Scuba & Skin Diving Travel Guide

You should consider several things when planning a diving vacation. You want to make sure everything goes smoothly and that your maximize your time in the water instead of wasting it on arrangements. Some travel agencies are knowledgeable about scuba tours, but most divers prefer to plan a custom trip based on their own preferences.

When planning your trip, first consider your diving experience. First timers or inexperienced divers can find a number of instructors at resorts and popular dive areas. They may provide equipment for students or allow you to bring your own. Either way, allow sufficient time to check through all the equipment to make sure everything works and fits correctly. More experienced divers will have more options, being able to choose between going out with a group or keeping to themselves in their own small group of friends.

Second, consider the location where you want to dive. Staying at a hotel near a beach or access to good dive spots will be convenient, although may cost more. Alternatively, you could stay further away and rent a car to go to dive areas. Another option is to sign up for a scuba cruise that goes out to sea for a number of days.

Lastly, consider transportation of yourself and your gear to your destination. Although most dive gear can be taken on airlines, most require you to completely depressurize your tanks and remove the regulators. You may want to consider renting tanks at your location or shipping your gear with a company that specializes in transporting diving equipment.

To help you plan your trip, it is best to speak with people who have dived before at (or live in) the area you plan to visit. They will be able to tell you the best places to dive, suggest places to stay and rent or buy equipment, and warn you about any current dangers or problems.