Scuba Diving During A Cruise Vacation

Say you want to scuba dive but your significant other is not a diver and would rather do other activities like shopping. If you both decided to go on a Caribbean cruise vacation, is it still possible for you to go scuba diving? The answer is yes. This will be a big relief to all certified scuba divers who are going on cruises with itineraries that include such great scuba dive destinations as Cozumel and Grand Cayman. After all, as certified scuba divers, it would be a shame to go to these ports and not dive.

Many cruise ships offer scuba diving as part of their available shore excursions. Some ships even have small dive centers on board for those who want to take introductory sessions in the ship pools. These cruise lines will often have business contracts with local dive operators at each port that has scuba diving. These local dive operators will take certified scuba divers on boat trips on behalf of the cruise lines. Booking and payment will be through the cruise ships rather than the local dive operators. The cruise lines claim that if for any reason the scuba trips run late, the cruise ships will not leave port until all passengers from these cruise ship organized excursions are back on board. They won?t wait around for passengers who decide to take their own excursions not booked through the cruise ship. This is how the cruise ships try to convince divers to take their excursions even if the cost is usually at a premium compared to what local dive operators would normally charge directly.

Another way to get some scuba diving in during a cruise vacation is to make arrangements and book in advance with local scuba dive operators at each port you are interested in diving at. Although there is always some risk in missing your port departure if your own outing runs late, just make sure you plan your own dive trips so that you are back on the ship well in advance of port departure. Usually if your cruise ship arrives at port early in the morning, you could book the morning dive trips with the local operator and still have the rest of the afternoon to shop or do other sightseeing. For later arrivals where you would miss the morning dive trips, it is still possible to take the local operators? afternoon dive trips but in this case, it is very important to make sure that you confirm what the estimated time of return to the docks are. If you can return to the docks at least two hours before the cruise ship?s scheduled time of departure, than you will have ample time even if the dive boat returns a bit late. It it?s only an hour or less, the timing may be too tight. See if the dive operator has a shorter single tank afternoon trip which might get you back to the docks earlier.

Some local dive operators even have special pick up and drop off services to and from the cruise ship terminals to their dive shops. These dive businesses are obviously making an effort to take some dive business away from the cruise ship organized excursions. These particular local dive operators would be ideal if you could find them before your cruise vacation. Otherwise, you may have to take a local taxi to the dive shop if it is not within walking distance of the cruise ship terminal. Of course, this is usually not a problem either and even with the added cost of taxis, the overall cost of going with a local dive operator may still be lower than the cruise ship organized dive excursion.

Some cruise ship passengers have successfully gotten on local dive trips without any advance booking. These divers just walked into a local dive operator once at port. Although this is certainly feasible, it is not recommended especially in a destination that fills dive trips up quickly. With the internet, it is quite easy to make arrangements with many local dive operators in advance of your cruise vacation. Tell them which day your cruise ship will be coming in and the expected time of both arrival as well as departure. Some ports like Cozumel have more than one cruise ship terminal so it?s important to let them know if possible which one your ship will be docked in. They will then give you your best options for some scuba diving for that particular day.

 Clint Leung is a NAUI certified Master and Rescue Scuba Diver. He is also owner of Free Spirit Activewear (http://www.FreeSpiritActivewear.com) , an online retailer/designer specializing in premium quality scuba diving activewear. Free Spirit Activewear has numerous information resource articles on scuba diving as well as free eCards.

The Dolphin Dive For Certified Scuba Divers

One of the all time favorite marine animals for many is the dolphin. Previously, the closest one can ever get to a dolphin is at the various marine theme parks like Sea World. Then a few dolphin research centers started petting dolphins and swim with dolphins programs which allowed more direct interactions with these wonderful creatures. For certified scuba divers, direct interaction with dolphins under the water is possible. This is an even better experience than the swim with dolphins programs which keep guests only on the surface of the water. This unique under the water opportunity is available through UNEXSO?s dolphin dive at Freeport, Grand Bahama Island.

