Scuba question (1 Viewer)

[Inspired]

How hard it is to learn? Going to be driving by Cozumel in a few weeks and was wondering if I should get certified before the trip or just throw some extra cash to a local place for the "we teach you how to in the morning, and take you out in the afternoon" places. This isn't a scuba vacation, I just figured since I'll be driving around the area why not take a day to scuba.

As a side note, anyone have any recommendations for scuba diving anywhere around the Yucatan? Also, I'd love to hear if someone has been able to scuba dive in any of the cenotes as I'd love to do that as well.

 

[Inspired]

Annnnd never mind. Trip got cancelled Company hosting conference didn't say why, but guessing it's because this just happened where we were spending first 4 days.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/09/20/501364/main20109219.shtml

Out $250 and nothing to show

Now to quickly find a replacement vacation.

 

[jefft72]

Sorry that the trip got canceled, but to give my thoughts on your question.

Scuba, like reefing is a hobby that will take your time and money. However, with scuba there is quite a bit more on the line with regards to your training and level of comfort in the water.

With that being said, I would most certainly find some place local to get certified. In my mind this accomplishes a couple of things
1) relationship with a local dive shop
2) Training in a relaxed environment as opposed to being on the clock during vacation
3) With local training and practice dives under your belt diving on vacation should be more enjoyable overall.

If you enjoy scuba then having a relationship with a local shop has its benefits. Typically the shop will have a club of sorts where folks will get together to dive locally, plus shops organize trips. Scuba is very social in my experience and similar to reefing is better when enjoyed with folks who share the common interest.

 

[Inspired]

Thanks a lot for the info, appreciate it. Sucks about trip, but looks like we're replacing it with an even better Egypt and Israel trip so it works out good. And, now we don't have to do any work, just all vacation.

Good points on the scuba, that makes sense. I'll spend some time reading up on it, seems like a cool hobby to have.

 

[Inspired]

Replacement trip was a blast. We had a few free days in Jordan and found a cool place to go scuba in the Red Sea. Was amazing to see the huge amounts of coral and fish... needless to say, now I'm hooked. We're trying to take a trip to somewhere in Carribean in a few months for a weekend of scuba. Are there any good spots that anyone would recommend there? From some quick googling, we're looking at Cozumel or Cayman. Also, can anyone reccomend a good dive shop around Houston area to get certified at a reasonable price?

 

[DGTG]

Roatan Honduras

Sea Sports Scuba

They just built a new facility with two indoor training pools a Barker Cypress & 290

My old instructor Rob is no longer there...I'm guessing it might be a guy named Ron.

 

[jefft72]

What side of town are you on? Gigglin Marlin is midtown and then there is Maximum Scuba in Seabrook. Gigglin just built a new shop that has an indoor saline pool for training.

The only suggestion that I have for a weekend trip is a ride out to the Flower Gardens on the Fling live aboard. I will hopefully be on the boat in two weeks so long as the weather doesn't blow the trip out again.

 

[Inspired]

DGTG, thanks for the info, that place is pretty close. I'll give them a call. I hadn't heard of Roatan, but wow it looks beautiful. Thanks for the tip I'll look into it.

Jeff, I'm in Cypress right off 249. That's really cool, I didn't realize there was something drivable. It'd be nice to save the cash from airfare. Are you trying to head out to the Flower Gardens or somewhere else?

 

[jefft72]

I have been on the waiting list to dive the flower gardens for the past month. Each weekend in February has been cancelled due to weather. Hopefully March 16 will be a good weather day. This will be my first trip to the Gulf, but my dad has been there before and really enjoyed it. You spend 2 nights on the boat and all you do is dive, eat, and BS with the other divers on board. The boat leaves out of Freeport.

 

[Inspired]

Sorry to hear about your bad luck. I hope it works out for you in March and you're able to go. I definitely want to go there but it looks as if I have to buy my own equipment first.

 

[jefft72]

The boat supplies the tanks and weights (from what I understand), but you could always rent gear for the weekend. Once you get certified you will have the basics (mask, fins, snorkel, and perhaps a wetsuit). There are several places to dive local in lakes where you can practice skills and get comfortable in the water. You can also rent different BCDs and regulator setups to see what you like.

Depending on how much you dive at some point renting gear will become a burden and more expensive.

 

[DGTG]

Another decent weekend drive dive (I crack myself up), is diving the Texas Clipper off of South Padre. Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt and a hat. Call American Technical Diving in S.Padre, ask for Rob Hancock, he's my old instructor and all around cool guy. Might wait till after Sprig Break though

 

[jefft72]

Agreed that the Clipper is a cool dive. My dad and I dove it right after it was put on the bottom. Vis was pretty bad, but the dive was still cool.

The Giant Stride on Lake Travis is a good option to get out on the lake for a decent price.

 

[R-BallJunkie]

a bit lost. you mention scuba in the red sea. you mean snorkel??

its a fun hobby, but can be equipment laden on the front end.

there's some good decent vacation spots that allow you to get certified while your on vacation. do some research, and see if they are PADI afililiated. sharm el sheikh in egypt is a food spot for diving/getting certified.

good luck

C