Before we go cruising in the Fall of '06, we want to get our open water scuba certification. Can anyone recommend a caribbean location where we can go for a week, get certified and have a good vacation. No cities, we like remote tropical enviros. Thanks
Scuba
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Pick your spot, chances are there's a PADI dive shop somewhere nearby. Belize is awesome, Roatan too. Then again so's Bonaire. And Cayman. And Turks & Caicos. And . . .
scuba in Bonaire
I Am beginning my first sailing lesson tomorrow, but I am a certified rescue diver. Bonaire is where you want to go! It will appeal to a sailor also.
I Am beginning my first sailing lesson tomorrow, but I am a certified rescue diver. Bonaire is where you want to go! It will appeal to a sailor also.
Best of Both...
Depedning on your timeline, I would encourage you to take the class and pool work from a PADI, NAUI, SSI, or other equivalent scuba certifying agency, and then do your openwater dives while on vacation in the spot you choose. This is very easy to arrange and you basically set it up when you first arrange for your local lessons. You will get a far better and more thorough education and pool work, and you will not waste vacation time sitting in class or practicing scuba skills in a generic pool. This way you do about 4 or 5 open water dives to earn your final certification and then spend the rest of your time really vacationing and diving. Rob
Depedning on your timeline, I would encourage you to take the class and pool work from a PADI, NAUI, SSI, or other equivalent scuba certifying agency, and then do your openwater dives while on vacation in the spot you choose. This is very easy to arrange and you basically set it up when you first arrange for your local lessons. You will get a far better and more thorough education and pool work, and you will not waste vacation time sitting in class or practicing scuba skills in a generic pool. This way you do about 4 or 5 open water dives to earn your final certification and then spend the rest of your time really vacationing and diving. Rob
I agree with Rob
I've been PADI certified for over 25 years (curretnly advanced open water), and Rob is spot on. Much of the certification process is boring class work, then boring pool work. It's all important, but not exciting. Get the boring stuff over with at home, then consider doing your checkout on vacation. One small note on that, my wife got her open water about 10 years ago. Her partner throughout the class "freaked" during the checkout, and couldn't remove her mask underwater (one of the test requirements). She was allowed to return and retry that portion, but that would be a TERRIBLE thing to have happen on your vacation. You might want to consider getting fully certified before the trip.
I've been PADI certified for over 25 years (curretnly advanced open water), and Rob is spot on. Much of the certification process is boring class work, then boring pool work. It's all important, but not exciting. Get the boring stuff over with at home, then consider doing your checkout on vacation. One small note on that, my wife got her open water about 10 years ago. Her partner throughout the class "freaked" during the checkout, and couldn't remove her mask underwater (one of the test requirements). She was allowed to return and retry that portion, but that would be a TERRIBLE thing to have happen on your vacation. You might want to consider getting fully certified before the trip.
The Bay Islands of Honduras
Utila - European backpacker crowd Roatan - a bit more luxurios Both have many certified dive schools, safety facilities, and great reefs! Plus, the courses are much less expensive than in the states. I got certified on Utila. We had classroom work early mornings and evenings, with dives in the afternoons. My 'pool' dives were in a 6' deep sandy spot in the bay totally surrounded by a reef. It was gorgeous and it only got better. The later dives included some underwater instruction followed by reef exploration until the tanks ran low. Small classes, certified instructors, great people, beautiful reefs - it just doesn't get any better. PS The official language of the Bay Islands is English.
Utila - European backpacker crowd Roatan - a bit more luxurios Both have many certified dive schools, safety facilities, and great reefs! Plus, the courses are much less expensive than in the states. I got certified on Utila. We had classroom work early mornings and evenings, with dives in the afternoons. My 'pool' dives were in a 6' deep sandy spot in the bay totally surrounded by a reef. It was gorgeous and it only got better. The later dives included some underwater instruction followed by reef exploration until the tanks ran low. Small classes, certified instructors, great people, beautiful reefs - it just doesn't get any better. PS The official language of the Bay Islands is English.
