How to choose my diving travel destination?
Choosing well the destination of your diving travel is fundamental. For example, diving in Rangiroa, French Polynesia to spend your open water would be a very poor choice. So how can I choose the best destination for my diving trip ?
The objective of your diving holidays
Depending on your level, you may decide to organize your scuba diving holiday in very different places. Among the best destinations to spend your PADI open water or your level 1, you will find for example the island of Koh Tao or Koh Lipe in Thailand or the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. To spend your advance open water, you will definitely prefer to take full advantage of the wrecks of Marseille or the passes of French Polynesia.
The budget of my diving travel
Obviously, if you want to dive cheap, you might prefer some destinations close to where you live. Moreover, you can dive cheap abroad as for example in Koh Phi Phi or Koh Lipe in Thailand or in Hurghada and Marsa Alam in Egypt. There are also several diving resorts offering all-inclusive offers at very competitive prices. If you are looking for a luxury dive trip experience, you might prefer destinations with accommodation and hotels that offer a higher standard, without having to dive on sandy bottoms without fauna or flora. Among the best destinations for a luxury diving holiday, you will find for example Koh Samui and Phuket in Thailand or the incredible French Polynesia that offers an exceptional setting, memorable sites and high-end infrastructure.
Theme diving trip
Moreover, if you wish to get a unique underwater experience, you would probably prefer to book a Themed diving trip. You could for example book a snorkeling trip in Norway or a sperm whales one in the Azores? You might also decide to dive with white sharks or thousands of sardines during the Sardine Run in South Africa. But again, it is important to make sure that your dive level allows you to take full advantage of these extraordinary experiences. The best way would be to directly contact us by clicking on the button here under in order to organize your special dive trip. Booking with spotmydive is free.
Diving holidays – looking for a species
You can also choose your destination according to the underwater species that populate the waters of a particular country. If you are dreaming of diving with whale sharks, you should contact us in order to book your stay and dives in Cozumel in Mexico or Hin Daeng and Hin Muang in Thailand. If otherwise, you would like to dive with manta rays, you should go in French Polynesia or on a liveaboard dive in the Maldives.
Best period for your diving trip ?
When you have chosen your scuba diving destination you will have to choose carefully the period of your diving holiday. Indeed, beyond the question of weather and conditions outside the water, underwater conditions and local marine life can vary drastically from one season to another.
The seasons and weather conditions of your diving trips
Quite often, the seasons of the destinations do not have a classic four seasons. For exemple, it will be preferable to book your diving trip in French Polynesia during the cool season, between April and November because the warm season is very rainy.
Underwater conditions for your diving holidays
In the same way, you should take into account, during the organization of your diving stay, the underwater conditions. Although the weather and underwater conditions are often linked, sea currents alone can ruin your diving trip. Thus, in Thailand, the underwater conditions will not be at all the same from one side to the other of the country. Visibility is very bad on the golf of thailand and the islands of koh samui, koh phanghan and koh tao from November to February, when it is the best time to dive in Koh Phi Phi, Ko Lipe And Phuket, in the Adaman Sea.
The underwater fauna of your diving holidays
In order to properly organize the trip, it is imperative to learn about the cycle of migration and reproduction of species. This is even truer if you wish to make a theme diving trip.
For example, if you would like to organize your diving trip in French Polynesia, it would be important to have in mind the following periods.
- In June: Reproduction of groupers in Fakarava.
- From June to October: Best time for diving with Manta Rays.
- From August to October: Best time for diving with humpback whales
- From December to March: Best period for diving with hammer-sharks and eagle rays.
Book your diving trip
Once you have defined the type of diving travel you want and the best time to dive, you will have to search for the best deal. But be careful, it is important, especially in certain regions of the world to choose well its diving center or the best Resort. It is important to book a great hotel but make sure to check the quality of the dive center; its instructors and equipment. Spotmydive helps you find the best diving club or resort.
Your diving holiday at the right price
Few people know this, but when you book a dive package including hotel and diving, you can often get exclusive discount on room rates. Obviously, if you book the hotel and the dive independently, you will pay a much higher price. Spotmydive helps you to book your dive trip at the best price. With nearly 1000 partners with dive shops and hotels worldwide, we can find the best diving deal, tailored to your needs.
Book a diving trip with the right center
Most diving centers are professional, well equipped and have great equipment. However, by reserving a dive center on the internet in a remote area or just a not overly touristy destination, you could book a diving shop that does not respect the safety instructions or does not take adequate care of its diving equipment. We know, as a fact, that some centers do not or rarely control their equipment. By booking with spotmydive, you are sure to dive with great clubs and centers.
Organize your diving trip
Visa and passport
When leaving for a trip abroad, it is imperative to ensure that you have a valid passport and visa if necessary. Please note that some specialist sites allow you to apply for a visa online.
Medical Certificate and Rehabilitation Diving
Some diving destinations have more control over the practice of this sport. In some cases, you will be asked for a medical certificate. In French Polynesia, many centers require a certificate for divers over 75 years of age. Of course, you’re unlikely to be in that category but who knows. Following the reservation of your dive on spotmydive, the center will contact you in order to prepare your visit. In addition, PADI recommends to a diver who has not been diving for more than 6 months to have a rehabilitation dive. The latter is not compulsory and usually takes place on a relatively easy diving site with an attentive instructor and a smaller group. This allows divers to start their diving travel smoothly.
Diving insurance
Insurance is not compulsory for diving but it is recommended. Some insurance agencies are specialized in underwater diving. The best known is called DAN. Spotmydive is introducing a system that will soon allow divers who book through the website to obtain free insurance. This insurance costs between 60 and 300 euros per year on average.
Do you have any comment or advice regarding the article or the organization and booking of a dive trip? Feel free to share with the community.
