joalemma
Registered
Hello. I am looking for advice on a trip late October, early November to Bonaire, Little Cayman, or "elsewhere: that is an easy flight from the US mainland. There may be a mix of non divers, some of whom may get certified while there, snorkelers with no interest in certification, very beginner divers (me), and a couple of others that do not dive a lot but are definitely more advanced. As a beginner, and more so due to my personality, I would prefer a destination where shallow, "easy" dive sites are easily accessible, preferably where snorkelers could be above us, plus some top side activities, and dive sites for the more advanced. This group is happy with adequate, not necessarily "upscale" accommodations (we do like AC), hopefully calm seas and an abundance of sea life, and a dive shop boasting dives led by DM, as well as instruction and certification opportunities, is a necessity.
Alternatively, if the others choose not to join us, it may just be me and my hubby, and perhaps a brother and another friend, of which all but me have many dives and are overall much more comfortable with scuba diving.
As for myself, I am a self-acclaimed "risk averse, passive" person who was certified years ago yet just now looking at diving as an activity to "age in to". I am a fine swimmer with a healthy fear of water, yet "nervous" about diving as my limited experience was with I felt were "rushed" dives relative to gear set up on rocking boats and descent starting in quite choppy waters, though that's likely due to my personality. I just opted for, and successfully completed, a refresher course in the Florida Keys that was chased with a couple of dives without a DM or instructor, though I had thought the instructor would be with me during the dives. I was assigned a "buddy" for the dives, and both were shallow dives. Fortunately, the instructor for the refresher was an amazing, confidence building instructor and the divers on the boat was made up of a casual, small group of incredibly thoughtful divers, who dive with this "outfit" regularly. Having no DM (which I've always had on my few previous dives) resulted in my learning a great deal about communicating about the dive while on the boat, before descent, just after descent (one diver had to provide me with some of their weight), and continuously throughout the dive (this was a big positive lesson, as I've always just followed a DM). The instructor, who was a mate on the boat, apparently was very cognizant of the groups communication as they commented on such (as well as gently scolded me for not coming back up for my own weight, though happy the other diver and I worked together to adjust my weights while underwater). I was even able to take some group pictures of the other divers as someone had an underwater camera and taught me how to use it while underwater, the communication was that effective (and the dive was that "easy", no current, shallow, very clear waters)! The result of this experience is that I'm ready to dive again because my comfort level has exponentially increased, and it was an overall great experience.
All of the above is to say that if it is just me and my husband, and maybe a couple other advanced divers, I'd prefer to be at a location where the others can go off on advanced dives and I can avail myself to any training opportunity, dives with DM, "easy (shallow, little current, warm, clear, sea life - things we beginners want) and "home" reefs right off the dock or beach, so as to gain more experience, comfort and confidence without the others feeling as if they have to accommodate their wishes and wants for diving to my novice experience.
Thank you in advance for your thoughts on where I may find my unicorn!
Alternatively, if the others choose not to join us, it may just be me and my hubby, and perhaps a brother and another friend, of which all but me have many dives and are overall much more comfortable with scuba diving.
As for myself, I am a self-acclaimed "risk averse, passive" person who was certified years ago yet just now looking at diving as an activity to "age in to". I am a fine swimmer with a healthy fear of water, yet "nervous" about diving as my limited experience was with I felt were "rushed" dives relative to gear set up on rocking boats and descent starting in quite choppy waters, though that's likely due to my personality. I just opted for, and successfully completed, a refresher course in the Florida Keys that was chased with a couple of dives without a DM or instructor, though I had thought the instructor would be with me during the dives. I was assigned a "buddy" for the dives, and both were shallow dives. Fortunately, the instructor for the refresher was an amazing, confidence building instructor and the divers on the boat was made up of a casual, small group of incredibly thoughtful divers, who dive with this "outfit" regularly. Having no DM (which I've always had on my few previous dives) resulted in my learning a great deal about communicating about the dive while on the boat, before descent, just after descent (one diver had to provide me with some of their weight), and continuously throughout the dive (this was a big positive lesson, as I've always just followed a DM). The instructor, who was a mate on the boat, apparently was very cognizant of the groups communication as they commented on such (as well as gently scolded me for not coming back up for my own weight, though happy the other diver and I worked together to adjust my weights while underwater). I was even able to take some group pictures of the other divers as someone had an underwater camera and taught me how to use it while underwater, the communication was that effective (and the dive was that "easy", no current, shallow, very clear waters)! The result of this experience is that I'm ready to dive again because my comfort level has exponentially increased, and it was an overall great experience.
All of the above is to say that if it is just me and my husband, and maybe a couple other advanced divers, I'd prefer to be at a location where the others can go off on advanced dives and I can avail myself to any training opportunity, dives with DM, "easy (shallow, little current, warm, clear, sea life - things we beginners want) and "home" reefs right off the dock or beach, so as to gain more experience, comfort and confidence without the others feeling as if they have to accommodate their wishes and wants for diving to my novice experience.
Thank you in advance for your thoughts on where I may find my unicorn!
