Scuba Diving Travel: Tips on Avoiding Sea Sickness

One of the most unpleasant things that can occur when scuba diving is to suffer from sea sickness.  It can really put a damper on what otherwise might have been a great outing.  Some of us are more prone to sea sickness then others.  Fortunately there are things you can do to prevent or lessen the likely hood of encountering this problem.

1/    Get a good nights rest prior to diving. Being well rested when going out on a dive boat will go a long way in helping you prevent sea sickness.  Since many cases of sea sickness are caused or initiated by vertigo, being well rested will help you and your eyes adjust to the changing conditions.

2/  Eat a good breakfast. An empty stomach is much more sensitive then a stomach that has food in it.  Food helps absorb stomach acid and in turn helps lesson feelings of nausea.  Avoid greasy or spicy foods prior to diving and instead focus on foods that are gentler to your stomach like pancakes rather then bacon and eggs.

3/  Be well hydrated. Not only is dehydration a major contributing factor to decompression sickness, it also has the same negative effects of diving on an empty stomach.  It makes it more likely that your stomach will react poorly to the wave action when sailing.

4/  Don’t forget sea sick medication. Many of us are more prone to sea sickness then others.  Given enough turbulence even the more experienced sailor can experience sea sickness.  There are many good over the counter medications that go a long way in helping prevent sea sickness.  They all work best when taken prior to the boat ride, not during.

5/  Stay in the fresh air. Many boat cabins are stuffy and many even contain minute amounts of  diesel or gas fumes which can make you very nauseous.  If you stay in a gentle breeze the fresh air will help dissipate any of the gas odors that might effect you.

6/  Stay amidships and focus on the horizon. We said earlier that vertigo was a major contributing factor to sea sickness.  The closer to the sides of the boat the more you will rock and see the wave action.  By staying in the middle and focusing on the horizon will lesson the effects of the boat rolling in the waves.

7/  Leeward not windward. If you do feel ill go to the down wind side of the boat.  Yes, there is more fresh air on the windward side but if you do get sick and have to feed the fish, the wind will blow your fish food back into the boat and on yourself and other divers.  If you are leeward you still get fresh air but are able to spare others of your problems.

8/  Diving is better then remaining on board. Often times a diver will feel sea sick and want to skip the dive.  That means staying on board and being effected by what caused the problem initially.  Once diving you are breathing on fresh clean air and do not feel the effects of the rolling boat while scuba diving.  If at all possible fight the urge to lay down and go down on that dive instead.  In the unlikely event that you do get sick while diving simply take one bite wing of the mouthpiece out of your mouth and press the purge button.  The force of the purge will blow your vomit away harmlessly and the air pocket will keep you from inhaling any water.  This is a skill often taught in the Rescue Diver Course.

Scuba diving is fun and diving from a dive boat will take you to dive locations you cannot reach from shore.  A few precautions like getting a good night’s sleep, eating a good breakfast, being well hydrated and taking your sea sick medication can help you avoid any unpleasantness and get more enjoyment during those next great Aquatic Adventures.

Scuba Dive Travel in Northern Virginia: Dive Boat Etiquette

Scuba diving on a dive boat is a luxury.  It will get you to an out of the way dive site that you might not be able to reach otherwise.  The captain and crew work very hard to insure your comfort and safety.  A few common sense rules to follow will help make your trip all the better.

1 Always Arrive At The Boat On Time:
Dive boats are often in use multiple times each day.  It is important that they depart and return on time or the subsequent dives will not be on time.  Divers should arrive at the designated loading area a little prior to the announced boarding time.  You need to allow ample time to double check your gear and to allow for any additional paperwork that might be needed that day.  If you are late in arriving you may literally miss the boat!

2 Do Not Board The Boat Until Asked Aboard By The Crew:
Dive boats need to be properly prepared prior to their departure.  Fresh dive cylinders, snacks, first aid supplies and even emergency oxygen need to be loaded on board or checked prior to casing off.  The crew needs adequate time and space to get ready for the days activities.  If you board too early you simply get in the way or even prevent the crew from completing their assigned tasks.  As soon as the boat is ready you will be invited aboard.  Once on board you should quickly and neatly stow your equipment and double check everything prior to departure.

