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Tips and Advice

Divers

Here you can find general tips and advice for diving holidays including:

How it works.

1. Read through our brochure and decide where it is you wish to travel to – the chances are that you already have a pretty good idea! Hopefully our brochure will whet your appetite for doing one or two other things as well.2. If you like the look of one of suggested itineraries then you can book it ‘straight from the page’ either by telephoning one of our consultants or by going onto our Book Now! link Of course, you are also very welcome to come and visit us at our offices in Bishop’s Sutton (give us a quick ring first though just to make sure that an expert in your chosen area is going to be there when you arrive).3. If you like the look of our itineraries but they don’t quite fit the bill (perhaps you want to stay in different resort, or extend your stay, or even visit completely different locations) then give us a call or send us an email. Our highly experienced consultants will discuss your ideas, and of course throw in a few of their own, and then design a holiday for you. We will tell you where the best places are to go at the time of year you wish to travel, and we will give you the best advice on the places to stay.4. If you are not completely happy to begin with, then we will discuss the itinerary again, and refine it so that you are completely happy with the arrangements prior to booking.5. Once you have made your booking we will confirm your holiday and send you our pre-departure pack with advice on the country that you are to visit and what to expect on arrival. All you need to do is look forward to going away on holiday!6. Once you are on your holiday you will be exceptionally well looked after and (unless we tell you otherwise) you will be met and transferred from place to place. Local guides will accompany you on any pre-arranged sightseeing and the dive centre will help ensure you get the most out of your diving holiday.

Groups

Whether you are organising a diving holiday for a dive club, centre, society or just a group of friends, as specialists in dive travel we know what a headache it can be getting all the answers to make group trips work. That is why at Dive Worldwide we have a dedicated groups co-ordinator, with first-hand experience of being a dive group leader, available to assist you with all your group arrangements. The same person will handle your group booking from beginning to end, ensuring it will be handled in a smooth and efficient manner. This assistance will range from choosing a suitable location to providing promotional material and organising a presentation on your chosen destination.

We will also assist with all the details of your group travel arrangements and provide answers to all those questions. We guarantee you a first class service from the initial enquiry to the last cocktail on the beach. In addition, free places for group leaders may be arranged with all our group bookings, although minimum numbers vary from resort to resort. Please call our groups co-ordinator for details.

Travelling Alone

If travelling alone, it is often cost that is the limiting factor since single room supplements can increase the holiday price dramatically. Dive Worldwide has negotiated with a number of resorts to offer some special rates for single travellers at specific times of the year, so do give us a call to discuss the options. If you are prepared to share a cabin then liveaboards can often provide the ideal solution.

Dive Worldwide also offers the option of trying to organise shared accommodation on our group departures. The smaller, dedicated dive resorts provide the opportunity not only to dive in company but also to be able to socialise with like-minded divers in the evening. Examples of such resorts can be found in Curao, Saba, St. Eustatius, Sipadan, Manado, Philippines, South Africa, Mozambique, Mafia Island, Fiji and the Sea of Cortez.

Families

Families need not mean the end of diving holidays. However young the children, if the destination and resort are chosen carefully, everyone can have a wonderful holiday. For babies and the very young children it is often possible to find a babysitter in the resort, giving the opportunity for both parents to dive together. As the child gets older there are resorts offering a full range of PADI programmes for children:

  • From age 5 SASY units let kids experience the underwater world the easy way – by snorkelling with scuba equipment instead of a snorkel.
  • The Bubblemaker program is an introduction to the thrill of breathing underwater. For those aged 8 and above.
  • Whilst The PADI Seal Team is for young divers who are looking for an action-packed, adventurous program filled with exciting scuba "AquaMissions."
  • From the age of 10 Kids are able to begin the Junior Scuba Diver or Junior Open Water Courses allowing whole families to dive together.

Non-diving Partners

By making careful choices it is possible for non-divers to have a wonderful holiday with their diving partners. One solution is to choose a resort where the diving is completed by lunchtime so the rest of the day can be spent together; this is possible at many of our Caribbean and African destinations. Alternatively, choose a resort with plenty of non-diving activities like Rocktail Bay in South Africa, where partners will be with other guests exploring, hiking and snorkelling in small groups, or the La Concha in La Paz with its gym, sauna, swimming pools and water sports. Liveaboards are not usually a good idea for non-diving partners but the Blue Lagoon Cruise to the Yasawa Islands, and the Lammer Law and Mistral in the Galapagos Islands actively encourage this combination so, whilst you are off diving your partner may enjoy island visits or take part in such activities as kayaking or hiking.

Island Hopping

An ideal island hopping dive holiday should feature islands that have a unique feel both above and below the water. They may have the same origin and be separated by just a few miles of sea but like sisters, they can be very different. The staff at Dive Worldwide have explored many of these island nations and we would love to discuss the differences that you can find. Take the Pacific islands of Tahiti where some are volcanic and others are coral atolls; in Malaysia, Sipadan is volcanic, Layang Layang man-made and Kapalai just a submerged reef; in the Dutch Caribbean some are mountainous like Saba and others like Bonaire barely a hill in sight; in Tanzania there is the history of Zanzibar with the remoteness of Pemba. The list is endless so please give us a call to discuss the options.

Equipment Hire

Dive packs usually include tanks and weights only. Hire of other equipment will be charged locally unless a full equipment pack was purchased at time of booking. Please note that diving computers are not usually available for hire. Wetsuits are recommended even in tropical waters, to reduce the waters cooling effect and protect the skin. Many centres only have a limited range of equipment; you are advised to take your own equipment where possible.

Weather

Diving is often a weather dependant activity. In most places diving is possible all year round. However, as weather conditions can sometimes be unpredictable, dive operators may occasionally have to reschedule the diving itinerary to alternative sites or suspend diving altogether. Whilst every effort will be made to ensure the number of dives booked are accomplished no refunds will be made if the diving itinerary is suspended or altered in anyway due to weather conditions.

Travel Tips

If taking your own equipment, make sure it is serviced and in good working order before you travel.

Responsible Travel

We endeavour to use only diving operators who are environmentally responsible. Please help by being a responsible diver.

  • Dive carefully in fragile aquatic ecosystems, such as coral reefs.
  • Be aware of your body and equipment placement when diving.
  • Keep your diving skills sharp with continuing education.
  • Consider your effect on aquatic life through your interactions.
  • Understand and respect underwater life.
  • Resist the urge to collect souvenirs.
  • If you hunt or gather game, obey all fish and game laws.
  • Report environmental disturbances or destruction of your dive sites.
  • Be a role model for other divers in diving and non-diving interactions with the environment.
  • Get involved in local environmental activities and issues.

Health & Safety

Diving is an exciting and demanding activity. When performed correctly, applying correct techniques, it is safe. When established safety procedures are not followed, however, there are dangers. To scuba dive safely, you must not be extremely overweight or out of condition. Your respiratory and circulatory system must be in good health. A person with heart trouble, a current cold or congestion, epilepsy, asthma, is pregnant, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs should not dive. If taking medication, consult your doctor and the instructor before participating in any scuba diving.

Improper use of scuba equipment can result in serious injury.

Flying or travelling to altitude after diving.

It is recommended that you do not fly within 24 hours of your last dive. This also applies to going to an altitude of more than 300m after diving so be particularly careful when staying in a mountainous region.

Go to: Medical Requirements