5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Planning My First Dive Trip

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Planning a dive trip can be a bit overwhelming. Whether it's a local dive trip for a weekend, or a longer trip flying international, there's a LOT that goes into dive travel. To start, you'll have to decide where to go, based on timing, vacation or holiday time, budget, temperatures and conditions, etc. Then you have to deal with all of the normal plans for travel, with a few more additions for diving such as extra permits that may be needed for dive gear or diving in a national park. You'll have to pick a dive center to dive with as well, whether that's an on-site dive operator located at your resort or hotel, or finding one at your destination. You have to worry about medications and general medical things, but then also dive related medical things like where the nearest DCS chamber might be. Once all of the planning is done, then you still need to actually start packing!

This video aims to be a complete overview of all the considerations that should go into planning your first dive trip and things i wish I knew before I planned mine.

This video is NOT sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something we'll receive a small commission.

⏰ Timecodes ⏰
00:00 Planning a Dive Trip
00:47 Choosing a Destination (Cost, time of year, etc)
04:48 Booking your Trip
08:39 Choosing a Dive Operator (Dive Shop / Charter)
13:25 Safety Concerns (Medical Needs, Trip Insurance, etc).
19:14 What to Pack?

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At Circle H Scuba, we share education and experiences you'll love to plan your next adventure. As a PADI Professional Scuba Instructor, I want to make you a better-informed scuba diver!

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*Disclaimer:* Circle H Scuba and Thomas Hughes believe you can not teach someone how to dive, nor certify them for diving, through the internet. Ensure you seek proper training through an instructor who is active and certified through a recognized agency and always dive within the limits of your certification.

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[Zhak]

Hi Thomas, can I request that video on more detailed assessment of dive center before booking a trip with them?

Also, do you have any further advice on dive insurance? Especially after the incident Woody from Dive Talk had.

Looking forward to it. Thanks! Keep up the good content!

[HashAliNZ]

Hey Thomas! Been a long time since we talked from the VRA. Your name popped up from Justin Moore in Jay Clouse's podcast and I just wanted to say congrats on how everything is going for you! Keep up the great work!

[kevindavison]

Good tips. I have have taken several wekend and longer trips both driving and flying and have had to figure out logistics mostly by myself. This is part of the fun in anticipation of the trip. I have to reqest time off from my job a year in advance so not flexible on timeframes so some vacation plans include two options for sites or other activities if diving is cancelled. As far as safety concerns go I pay attention to things that I cannot control like air quality and boat safety but other than that I consider myself responsible for all the same safety items that I would be concerned with if it was a shore dive at home, equipment, analyze NITROX, Buddy Checks, etc. I always get dive travel insurance for anything involving flying or where its not i'm likely to get a refund for cancellations.

[minecraftshorts]

I definitely agree. Don’t rent if you go international because one time when I was in the Cayman Islands, me and my dad were diving through devils grotto and eden‘s den and we were going through a rather long swim through and his second stage failed at 41 feet in an overhead environment and he was renting from a dive shop nearby luckily we had a guide because of how it was, he couldn’t have turned around and gotten to me in time the current was extremely strong though

[zstanman]

Hi Thomas, really enjoying your videos but honestly, I think the best advice to any diver looking to travel abroad for the first (or second, third, ninth) time is to go with their local (or at least somewhat local) dive shop. You have some great advice in this video but honestly, you just don't know what you don't know until you get there. Booking with your local dive shop means (at least this is true for the dive shops I use) THEY plan travel which includes flights, van rides, taxis, rental cars, etc, as well as your hotel/boarding. They plan all of the dives which usually involves boats and boat crews. They make sure you have gear that will fit you, often times you can rent from them and make sure your gear fits and is in good working order before you ever leave. They provide a pre-trip meeting where you can ask all of your questions and as long as you stay with the group, you have much less of a chance making a mistake that will ruin your trip. After you do this a few times, you tend to learn the ropes a bit and can begin booking your own trips but I could not imagine doing this for the first time on my own. Just my two cents, keep the videos coming.

[NormaTLeon]

Just a comment and a question for you. I have traveled for diving in the past 9 years and one economical tip was staying in an AirBNB instead of an expensive dive resort. I have done this also because I have a number of dietary restrictions so it’s easier to get an AirBNB with a kitchen, buy local groceries and cook some meals while enjoying a meal out with the local spots and treating myself to a “fancy” night out at a high end restaurant. Trip Advisor was my travel agent for most of those years!
And my question: What travel insurance did you get that covered partial cost of cancelled dive days due to weather. I almost always buy trip insurance, but had no idea it could cover “lack of enjoyable experience” coverage..
Love your channel and keep up the good work!!

[jeffconley]

Again well done. You always find great example videos for your videos. If I have room I carry an extra first and second stage. Red Sea may not be a good idea during current situation over there.

[MikeDodds]

Another tip I personally have is if and when you venture into town, carry your wallet in your front pocket. I picked up that advice during a visit to the Vatican of all places. The pick pockets there are notorious!!! 😂

[robbailey]

I'd like to know what trip insurance you've used that reimbursed for lost dive days, and for when you lost or had gear damaged. Spill the beans man!

[josephdracula]

👍😎🤿🇵🇭! Yesss diving time of the year is a huge importance as some places slow down which makes it a bit more difficult to find a good spot to dive! If going to the Philippines is GREAT and many many of dive opportunities almost any time of the year! The vast majority of islands that are popular offer GREAT DIVING! But I have found some absolutely amazing places that don’t offer diving ☹️ It’s a wonderful vacation destination absolutely stunning but many foreigners don’t travel to these places as it’s advertised to foreigners. Take for example I spent a lot of time in southern Mindanao and I was dying to dive Pujada bay that is one if not the most pristine bays in the world! Unfortunately I couldn’t find any one or diving opportunities but not to say there are those who do! I think with some time and family resources living there I could figure it out! What you are describing about is an important factor! In the end I like out of the way places 🤿😁