3 Listen To The Boat Safety Briefing:
At the beginning of any dive boat trip a member of the crew will give a boat safety briefing.  Listen carefully.  The safety briefing will include not only important safety instructions in the case of an emergency but some common sense tips on what will work best on the particular boat from which you are diving.  Pay attention and do not distract the attention of others by talking during the briefing. 

4 Stay In Your Allotted Area or Space:
Dive boats with a load of scuba divers and dive gear can be very crowded.  For your comfort and the comfort and safety of everyone on board you need to set up in a confined area and keep you equipment there as well.   Pack you gear in a folding mesh dive bag prior to boarding the boat.  Set your equipment up in your area and stow your bag and any extra gear in the area beneath your bench.  It is not only good manners to maintain you gear in your own space, but it will prevent possible equipment damage or even divers from tripping over your items.

5 Be Safe – Heavy objects on the deck and Cameras on the Camera Table:
Even while at the dock, Dive boats can roll when waves brush up against them.  Heavy objects like weight belts can fall off of benches.  Weight Belts and other heavy objects should be safely stowed where they cannot fall and damage other equipment or even worse a diver’s foot.

6 Set Up Your Gear – Check To Make Sure You Have Everything:
Once your dive gear is on board immediately set up your scuba unit.  Check your air then turn your air off and purge the line.  Secure your unit with the ropes or bungees that the boat has in place.  Make sure you have everything.  Once the boat departs it is too late to replace a forgotten item.

7  Use the Proper Buckets:
Most Dive Boats will have a bucket to rinse masks and a separate bucket to rinse cameras.  Some boats will even have a third bucket for other gear.  Never put your mask in the camera bucket.  The defog that you use on your mask can damage the chemical coating on the camera lenses.  If you need to rinse your mask and their is no mask bucket dip your hand in the camera bucket and scoop some water out to pour into your mask.  Once you rinse your mask do not pour the water back into the camera bucket.  Regulators and wetsuits should never be put in a mask or camera bucket either.

8 Keep The Dry Area Dry:
Many divers will bring a towel, camera and even a log book on board.  These items are usually stowed in a “dry area” of the boat.  Please make sure that you keep this area dry.  Do not place wet gear or towels in this area.  If the boat has an enclosed cabin area it is important not to enter that area while wearing a wetsuit.  Water in that area not only creates a safety hazard for slipping but can cause mildew and odor in what is the living area of the boat.

9 Enter & Exit The Water Properly:
When divers are lined up to enter the water be ready.  Have your equipment appropriately in place and be ready to go when it is your turn.  Use the entry technique recommended in the Dive Briefing.  When returning to the boat wait your turn to use the ladder.  Hold the trail line until it is your turn.  Never get onto the ladder when someone is still climbing out.  If they were to fall they could land on top of you.  When it is your turn quickly move to the ladder and follow the technique recommended in the dive briefing.  Once on board move yourself and your equipment out of the way to make room for the next diver.

10  Remember The Crew: Thank and Tip the Captain and Crew:
The boat crew goes out of their way to make sure that you have a safe and enjoyable trip.  Be sure to thank them.  It is also customary to tip the crew.  If the crew went above and beyond the call of duty in helping you either spot critters, take care of your gear or even help you in or out of the boat it is nice to thank them with an extra gratuity.  Like a waiter or waitress, tips are a major part of their income.

Scuba Diving from a boat offers several advantages in addition to just being fun.  The Professional Association of Diving Instructors, PADI, offers a scuba diving specialty course entitled Boat Diver.  This is a great course to take and will make you not only a better scuba diver but a more courteous one as well.  At Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy, a PADI 5 Star Dive Center in Alexandria, Virginia the Boat Diver Specialty Course is offered on many of our Scuba Diving Vacation Trips.

