Will I be disappointed?
Discussion
Right I’m off to the Maldives at the beginning of August. Really can’t wait and have already been acquiring bits and pieces for it.
First purchases are underwater camera and snorkel / flippers and the rest but what’s bugging me is not what I should buy but what should I do whilst out there (first time visiting)
So the question is if I don’t go scuba diving will I be disappointed?
Now I know there’s a range of things to whilst there and tbh its not what the holiday is all about (relaxing and chilling is what ‘we’re’ after) but I have this nagging feeling that I should do it
THE PROBLEM
Now I’ve never learnt to scuba, so doing my research shows that I’ll need to do my open water and rescue course = £500 + training bill. Put this with the £200 to dive whilst out there without my OT it’s all mounting up.
Will I be really missing out just snorkelling with my girlfriend and waiting for the next time (which there will be sometime in the future) or should I cram in the training now and sod the costs?
Thanks for any advise and as always im already aware that only I can answer how much value can I put on the experience but what im trying to do is get responses saying that its not the end of the world don’t worry OR CHRIST MAN WHAT ARE YOU THINKING!!!!!
Cheers
Tom
First purchases are underwater camera and snorkel / flippers and the rest but what’s bugging me is not what I should buy but what should I do whilst out there (first time visiting)
So the question is if I don’t go scuba diving will I be disappointed?
Now I know there’s a range of things to whilst there and tbh its not what the holiday is all about (relaxing and chilling is what ‘we’re’ after) but I have this nagging feeling that I should do it
THE PROBLEM
Now I’ve never learnt to scuba, so doing my research shows that I’ll need to do my open water and rescue course = £500 + training bill. Put this with the £200 to dive whilst out there without my OT it’s all mounting up.
Will I be really missing out just snorkelling with my girlfriend and waiting for the next time (which there will be sometime in the future) or should I cram in the training now and sod the costs?
Thanks for any advise and as always im already aware that only I can answer how much value can I put on the experience but what im trying to do is get responses saying that its not the end of the world don’t worry OR CHRIST MAN WHAT ARE YOU THINKING!!!!!
Cheers
Tom
Diving isnt for everyone, some love it and some just hate it. If you have snorkelled and like it, the the next step is to try it!.
Its one of the best places to learn, just do an openwater course and then maybe some extra dives on top. Yes it is more expensive abroard when doing a course but do you realy want to learn in a quarry and freeze.
I learnt in this country and have dived for 20 odd years, I'm fast becoming a warm water diver as I get middle aged. My son did an Open water course last year on holiday. He's been desperate to do this from the age of 8, now He's 13, He's happy.
Its one of the best places to learn, just do an openwater course and then maybe some extra dives on top. Yes it is more expensive abroard when doing a course but do you realy want to learn in a quarry and freeze.
I learnt in this country and have dived for 20 odd years, I'm fast becoming a warm water diver as I get middle aged. My son did an Open water course last year on holiday. He's been desperate to do this from the age of 8, now He's 13, He's happy.
Forgot to say , If your going to dive forget the camera. You will have enough things and equipment on your mind without the camera, its another skill to learn after and if you enjoy it.
Also if snorkelling you can see lots of fish and baby sharks in the lagoon shallows around the Island. The best place to snorkel is on the reef crest, some lslands the reef is very close and some it can be a 200/300m swim. Just depends on your chosen Island.
Also if snorkelling you can see lots of fish and baby sharks in the lagoon shallows around the Island. The best place to snorkel is on the reef crest, some lslands the reef is very close and some it can be a 200/300m swim. Just depends on your chosen Island.
No you won't be disappointed mate. For medical reasons my Mrs can't scuba so we both snorkel & we love it. Unless you fancy wreck diving or similar, you'll be more than happy with a mask, tube & fins. Plus you can go as often as you like without worrying about decompression etc. Will cost you less than £150 for a good mask, tube, fins & boots.
Have fun!
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Have fun!
Couple of thoughts based on a trip to the Maldives a few years ago. I'd also thought about getting certified before going but never got round to it. The snorkelling was good enough that I didn't regret it. The resort dive school offered trial dives, I did one of these and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Our resort also offered snorkel 'safaris' to different reefs, again worth doing for a change of scene.
One thing I would't rush to do is take a day trip to Male if its offered. We found it a waste of a day.
Our resort also offered snorkel 'safaris' to different reefs, again worth doing for a change of scene.
One thing I would't rush to do is take a day trip to Male if its offered. We found it a waste of a day.
Edited by Andy_GSA on Monday 8th June 23:44
Tangoed said:
Diving isnt for everyone, some love it and some just hate it. If you have snorkelled and like it, the the next step is to try it!.
