonable diving and prices.

 

[divebag]

Cozumel is a great first choice. Easy and affordable airfair and accomodations. Easy but beautiful drift diving.

 

[herman]

I have not gotten to Coz yet but from what I have heard, most of the diving off Coz is fairly deep and all drift diving. If this is true, is that really the kind of place to send a new diver, esp without an instructor or an experienced buddy? I would think a location with shallow reefs or wrecks with little current and good vis would be the way to go. The Fla Keys, the Bahammas or Bonaire would be strike me as better choices (assuming what I have heard about Coz is correct). There are lots of shallow reefs at these locations where a new diver can get experience without having to deal with deep water or swift currents.

As for going alone, IMHO the best way for a new diver is to go with a group of some sort, either a dive shop or some sort of organized trip. There is usually someone in a group like that who is willing (and able)to buddy up with a newbie and help them out. In any case, be sure to HONESTLY describe your experience to your buddy. Most of the time I don't mind diving with new divers but I do want to know their experience. On the other hand, if you don't feel comfortable diving with anyone, DON'T.

While there are a lot of good divers around, there are some that I will not dive with, some are down right dangerous, both new and "experienced" divers.

 

[Bob]

I agree with Herman. Bonaire or the Keys are perfect places for a new diver to get some experience diving from a boat in salt water. Plus, the scenery ain't bad either. Buddy with the DM. They will help you if asked. :tree: Bob

 

[wreckchick]

That's where I went for my first trip. Stayed with Gaz Cooper and had a great experience. There are plenty of dives from the very shallow to the very deep. I think the most divers we had on a dive with him was 8 and all of them were escorted dives with a very competent divemaster (Andy). Water temps were in the low 80's, almost no current on most dives, vis in the 80-100' range, plenty to see, it was fantastic.

Rachel

 

[MikeFerrara]

I hate Cozumel for new divers. Many of the boats take new divers way way too deep in my opinion. If you do decide on Cozumel shop for an outfit that will take you to appropriate sites.

 

[crgoode]

My wife and I got our OW in Sept. 2001, our AOW in May 2002, after only doing some spring diving in between, and then our first salt water dives in Coz in June 2002. I would recommend it for beginners. Overall Coz was a lot easier than Bonaire. The actual diving in Bonaire is just as easy as Coz, but the getting in and out takes some getting used to. I got a fire coral burn exiting one site in Bonaire that took a couple months to heal completely. Also Coz is much more visually exciting.

 

[drbill]

Of course I'm a bit partial to my home island, but if you don't mind something a bit cooler than the Caribbean our kelp forests are pretty awesome and the Casino Dive Park has easy access.

There are a lot of divers who come out here from your area so you could probably hook up with one of the groups and get a package deal.

Dr. Bill