Hey everyone, this is my 1st post and it's long so please be gentle. I love to use the search button and I have read many and your very helpful threads already. Even though most people seem to tell others asking these questions not to do it. If you could go anywhere in the world to start your training for a career in scuba where would you go?
For years I've been a avid snorkeler and last month in Mexico I finally got my PADI OW. Since I was a kid I have loved the water and snorkeling but now I'm truly falling in love with scuba. This is still just an idea that I'm rolling around in my head. I have at least 6 months before I could start any training do to a recent shoulder surgery. Because of the injuries on my shoulders I am forced to sell my company and leave my trade.
Of course I planned to start another business in the future. But before I decide what I want to do with my life I wanted to travel the other 6 continents and take a few years off. The idea of doing something that I love and getting paid for it is something I've always fantasized about. I've done my research and spoke to as many people as I can about the subject. It seems that PADI IDCs and DMs get paid well enough to cover living expenses and a few extra beers. I know they don't make enough to save anything or pay for further travel. If you own the boat and dive operation you can make some decent money. Not to mention you can live in some of the most beautiful places in the world.
Sorry to ramble, back to my question. Where should I start my training? I couldn't start until sometime in July. It has to be somewhere tropical, the kind of place where the class room is outside under palm trees. I'd like to be able to live for around $1500 a month and have a great variety of diving. I prefer quality over quantity so the program must be very reputable with great instructors and personal attention. I'm open to anywhere in the world, I have over 400k FF miles so my options are wide open.
I love the Caribbean, especially Jamaica but I don't know much about the diving centers there. Even though I'm adding another dimension to my adventure around the world, I would like to follow one direction to avoid backtracking. This was the original direction I had in mind:
USA-Jamaica, maybe a few other islands
Jamaica-Kauai, HI
HI-NZ
NZ-Pacific Islands
Pacific Islands-OZ
OZ-Indonesia
IND-SE Asia
SE Asia-Nepal
Nepal-Europe
Europe-Africa
Africa-South America
SA-Easter Island
SA-Central America
CA-??
I will be taking a cruise to Antarctica leaving from Ushuaia, Argentina. I was planning on applying for a WHV in OZ and NZ. Not sure how long I will be spending in all the other countries, I guess however long my visas last. Now I just have to add scuba in somewhere. My basic plan would be to start getting dives and specialty courses under my belt in various locations near North America like Belize and or the Bay Islands. Then keep moving west until I pick somewhere exotic to complete a DM and IDC program. After that I can travel the world as I please and get some work experience. Eventually find the right place, buy a boat and hopefully live the dream. Thanks in advance for any advice and reading all this.