Over the years I have visited CCV, I've accumulated quite a list of Christmas card friends, bunches of shared photo discs, more than a couple of SCUBA widgets mailed to/from me from those I've met, one or three comely SCUBAettes that I've helped out of their rubber suits, and the unique feeling that "I'm home" when I hit the dock upon arrival.
Like any new social situation, some people just slide in seamlessly, for sine it takes a bit of effort, and some few are terrified. I have found very little at CCV to describe to guests it attracts as anything other than a gregarious group if soggy people who are happy to talk diving and gave you along with them on a dive.
Often, dive buddy groups are defined but fairly expansive, meaning there could be three to six in a buddy group. This becomes quite the norm in CCV environs because of the nature if your macro/micro targets. It pays dividends to hunt closely in a pack. Quite often there might be two photographers teamed up with one or three spotters.
In terms of safety, one of the mitigating factors is the overall shallow dive profiles. True, you can drown in 3 or 30 feet of water, but statistically you're less exposed with an overall dive average depth of 31ft for 1:15. Most divers do wait a bit longer to experiment with solo diving, but not only us it allowed at CCV, but after you understand the geography and underwater landmarks of the "Front Yard", it becomes a perfect training ground for this advanced skill.
Every night, there will surely be at least one party hitting the water at 8pm for a Night Dive. Be sure to ask if you can tag along. Do every night dive you can- opportunities such as CCV's shire night dive are rare in the dive world.
Go, be sociable, carry your address book, listen to some divers, look at their rigging, I've always seen something to learn while visiting CCV.