The UNEXSO dolphin dive is a single tank trip only available on certain days and fills up quickly so it is highly recommended to make reservations well in advance. The divemasters suggest that all divers add on an additional two pounds to what they normally use on their weight belt. This is because the majority of time spent during the dolphin dive will be kneeling on an open sandy surface at the bottom of a chosen dive site. After all divers are onboard, the dive boat goes to the dolphin facility minutes away where the dolphins stay. Once there, a dolphin trainer at the facility gives a briefing about the specifics of the dolphin dive as well as dolphins in general. Two dolphins are pre-selected for each dolphin dive. After the briefing, both the dive boat and a second boat carrying two dolphin trainers head out to the dive site with two dolphins following. During the trip out to the dive site, the two dolphins ride the wakes of the boats and make numerous leaps out of the water along the way giving lots of photo opportunities.

Once at the dive site, the divers are instructed to get in the water quickly and head to the bottom which is about 50 feet. The request for the rush is to get the interactions going before the dolphins lose interest. It is emphasized that the dolphins are never forced to interact with the divers and are free to swim off anytime they want. Therefore, interactions with the dolphins are never guaranteed by UNEXSO. Luckily for the divers, the dolphins seem to enjoy interactions with humans as well as the free food. Once at the bottom, the dolphin trainers now in scuba diving gear, direct the divers to space out in a wide circle. The trainers, equipped with a bucket full of food, are in the center of this circle. This is where they direct the various types of interactions that the divers will get to experience with the dolphins.

The first interaction is usually having a dolphin rest in front of each diver. This is when the divers are allowed to touch and stroke the dolphins while avoiding their fins, eyes and blow hole. The second interaction involves a dolphin kiss. Divers are instructed to take their regulators out of their mouths upon a signal given by the trainers. The trainers then point towards each diver. The dolphins would approach each diver and ?kiss? each one in the mouth with their snout. A third type of interaction is like a human spinning top. One at a time, the divers are asked to adjust their buoyancy and stay up about five feet off the bottom with arms fully outstretched. The dolphins then push each diver by the hand with their snouts spinning them around in circles. All of these interactions are captured on camera by a UNEXSO staff divemaster. Of course, the photos are available for sale back at the UNEXSO dive shop. At the end of the final interaction, both dolphins make one more pass while waving one of their fins to bid each diver goodbye. Of course, the divers wave back with smiles through their regulators.

What is really unique with the dolphin dive is that scuba divers get to see the dolphins at depth rather than just at the surface of the water. This is in the natural environment of the dolphins. It is really magical to watch from the bottom as the dolphins swim up to the surface for air sometimes leaping right out of the water followed by a dramatic diving re-entry. They move like torpedoes with grace, agility and speed. The divers can?t help but marvel at the abilities of the dolphins. Dolphins do not require gradual ascents and safety stops like us scuba divers do. For any scuba diver who loves dolphins, the UNEXSO dolphin dive is a wonderful diving experience and well recommended.

 Clint Leung is a NAUI certified Master and Rescue Scuba Diver. He is also owner of Free Spirit Activewear (http://www.FreeSpiritActivewear.com) , an online retailer/designer specializing in premium quality scuba diving activewear. Free Spirit Activewear has numerous information resource articles on scuba diving as well as free eCards.

Scuba Gear checklist for your next dive trip

One of the best ways to avoid forgetting important items for a dive trip is to keep a scuba gear checklist. In fact, if you are about to make a trip, make sure to have your scuba dive gear serviced. To enjoy your trip, you need to divide your scuba gear checklist into two groups, the first group pertains to the actual dive, the other is for your time in the boat.

For your actual dive you want to make sure you have the following equipment.

Mask: This is essential for good visibiilty underwater. Remember, goggles will put too much pressure the deeper you go underwater.

Snorkel: This is used primarily to conserve the air in your tank at the surface.

Fins: Try to move 30 feet underwater without a pair of fins and you will appreciate the importance of scuba fins.