Good advise
Thanks for the excellent advise. Since we're not going for another 6-7 months, we will try to get the classroom and pool work done here. That will leave more time to enjoy the "real" diving. Thanks again
Thanks for the excellent advise. Since we're not going for another 6-7 months, we will try to get the classroom and pool work done here. That will leave more time to enjoy the "real" diving. Thanks again
St Lucia
Did all the PADI course and pool work here at home. Then took the family ti St Lucia for 10 days. Did my open water dives and got certified there. Definately the way to go. The last thing you want to do on a beautify carribean day is hang out in a classroom. Most good resorts have PADI dive shops and classes. We did it at Windjammer. Great service and after sertification, I did a few more dives and even a night dive.
Did all the PADI course and pool work here at home. Then took the family ti St Lucia for 10 days. Did my open water dives and got certified there. Definately the way to go. The last thing you want to do on a beautify carribean day is hang out in a classroom. Most good resorts have PADI dive shops and classes. We did it at Windjammer. Great service and after sertification, I did a few more dives and even a night dive.
Many Resorts Offer...
...resort certifications. But you want to get a full certification. Tie up with a resort where you can start a full certification at a local dive shop and you will be able to finish it back at home. Be sure it is a internationally-recognized organization such as PADI (Professional Assoc of Dive Instructors). Bonaire, BVI, Jamaica, USVI, The Cayman Islands, etc. have a multitude of shops.
...resort certifications. But you want to get a full certification. Tie up with a resort where you can start a full certification at a local dive shop and you will be able to finish it back at home. Be sure it is a internationally-recognized organization such as PADI (Professional Assoc of Dive Instructors). Bonaire, BVI, Jamaica, USVI, The Cayman Islands, etc. have a multitude of shops.
Roatan or Belize
My wife and I have decided to do the class/pool work here and go to Belize or Roatan. Do any of you have experience with a specific program in either area? Does not need to be the Ritz Carlton, just needs to be clean, great scenery, we don't like crowds and a good dive program. Thanks for all the help!!
My wife and I have decided to do the class/pool work here and go to Belize or Roatan. Do any of you have experience with a specific program in either area? Does not need to be the Ritz Carlton, just needs to be clean, great scenery, we don't like crowds and a good dive program. Thanks for all the help!!
Roatan Best Bet
Last October I took a trip to Roatan (West End) without the intent to Scuba dive. The first night there, I was talked into getting open water certified by the German bartender/scuba instructor (Heavy European, Canadian & American presence on West End). The next 3 days were spent in the classroom and diving. By day 2 were were doing 40' dives, day 3 60' dives. On the 4th day I flew to the neighboring island Guanaja, and dove to 90'. I'M HERE TO TELL YOU IT WAS THE MOST FABULOUS EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE (I'm 45). The reefs were breathtaking, the fish, turtles, etc., beatiful, the clear blue waters (100' visibility) gorgeous! I stayed on the West End which has a Bohemian feeling, a little bit more going on than other parts of the island ($45 per day hotel, scuba certification $220). However, there are all inclusive resorts such as Anthony's, or Fantasy Island, which specialize in scuba intruction. I personally prefer personal instruction rather than at home internet/book learning. You can ask questions with emmediate expert feedback...I would rather not take any chances with anything as technical as diving. I really did not mind taking the classroom instruction while on vacation. It was all good. Take care, have lots of fun, and let me know how it went. J.R. etamayojr@hotmail.com
