How to Take a Scuba Diving Vacation – Discover an Ocean Paradise!

Taking a scuba diving vacation is the perfect way to spend your holiday if you love the ocean depths. From Hawaii and Aruba, Belize, Australia and Africa there is no better way to explore a country than to see it from the depths of the ocean or to spend time visiting its coral reefs. Once the scuba diving bug has bitten you will want to explore as many different marine worlds as you can find – and you aren’t likely to run out of options.

Most scuba operators will organize the whole scuba diving package for you – flights, accommodation, your dive trips, and transfers can typically be arranged by your dive tour company. If you long to visit with sharks, mantas or hordes of tropical fish then a diving vacation is one way to build up your scuba diving album.

A word to the wise, however! A diving vacation will need proper preparation if you’re going to make the most of your trip. The simplest option for a scuba diving trip is to enroll in a guided/escorted tour arranged by your local dive club or center. A trip leader will handle all the travel arrangements and you simply join a group of divers in an exotic location. This gives you an opportunity to dive with people you know.

If you want to plan your diving vacation yourself you can contact a dive resort of your choice or use an exclusive booking agent to help you arrange your trip. You can arrange things over the phone and ask any questions before you leave – this means you will know what to expect when you get there.

Using an exclusive agent to help organize your diving vacation is a good idea because agents are well-versed in the different dive packages that are offered as well as air travel deals. Agents are typically divers themselves and often have personal experience diving at the resorts they promote.

Organizing your diving vacation via a local travel agent is another option but local agents are often not as knowledgeable as exclusive agents. These agents can usually make a booking for you but you will need to know exactly what you want before contacting one.

There are typically two choices when it comes to planning a scuba diving vacation. You can opt for a land destination tour or a live-aboard tour package. If you choose a land-based trip you can choose from hotel, cottage or more luxury accommodation and a variety of diving packages.

A live-aboard diving vacation is like living on a floating hotel where you are as close as you could be to your diving destination. The boats are often quite large and cater for about 15 to 25 passengers. Facilities are luxurious and comfortable and the food is excellent so you aren’t likely to long for the comforts of home on your scuba diving vacation.

Some boats also offer trips to shore but they usually focus primarily on diving. If you fancy the idea of living at sea and being close to a wide variety of dive spots then a this is the best choice for your diving vacation.

When you sign up for a diving vacation make sure you know what is included in your package and get the details in writing. Land-based tours usually offer a certain number of diving days, two or three boat dives per day, a night boat dive and unlimited shore dives. Tanks and weights are usually included. Accommodations may be included if you are going via a diving resort.

Scuba diving equipment is not generally included in your package so you’ll need to buy or hire your own. If you are going to rent equipment on your diving vacation make sure to find a hirer who offers good quality equipment as this can vary quite considerably depending on your destination. If you are only going to rent some of your equipment make sure that the rental gear is compatible with your own equipment.

Where possible take your own mask, snorkel, fins, exposure suit, buoyancy compensator, and regulator – rentals probably wont fit as well – and take along a pair of booties as these are seldom available for rent. Avoid trying to buy all new equipment at resorts on your diving vacation unless you know they have all the sizes you need.

Before you leave for your scuba vacation have all your diving gear tested and serviced. Regulators should be overhauled once a year or after a long period of storage. Test the equipment in a pool to make sure everything is in working order before leaving on your diving vacation. Check straps, releases, and zippers for wear and tear. If you encounter problems on the boat you may not be in a position to find replacement equipment.

If you haven’t much diving experience brush up on your skills before leaving on your scuba diving vacation or take a refresher course. Nobody likes to think about a diving accident – but do make sure that your medical insurance covers accidents in other countries and whether it covers an air ambulance and hyperbaric chamber treatment. The Divers Alert Network (DAN) can provide this type of assistance.

Never head off on your diving vacation without your certification card (C-card). Most dive resorts will not allow you to dive without one. Take along your dive log too. It’s proof of your diving experience. Tropical destinations outside the U.S. ask for identification and a return ticket before you will be allowed into the country. A passport or voter registration card is typically enough for the Caribbean islands – make sure you know what you need before you go. Enjoy planning your scuba diving vacation!