| With your new certification card tucked proudly in | | | | kind of discounts may be available for reserving |
| your wallet, you are anxious to plan your first | | | | several dives and whether rental equipment costs |
| exciting scuba diving vacation. Where do you begin? | | | | extra. Try to match your experience level to the |
| Maybe you will simply call the local travel agent and | | | | various dive tours that are available. |
| tell them to book it - or you could customize your | | | | Consider various accommodation options. Stick to |
| very own adventure of a lifetime! | | | | your budget and try to find one with the amenities |
| To get started, decide where in the world you would | | | | you enjoy. Also inquire about scuba packages that |
| like to go. Decide on a budget and remember that | | | | may be included at a significant discount. Consider |
| the further you go the more expensive it will be. | | | | saving money in restaurant bills by reserving a room |
| Whether driving to the closest coast or trekking to | | | | with a kitchen. |
| the other side of the globe, you must do some | | | | Non-scuba activities are also extremely important to |
| homework. Return to the dive school where you | | | | assess. Do your interests include golf and tennis? |
| received your certification and ask around. Instructors | | | | Sailing or kayaking? Do you want to relax on a |
| or club members can give you lots of valuable | | | | beautiful white sand beach with a great book while |
| information about all kinds of dive destinations. | | | | not under water diving? Do you want to be around |
| Decide if you will use rental gear or bring your own | | | | lots of bars, clubs, and restaurants for exciting |
| equipment on the trip. Unless you will be driving to | | | | nightlife or would you prefer to relax on a remote |
| your destination, plan to rent gear on location; it is a | | | | stretch of sand? If you plan to do some of your |
| lot easier to travel light. The only things you should | | | | own cooking, check to see if there is a grocery |
| definitely bring from home are your dive card, scuba | | | | store convenient to your hotel. |
| log, and your own personal scuba mask. The best | | | | With the planning finished you now have months or |
| dive in the world is no good with a leaking mask! | | | | weeks to savor the anticipation of a fantastic scuba |
| Research various dive boats and scuba chartering | | | | diving trip. If it's been a while since your last dive, plan |
| companies to use on the trip. Try to only use shops | | | | to brush up your skills in a refresher class before the |
| that have received positive referrals. Find out what | | | | trip. Have a great time! |