Scuba Diving Equipment: Dive Travel Check List

Scuba diving has become a very popular sport.   Accordingly, scuba diving vacations are also very popular.  At Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy, we not only teach scuba diving but schedule scuba diving trips and vacations as well.  Nothing can ruin that long awaited and anticipated vacation faster then forgetting to bring an essential item of scuba diving equipment.  Today, we will discuss not only what scuba diving equipment to pack but some important accessory items as well.

Scuba Diving Equipment:

• Scuba Mask
• Snorkel
• Boots
• Fins
• Exposure Suit appropriate to the environment (wet suit)
• Gloves (if allowed in the area of travel)
• Scuba Regulator
• Buoyancy Control Device or BCD
• Dive Computer or Timing Device and Dive Tables
• Mesh Gear Bag to carry above items
• Certification or “C” Card

Scuba Diving Equipment Accessories:

• Mask Defog
• Dry Bag to carry on boat
• Dive Knife or Diver Shears
• Dive Light & extra batteries
• Back Up Dive Light
• Regulator Marker Light
• Surface Signaling Device (sausage & Whistle)
• Slate & Pencil
• Underwater Camera and Light if taking photographs

Scuba Diving Equipment – Spare Parts

• “O” Ring Kit
• Spare Snorkel Keeper
• Spare Fins Straps
• Diver’s Tool Kit or Diver’s Tool
• Silicone Grease
• Extra Lanyard and Clips
• Extra Regulator Mouthpiece
• Tie Wraps
• Pad Lock for dive locker

Non Scuba Dive Related Supplies:

• Sunscreen
• Insect Repellent
• Sunglasses
• Seasick Medication
• Ball Cap or brimmed hat to shade eyes and face

While this list might seem very simple and obvious, it is still a good idea to make a list and check it twice, so to speak when packing for that important dive vacation.  Forgetting an item is an annoyance at best but in some cases can really put a damper on your dive trip.

Scuba Certifications in Northern Virginia: ScubaEarth Dive Community

One of the great joys of scuba diving is that it is a very social sport.  The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) has introduced a new social website called ScubaEarth.  This is a Facebook type of site dedicated entirely to scuba divers.

PADI says that ScubaEarth™ is an online scuba resource and social community for divers and other water lovers. It’s a robust, one-stop site to research, plan and share dive experiences. ScubaEarth hosts everything from current weather and dive conditions to photos and videos for those constantly craving scuba snacks.

There are thousands of travel websites, but few dedicated to divers looking for their next vacation, virtually anywhere in the world. ScubaEarth can help you answer questions like:

• Where should I go on my next dive trip?
• What will I see?
• What should I pack?
• When is the best time to go?
• What kind of local flavor is there?
• How can I keep a digital logbook of all my dives & share them with my buddies?
• How can I browse other logged dives to see recent dive conditions at a dive site?
• Where can I keep a digital record of all my PADI certifications?
• How can I find a PADI Dive Center or Resort to dive with and take my next PADI course?
• And much more.

PADI Dive Center in Northern Virginia: PADI Scuba Courses & Dive Travel

As a premier Dive Center in Northern Virginia, Aquatic Adventures recognizes the value of offering both Scuba Classes and Courses and the opportunity to try these on a dive vacation by sponsoring Dive Trips throughout the year.  This is all part of the same social aspect of scuba diving that we referred to in the beginning of this article.

Learning to Scuba Dive is the first step.  Having safe scuba equipment makes scuba diving more fun and more enjoyable and having the opportunity to dive in several exotic locations with friends who you met while learning to scuba dive just makes it that much better.

Aquatic Adventures: Scuba Diving Trips and Travel Specialists

Today, more than ever  you have many choices in where to book your travel needs.  The internet makes travel shopping very easy.  However, the internet does not specialize in dive travel and ease is not the only criteria for selecting your travel assistants. Your local dive center can even assist you in selecting a travel location that matches your scuba diving experience and ability.  The staff at Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy has personally been to most of the finest dive locations in the world and dive vacations are our specialty!

