Why are scuba holiday packages so expensive?

[KathyV]

I both agree and disagree with your comment about working with consultants. I am sure that there are some less than upfront dive vendors that are trying to jack up the price to increase their commission, but if you work with a reputable company that has been around for a long time and has gotten good reviews from people you can trust, like other SB divers, they can really help you to find a great trip at the best price.

I also like the fact that they can often book all my flights on one ticket. When I am traveling domestically I can book all my flights on one ticket - but when I am traveling out of country - especially when my travels include small airlines to remote places - I usually have to book each leg of the trip on a separate ticket. I don't know if it works that way in Australia, but that has been my experience in the US.

I've learned that hard way that it is better to have all your flights on one ticket if something goes wrong along the way and you are delayed. When it is all on one ticket all of the airlines recognize the problem and act to help you get to your destination - when you are flying on separate tickets - you are on your own!

They can also find good options that may not occur to you, like flying different airlines to/from your destination instead of automatically booking round-trip. They can also save you a lot of time and frustration. And some of them have good "fraud radar" and will notice when a vendor seems fishy while you might miss the warning signs. In summary, after taking a lot of trips I have come to recognize the value of the services of good travel agent! If it cost a little more, it's worth it IMO.

 

[Diving Dubai]

Off the top of my head a 7 day LoB in komodo, indonesia is AUD1500 Exc soft drinks and beer and gear rental which is cheap. Or Dive Alba in Bali, similar.
Unfortunately with Scuba it can get expensive, you just need to search on the Internet and ask questions (as you are doing) But Holidays can be had for the same or even less than a conventional resort/pool/beach

If you think that 2000AUS is expensive for 7 nights, you should look up Misool Eco Resort, that will really flip your mind

I do not think scuba diving is an exclusive hobby of the privileged elite wealthy group of people. It just costs several thousand dollars initially in equipment + training.

Oh no no, It's only going to get worse if you get taken by the bug. The additional Instructor training I'm taking over the next year will cost me over AUS 15K and I dread to think how much I've spent in gear, dives, training, and vacations since 2013 - actuality I do know and its well over 6 figures

On the upside I could be skiing or playing golf and really regretting my choices

 

[runsongas]

good points... the other issue I want to point out is it seems a regular holiday to Bali is cheap... but when you add the word scuba to it the price seems to increase by 2-3 times of what it should cost.

scuba packages do tend to run a little more upscale, but the market is also catering to the older diver with more income. the young packpacker types that just roll up to whatever shop catches their eye in koh tao/bali are not their market. since it sounds like you have a limited budget, you should do the same and just book a budget ticket to bali, stay at a hostel, and dive with a local shop rather than booking a package.

 

[StefinSB]

I do not think scuba diving is an exclusive hobby of the privileged elite wealthy group of people. It just costs several thousand dollars initially in equipment + training.

Basic OW training a equipment shouldn’t cost “several thousand” dollars.

 

[Lorenzoid]

the young packpacker types that just roll up to whatever shop catches their eye in koh tao/bali are not their market. since it sounds like you have a limited budget, you should do the same and just book a budget ticket to bali, stay at a hostel, and dive with a local shop rather than booking a package.

It need not be quite so seat-of-the-pants to be economical. On Lembongan island, which is a ferry hop from Bali, Two Fish Divers offers two dives per day for IDR1100000 / USD79 / AUD 104, which includes lunch, and budget accommodations at IDR250000 / USD18 / AUD23 per night, which includes breakfast. I recall the brekkies and lunches being quite adequate. They have a nice pool. It's a dive resort. Nothing fancy, just a budget dive resort.

 

[Lucifer911]

Basic OW training a equipment shouldn’t cost “several thousand” dollars.

I have strong reservations when it comes to second hand equipment from questionable companies...

I only want new and from a reputable company either Aqualung or Oceanic..

Regs - $700
BCD - $800
2x Steel Air Tanks - $800
AI Dive Computer - $1200
Shark shield (necessity for the waters I am in) - $600

That's $4100 AUD for the setup I want and that's not including the wetsuit, dive mask, fins, hood, gloves, compartment to store keys, gopro which I have already paid for. I don't know what your definition of Basic OW training equipment is but I want to dive during winter into depths of 25-30m.. and I do not want a dive buddy with cheap second hand equipment with me.

 

[Diving Dubai]

I have strong reservations when it comes to second hand equipment from questionable companies...

That's $4100 AUD for the setup I want and that's not including the wetsuit, dive mask, fins, hood, gloves, compartment to store keys, gopro which I have already paid for. I don't know what your definition of Basic OW training equipment is but I want to dive during winter into depths of 25-30m.. and I do not want a dive buddy with cheap second hand equipment with me.

Like cars, no-one really makes bad equipment

Used equipment, once its serviced it's as good as new. I've had new kit fail.

I buy new because we don't have a great used market. Although 60% of my (14) steel cylinders were brought used but service by a reputable shop

I don't care what equipment my buddy has, as long as they're a safe good buddy

 

[Lucifer911]

Like cars, no-one really makes bad equipment

Used equipment, once its serviced it's as good as new. I've had new kit fail.

I buy new because we don't have a great used market. Although 60% of my (14) steel cylinders were brought used but service by a reputable shop

I don't care what equipment my buddy has, as long as they're a safe good buddy

if you were a cave diver or tec diver going below 50m I'm sure you would care... after all its your life on the line in those circumstances. I'm open minded to second hand air tanks but not regs, bcd or a dive computer without a warranty. As for your car comment... some car makers are bad.. Toyota has been known to have cars last the test of time where as the American cars frequently become a liability after several years of driving. I want a setup which has durability and will last for me for many years to come.

 

[Lorenzoid]

Used regs can be fine if you're buying from a trustworthy source. So long as there is no major damage, with a proper overhaul by a competent technician they are good as new again. Of course, the cost of the overhaul and the age of the regs are considerations that need to be factored into the price you paid for the regs. If you get a top brand for a steal, then even with the cost of having them serviced you still got a great deal. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a lightly used computer from a trustworthy source, either. Fellow divers here on SB and similar forums who sell their old stuff are not out to deceive you. That said, there is no guarantee that a piece of gear that works great today will not randomly fail tomorrow. That (probably small) risk should be built into the price you paid. Your Toyota example is great: they hold their value well because they last. From what I have read, so do, for example, Shearwater computers.

Like you, I bought my first set of gear new, because with all the challenges I faced as a new diver the last thing I wanted to have to worry about was my gear. But I eventually warmed to the idea of buying used gear. You might, too. For now, figure out where to take that dive trip--we all want to know how it turns out for you.

 

[CAPTAIN SINBAD]

As I’m Australian I think I’d much rather spend my money on a live aboard boat for a few nights on the GBR. All food and beverages are provided and I’m sure the experience would beat any location in Indonesia.

After speaking to several people who have dived Australia as well as Indonesia I am informed that Indonesia beats Australia by a rather large margin. The best destinations in Indonesia are not Bali but Raja Ampat and Komodo. I have never met anyone who went there and returned back saying "It was not worth the money."