"Beginner" Dive trips?

[me_diver]

Thanks all! Our first trip (actually the OW part of the OW cert , and then some extra dives hopefully assuming we pass) is to the BVIs, which I have a book on that there are a lot of good novice site. We've done a lot of snorkeling there in the past. The company we are getting certified with said we can continue to dive with them during our vacation. But I'll check with them to make sure they'll do some puppy dives for us

Sounds like since my husband and I can be buddies that will lessen the chance of annoying someone else on any dive, though it sounds like there might be pros to us splitting up and pairing up with more experienced people IF they are willing and with Full Disclosure of course.

The first trip after this *may* be to Oahu/Hawaii just by luck as a trip for my company. I'm trying not to get too excited about that in case it doesn't happen

The last thing we want to do is be downers on the the Dive boat or ruin anyone else's trip so it sounds like if we are upfront and ask questions beforehand we can avoid this.

Maybe a T-shirt: Warning: Novice Diver!

 

[Jax]

can I (my husband and I actually) as newly OW certified divers ask for a dive that is within our limits/capabilities? I.e. going to a resort/island/whatever, go to a dive company and ask for their "novice" boat/trip ? I.e. staying above 60feet, not rough current/hard entries, with a DM or instructor etc?

Welcome, Me_Diver!

My husband and I haven't found any problems with being accommodated on any trip. Just be up-front: "We are recreational vacation divers and do not feel comfortable going deeper than 60 feet, nor . . . . "

There are PLENTY of boats that you can get on, because the morning "deep" divers usually take a 2nd dive without going under ~50'.

I've never seen a specifically "novice" dive trip, though.

 

[me_diver]

Is there a market for "novice" dives that feature spots selected for ease of entry and exit and that while not providing "instruction," do include a little extra hand holding?

I would think so, especially at the popular places. sounds like a business opportunity!

 

[Laurie S.]

Last month while on a cruise, I dove at Costa Maya, Roatan, and Grand Cayman. I had a total of seven dives (and one really was a snorkel) when I left on the cruise and had been certified for two weeks. I told each divemaster how many dives I had. The funny thing was that after all the dives, each divemaster couldn't believe how few dives I had done. At Costa Maya, with the divemaster as my buddy, we dove with two couples who claimed 36 and 100+ dive experience. He had to pull all four people down when they couldn't hold a safety stop, plus he had to weight them at the beginning. He griped to me twice how I was the supposed novice and I was diving circles around them. Talk about making me feel good! But, it was a good experience for me, knowing that the divemasters had an eye on me, yet I could do my dives as planned.

 

[BTravlin]

Thanks all! Our first trip (actually the OW part of the OW cert , and then some extra dives hopefully assuming we pass) is to the BVIs, which I have a book on that there are a lot of good novice site. We've done a lot of snorkeling there in the past. The company we are getting certified with said we can continue to dive with them during our vacation. But I'll check with them to make sure they'll do some puppy dives for us <SNIP>

The BVI is an excellent choice. Have many dives there under my belt and thoroughly enjoyed it.

As everyone else says, talk to dive ops ahead of time and cover any concerns you have so there are no surprises for anyone.

Who are you diving with in the BVI?

 

[TerryC]

A very good question and one that is very important for a new diver.
My best advice is to do your homework, check out the operator on scubaboard and then ring and ask how they accomodate new divers.
Here we have 2 instructors on the boat. We have many "deep" sites that are multi level, one instructor will lead the group and probably average a 70ft + dive, the other will "pick up the rear" at around 50 - 60ft, new divers can find their comfort level while still being close to (and monitored by) an instructor. In addition when divers are entering the water, one of us will be on the surface assisting divers to descend if they need it.
This way nobody has to feel that they are holding anybody up.
Allways tell the dive leader that you are a new diver (or if you have been out of the water for a long time). Also speak up if you do not understand anything or have any worries.

 

[TSandM]

Oh, you'll have a great time in the BVI! There are all kinds of sites there that are suitable for new divers, and are great fun to see, as well.

It is important to do your homework and find out something about the destination you're headed for. Some are more amenable to novice dives than others. For example, Bonaire is virtually all shore diving, so you can set your own parameters. Cozumel, on the other hand, is all off boats, and typically does a deep wall dive as the first dive, so you may have to make some kind of special arrangements to keep your dives within your comfort zone.

 

[ptyx]

Sounds like since my husband and I can be buddies that will lessen the chance of annoying someone else on any dive, though it sounds like there might be pros to us splitting up and pairing up with more experienced people IF they are willing and with Full Disclosure of course.

It's always worth asking. There are plenty of divers who enjoy or don't mind helping less experienced ones.

And you don't necessarily have to split: usually as a beginner, you will have a pretty high air consumption, so you can start diving as a group of 4 and separate when you and your husband are getting low on air.

Even if you don't ask, you might find that some divers just 'happen' to go down at the same time you do and go in the same direction for the first couple minutes - just in case

 

[Crowley]

If you are ever in Egypt give me a shout and we will welcome you with open arms!

points to note:
(1) certification level does not equal ability as a diver (it should, but it doesn't).
(2) neither does number of dives (sorry, it really doesn't)

me diver - thank you for being open and honest enough to step forward and take your diving so repsonsibly. Many divers overestimate their abilities, and I probably think you are actually underestimating your own.

Any dive operation that thinks your question is foolish, or does not respect your request, is not worth the salt they are diving in.

At my dive centre (big one), most divers, it has to be said, are aware of their capabilities and willing to follow our guidance, but there are those who are not and complain vociferously when we won't let them do the 33m/110ft shipwreck because yes, they have 50 dives but couldn't tell their regulator from their rectum and no, that button does not = "up"!

As already posted - look around, do your research - email before booking and ask questions. Lots of questions!

Safe diving,

C.

 

[Laurie S.]

If you are ever in Egypt give me a shout and we will welcome you with open arms!

points to note:
(1) certification level does not equal ability as a diver (it should, but it doesn't).
(2) neither does number of dives (sorry, it really doesn't)

me diver - thank you for being open and honest enough to step forward and take your diving so repsonsibly. Many divers overestimate their abilities, and I probably think you are actually underestimating your own.

Any dive operation that thinks your question is foolish, or does not respect your request, is not worth the salt they are diving in.

At my dive centre (big one), most divers, it has to be said, are aware of their capabilities and willing to follow our guidance, but there are those who are not and complain vociferously when we won't let them do the 33m/110ft shipwreck because yes, they have 50 dives but couldn't tell their regulator from their rectum and no, that button does not = "up"!

As already posted - look around, do your research - email before booking and ask questions. Lots of questions!

Safe diving,

C.

Where in Egypt? I'm planning on a trip over there in the fall of 2011 and would love to do some diving, if time allows.