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Tips For Better Scuba Diving Trips

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 06:38:03 +0000

Scuba diving trips require more planning than regular vacations, but the pay-off for taking that extra time and making the effort is well worth it. You can’t really wing it with a scuba diving trip if you plan on creating the best possible experience for yourself and your dive buddies. A lack of planning may not exactly cause your trip to go wrong, but it won’t run as smoothly and that will detract from the overall experience.

The following advice should be borne in mind when planning your scuba diving trip:

Choosing the Right Destination
This is far and away the most important aspect of creating the best possible scuba diving trip. It is not as simple as finding a location where scuba diving is possible, or even a place where the scuba diving is highly regarded. You need to take into account the suitability of the destination according to your own individual requirements. Your level of experience and the type of diving you wish to do will largely dictate whether a particular dive site is right.

For example, Cozumel is considered to be one of the best destinations in the world for a scuba diving trip; in fact, PADI has ranked it as their number one location. However, novice divers may not want to try Cozumel as their first dive destination because its reef currents can be disorientating and unnerving for beginners. Cozumel’s drift diving is far better suited to the more experienced diver who doesn’t mind their scuba diving trip being a little more adventurous and unpredictable.

Equally, the Galapagos Islands can make for a memorable scuba diving trip, but you really need to be living aboard a dive boat to take full advantage, and that will not suit everyone. Some people might like their scuba vacation to be a mix of great dives and buzzing nightlife, for which they will need to be near some lively tourist destination.

You should also consider what type of diving is available at each location. You may want your scuba diving trip to incorporate wreck dives, reef dives, wall diving, diving blue holes, cavern diving, cave diving … the list goes on. Do you want to be able to walk out to your dive sites every morning, as you can on Bonaire in the Dutch Antilles, or are you happy to take a long boat ride to your dive site, as when you visit the famous Blue Hole of Belize?

What about the remoteness of the destination? You can interpret this two ways: that you can’t begin your scuba diving trip until you’ve put in some serious hours of traveling, therefore you could be jet-lagged for the first few days; or that you may only be taking a short hop, but your destination is remote from the type of civilization and amenities you are used to. Scuba diving trips to this sort of location may throw up issues of poor transport, a lack of medical care, or poor quality food and water.

Your key to choosing the best location for your scuba diving trip is masses of research. There is no excuse for picking an unsuitable dive destination with all the resources that the internet has to offer.

Choose the Best Time of Year
You may not have the luxury of being able to take a vacation whenever it suits you; work commitments normally put paid to that idea. However, no matter how restricted you are, you can make every effort to gear your scuba diving trip to a destination that offers great conditions for that particular time of year.

Most importantly, you will need to take into account the weather conditions that pertain at a certain location at any given period in the year. Your ideal destination for a scuba diving trip in the spring may prove a whole lot less attractive when the rainy season sets in later in the fall. Remember that high season for the general tourist may be low season for the scuba diver. Again, research is the key to establishing the best location for a given time of year. Your heart may be set on one destination, but your vacation schedule may mean it’s best you keep it on your wish-list and choose an alternative place where the diving is more in-season.

You should also take into account the costs involved in planning a scuba diving trip at a certain time of the year. Naturally, you will pay more for your flights and accommodation – in fact, for everything – in the high season for tourists.

Your Budget
In reality, budgets often choose us. Our income and the times of year we may be restricted to traveling in can mean we have a limited budget with which to book our scuba diving trip. This is where you need to refer back to the first point about choosing the right destination. If a certain spot is beyond your financial means, then it’s not the right destination – not this time. Or perhaps you could manage to get to your perfect dive spot in the world, but you’d have to do everything there on a shoestring. These are decisions you need to be realistic about.

Get Everything Ready "Everything” means your dive certification, your dive log, your passport and travel documents, dive insurance, your dive gear, and whatever else you consider necessary for a hassle-free scuba diving trip. This includes your own preparedness.

Consider if you need to do any refresher courses before leaving on your scuba diving trip, or whether you need to acquaint yourself with any new equipment. Make sure all the gear you are taking has been tested in advance. You could always rent equipment once you get there, but if that’s after you discover sixty miles out on a boat that your own is faulty then you may well lose a great day’s diving.

Use a Travel Consultant who Specializes in Scuba Diving Trips

You can use a dive travel specialist to back up your own research or to replace it if you feel you can completely trust their advice. A scuba diving trip organized this way can make it all flow and fit together better. These people will know the ins and outs of certain dive destinations, and may be able to help you save money by pointing you towards the right dive shops and hotels.

If planning is not your strong point, then using a professional to draw up an itinerary for your scuba diving trip can take the pressure off, which is what a dive vacation should be all about.

Your Next Scuba Diving Vacation!