When you book your vacation you seek a quality dive location, good service from both your resort and travel broker, and last but not least a good price. We have been there, we have seen it and we have done it, and w e can take the worry out of your next vacation.  Whether it is on one of our group trips or one that we book specifically for you we can save you both time and money.

Where to Go on your Scuba Diving Trips to find quality scuba diving?

Finding a great country or island to spend your dive vacation is only part of your search.  You also want to stay at a quality resort.  You want great dive sites and a reputable dive outfit to see to your needs.  A good place to start looking for that next Dive Travel destination is your local dive center.  Since the staff there may have been to most of these places we can help you select just the right resort for your diving and vacationing needs.   A second place to look is on line at one of the major Scuba Certification Agencies.  The Professional Association of Diving Instructors or PADI has its own travel agency that specializes in Dive Travel.  The Staff at Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy or at PADI Travel can be invaluable in helping you select a quality destination, whether it be a remote island or a live a board dive boat.

How to Get the Best Price on your Scuba Diving Trips?

When you book your Scuba Diving Vacation Trip through a Dive Center like Aquatic Adventures or directly with PADI Travel you receive the benefit of large volume bookings.  Companies like PADI Travel often have “best price guarantees” from the Dive Resorts that they represent.  This in turn means that you get the best price and that is often a group rate even though you are traveling as an individual.

Your Next Aquatic Adventure

There are so many great travel destinations available.   When you utilize the resources of those who have been there and are familiar with your needs, it is incredibly easy to select and schedule that next great Aquatic Adventure.

Scuba Diving Vacations: Live-a-board Dive Boats

Scuba Diving Trips or Vacations are the end goal of most scuba divers.  It is when the dedicated scuba diver gets to go scuba diving every day without the worry or cares of work or other distractions that makes Scuba Travel so popular.  For those scuba divers who want the most number of scuba dives that they can pack into a vacation then a trip on a live-a-board dive boat may be the perfect vacation.

The Bahamas Live A Board Dive Boat: Aqua Cat

A very popular Live-A-Board in the Bahamas, the Aqua Cat advertises that they offer a large variety of dives; shark feeding dives, blue holes, high speed drift dives, walls and shallow patch reefs. This week long cruise from Nassau, Bahamas to the remote islands of the Exumas, and especially the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, the most pristine area in all the Bahamas.

The Aqua Cat is a 102 foot long catamaran, offering stability and comfort.  This is the ultimate escape aboard your own private luxury yacht. Imagine sinking your toes into sugar sand, snorkeling or diving among the lemon sharks and sting rays, or hiking the trails of pirates and bootleggers of years gone by. No crowds, no set itineraries, nothing to do but sit back, relax and choose from an incredible variety of live-a-board activities including scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, fishing, sunbathing, and island exploring.

Caribbean Live A Board Dive Boats: The Aggressor

The Aggressor Fleet offers live a board dive boats in many areas of the Caribbean and the Pacific.  They advertise that many experienced divers feel that live-aboard dive boats offer the best value in diving. In most cases, we are inclined to agree. These vessels have been designed, from the keel up, with the diver in mind.

A good live-aboard trip can provide maximum diving pleasure with a minimum of hassle, and take you to dive sites inaccessible from land-based operations. On a quality live-aboard, the facilities for diving are top-notch, the food is great, and the service effective but also relaxed.

For all of us hard driving “Type A’s,” a live-aboard offers plenty of time for much needed rest and relaxation, reading, videos, improving your photography, dining, and pleasant interaction with fellow divers. Of course, that’s AFTER you knock off your four or five hours a day in the water!

Live A Board Dive Adventures: Galapagos

Live A Board Dive Boats have become so popular that many Dive Resorts, like Buddy’s Dive in Bonaire, have expanded to offer live a board dive adventures in more exotic locations like Galapagos.  They now have two fully equipment luxury boats dedicated to touring and scuba diving in the Galapagos Islands.