Last October I took a trip to Roatan (West End) without the intent to Scuba dive. The first night there, I was talked into getting open water certified by the German bartender/scuba instructor (Heavy European, Canadian & American presence on West End). The next 3 days were spent in the classroom and diving. By day 2 were were doing 40' dives, day 3 60' dives. On the 4th day I flew to the neighboring island Guanaja, and dove to 90'. I'M HERE TO TELL YOU IT WAS THE MOST FABULOUS EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE (I'm 45). The reefs were breathtaking, the fish, turtles, etc., beatiful, the clear blue waters (100' visibility) gorgeous! I stayed on the West End which has a Bohemian feeling, a little bit more going on than other parts of the island ($45 per day hotel, scuba certification $220). However, there are all inclusive resorts such as Anthony's, or Fantasy Island, which specialize in scuba intruction. I personally prefer personal instruction rather than at home internet/book learning. You can ask questions with emmediate expert feedback...I would rather not take any chances with anything as technical as diving. I really did not mind taking the classroom instruction while on vacation. It was all good. Take care, have lots of fun, and let me know how it went. J.R. etamayojr@hotmail.com
Take the advise of the board
Take the advise of getting certified here and enjoying diving while on vacation. I am a PADI Scuba Instructor and although you could complete the classes anywhere, there is nothing better than completing the course at home. Your local dive shop can assure that you have the proper fitting equipment (Mask Snorkel Fins etc) and you might be surprised that there may be some awsome diving right in your own backyard. If you decide to take your classroom work locally and do your certification dives somewhere else, your instructor can provide you with the proper referal paperwork to make this happen. But be aware that you will still have to prove the skills that you learned to your new instructor before he or she will take you out for the certification dives. If you want remote I would recommend Anthony's Key resort. Get one of the cabanas on stilts on the island. The diving is world class. Bottom line: how ever you decide to do it, HAVE FUN and enjoy the show !!!!!!!
Take the advise of getting certified here and enjoying diving while on vacation. I am a PADI Scuba Instructor and although you could complete the classes anywhere, there is nothing better than completing the course at home. Your local dive shop can assure that you have the proper fitting equipment (Mask Snorkel Fins etc) and you might be surprised that there may be some awsome diving right in your own backyard. If you decide to take your classroom work locally and do your certification dives somewhere else, your instructor can provide you with the proper referal paperwork to make this happen. But be aware that you will still have to prove the skills that you learned to your new instructor before he or she will take you out for the certification dives. If you want remote I would recommend Anthony's Key resort. Get one of the cabanas on stilts on the island. The diving is world class. Bottom line: how ever you decide to do it, HAVE FUN and enjoy the show !!!!!!!
SCUBA is no exception, ya get what ya pay for
I am a PADI certified diver. Took lessons from a San Jose based instructor, open water was in Monterey Bay. The entire exercise took a couple months. Somewhat due to my travel schedule, but even compressed, the course would take three weeks minimum. I was not taught to ascend slower than my slowest bubble, I was taught why as well and also of the consequences of too rapid an assent. I have been diving to several nice international locations sponcered by local PADI or NAUI dive shops and witnessed the old and poorly maintained equipment they've provided. Then its whip through the book, with a concentration on the test material, and into the water. When it comes to safety and through preparation, there's nothing like the good 'ol USA. Research a reputable instruction vendor, take the time and do it right. You'll have infinitly more fun on a vacation with your own personal (proper fitting) equipment, mask, snorkel and fins, and the knowledge of how to select and use the breathing equipment.
I am a PADI certified diver. Took lessons from a San Jose based instructor, open water was in Monterey Bay. The entire exercise took a couple months. Somewhat due to my travel schedule, but even compressed, the course would take three weeks minimum. I was not taught to ascend slower than my slowest bubble, I was taught why as well and also of the consequences of too rapid an assent. I have been diving to several nice international locations sponcered by local PADI or NAUI dive shops and witnessed the old and poorly maintained equipment they've provided. Then its whip through the book, with a concentration on the test material, and into the water. When it comes to safety and through preparation, there's nothing like the good 'ol USA. Research a reputable instruction vendor, take the time and do it right. You'll have infinitly more fun on a vacation with your own personal (proper fitting) equipment, mask, snorkel and fins, and the knowledge of how to select and use the breathing equipment.
