Private Dive Master... tip?

parzdiver · Jul 16, 2009

On a typical dive boat, I will typically tip $10 per tank. More or less depending on level of service. I am about to go on vacation and am going on two private trips.

For these charters, we are paying an amount for the boat and a captain, and then a separate fee for private guided tours with a dive master. That fee also includes the tanks and weights.

In a situation like this, since we are already directly paying the DM, is there an expectation or precedence for tipping above and beyond that?

Thanks.

letterboy · Jul 16, 2009

Check this out, it might help some.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/florida-conch-divers/293497-divemaster-tipping.html

mts0628 · Jul 16, 2009

Using the blue search function above and using the word, "tipping", yielded at least 5 threads started since February 2009 (and this does not include LetterBoy's link).
Tips on tips
Scuba Etiquette: Tipping?
DiveMaster Tips?
Tipping your DM
Tipping your dive master

If you want more refinement, use the red search function with the advanced search option.

parzdiver · Jul 16, 2009

Thanks for the replies. I did start with a search and scanned through the many threads, but didn't find a situation similar to this where I am paying the DM directly for their services rather than paying for the trip. I know many of the DM's in the Caribbean make their living from tips, but in this case, they are getting money directly.

Garrobo · Jul 17, 2009

Two of us asked for a DM to dive with us on the Oriskany (on his day off). He was happy with fifty bucks for two dives. Let's not to be too cheap folks.

letterboy · Jul 17, 2009

gotcha . . .

I would say, from my stand point ONLY, if they charged say 50.00 as Garrobo got charged, and I thought they did a FREAKING AWESOME job, maybe I would offer lunch/dinner to them as they are technically the "business owner" . . .

I can't find the post I read in the last couple days that talked about not tipping the "owner" as they are the ones that set the price. . . . It was a good post too . . .

parzdiver · Jul 17, 2009

Thanks Garrobo and LB. Appreciate the opinions.

El Orans · Jul 17, 2009

I wouldn't tip a private DM unless (s)he's really doing a great job.

You're already paying for their services.

RJP · Jul 17, 2009

parzdiver:
For these charters, we are paying an amount for the boat and a captain, and then a separate fee for private guided tours with a dive master. That fee also includes the tanks and weights.

Did you book the DM through DM him/herself or through the dive charter operation? If through the dive op the DM is probably not getting 100% of what you're paying, especially if the fee also included tanks, weights, etc.

parzdiver · Jul 17, 2009

RJP:
Did you book the DM through DM him/herself or through the dive charter operation? If through the dive op the DM is probably not getting 100% of what you're paying, especially if the fee also included tanks, weights, etc.

These aren't dive ops, but private charter boats with captain. The trips were booked through the DM. We met her through a dive op last year when we got our AOW. She is now independent and works with these boats.

Private Dive Master... tip?

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parzdiver

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letterboy

I'm the reasonable one

mts0628

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Garrobo

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I'm the reasonable one

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