| Dive travel should be exciting and sometimes, planning | | | | This may sound obvious but it's surprising how many |
| it - whittling down the shortlist, choosing places to stay | | | | people neglect to check travel requirements and turn |
| - can also be a bit of fun. However, the "wrong" | | | | up to their destination without the required permits or |
| holiday or a bad choice can be an expensive and | | | | let their travel visas expire. If you are uncertain, contact |
| regrettable ordeal. It's worth giving some careful | | | | the embassy/consulate of the country you're planning |
| planning and preparation to your diving holiday. | | | | on visiting or ask your travel agent. |
| Budget | | | | Equipment |
| We don't want finances to dictate everything involved | | | | Have your equipment - especially your BC and |
| in our holiday planning but the fact is, if you haven't got | | | | regulators - serviced by a professional prior to |
| the money, you cannot do the things you want to do. | | | | departure. Alternatively, make sure you'll have the time |
| Cheap, luxury or in-between | | | | and facilities to have it serviced at your destination |
| It's important to consider the cost of flight | | | | before going out on your first dive. Before my last trip, I |
| transportation, accommodation, dives and other | | | | discovered that my BC inflator was sticking - |
| necessities. Generally speaking, places like Cozumel | | | | something that could have been dangerous had I gone |
| are considered accessible and cheap for North | | | | into the water unaware. |
| Americans while Egypt is an affordable option for | | | | Do you have everything? |
| Western Europeans and Bali/Indonesia for Australians. | | | | • Adequate and appropriate equipment for your |
| Time | | | | dives - BC and regs |
| Consider the time required to travel to and from your | | | | • Exposure suit for the conditions - a drysuit may |
| destination, time required for diving and other activities. | | | | not be good for very warm tropical waters and a |
| You will always find there is never enough time on a | | | | shorty would not be good for serious wreck diving. If |
| good holiday. | | | | you aren't sure if you'll be warm enough, pack a hood |
| Remember the mandatory no-fly time between your | | | | • Fins/boots, mask and snorkel |
| last dive of the holiday and your flight. Make sure you | | | | • Mesh bag for boats and sites - you don't want to |
| plan this into your itinerary. | | | | be carrying your roller suitcase onto a diveboat or onto |
| Where do you want to go? | | | | the back of a truck |
| Location should be easy to decide - or so you would | | | | • Dry bag - to keep the important things dry on |
| think. If you have a place in mind half way around the | | | | your trips out |
| world and you only have ten days for your holiday, | | | | • Spares and "save a dive kit" - with spare O-rings, |
| then you should cross it off your list. | | | | cable ties and other necessities |
| Do you want to vacation somewhere and get in some | | | | • Photographic equipment if you're planning on |
| diving on the side or do you want to prioritise your | | | | taking pictures |
| diving? If you are planning on doing three or four dives | | | | • Certification cards |
| daily, there will be precious little time left for anything | | | | If you're taking your own dive equipment (rather than |
| else. You may end up kicking yourself because you | | | | relying on the resort rental), you're going to have heavy |
| didn't plan in extra time for activities such as | | | | baggage. Check airline luggage allowances and enquire |
| sightseeing on land, cultural tours or taking in the | | | | ahead of time if you're not sure what you're allowed. |
| nightlife. | | | | Depending on the airline, it may be cheaper to pay for |
| Research your location | | | | a second bag than to risk having your one allowed |
| Ask about your chosen location: | | | | bag clock too heavy. I've had some nasty surprises - |
| • Is it a place where you will feel safe? | | | | especially with small regional carriers - of being slapped |
| • Will you be happy spending your hard-earned | | | | with an unexpected overweight/oversize baggage fee |
| holiday time and money there? | | | | at the airline check-in counter. |
| • Is it relatively easy to get to? | | | | Don't forget: |
| • Can you get the required travel visas or permits? | | | | • Seasickness medication if you're going to be out |
| There are many dive sites in the world where it is not | | | | at sea and are prone to feeling ill |
| possible to just turn up because it is protected or the | | | | • Basic first aid kit |
| numbers are controlled for conservation reasons | | | | • Sunblock and insect repellent if you're going to |
| Non-diving companions | | | | the tropics |
| This is one of the necessary compromises in life for | | | | • MONEY - there are still places where you can |
| some people - family and friends with interests and | | | | only use cash or where you'll be charged a hefty fee |
| priorities different from yours. You want a place that | | | | for using credit cards |
| will accommodate and entertain people who don't dive | | | | If you are diving with a diveshop, charter boat or a |
| and aren't interested in keeping up with the divers. Rule | | | | resort, they will probably have the tools and some |
| out the liveaboard. You can also rule out the dive | | | | basic spares. The more upscale resorts also have |
| resort in the middle of nowhere with nothing else to do | | | | services to deliver greater comfort and convenience |
| other than dive. | | | | to their guests. If you are going to be more |
| Type of diving | | | | independent and out on your own, you'll need a more |
| Wrecks or reef, liveaboard or land-based? If | | | | comprehensive set of backups and spares. |
| seasickness is a problem, consider the liveaboard | | | | Insurance |
| carefully. | | | | You should have both travel coverage and dive |
| Do you have the necessary equipment? If you're | | | | insurance. If you are taking your own diving equipment, |
| planning on Arctic ice diving, you will not be able to use | | | | you may need additional coverage to cover theft and |
| your tropical regulator. | | | | loss. Read the small print on your travel insurance |
| Do you have the adequate training and experience? | | | | regarding what is and what is NOT covered. |
| Diving on an aircraft carrier at 40 metres may sound | | | | Some regular travel insurance will exclude dive |
| very enticing but you'll need proper training and | | | | accidents or will only provide limited cover for |
| certification. | | | | dive-related medical needs. It is a good idea to take |
| Preparing for your holiday as departure date nears | | | | additional dive insurance coverage. The non-profit |
| Your holiday is coming up, departure date is nearing. It's | | | | organisation Divers Alert Network (DAN) is a popular |
| time to take a moment to make sure you have | | | | choice with divers as their dive medical coverage is |
| everything you need for a safe and enjoyable holiday. | | | | comprehensive. Depending on where you live, you |
| Preparation ahead of time and looking at your checklist | | | | may be able to get holiday/travel cover through DAN |
| will save you a lot of headaches on your trip and allow | | | | as well. |
| you to relax and appreciate your destination. Nobody | | | | With some thought given to your holiday from planning |
| wants to be running around trying to sort out their | | | | to departure, you'll lessen the chance of neglecting |
| paperwork or equipment when they could be sitting on | | | | important requirements and items being forgotten. You'll |
| the beach or out sightseeing. | | | | enjoy your dives and your destination more and save |
| Visas and travel documents | | | | yourself a lot of unnecessary bother. |