Diving Plans 2009

[Pacific State 808]

Happy Holidays Everyone.

Does anyone have any plans for diving vacations for 2009 ?

[Bigjohn]

My investments went diving this year so I'm not.
Sorry...

[flopnfly]

We're still looking for something for January.  Hoping a deal for Curacao comes up.

We're booked for Jamaica April 21st, my daughters wedding, but we're hoping to get a few dives in while we're there.

A long weekend in Bahamas for some diving, and maybe San Andres in the fall.

I still want to try Bonaire, but it's so hard to get a flight there.  I think the only way we'll do it is to get there from Curacao.

[Gambitt]

I was hoping to do some diving next month in Varadero, but it's going to be interesting.

We're booked with sunwing, one of the few airlines that is still charging $100 for Scuba Gear. So, it's either take just my own regs & computer and rent the rest, or pay the $100 and make Sunwing wish they had changed their policy...

Scuba diving equipment
A set is considered to be one each of the following: empty scuba tank, air supply, regulator, pressure gauge, tank harness, face mask, pair of diving fins, snorkel, knife, spear gun, air pistol and safety vest. All equipment (excluding the tank which can be carried separately) must be securely packed in a rigid and/or hard shell container specifically designed for shipping. If otherwise packaged, the item(s) will only be accepted with a limited release form (to be signed at check-in), releasing Sunwing of liability.

If I'm paying $100 Each way, then I'm taking my Biggest 160 cu. ft. Steel Tank.... That sucker weighs more than the rest of my gear AND Luggage allowance.

[Pacific State 808]

We're still looking for something for January.  Hoping a deal for Curacao comes up.

We're booked for Jamaica April 21st, my daughters wedding, but we're hoping to get a few dives in while we're there.

A long weekend in Bahamas for some diving, and maybe San Andres in the fall.

I still want to try Bonaire, but it's so hard to get a flight there.  I think the only way we'll do it is to get there from Curacao.

Wow, it will be interesting to hear how you get on, there is some awesome places you have mentioned. I have heard some wonderful things about Bonaire, but as you have said, it's hard to get to logistically.

You have been to Curacao a few times now, how do you rate it for diving in the Caribbean ? Better then Mexico ? I think there will be some good deals in the New Year and have already noticed a big reduction in pricing for locations not as popular as Cuba etc. If you want to dive off the beaten track as it where, there is deals to be had.

To bad Sunwing have not changed their policy for Sports equipment, especially now oil has dropped. If your planning just to do  a couple of dives I would take just regs and a computer, it sometimes can be pain to take everything out just to do a couple of dives......are you really thinking of taking that huge cylinder out with you ?.....wow ! I can imagine the faces on Cuban customs when wheeling that through the airport...lol.

As long as we all have diving vacations on the horizon I'm sure it will drive us through the tough year ahead.

[JohnnyCastaway]

If I'm paying $100 Each way, then I'm taking my Biggest 160 cu. ft. Steel Tank.... That sucker weighs more than the rest of my gear AND Luggage allowance.

Actually Gambitt, I believe that the $100 is round trip for all sporting equipment, but you have to keep your receipt for the return trip otherwise you have to pay again.

[flopnfly]

It's hard to compare diving in Curacao with Mexico, as they are both good but different.

Cozumel was drift diving and challenging at times with the strong current.  It was worth it to see all the marine life and healthy coral.  I saw everything including Turtles, nurse sharks, black tipped reef sharks, very large King Crabs  , and the coral has come back full strength after it was destroyed by the Hurricane.  Amazing diving.

Curacao diving is amazing as well, and because there is no drift, you can grab some great photo ops.

I wasn't as impressed with the diving in St. Lucia, but mostly because the Dive Masters didn't respect the reefs. 

Diving in the DR was a dive, and that's about all I can say about it. 

I'm looking forward to diving in Jamaica, the snorkeling was great, so hopefully it will be even better further down.

[Gambitt]

Actually Gambitt, I believe that the $100 is round trip for all sporting equipment, but you have to keep your receipt for the return trip otherwise you have to pay again.