Scuba Diving Vacations & Travel: Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy

Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy, a Dive Center in Northern Virginia, specializes in Dive Travel.  Scuba Diving Trips are offered 4-6 times a year at Aquatic Adventures. Live A Board Dive Trips are very popular and are offered by Aquatic Adventures every year if possible.  Live A Board Dive Vacations offer the ultimate in diving experience and an opportunity to complete up to 5 dives a day.  There are a number of very good and reputable Live A Board Dive Boats to choose from.  They all offer an opportunity to dive to your hearts content.  The slogan for the Aggressor Fleet to describe live a board diving is: Eat – Sleep – Dive.  And that about sums it up, Live A Boards offer a great Aquatic Adventure.

Underwater Photography: Camera Care & Maintenance

Everyone loves to have photographs to help remember those great times.  Scuba diving is no exception and if you are like me you even enjoy underwater photography almost as much as the scuba diving vacation itself.  At Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy, a PADI 5 Star Dive Center in Alexandria Virginia, we offer underwater photography courses on all of our Dive Center sponsored Dive Trips.

Underwater Photography: Camera Care Well Prior to Your Scuba Diving Vacation Trip

Just like you regular scuba diving equipment your underwater camera needs some regular maintenance and care.  Well prior to your trip you need to make sure that your camera and your underwater camera housing are intact and working properly.  This will give you ample time to obtain repairs or replacements prior to your scuba diving vacation trip.

Make sure that the camera functions properly and that you have an ample supply of batteries or extra rechargeable batteries for your dive vacation.   Very carefully remove the camera “O” ring.  You can use a plastic credit card if needed but do not use any metal pics that can scratch the “O” ring groove or the “O” ring itself.  Carefully inspect your camera housing “O” rings for wear.  Replace them if necessary.  Inspect your underwater camera strobe to make sure that it functions properly and that any cables are intact.

Underwater Photography: Camera Care Just Before Your Scuba Travel

Immediately prior to your scuba diving vacation clean your camera housing thoroughly.  Do this while relaxed at home rather then just prior to your scuba dives to prevent errors from rushing or excitement.  Remove the “O” Ring and lightly lubricate it if the manufacturer specifies that it be lubricated.  Some underwater cameras use “O” rings that do not have to be lubricated.  If it does use very little lubrication – only enough to moisten the “O” ring not grease it up.  It should not feel greasy but have a light shine to it.  Too much silicone lubricant can attract grit or sand which can cause the housing to leak.

Use a cotton tip applicator to clean the “O” ring groove.  Use a clean soft lens cloth to clean the camera port both inside and out.  Make sure that dust, lint and finger prints are removed from both the lens port and strobe port.  Protect you camera housing with a protective coat of UV Tech or something similar.  This puts a very thin layer of preservative on the outside of the housing and helps protect the housing from sand and salt residue.

Underwater Photography: Test The Camera

Once you have completed the appropriate service you will want to test the camera housing.  Put a paper towel inside the the housing and submerge it inside a bath tub or swimming pool.  The paper towel will absorb any leakage and it will be readily visible.  If it does not leak you are good to go at this point.  If there is any leakage at all you need to check and find the cause.  I will even test a brand new camera housing just to be on the safe side, before diving with the unit.

Underwater Photography: Traveling With Your Camera

If you underwater camera system is very large then you will want to house and protect it with a hard sided locked case.  If it is smaller the preferred method of travel is to carry the underwater camera system on board the airplane with you to prevent it from being banged around.  I usually with check my underwater camera strobe but always carry the underwater camera and housing on board with me.

Underwater Photograph: If the Worst Happens

In the event that you should experience a leak in your camera system during a scuba dive keep the underwater camera system pointed down.  This keeps the electronics higher and possibly dry.  Surface immediately, making sure that you complete your safety stop, etc.  Once you are out of the water remove the camera from the underwater housing and remove all batteries and the SD Memory Card.  Dry your camera and keep it in a cool air conditioned environment.  Once it is dried it may, if you are very lucky still work.  If not it may need to be repaired by the manufacturer or even replaced.  If you send it back to the manufacturer they may offer you a special replacement price should it not be repairable.

