Underwater Love! Everything You Need To Know About Diving Vacations

If you are planning on spending your next vacation underwater, there are many factors to consider. The good news is you can read all about the most critical ones, in detail below. Just jump right in! 

Kit 

There are many items of kit you will need to optimize your experience when diving. Although the items you will need will depend on the style of diving you choose. 

Scuba diving 

For example, those taking part in scuba diving will require more technical items such as your tank, regulator, and depth gauge.

Tank  

Indeed, your scuba tank is the receptacle that holds the air you will breathe while under the water. These tanks are often made of aluminum or steel and come in a range of sizes suited to all builds of person. 

Most people that are just learning to dive rent their tanks at the dive site, but more dedicated divers may purchase their own. 

Regulator

With one end attached to your tank, the next vital piece of equipment you will need for a dive trip is a regulator. Regulators consist of two stages. Stage one is attached to your scuba tank and transports the air from your rank to your mouth. Whereas stage two is the mouthpiece that releases the air so you can breathe when you inhale. Comfort is an essential consideration when choosing a regulator, especially if you plan to be under the water for any length of time. 

Of course, those taking part in activities like freediving won’t require a tank or regulator. Instead, an additional freediving kit includes a scuba mask and weight belts. Although, both freed divers and scuba divers will require the following in most cases. 

All diving 

Gauges 

When diving in any style you will need gauges that measure the depth you are swimming at and the current pressure. Scuba divers will need both a depth gauge that shows how deep you can dive and a submersible pressure gauge that monitors the air remaining in your tank. Freedivers, on the other hand, will require only the depth gauge. 

Dive suits

While some divers use only the technical items above and dive in regular swimming costumes in some particularly easy dive sites, most locations require proper suits and additional clothing items, both for warmth, and safety. 

The first of these is a diving suit, which comes in wet or dry options. Wetsuits tend to be used in warmer water. They are designed to be fitted tightly to the skin, trapping a layer of water that helps to keep your body warm. After all, while it may be balmy sunshine above water, below it can get cold quickly! 

There is a wide range of wetsuits that include full coverage or separates to suit most needs. You may even consider investing in something like these custom freediving wetsuits if you plan on diving without tanks. The reason is that they are specially crafted to fit your body and your needs, and so ensure the very best performance when you are in the water. 

Drysuits, on the other hand, are used for diving in colder water. They are more loosely fitted than wetsuits, to create a layer of air around the body that acts as extra insulation in colder waters. Choosing the right suit for your dive is vital, not only for your comfort but for your safety as well. If in doubt be sure to consult an expert. 

Other dive items 

Whether you dive scuba style or freestyle, other items such as fins and gloves are also a good idea. Fins will help you move more efficiently through the water, and so use less energy, as you dive, Something that will allow you to maximize your time under the water. Choose open heeled fins for cold water and closed heel fins for warmer sites. 

Gloves are great for two reasons, first of all, they will help you keep your hands warm, something that is essential as we rely on accurate hand signs to communicate underwater. Additionally, water is not the only thing you will encounter when diving. Indeed there are likely to be sharp rocks and even poisonous wildlife, so having protection for your hands can be very useful. 

Training 

Before diving on your trip, you must get the proper training beforehand. Indeed, dive training covers three essential areas: theory, practice, and application of what you have learned. Some people choose to attend schools while on vacation that offers all of these elements, yet it is worth noting that many dive schools now offer the theory part of the course online. The benefits of doing your dive theory via eLearning before you head off on your break are that you don’t need to spend the first half of your vacation in a classroom studying textbooks instead you can move straight onto the next two stages: 

The practice stage of your dive training usually involves practical drills in a body of water with safe conditions like a swimming pool. At this stage, you will go through the basic maneuvers over and over till you are confident enough to head out into open water. 

The last stage of your training will be diving in open water such as a lake, the sea, or the ocean. Your dive instructor should be with you for this dive, as the aim is to make sure you are safe to continue. 

Locations 

Before heading off on your dive vacation you will need to seriously consider the location of your break. Good diving is a must, and places such as Australia, Egypt, Thailand, Belize, Honduras, and South Africa all offer this in differing ways. Columbia is a great option for divers too! 

Your budgets and the type of vacation you would like to have when you are out of the water will play an important part in the decision-making processes too. 

Sites 

Once you have decided on a country, it’s a good idea to narrow down the sites that you will want to dive at. For example, if you have chosen to take your dive vacation in Australia, then you will have a wide range of sites to consider including: 

1. The Great Barrier Reef
2. Port Douglas.
3. Townsville
4. South West Rocks.

The best way to narrow things down is to do some research into the kind of dive each site offers, the conditions, the difficulty level, and the wildlife you will be able to see. For example, the Great Barrier Reef offers amazing vistas with a multitude of wildlife including fish, coral, and sharks. However, some divers prefer to stay away from this site because of the issue of damage to the ecosystem at work there. 

On the other hand, Townsville is another great dive site, mainly because of the fascinating shipwrecked SS Yongala that divers can view from above, and even get down and more closely inspect! 

Additionally, for some people, this may be staying at a single location and enjoying a combination of a relaxing vacation along with dives in that area. However, for others, (usually the more committed diver) fitting in as many iconic dive spots as possible will be the goal. 

Additional dive info 

While you have most of the info you need for a great diving trip, there is one last thing to mention. It’s that vacations are often full of good food, and alcoholic drinks. Yet if you plan to do some underwater exploring then going easy on the cuisine is a good idea. The reason? Well, it’s that passing wind while in a wetsuit underwater can be a very bad idea. Indeed, the explosive force that farting generates while at depth could cause you all sorts of problems from propelling you to the surface (making you vulnerable to decompression) or even ripping a hole in your expensive suit!