Ian, think about BVI
I got my certification locally, then did my check dive in St Thomas. We then went over to BVI's, picked up my bareboat from TMM. We had a local dive shop deliver tanks and scuba equip to the boat. Then for a week we would tie up to a mooring at one of the many "dive parks" and explore the many reefs and wrecks. Had a ball. Went in early june, water was 85 degrees and 100 vis. Not to mention the great time we had cruising the BVI's.
I got my certification locally, then did my check dive in St Thomas. We then went over to BVI's, picked up my bareboat from TMM. We had a local dive shop deliver tanks and scuba equip to the boat. Then for a week we would tie up to a mooring at one of the many "dive parks" and explore the many reefs and wrecks. Had a ball. Went in early june, water was 85 degrees and 100 vis. Not to mention the great time we had cruising the BVI's.
Valuable Low Cost Training
I paid about $200 for my PADI Open Water certification in Utila (Bay Islands), including equipment rental. My instructor was an Israeli who had worked all over the world, but chose this lower paying job because of the people, environment, and great diving of this little island. He was a fully certified PADI instructor and I believe that he taught us the course just as he formerly taught it in Florida, Israel, or Australia. The equipment we used was selected from dozens of available items to ensure a good fit and none was more than two years old. Sure, I had an O-ring failure (who hasn't) but that was discovered during the check on the dock before we boarded the boat. As to this "old and poorly maintained equipment" that you reference, I'd be curious to hear about equipment failures and I'd like to know how long a school could keep their PADI certification if they had any kind of safety problems. I can't imagine a better way to learn diving than to do it at a place such as Utila. Everything was top notch and I don't see how they could have done it better.
I paid about $200 for my PADI Open Water certification in Utila (Bay Islands), including equipment rental. My instructor was an Israeli who had worked all over the world, but chose this lower paying job because of the people, environment, and great diving of this little island. He was a fully certified PADI instructor and I believe that he taught us the course just as he formerly taught it in Florida, Israel, or Australia. The equipment we used was selected from dozens of available items to ensure a good fit and none was more than two years old. Sure, I had an O-ring failure (who hasn't) but that was discovered during the check on the dock before we boarded the boat. As to this "old and poorly maintained equipment" that you reference, I'd be curious to hear about equipment failures and I'd like to know how long a school could keep their PADI certification if they had any kind of safety problems. I can't imagine a better way to learn diving than to do it at a place such as Utila. Everything was top notch and I don't see how they could have done it better.
Bonaire is a world class dive site
We got cert in Bonaire. The island is a national park and is beautiful. We did our shallow water work near a reef in 15 feet and did our open water dives in several superb locations. Total time 3 days start to finish. We are padi cert and have done 20+ dives including a sponge recovery dive in Boanire after Ivan. It was not boring, the book work is fairly easy and doesn't take that much time. Though after Bonaire alot of the places we have dived since have paled by comparison. We are going back for Huricane season because we liked it so much.
We got cert in Bonaire. The island is a national park and is beautiful. We did our shallow water work near a reef in 15 feet and did our open water dives in several superb locations. Total time 3 days start to finish. We are padi cert and have done 20+ dives including a sponge recovery dive in Boanire after Ivan. It was not boring, the book work is fairly easy and doesn't take that much time. Though after Bonaire alot of the places we have dived since have paled by comparison. We are going back for Huricane season because we liked it so much.
SCUBA is probably...