Underwater Photography: Avoid Camera Mistakes & Be A Ecological Photographer

Check out my article Avoiding Underwater Photography Mistakes for some helpful suggestions.   Being an underwater photography also carries a responsibility of being careful and ecologically minded.  For some suggestions check out the article Ten Environmentally Friendly Tips for Underwater Photography.

Underwater Photography: Learn the Right Way

Taking the PADI Underwater Photography or PADI Digital Underwater Photography Courses will help you learn camera basics in a safe and controlled manner.  You will learn many techniques to improve your photography and camera handling.  By taking the PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy course you will learn to better control your buoyancy thus improving your buoyancy and underwater photography as the same time.  The best way to learn is to practice and there is no better place to learn then on your next great Aquatic Adventures.

Scuba Dive Travel – Bonaire

There are a few places whose name is synonymous with diving.  One of those is Bonaire.  Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy, a Dive Center in Northern Virginia that specializes in Dive Travel has run six scuba diving vacation trips to Bonaire in the past ten years and each one was an over whelming success.  Our next scuba diving trip there is from July 7 – 14, 2012, and promises to be a great mid-summer getaway.

Bonaire is known for its great reefs, crystal clear water, large schools of tropical fish, exotic critters like sea horses and frog fish, and perhaps the best shore diving of any destination in the Caribbean.  In addition to the beautiful beaches, the Dutch influence on the island makes Bonaire a most unusual destination and a fun place to visit.  Bonaire offers a unique combination of some of the best yet easiest diving in the Caribbean.  This is perfect location for individuals, couples and families.

he Divi Flamingo Beach Resort and Casino, our host hotel, overlooks a private white sand beach and the turquoise Caribbean Sea, and is surrounded by over 50 spectacular dive sites, all within a 15-minute boat ride.  This first-class resort, recently renovated, and boasts many amenities, including air conditioned rooms, two restaurants and three bars, a casino, two pools, spa, fitness center, sea kayaks, and a dive shop, and is located just three miles from the airport, and a five minute walk from town.

Our trip includes eight days and seven nights accommodations at Divi Flamingo Beach Resort and Casino, six days of diving with five days of three boat dives daily, an additional day of one boat dive and one checkout dive, plus unlimited shore diving.  More than enough to satisfy even the most ardent diver.  An incredible breakfast buffet each morning will help you start each day.

Scuba Diving Training On Your Scuba Diving Trips

Taking the Scuba Diving Continuing Education Course while on you scuba diving vacation is very easy to do.  All or our trips are lead by an Instructor at Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy.  This make completing that scuba course a snap to do.  Such Scuba Specialty Courses as Underwater Photography, Boat Diver, Fish Identification, Night Diver or even Underwater Navigation are perfect scuba courses to complete while on that great scuba diving vacation

Scuba Diving Vacations offer the opportunity to travel to other counties, see many unexplored areas or reefs, and just plain have fun.  Join us on our next Aquatic Adventure!

Scuba Diving Travel – Cane Bay St Croix

On of the most popular activities at my Dive Center in Northern Virginia is our Dive Travel.  Scuba Travel is very popular today and by providing Scuba Diving Trips it gives our former scuba students and current customers an opportunity to stay active as Scuba Divers.  In February of 2013 we are going on a dive trip to St. Croix.

Cane Bay cottages are located directly across the street from the palm tree lined Cane Bay Beach and affords guest unlimited shore diving access to Cane Bay Wall, one of the Virgin Island’s most popular and accessible dive sites.  Although several dive sites are easily dived from shore, most do require boats.  Cane Bay’s Dive Shop is strategically located to allow short boat rides to the heart of the best diving in the area.

The Cane Bay Wall, rated as one of the top dive sites in the entire Caribbean, offers something for every level of diver.  Less then 150 yards from shore, at a depth of only 25-30 feet is the reef terrace.  This beautiful living coral garden is filled with soft and hard corals of every type.  Teeming with tropical fish and aquatic life, this site is truly a diver’s dream.  The Wall begins in 40 feet, plunging to 3,200 feet in areas of vertical drops, or more gradually in slow sloping areas.  Nineteenth century anchors and large deep water sea life can be found along the wall.

