Learn to SCUBA Dive Before Your Vacation
Chris Moleskie September 28th, 2017 Posted In: Articles, How-To Tags: SCUBA
5 Reasons to Learn to SCUBA Dive Before Vacation
A scuba diving vacation is an excellent way to see nature at its best. The underwater world is magnificent and has a lot to offer recreational divers. Although many dive resorts offer onsite classes, there are advantages when you decide to learn to SCUBA dive before your next vacation. What are the reasons you should learn to SCUBA dive before your trip? Read on for a few key reasons why booking a PADI beginner diving course is a good choice.
1. You’ll See More Underwater
When you book a vacation with diving instruction included, you’ll spend most of the week in a classroom and a swimming pool. You won’t get to do any open-water diving until the end of the experience. If you book a course before you travel, you’ll have the certification and be able to do far more open-water diving with the guides than you would when learning in a vacation program.
2. Diving Might Not Be For You
While most people who learn to dive enjoy the experience and go on to do more courses and visit reefs all over the world, some people find that diving is not what thought it would be. Imagine finding that out on vacation, especially after shelling out lots of money for the experience. Instead, your local dive school can arrange a trial dive, and you can learn at home before getting into the expense of equipment, vacations and more. That could save you a costly mistake if you discover diving is not your thing.
3. You Can Dive With Your Own Gear
One of the advantages of learning to dive with a diving school at home is that the instructors will advise you on the type of equipment you’ll need. You can ensure you have a mask and snorkel with a good seal, your own personal SCUBA diving wetsuit that fits well and more. Diving on vacation often means using loaned equipment that may not be a good fit, which can be unhelpful when trying to dive. Some dive shops and wetsuit shops offer discounts to students learning to dive locally.
4. Training Meets Your Requirements
When you book a course on vacation, you can never be sure what the standard will be until you get there, although all SCUBA diving programs are accredited. In particular this includes the language spoken and understood, the number of people in the program and supervising it, and more. Trying to understand commands when an instructor does not speak your language can be difficult. Making arrangements beforehand to certify as an open water diver means you’ll be taught in your own language and can check out course numbers. You can also arrange for additional one on one tuition if you need it.
5. You’ll Make Friends
A SCUBA diving course is not just for a single vacation. It opens up a world of opportunities, including meeting new friends. One of the best ways to do that is to sign up for a dive course close to home where you’ll meet other local people and find out where people go diving. You’ll then have someone else to dive with and people to learn from — and you’ll find weekends are full of invitations for diving. If you take a course on vacation, chances are you won’t see your classmates again.
SCUBA diving is an increasingly popular sport and a great way to make friends. Getting certified and prepared for a vacation before you travel is the best way to enjoy that diving holiday.
