SolarStorm
Contributor
So I want to dive off the island. I have sailed the inside straight, now its time to dive. I am a new diver, only done the mexico vacation. Done a TON of snorkling. All warm water stuff.
I want to do a trip, possibly a live aboard this summer. Looking for recomendations here.
The equipment I have is:
Oceanic Delta 4 reg, fdx10 (I am assuming this should be good enough for the colder water)
Oceanic Excursion BCD
3mm full and shorty (couple of each)
Atom 2.0 DC
Fins, mask, snorkle
So what else do I need? I am suspecting someone will say drysuit, and I assume there is training when using one?
Is there any other training I should look into? (I know to always keep learning, but specifically for the colder water)
The type of diving I enjoy most is what I call silent watching. I can find an interesting spot and wait. Then while waiting quietly, all sorts of things start to creep out of the coral or swim up, both big and small. I like seeing the sealife. I have been checked out by a school of dolphins while snorkling, which has been a highlight for me. While at the same time, watching a ray fluff itself into the sand was pretty cool too. Is the diving pretty much "guided" like the mexican stuff, or will the DM's follow your lead too?
I would prefer smaller groups, I am trying to convince my daughter to come, but she is not sure about the whole cold water thing, so I might be doing this solo. Is there much of an opportunity to pick up another solo buddy on a trip like this? A small boat with 4 - 6 divers would seem like a good size?
Any suggestions, comments or reading is appreciated.
I want to do a trip, possibly a live aboard this summer. Looking for recomendations here.
The equipment I have is:
Oceanic Delta 4 reg, fdx10 (I am assuming this should be good enough for the colder water)
Oceanic Excursion BCD
3mm full and shorty (couple of each)
Atom 2.0 DC
Fins, mask, snorkle
So what else do I need? I am suspecting someone will say drysuit, and I assume there is training when using one?
Is there any other training I should look into? (I know to always keep learning, but specifically for the colder water)
The type of diving I enjoy most is what I call silent watching. I can find an interesting spot and wait. Then while waiting quietly, all sorts of things start to creep out of the coral or swim up, both big and small. I like seeing the sealife. I have been checked out by a school of dolphins while snorkling, which has been a highlight for me. While at the same time, watching a ray fluff itself into the sand was pretty cool too. Is the diving pretty much "guided" like the mexican stuff, or will the DM's follow your lead too?
I would prefer smaller groups, I am trying to convince my daughter to come, but she is not sure about the whole cold water thing, so I might be doing this solo. Is there much of an opportunity to pick up another solo buddy on a trip like this? A small boat with 4 - 6 divers would seem like a good size?
Any suggestions, comments or reading is appreciated.