We will spend an entire week (February 9 – 16, 2013) at Cane Bay Cottages in St. Croix.   Included in this 8 day, 7 night package is five days of two tank boat dives, and unlimited beach diving.  Cane Bay Cottages are located directly across the street from Cane Bay and is near Cane Bay Wall for convenient shore diving.  The Cottages are also within walking distance to restaurants ranging from barefoot and funky to romantic fine dining.

Airport to hotel transfers when we arrive and depart are also included.  The entire package is incredibly priced at only $1089.00 in the Mountain View and $1199.00 in the Ocean View Superior Cottage.  Prices are per person double occupancy and is based on two divers per room.

This is very good price for the diving and amenities and a vacation that you would not want to miss.  There are only two Cottages in each category so available space is limited.

Join us on this or one of our other Dive Trips.  All of our Scuba Vacation Trips are led by a Scuba Instructor, which makes these trips a great place to complete some of your Scuba Diving Continuing Educations Courses.  We try to offer scuba travel trips throughout the year in many different exciting locations.

Join us for your next great Aquatic Adventure.

Learn to Scuba Dive then enjoy Scuba Diving Travel and Vacation Trips – Cozumel Dive Trip

One of the great lures that encourage people to learn to scuba dive is the attraction of exotic vacations to various places that offer incredible scuba diving.

When you think of diving in the Caribbean the “big three” immediately come to mind, Cayman, Cozumel and Bonaire.  Our trip at Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy this coming October is to our favorite resort in Cozumel, Scuba Club.

Scuba Diving Magazine awarded Cozumel “Top Five Honors” in eight separate scuba diving categories: Best Diving Destination, Best Diving Overall, Best Marine Life, Best Wall Diving, Best Advanced Diving, Best Underwater Photography Dives, Best Underwater Visibility, and Best Value in 2012.

For those of you who have never been to Cozumel, the Island is located just south of the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula in the state of Quinta Roo, Mexico.  It is directly opposite of the city of Cancun.  Cozumel definitely is Mexico’s premier dive location.

Cozumel is truly a dive destination that has something for everyone.  Beautiful drift dives loaded with sea life and corals, and arguably the best visibility in all of the Caribbean.  Large schools of fish, amazing critters like banded coral shrimp and arrow crabs, and even those special sightings, like turtles, sea horses and octopus can be seen on most any dive.  Cozumel is noted for its drift dives and boasts of what many consider to be the best visibility in the entire Caribbean!  What an incredible place to finish that Open Water or Specialty Dive Course?

When not diving spend your time either touring the Mayan ruins (Talum and Chechen Itza) on the nearby mainland of Mexico or walking through the quaint town of San Miguel.  San Miguel is dotted with restaurants and bars and hosts a local bazaar where you can find a myriad of local handicrafts.

Scuba Dive Training – PADI Continuing Education Scuba Courses

Our dive trip vacations are also an excellent place to continue your scuba dive training and education.  Our trips are lead by one of our Scuba Instructors, who is available to offer scuba diving courses and scuba specialty courses while on the trip.  Trips like these are great places  to complete a specialty dive class like underwater photography, the boat diver specialty, fish identification and many other worthwhile scuba classes.

Scuba Diving Vacation Value

We will spend an entire week (October 6 – 13, 2012) at Scuba Club Cozumel.   Included in this 8 day, 7 night package is six days of two tank boat dives, one boat night dive and unlimited beach diving.   Scuba Club is known for its great cuisine, and our trip includes three meals per day at their great restaurant.  Airport to hotel transfers when we arrive and depart are also included.  The entire package is incredibly priced at only $999.00 per person double occupancy and is based on two divers per room.

Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy is a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Dive Center and specializes in Scuba Training and Dive Travel.  Join us in October and let us help you enjoy that next great Aquatic Adventure.