...one of the most underestimated risk sports one can pursue. There are thousands of certified divers descending under the water's surface daily. On average, depth is <40ft, duration is less than 30 min and typically, folks dive no more than once per day. Under these circumstances, there's rarely a problem. The risk increases when one becomes more active. One of the most common risks is the danger of Decompression Sickness (DCS) also know as "the bends". While diving, the pressure underwater causes nitrogen from the air a diver is breathing to dissolve into their body. The amount of nitrogen absorbed depends on the depth and the amount of time spent underwater. If a diver spends too much time underwater and ascends rapidly to the surface, the nitrogen may not dispel properly. If the nitrogen gases remain inside the body, DCS can result in terrible injuries including death, blindness and paralysis. To manage DCS, there are two popular dive tables, one provided by NAUI, the other from the US Navy which, when understood and used properly, can provide the proper depth, dive period, decompression stops and between dive intervals guidelines. For example, a diver executes a dive to 50' and stayed down for 35 minutes. How much nitrogen would the diver have in their body from that dive period? How long a period should this diver wait on the surface between dives to ensure adequate nitrogen dissipation? If these risks were nonexistent, why are most divers asked to sign liability waivers and releases from the certifying agent, dive resort, boat operator, and others related to a dive. The Diving Accident Network (DAN) reports that, in the US, slightly less than 1,000 divers are treated for DCS each year. About 10% die from DCS each year. Over 1/2 of those are divers did not exceed their dive limits on a dive table or computer! Typical driver training courses span 3-8 days and doesn’t require any equipment assembly or sharing, complex statistical table computations or an understanding of one’s respiratory system behavior. Although statistically a safe sport, prudence dictates that the more one knows and understands, the less risk and more fun the result of the training will be. Take the time, study and prepare for the unexpected. BTW- equipment case in point; rented tanks and a weight belt from AquaVenture in Tortola BVI. Just after passing 25 ft, the clasp/buckle of my buddy’s weight belt came undone, dropped to the bottom, and he ascended out of control like a balloon. Had he been at 60’ near the end of his dive this could have had a different ending. Upon inspection by the dive shop, a pin across the clasp had a slight bend, which reduced the holding force needed to keep the buckle closed. I use weights integrated into pockets on my BC.
...one of the most underestimated risk sports one can pursue. There are thousands of certified divers descending under the water's surface daily. On average, depth is <40ft, duration is less than 30 min and typically, folks dive no more than once per day. Under these circumstances, there's rarely a problem. The risk increases when one becomes more active. One of the most common risks is the danger of Decompression Sickness (DCS) also know as "the bends". While diving, the pressure underwater causes nitrogen from the air a diver is breathing to dissolve into their body. The amount of nitrogen absorbed depends on the depth and the amount of time spent underwater. If a diver spends too much time underwater and ascends rapidly to the surface, the nitrogen may not dispel properly. If the nitrogen gases remain inside the body, DCS can result in terrible injuries including death, blindness and paralysis. To manage DCS, there are two popular dive tables, one provided by NAUI, the other from the US Navy which, when understood and used properly, can provide the proper depth, dive period, decompression stops and between dive intervals guidelines. For example, a diver executes a dive to 50' and stayed down for 35 minutes. How much nitrogen would the diver have in their body from that dive period? How long a period should this diver wait on the surface between dives to ensure adequate nitrogen dissipation? If these risks were nonexistent, why are most divers asked to sign liability waivers and releases from the certifying agent, dive resort, boat operator, and others related to a dive. The Diving Accident Network (DAN) reports that, in the US, slightly less than 1,000 divers are treated for DCS each year. About 10% die from DCS each year. Over 1/2 of those are divers did not exceed their dive limits on a dive table or computer! Typical driver training courses span 3-8 days and doesn’t require any equipment assembly or sharing, complex statistical table computations or an understanding of one’s respiratory system behavior. Although statistically a safe sport, prudence dictates that the more one knows and understands, the less risk and more fun the result of the training will be. Take the time, study and prepare for the unexpected. BTW- equipment case in point; rented tanks and a weight belt from AquaVenture in Tortola BVI. Just after passing 25 ft, the clasp/buckle of my buddy’s weight belt came undone, dropped to the bottom, and he ascended out of control like a balloon. Had he been at 60’ near the end of his dive this could have had a different ending. Upon inspection by the dive shop, a pin across the clasp had a slight bend, which reduced the holding force needed to keep the buckle closed. I use weights integrated into pockets on my BC.
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