Booties: For colder environments, dive boots are a must in your inventory of scuba dive gear. They will protect your skin from the cold water.

Mitts and Hood: Hoods are extremely important in colder climates. They protect your head, which has the potential to loose the most body heat underwater.

Appropriate wet suit: More useful in moderate to warm waters to protect your body from the elements(i.e.sea urchins).

Weight belt and enough weights: To help you stay down deep underwater

BCD: Buoyance Control Device to help you maintain your buoyancy both underwater
and at the surface.

Regulator: with octopus(alternate second stage), low-pressure inflator hose, and submersible pressure gauge, dry-suit inflator: Regulators allow you to breath the air from your tank at low pressure. One of the more important components of your scuba gear checklist.

Tanks(checked and filled): The tank stores the air that you need underwater to survive. There is an instrument that gauges the amount of air left in the tank to help you plan your dive.

Dive tables: The further deep you dive, the more you need to be concerned about your decompression levels. Unless you have a dive computer in hand, it is almost mandatory to use dive tables to plan your dives for the day.

Compass, computer, timer, depth gauge: These are very popular and more commonplace now than ever before. It is easier to keep track of your decompression needs with a dive computer than a dive table. Remember, dive computers come in all types of price ranges.

Incidental accessories like knives, shealth, collection bad, dive float, dive flag: These accessories, though often over- looked, can play an important role in your safety underwater. The better prepared you are, the more you can enjoy your underwater experience.

Any potential need for specialty equipment like lights, cameras: Dive lights are not only useful at night, but also in murky lake waters.

Repair kit:

First aid and oxygen kit: If you and your friend are diving independently, this is of paramount importance. Do not overlook this.

C-card and logbook: This refers to your open water certifi- cation card. The logbook keeps an account of the number of dives that you have made.

Check list for your time at the boat: These items are not a part of your scuba dive gear checklist, but are useful in any outdoor activity.

Hat: To protect you from the sun.

Sunscreen: Ditto.

Water: You always want to stay as hydrated as possible. Remember, when you are diving in tropical climates, it is best to have a bottle of water with you.

Windbreaker: When you are on a boat in the ocean, you sometimes cannot avoid heavy winds. Having a windbreaker can help you avoid the temperature fluctuations of heavy winds, especially in non tropical climates.

Towels: This comes in handy when you get back on the boat after your dive. Make sure you dry yourself thoroughly.

Long-sleeved shirt for protection from the sun: Diving in tropical climates requires some sort of protection from the sun. In addition to being hydrated properly, you should take a bottle of sunscreen, as well as long-sleeved shirt. Sunburns can totally mess up your time underwater.

Lunch and snacks: Dont always depend on your dive group to provide you with meals. Quick snacks such as fruit/granola bars and beverages will prevent you from being hungry. Ask beforehand if food will be provided or catered. Otherwise, consider bringing a sandwich if there is a fridge on board.

Seasickness medication: Consult your doctor beforehand if your are prone to seasickness and need medication.

For more information on learning about scuba diving gear as well as finding discounts on scuba equipment. Please visit http://www.1-scuba-diving-gear.com/

Costs to Purchase and Maintain Scuba Diving Equipment

The costs of scuba diving equipment can easily run over $1,000 dollars. Although renting is always an option, for a diver that is developing a long term interest in this sport, purchasing is worth your while, not just in money but also in the quality of your scuba equipment.

Without going into the pros and cons of renting vs buying the scuba diving equipment, let's talk about the various types of scuba equipment that you should consider buying and how much you should budget for spending on them.

Mask: a mask can range from $20 to $150.00 dollars. A mask has relatively little travel inconvenience compared to other scuba equipment so packing it in a suitcase and walking around in it will not be a big challenge.

Snorkel: They should not run you more than $50.00, and the lower end will be around $17.00

Fins: Although they are not as easy to pack as a pair of snorkels, they range from $30 to $150.00 and are more affordable than many other scuba diving equipment.