I'd agree with this. I dived last year in Sharm, and whilst it was brilliant seeing all the colourful fish and stuff, once I realised I was about ten metres under water and relying on this big bottle to breath, I s
t myself and had to get out.I went to the Maldives and snorkeled but didn't SCUBA, didn't feel I'd missed out at all.
The reefs around the islands are great for the smaller fish, if you go out on the boats you will see larger versions, but I was happy with all I saw through snorkels.
Having said that, as a contact lens wearer, I had only been introduced to snorkeling about 7 years ago as for some reason I never thought I could with lenses in! So it's still novel for me (not going to exotic places every year means I've still not done as much as I would like).
The reefs around the islands are great for the smaller fish, if you go out on the boats you will see larger versions, but I was happy with all I saw through snorkels.
Having said that, as a contact lens wearer, I had only been introduced to snorkeling about 7 years ago as for some reason I never thought I could with lenses in! So it's still novel for me (not going to exotic places every year means I've still not done as much as I would like).
bint said:
I went to the Maldives and snorkeled but didn't SCUBA, didn't feel I'd missed out at all.
The reefs around the islands are great for the smaller fish, if you go out on the boats you will see larger versions, but I was happy with all I saw through snorkels.
Having said that, as a contact lens wearer, I had only been introduced to snorkeling about 7 years ago as for some reason I never thought I could with lenses in! So it's still novel for me (not going to exotic places every year means I've still not done as much as I would like).
Do you know you can get prescription diving masks?The reefs around the islands are great for the smaller fish, if you go out on the boats you will see larger versions, but I was happy with all I saw through snorkels.
Having said that, as a contact lens wearer, I had only been introduced to snorkeling about 7 years ago as for some reason I never thought I could with lenses in! So it's still novel for me (not going to exotic places every year means I've still not done as much as I would like).
What resort are you going to? Some have amazing house reefs while others can be a litle disappointing. If you do your open water (very easy to pass) then there is the possiblity of doing the wreck dive between the airport and Male. Huge container ship that sunk a good few years ago.
Also, if you have the chance to go to Male then do. The fish market is amazing but the island/city is not big enough fo a whole day trip.
Also, if you have the chance to go to Male then do. The fish market is amazing but the island/city is not big enough fo a whole day trip.
northwest monkey said:
Do you know you can get prescription diving masks?
You can get prescription snorkelling masks too.......As I wear contacts it's cheaper to get normal masks, but I bought MOH a prescription mask for snorkelling.
As I'm really not that bothered about learning to dive (no idea why, just doesn't bother me either way) I'm fine with what I have.
I can highly recommend Bali for fishy spotting too.......
bint said:
northwest monkey said:
Do you know you can get prescription diving masks?
You can get prescription snorkelling masks too.......As I wear contacts it's cheaper to get normal masks, but I bought MOH a prescription mask for snorkelling.
As I'm really not that bothered about learning to dive (no idea why, just doesn't bother me either way) I'm fine with what I have.
I can highly recommend Bali for fishy spotting too.......
Love snorkelling, hated scuba. It was a life long dream (after years of watching Jacques Cousteau when I was a kid) and after going through the open water training and going on my first dive I found it much more effort than it was worth. Unless you are going deep, you see pretty much the same fish and coral etc with snorkelling gear.
I didn't just give up straight away. I tried two more dives just to make sure it was as unpleasant as I thought it was first time around. I am just grateful the only scuba specific gear I actually bought was a weight belt.
I know some resorts give "taster" courses in the pool or the like. You may want to try something like that first.
I didn't just give up straight away. I tried two more dives just to make sure it was as unpleasant as I thought it was first time around. I am just grateful the only scuba specific gear I actually bought was a weight belt.
I know some resorts give "taster" courses in the pool or the like. You may want to try something like that first.
I've just done my 1st dive in Cape Verde. 75 euros got me 2 lessons in the pool and then a 10m dive in the open sea! The instructor was fantastic as i was very nervous, i dont do boats or the sea at the best of times! Between him and my fiance who's a sports diver there was always someone holding on to me and he controlled the inflation on the jacket etc. and got a personal tour of the sea bed!
It was interesting but dont think it's for me. Where i was they let you do this as a trial and if you wanted to do the full course after they knocked 75e off the course price. I'd probably say try it before you spend a lot on a full course or any equipment.
It was interesting but dont think it's for me. Where i was they let you do this as a trial and if you wanted to do the full course after they knocked 75e off the course price. I'd probably say try it before you spend a lot on a full course or any equipment.
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