Wow...  You're right!  I just looked again, and I had it wrong.

For $100 return, the BIG tank is going, along with the rest of my own gear!!!  I saw on ebay one time a set of Clip-on wheels for scuba tanks, so I'm going to have to get a set for that tank.

[Gambitt]

I'm looking forward to diving in Jamaica, the snorkeling was great, so hopefully it will be even better further down.

I did my Open Water cert. in Jamiaca, and you will love it.  It was a "Discover Suba" course in JA, that got me hooked on Diving in the first place.

If you can arrange it, try to do a dive off the other side of Mo Bay at the previous Jack Tarr village.  It's part of a Marine Park, and it's one of the best dives on the Island.

[flopnfly]

That's where we snorkelled and it was amazing so I'm looking forward to the dive.

Gambitt, do you know the name of the dive site?....and are you coming with us?   

[SharonAnn]

If I'm paying $100 Each way, then I'm taking my Biggest 160 cu. ft. Steel Tank.... That sucker weighs more than the rest of my gear AND Luggage allowance.

Don't forget there's a maximum weight per bag allowance.
 
Note: As the loading of heavy baggage is a safety concern for baggage handlers, the maximum weight of any one piece of your checked baggage cannot exceed 32kgs.

[Gambitt]

After the drop in oil prices, most of the other airlines have given-in on charging extra for Scuba gear.

Even Sky-Squish!

Scuba Equipment


Scuba tanks must be empty of all oxygen and the pressure gauges protected. Equipment must only consist of 1 tank, air regulator, mask and fins. Skyservice recommends a waiting period of at least 24 hours between the last dive and flight check-in time. It is however, the sole responsibility of the passenger to determine the pre-flight waiting period following their dive which is safest for them.


No charge up to 20 kilograms

http://www.skyserviceairlines.com/accepted_items.htm

Sunwing is an exception..

So, as long as I'm going Sunwing to Varadero, I'm going to make them decide. According to their site, I can take my Scuba Gear, PLUS a tank for $100 return..

I have a 160 cu.ft. Steel scuba tank, that on it's own weighs 60 lbs! If you look at their "exccess baggage" page, that tank alone would cost $300 even if you pre-book it.

https://www.sunwing.ca/excessbaggage/excessbaggageii.aspx

So their option is: Take my regs, mask, fins and wetsuit for free, like the other airlines do; or I'll pay the $100, but you are going to carry an extra $400 worth of dive gear!

Most divers do not take thier own tank (dive sites have tanks ready) , but if they want to make that the rule to take the basics, then we have to go along.

It's thier choice... I'll let you know how they reply to my email.

Edit:

As long as I'm being cantankerous, here's another idea..

If I'm paying $100 for my "scuba gear" what's the incentive to dry anything after my last dive?

If my $100 includes a wetsuit, then if it's dry at 5 lbs., or soaked at 15 lbs, it's still only a wetsuit....Fins full of sand and shells, still only one set of fins.

And if my "Weight Integrated" BCD "safety vest" is full of 50lbs of lead, at departure, instead of "borrowing" 10 lbs of weights that I need (standard practice) at the dive shop, it's still a "safety vest".

[Gambitt]

Don't forget there's a maximum weight per bag allowance.
 
Note: As the loading of heavy baggage is a safety concern for baggage handlers, the maximum weight of any one piece of your checked baggage cannot exceed 32kgs.

So my big tank just makes the limit at 60 lbs, and since it can be "seperate" , it's a single unit. 

[Tuss]

I'm hoping to go somewhere in April but not sure where.  I'd love to go back to Belize (i was snorkling there a few years ago) or to Roatan, but my partner has been diving at both places and wants to try something new. Cozumel might be an option, as would Bonaire.  Gotta do a little research and see what is easy to get to on budget.

[flopnfly]

Tuss,

Curacao usually has some good deals in April, and you can get to Bonaire from there to do some diving.

Curacao is mainly shore diving, but you can do some great boat dives as well.