The best diving vacations generally start by doing research ahead of time. Choosing the best destination at the right time of year is important, and you also need to choose a diving vacation suited to your level of expertise.
If you are already a PADI-certified diver, you may already be looking for new diving challenges to build on your existing experience, while new scuba divers may need to sign up for a course with a certified instructor. Once you have the necessary skills and certificate, the world’s your oyster when it comes to dive spots!
Here are three different types of a dive vacation to consider.
#1: RESORT-BASED DIVE VACATIONS
The most common dive vacations are based at a hotel or resort with its own diving school. While the hotel provides the usual accommodation and dining options, you can book as many dives as you wish with the on-site center.
One of the advantages of a resort-based dive vacation is there is usually an onsite diving school for those who are scuba diving for the first time. They will also provide a range of courses, equipment and diving instructors who know the best local spots to suit your requirements.
For divers with non-diving partners or children, a resort dive vacation allows everyone to do what they enjoy, which may or may not include diving every day.
The quality of your scuba diving vacation depends on the quality of the resort dive center you choose. While some centers are knowledgeable about marine life and conservation, other tours may lack the enthusiasm, experience and skills to keep divers happy for a whole week.Those staying at Grand Isle Resort & Spa can ask the concierge to recommend a range of dive excursions to suit your personal interests and skill level. Dive Exuma is a good place to start.
It’s a good idea to choose a resort dive center that offers PADI-aware programs. These are more likely to be more knoweledgable of marine life protection issues when diving, and your dives will contribute to reef and shark conservation, rather than simply being run as a routine commercial exercise.
#2: LIVE-ABOARD DIVING VACATIONS
If you want to live, eat and sleep diving in the company of like-minded people, then a live-aboard diving vacation may be the best option for you. It can easily be combined with a resort stay on the Bahamas, giving you the best of both worlds.
There are several companies based in the Bahamas that offer live-aboard scuba diving. The sailboat or catamaran becomes your home base and transports you from one great dive location to the next. Experience shark feeding, blue holes, wreck diving and high-speed drift dives in the beautiful waters around the Exumas.
Many live-aboard operators have marine biologists on their staff, which provide an additional educational and conservational aspect to your dive vacation.
#3: MARINE CONSERVATION DIVE HOLIDAYS
As part of a more responsible attitude to conservation and tourism, marine conservation dive vacations allow divers to participate in research as part of their scuba diving trip. Volunteers use their dives to collect data on turtle or shark numbers or report on coral health and fish abundance. Volunteers receive some scientific training before enjoying two to four weeks of “work” diving with a purpose.
Whichever type of dive vacation you choose, make sure you minimize your impact, learn as much as possible and become an ambassador for our marine heritage.
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