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To
say that careful and concise vacation
planning is important, is an understatement.
Whether you are planning on your own
or using a dive travel specialist, your
hard earned diving dollars will go farther
and your enjoyment will be much greater
if if you take the time, ask the right
questions and become informed about
your destination. The following is a
checklist of hints, tips and suggestions
to get you started in the right direction.
We have purposely designed (or rather
not designed) this page so that you
can make a copy and put it to good use.
At some time during your diver training,
you were taught the importance of dive
planning. The goal is to arrive at your
chosen dive site with proper equipment
in good working order, at the best time
and under the best conditions to accomplish
your dive objectives.
Your dive vacation planning should be
an integral part of this concept as
well. Some of the benefits of proper
planning should include:
1.Increased enjoyment of your dive
trip.
Last minute or ineffective planning
can result in increased anxiety. Take
your time and plan properly.
2. Helps identify your dive vacation
goals.
What kind of diving do you want to do?
Is there a particular site that interests
you? Are there other things that you
would like to do or see when you are
not diving?
3. Good planning can help yo save
money.
If you take the time to plan, you can
research locations, activities and accomodations.
You can save money by booking early,
scheduling for off peak periods, and
shopping around for the best deals.
4. Planning can help to insure the
quality of your diving and accomodations.
Planning ahead will help insure you
get the hotels and dive operations you
want, even during even during peak season
when booking are full.
How to plan your vacation
1. Start reading all you can about your
dive destination. Study all of the latest
information available. Even if you have
been to a location before, things can
change.The hotel or charter that you
used last time may not still be there
or may be under new ownership.
2. What kind of diving are you looking
for?
If you are flexible, your choices will
be much broader. On the other hand,
if you are specifically looking for
drift diving, wreck diving, spearfishing,
etc.., you must choose a location that
meets these desires.
3. Use your dive instructor, other divers
and Dive Florida as sources of information.
Learn all you can from divers who have
been there. The more you know, the less
likely you are to have a disappointing
experience
4. Plan Early
The widely accepted norm is that you
should plan ahead approximately one
month for each $100. you plan to spend.
If you start well enough in advance,
you can cover all the bases. Besides,
planning is a learning experience and
the anticipation makes a great vacation
that much more fun.
How to choose your dive destination
1. What is your certification level
and experience?
Choose a location that is right for
you. Some locations cater to novice
divers, others to the more advanced,
and many accomodate all levels. Don't
get caught on the wrong end of the spectrum.
2. What do you want out of your dive
vacation?
Do you want to spend as much time as
possible underwater? Do you want to
take in some topside attractions? Or
maybe you are seeking a happy medium.
You should consider these questions
when planning.
3. Will you be doing any training
on vacation?
If you are planning to complete your
open water training, or to take an advanced
or specialty course, you should check
on the agency affiliations and availability
with the operator you are going to use.
4. What accomodations are available?
Are you looking for a campsite or the
Taj Mahal? Or do you just want a place
that is cozy and comfortable? Do your
homework and get what you want
5. Are you on a budget?
If you answered yes to the Taj Mahal,
skip this part. If on the other hand
you are like most of us, you must stay
within a certain budget for vacations.
Plan carefully and intelligently and
you can stay within your means.
Take your time, talk with those who
have been to the location you are interested
in. Ask lots of questions and do not
hesitate to call dive operators and
hotels for more specific information.
Some common questions to ask are listed
below to help you along. Some will matter
to you, some will not, and still others
will just be nice to know. This is not
a definitive list but something to help
you get started
- What kind of accomodations are available
and what are they like?
- What type of dive boats does the operator
have and how many divers do they carry?
- Are there medical facilities nearby,
and how far is the nearest recompression
chamber?
- What kind of air fill system is used
and is the air quality checked?
- What brands and types of equipment
can be bought, rented and serviced?
- Are the dives guided or independently
planned with a buddy?
- What are the diving depths at this
location?
- What is the visibility and water temperature
for the time of year you are visiting?
- What should you expect to see on your
dives?
- Are instructors available for a class
you would like to complete?
- Are camera and/or video equipment
available for rent?
- Is photo processing available?
- Do the boats carry oxygen and first
aid kits?
- Are there specific policies concerning
the use of dive computers?
- Is nitrox available?
- How far is the hotel from the dive
boat?
- How long are the boat rides to the
sites?
- When is the best time of year to viit
this location?
In addition to planning your travel,
you should determine what you will need
to take with you. Make a list (and check
it twice) of dive equipment, spare parts,
tickets, reservation confirmations,
clothes and other personal items.
By carefully planning your dive vacation,
you will have that extra assurance that
you are getting the best value and most
enjoyment out of those diving dollars.
It may sound like a lot of legwork,
but it is actually a lot of fun. So
what are you waiting for? Start planning!!! |
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A Scuba Diving Travel Resource
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