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 21:12:18 +0000

If you love to scuba dive then these hotel diving getaways are for you. Scuba diving is one of the most rewarding activities and the most beautiful.

Fiesta Americana Cozumel Dive Resort

http://www.fiestamericana.com

This resort offers amazing 5 star accommodations, ocean view rooms, on site dive shop, gear lockers for guests, and it has great snorkeling and shore diving. This is a perfect get-a-way for the scuba diver at heart. You are far enough from town where it’s peaceful for that perfect diving experience.

The Fiesta Americana is 5 miles south of town and therefore much closer to dive sites. With the Fiesta Americana you will be in the lap of luxury with their multiple swimming pools, restaurants and beach club. There is an exercise room and jogging trail for those that like to keep fit and you will find the in-house dive operation like none other. Juan Leca’s Dive House is second to none. They have quality boats and their personal are truly amazing. If you want a quality, beautiful and luxurious place to stay on your next diving vacation Fiesta Americana In Cozumel Mexico is for you.

Prices (the prices may vary with the season)

Right now until December 23rd 2009 they are having an early bird special

You can book a room for 2 for divers as low as $292 for a 3 night stay including a 2 day boat dive.

Cobalt Coast Resort in the Cayman Island
http://www.cobaltcoast.com/

The Cayman Island defiantly is one of the prime places for Scuba Diving and the Cobalt Resort is the best place to go. Located on the northwest shore of Boatswains Bay, near the Turtle Farm the Cobalt Resort makes snorkeling and shore diving available from your front door.

The amenities of the Cobalt Resort are like none other. With an ocean front restaurant, fresh water pool and Jacuzzi makes this the best place to be. It’s worth seeing their famous 120 foot dock where you can relax and see the beauty that is the Cayman Island.

Cobalt Resort is associated with Divetech which is located on site they offer both beach diving and boat diving services as well as training. Divetech and the Cobalt Resort provides all it’s guest wtih privileged access to Cayman’s North Wall diving.

Prices (Prices may vary with the seasons)

Right now the Cobalt Resort is offering it’s “Winter Escape”.

You can book an ocean front room (double occupancy) four night lodging and three day diving for $920.00! (These prices include airport transfers, lodging, diving, taxes, and daily Add lunch and 3-course dinner, $65 per person per day (includes tax and 15% gratuity).
Matangi Private Island Resort in Fiji

http://www.matangiisland.com/

The Matangi Island Resort is set on a 240 acre private island with the fabulous choice of staying in either a luxurious ocean view bungalow, beach front bungalow or even a tree house bungalow.

The Matangi Island Resort’s private cottages are surrounded by beautiful tropical gardens. There is on site boat facilities, dinning room, lounge area and snorkeling and shore diving are right outside your front door.

Prices (prices may vary with season)

*FREE NIGHT SPECIAL* – Pay for 5 days stay for 7! (valid through March 31st 2010).
Stay for as low as $2,520 for 5 nights and 4 day boat diving (double occupancy). This includes transfer from airport, three meals and hotel tax.

Wherever you decide to spend your next scuba diving vacation be it the Cayman islands, Fiji or Cozumel Mexico, any of the above resorts will make your next vacation the best it’s ever been.

3 Scuba Saftey Tips

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 23:57:52 +0000

Scuba Diving is a wonderful activity and a great way to experience the beauty of underwater worlds. But one has to be careful when diving. Otherwise your fun adventure could quickly turn into an underwater nightmare.
Here are three great tips every diver should know to keep safe and have fun.

1) Don’t Drink and Dive
Everyone wants to have a fun time on their vacation or trip. For some people that means the inclusion of alcohol. But if you are going to scuba, it is very important that you limit your alcohol consumption. The less aware you are underwater, the greater danger you get into. Also drinking leads to dehydration those pesky hangovers!. So when scuba diving remain well hydrated. Be sure to drink plenty of bottled water, get sufficient rest, and hold off on drinking alcohol until your diving day is done.

2) Optimize Your Dive Gear
Anyone who has ever done a cave dive has probably learned the importance of streamlining, and tightening up your dive gear. Dangling hoses, straps, or other items that might entangle you pose a serious threat to your safety. There are many things underwater to get caught on such as seaweed, a shipwreck, coral, or even the dive boat as you are getting into the water.

3)Monitor Your Air Supply
Nothing is more important to your safety then your air supply. To ascend slowly, you must have air in your tank. Watching your air supply and consumption frequently is important for the duration of the dive. If you are down to 1,000 p.s.i., you should be well aware of the proximity of your dive boat or the beach. After 500 p.s.i. you should be in the process of making a slow, controlled ascent back to surface. I know it sounds dumb but please watch your gauges constantly throughout your dive and never, ever run out of air!

There is much more to scuba diving safety, but remember these tips the next time you are in the water, after all better safe then sorry!