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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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