Dive Master Recommendations in Central America

[LadyP]

Hi Everyone

I'm planning to go to Central America early next year to do my Dive Master and I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations on where to go?

I'm taking time out from work and have not been able to do a lot of research yet as I've been focused on getting my trip to Madagascar organised first! I'll be working for a British charity called Blue Ventures (www.blueventures.org) in South East Madagscar charting the reefs and fish and measuring environmental impacts from over-fishing, global warming etc. So I'd really like to follow this with something similar in Central America where I could do some more voluntary work and combine with my Dive Master.

Any ideas?!!

Thanks in advance

Lady P

 

[whalerock]

Hi there you could try to contact coralcay under http://www.coralcay.org/expeditions/marine/to1/, they run programs, may you can combine the dm course with the program. Another option would be to have a look at Utila, several dive centre having conservation or research programs with dolphins or whalesharks.
thomas

 

[chuck41]

Utila is hard to beat for DM courses. There is a number of good operators there with inexpensive places to stay and train. Good food, friendly folks, laid back lifestyle. Check my recent travel report at http://scuba.royalcs.com/utila

 

[Cudabait]

Ditto Utila!

Check out www.aboututila.com. Contact Shirley at Deep Blue divers or Hans at Ecomarine/Gunter's dive shop.

Regards,

 

[GoProHonduras]

Or for consistency, quality and professionalism check out www.utiladivecenter.com

Dive for life, and a whole load of other training that goes with your DM course.

Regards,
Andy

 

[LadyP]

Thanks very much everyone for the tips - is Honduras a good place to get work after certifying? If so is being British a help or a hindrance? Any other recommendations for work once qualified?

 

[DeepBlueResort]

Hi

I am British and I own a dive shop and a resort there, Its a plus LOL, there are quite a few of us Brits down here.

 

[leadweight]

Try Utilla Dve Center. They are doing work for a dolphin research project.

 

[Mako Mark]

If you want the environmental impact stuff combined with diver training, contact

http://www.gvi.co.uk/pages/whoarewe.asp

and talk to Steve Gwenin. I did his IDC a couple of years back. He will point you in the right direction.

If you want standard tourist destination type training both Utilla and Roatan have a bunch of options for all tastes and budgets. Nice diving down there too.

 

[whalerock]

you will find that it is not easy to get work as an Dm in Utila or Roatan. There are only a few shops on boths islands where you get paid as a DM, you will have a better chance as an AI or Instructor.
After you finnished your DM course in Utila you will be more than welcome to hang around and get more experience, but like I said, only a few shops pay for guiding and assisting on courses.
If you choose Utila, check out UDC, Altons, Deep Blue, Guenthers, Cross Creek.