Regulator: They range from $150 - $500, sometimes even more and are at the higher end of the price range than other scuba equipment.

Exposure suits: They vary according to type (ie wetsuit vs drysuit). Check here for types and prices.

BC: Typically from $150 to $500.00 and like regulators, are also at the high end of the price range than other scuba diving equipment.

Weights: $1.70 a pound.

Tanks: Between $100 to $400.

Remember, the last two are heavier to carry around than the others. We recommend buying tanks and weights last, and the others before as they are less expensive, and easier to pack and travel with.

The maintenance for scuba equipment is astonishingly the same. Although there is specific preventative care that is required for only for dive suits, tanks, or BCs, there are some things you can do to all your scuba gear that will insure a long life for them.

After every dive, make sure to give your all of your scuba gear a good rinse with fresh water.

After rinsing the scuba diving gear, allow it to dry, but not in direct sunlight. Most of the scuba equipment that you carry is made of neoprene rubber, which can be broken down when exposed to direct sunlight. Extra care should be taken between dives, when they are most vulnerable to the sun, especially in tropical climates

Whether you have a wet or a dry suit, neoprene exposure suits should be hung on a non-wire hanger to dry. Wire hangers can cause unnecessary creases.

All your scuba diving equipment should be stored in a cool, yet dry place.

Separate your neoprene related equipment from your other scuba gear, especially if they are damp. Over time, they can stick together and tear when pulled apart.

After you return from your dive trip, make sure to unpack as soon as possible to prevent any compression or flattening of the scuba equipment that you paid good money for.

http://www.1-Scuba-Diving-Gear.com offers Scuba Diving Gear, Dive Articles & Diving Resources

Planning the Perfect Scuba Diving Vacation

Very few entertainment opportunities can provide as much variety and enjoyment as scuba diving. The opportunity to view underwater life is one of the most revered experiences in the world. Probably one of the biggest lures of scuba diving is how the entire family can enjoy it. Children and adults can both enjoy scuba diving. This one aspect of scuba diving has made it one of the many options that people choose to do on family vacations.

Often considered the elite of vacation locations, Hawaii is home to many scuba diving sites. The cities of Kauai and Fiji are well known for scuba diving. If you are interested in something a little different, the diving center, Bottom Line Hawaii, offers trips to more than 70 different diving sites.

Florida is probably the most common place where people resort to for scuba diving experiences. When youre looking for the perfect location for a family vacation, Sea Dwellers Dive Center of Key Largo features a full range of dive sites and instruction opportunities. If you dont have all the scuba diving gear you need, the dive center offers all the gear and equipment you would possibly need for scuba diving, both for purchase and rental. The center also repairs equipment and sells books on subjects related to scuba diving and Florida.

Florida and Hawaii are well known for their resorts and scuba diving sites. If you are interested in something exotic and different, the Marco Vincent resort located in Puerto Galera, Philippines may be able to fulfill your desires. The resort features all the comforts of home while enabling you to appreciate the underwater beauty of the nearby waters. According to the familiar adage, Variety is the spice of life. If this is truly the case, Marco Vincent is a scuba diving venture to experience. The resort features more than 30 diving sites. If you decide to travel to this resort, you should review the list of scuba diving sites available before your trip so that you can select the ones you want to visit.

Before you actually start packing your bags to one of the many vacation spots mentioned previously, you should make sure that you have all the equipment you need for the trip. While many resorts provide equipment that you can rent or purchase, the cost may be expensive. One way to balance the cost and still have fun is to make sure you have the basic equipment that you need and rent any additional equipment while at the resort.

You can easily rent a wet suit, but if you do make sure the suit does not contain any apparent damage. You can also rent fins and a mask. This equipment is very durable so there shouldnt be any problems with the equipment, but you should inspect them to make sure. Equipment that you probably want to purchase new yourself are those required for breathing. The reason you dont want to rent this equipment is because it is difficult to access whether or not it is damaged. Taking care of your equipment needs ahead of time can help make your scuba diving vacation that much more enjoyable.


