Scuba Diving Vacation Packages -
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Let's face it. Scuba diving isn't cheap. Sometimes prices can even border on the obscene.
Dive packages can often bring the price down to an "easier to digest" level.
There are several variations of packages you can choose from:
- All inclusive vacations that offer scuba diving
- Vacation package with air
- Vacation package without air
- Package that includes meals at the resort
- Unlimited diving or set number of dives a day
Air or No Air?
If you purchase land and air together through an airline, the price can be significantly less than if you had purchased them separately. However, I have found that it is not uncommon for some dive resorts not to be offered in the airline's vacation packages. In that case, you have to purchase them separately or go through an travel agency (online or off).
If you have to purchase air and land separately, here is my #1 tip for cheap airfare to the Caribbean. Or if you can't swing that, here are some of my other tips for cheap airfare to the Caribbean.
If you go through a travel agency, preferably it would be one that specializes in scuba diving. Most likely this will be an online presence, rather than an agency in your backyard. They know all the specials the resorts are offering and can sometimes get you good prices on air too.
One on-line agency we have used is Island Dreams Travel. They've been around for 20 years, are very knowledgeable and offer scuba diving vacation packages all over the world. If nothing else, you can call them up for a quote to compare prices. While they don't offer all the islands in the Caribbean, they do offer scuba diving vacation packages to all the top dive spots ( Caymans, Cozumel, Belize ( Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker), Bonaire, etc.).
Unlimited Diving or Dive Packages
Scuba diving vacation packages usually offer either unlimited diving or a set number of dives per day. It all depends on the resort.
Many dedicated dive resorts offer unlimited diving. It typically includes 2-4 boat dives per day plus unlimited shore diving. These are a great option if you want to do alot of diving on the trip.
One that we really loved was CoCo View Resort in Roatan, Honduras (with the caveat that we were there quite a few years ago. From their website, though, it still looks great. I'm ready go go back!)
Scuba diving vacation packages that offer a set number of dives per day will also save you money. Some resorts even offer choices on the number of dives per day (i.e., 2 boat dives in the morning; 2 in the morning, 1 in the afternoon, etc.). These options are nice because you can customize it and only pay for what you want to do.
Meals or no Meals?
This usually depends on the resort. Some include 3 meals per day in all packages, some include breakfast, others include no meals and still others let you choose your meal plan.
Meals are usually a decent value. Breakfast is a good one to include since you don't want to be running to find breakfast before your 8:00 am dive boat leaves (well, at least I don't).
It's all up to you. Personally, I like to go out and explore a bit and support some local businesses. Not to mention having a little variety after a week of eating at the same place.
Search for reviews of the resort and see what people have to say about the resort and the food. It may help you decide which option to choose. I usually start my search for reviews at Tripadvisor.com (whether it is related to scuba diving vacation packages or not).
They usually have enough reviews that you can get a good feel for a place. I typically disregard over-the-top reviews and whining reviews. Somewhere in between is usually closer to reality.
Questions to Ask
Some questions you may want to ask before you sign up for your scuba diving vacation packages:
- Is rental equipment included?
- How much does equipment rental cost?
- How many dives per day are included?
- Are they boat dives or shore dives?
- How many people are on each boat?
- What type of diving is usually done (reef, wreck, wall, drift diving, etc.)?
- Do they offer night diving
- How long does it take to get to the dive sites?
Wherever you go or whichever package you choose, we hope you have a great trip!
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