Why Plan?

    As a trained scuba diver, you will know to plan each dive - what depth, for how long, and for what purpose. There are two more steps in the planning process - to have the right equipment with you, in good working order, when the conditions are right to accomplish your goals. And, getting there - especially if you are to travel any distance. All three steps are necessary to accomplish your dive objectives.
    Planning is part of the travel experience and the anticipation of the journey should be as exciting as the journey itself.

Peace of Mind

    Some of the more popular dive resorts get quite crowded during their high season. Early bookings and written confirmations will heighten the prospect of a memorable vacation and create the peace of mind necessary to that end.
    Read! The "scuba,scuba" Bookshelves give you access to diving and other related books, and there are links to on-line magazines on the same page. Destinations provides some personal reports and recommendations from our "scuba,scuba" participants.

Save Money

    Take time to research possible dive resorts. By traveling in the off-season, booking early, and knowing what you want, you can get the best prices. Start planning early and you will save money, prevent disappointment and guarantee success.

Selecting Your Destination

    Start by deciding the one major element you want to include. Perhaps you want to go to a particular region - Hawaii, the Caribbean. Perhaps the type of diving is uppermost in your mind - reef, wall, wreck. Maybe 'the other stuff' is of prime importance - a wine festival in France while on a dive trip to the Mediterranean, for example.
    By determining your prime goal - which may not even be dive-related - designing a successful dive vacation becomes that much easier. A definate primary goal will help you narrow down your destination choices. See -prime goal

Side Trips

    A scuba diving trip to a nearby location will probably be confined to just diving. Traveling to distant lands gives you an excellent opportunity to experience the local culture and "must see" tourist spots - some Aztec or Inca ruins when diving Cozumel - the Egyptian pyramids when diving the Red Sea - or take in a local festival, like Carnival in any Caribbean island.
    You know you shouldn't fly within 24 hours of your last dive. Use this time, at least, to explore other aspects of your chosen vacation spot.

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