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What you need to know about scuba diving

Scuba diving is the activity adored by innumerable men and women across the globe. Scuba diving lands you deep in the world of water where you confront the flora and flora kingdom that lies much beneath the land on which we live.

For the beginners

The obsession for the sport of scuba diving has encouraged almost all the tourist destinations to play, practice and teach it. However, those who are nave to scuba diving should make a judicious start by trying it in resorts. These scuba diving resorts have special instructors that guide you to develop the some basic skills of the sport. It is the best way to learn without casting your life to danger. Many good resorts offer a certification program on completion of which you are awarded by the certificate. This certificate is deemed to be legal in some countries before making your first dive. So it is better to get certified rather than feeding others with opportunity to impede your most cherished dream.

Scuba diving camps too are good training spots. The coaching is available there for all those who want it. They not only gat the newcomers acquainted with the game but also the learned divers can go there to enhance their diving skills.

For the skilled and professionals
For those who are perfect at the sport, the journey is never ending. It is because there is no scarcity of the scuba diving destinations.

The foremost in this regard are the Caribbean and the Bahamas. Both the places have a volley of beaches that keep the divers busy throughout the year.

Not to be overlooked are the crystal blue beaches of Florida and Hawaii that are vibrant especially during the winters.

Besides these, the American area from Latin to South America is a perfect host for scuba diving. For the most part of the year the water is warm that makes the experience all the more majestic.

Amongst the coveted destinations to dive are also The Great Barrier Reef and The Coral Sea. The threat of damage of the all-embracing coral here makes it most often mandatory to be assisted by a guide.

The islands of the Mediterranean Sea namely Manijin Island at Cyprus, Maze and the Greek island Crete are excellent scuba diving spots.

The mesmerizing dives in the midst of staggering wreck of colossal vessels can be experienced in the islands of United Kingdom and Ireland. The islands like Oban on the west coast of Scotland, the Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands, Scotland are prominent wreckage diving sites of United Kingdom. Ireland too has illustrious places like Fastnet Rock, Stag Rocks etc. in this regard. The wreck sites also include premier places like Yongola of the Southern Queensland.

When it comes to Australia, the country is brimming up with the divers almost the entire year. The Austalias Great Barrier Reef and the islands off the Queensland coast the paradigms.

The wonders of bionetwork beneath water can be explored and cherished at the famous sites like Tasmania, the Heron Island Bommie, The Castle of Southern Queensland; Lomaivitis, Fiji, Suzie Bommie and Papua New Guinea of Pacific Islands; The Tubbataha Reefs (Sulu Sea, Philippines), The Shark Point (Thailand) in Asia.


Remember, like flowers have a blooming season, trees have time when they shed their leaves; similarly all these sites have their favorable and adverse timings during the year. It is better to collect complete information about your destination before heading there. The task can be accomplished online as well as through agents, guides etc.

The Diving and Safety

1. Scuba diving is not a kids play. You require requisite skills and knowledge about the sport. It is better to make your first dive with someone not just familiar but is perfect at the sport for safety is better than cure. Make sure that you move into water with the adequate gear.

2. Check the equipment before diving for once you dive, you will not get a chance to do that and its malfunctioning in the water can be hazardous.


3. But before the tools, get your health check up done by a doctor. If you have any ailment for instance cardiac problem, diving without medical done might call upon serious difficulties.

4. Make dives in the daytime initially till you become perfectly qualified for a night dive.


5. At the outset, assist yourself with a guide. Guides will nourish your abilities and educate you more about the sport. Guides are also necessary at places with extensive coral reef system for they (the corals) are too vulnerable.

6. Dont mess with any animal inside especially fish like shark. It might invite grave jeopardy.


7. There should always be someone who is outside water who knows your whereabouts and is monitoring the weather and water activities.



Mansi gupta writes about scuba diving city topics. Learn more at http://www.scubadivinghotspots.com.