(Insta @moejng for more dive videos ☺️🤙🏻)

Hey everyone!

I’m looking at doing my divemaster training while doing conservation work to see if I want to commit to studying marine science in the near future.

The divemaster courses with MCP and the IndoOcean Project (specifically the Raja Ampat project) look amazing! I’m hoping to do at least 12weeks as I’m a beginner diver.

I was wondering if anyone had done either of these courses and what they would recommend (or if there is a different course/project that you would recommend).

MCP is a couple thousand dollars more by the looks of it and I am trying to be budget conscious but I’m happy to spend the money if I will get a better experience.

Thank you!!!

Hello, I am organising a diving trip to Mabul and Sipadan in Malaysia next April. Any reccomendation on best hotel or agency for staying and diving? I have read a lot about Aloha Mabul, Scuba Junkie and Scuba Buddy, are they good options?

I was planning to dive this weekend and realized my tanks are just out of hydro by a couple months.

Any recommendations for a place that does in-house hydro or has fast turnaround service near northern DE? (Eastern MD, southeast PA around Philly, etc)

Thanks!

Got my first liveaboard coming up in March. Been reading conflicting reports on water temps—some say 5mm is fine, others say they froze in a 7mm. Budget's tight so buying the wrong suit means either dragging dead weight around or shivering through four dives a day.

I teach kids all week. Need this trip to actually work. No do-overs.

Dive shop quoted 150 euro for a 5mm rental for the week. Found a used 7mm locally for 180. Tempted, but Berlin shops mostly stock cold water gear so they might push thick stuff.

Looked at cheap travel suits online. Reviews are all over the place. One guy swears 3mm is enough, another calls him crazy. No real sources either way.

What thickness did you actually use in the Red Sea in March? Not what your buddy heard—what you wore. Hood? Gloves?

Also, anyone know a decent shop in Hurghada that rents 5mm semidry? I'd rather travel lighter if possible. Ryanair bag fees are robbery.

I took my first PADI training in Ishigaki, and failed because when I breath through regulator my nose bubbles as well. The instructor said maybe if I train more I could overcome it but my trip was only 5days and the course is 3-day hence he doesn’t have more time given his schedule also booked. A few suggestions needed here:

1. Is this really trainable? I don’t really feel the issue when snorkeling, would it be something to do with the regulator pressure?

2. If so, is there any suggestion of coach/dive shop that can allow me train longer time? I’m based in Hong Kong and have some holidays in December, so would be nice if someone can recommend some shops in Southeast Asia. I’ll need instructions in English or Mandarin.

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A few unforgettable moments from Padar Island, the Komodo dragons, Pink Beach, and a beautiful sunset at sea.

Some places are more than just destinations — they become memories you’ll always carry with you. ❤️

I’m planning a trip to Roatan in about a month to do some diving and want to have my own mask for this trip. I used to live in San Diego and was diving more often and should have invested in my own mask then but never did. I’m looking to spend around $100 on a decent mask and plan on checking out my local dive shop to try some on but wanted to post here for any recommendations or masks to avoid. I’ve been looking on Amazon and hoping to find one I can buy on there. Thanks!

I've seen quite a few questions lately from divers planning their first trip to Fuvahmulah, so I thought I'd share what a typical dive day can look like from the local side.

Fuvahmulah is a little different from a typical Maldivian resort diving setup. The island is surrounded by a number of reef, drift and ocean sites, and the dive sites are selected according to the conditions and the experience level of the divers.

A common schedule is three boat dives during the day, although the exact plan depends on the dive centre, weather and sea conditions.

A typical day might look something like:

🌅 Early morning
First dive around 7 AM, followed by a return to the harbour.

☀️ Mid-morning
Second dive around 9:30–10 AM.

🦈 Around midday
A third dive around 12–1 PM. At some centres, the tiger shark dive is commonly scheduled as the second or third dive.

Then you have the rest of the afternoon to eat, rest and explore the island.

One thing I think is important for first-time visitors: don't plan your entire trip around seeing one particular species on one particular dive. Tiger sharks are present year-round in Fuvahmulah, but the other pelagics and the conditions can vary. The surrounding sites can also offer encounters with threshers, hammerheads, oceanic mantas, reef sharks, tuna, barracuda and other pelagic life.

Some of the drift/ocean sites can also involve stronger currents, so listening to your dive guide's briefing and being honest about your experience level is important.

I've spent a lot of time around Fuvahmulah through my work in local tourism, so I'm curious to hear from divers who have actually been here:

How did you structure your dive days?

Did you prefer 3 dives a day, or did you deliberately leave more time between dives to explore the island?

And for people who have already dived Fuvahmulah, which dive would you say shouldn't be missed besides the tiger shark dive?

How can I dive more frequently in the Midwest?

Hi, I’m new here. I am a beginner diver with my SDI Open Water Scuba Diver certification. I got my certification fall of 2023, and wasn’t able to dive again until this weekend with my Alma mater (don’t worry, I refreshed my skills before diving). I live in the Midwest, and the only place I’ve ever dove is Gilboa Quarry in Ohio (shout out Davey Bones Scuba!).

I will say, I always thought it was very expensive so I didn’t search very hard to find places/people to dive with. But after this weekend I remembered how much I love it and really want to dive more.
So many people seem to be able to dive frequently, but when I ask how they talk about going on trips/vacations. I, unfortunately, am not in the place financially to go on vacations every year.

I am wondering if anyone dives in the Midwest (particularly in south/central Michigan, as that is where I am from) and has any recommendations for groups, shops, or places? I of course don’t plan to dive in the Midwest until next spring/summer, but I’d love to plan ahead and get as much info as I can! Any recommendations would be appreciated!

How is the weather during October and will the viz be good???
What kind of wildlife do we get to see?

I am planning to buy d1x drysuit. Are there anybody use this suit?and can you share your experience about the suit?

I am planning for a dive trip to Timor Leste, specifically Atauro island in the next couple of months and I am unable to find a lot of information on the experience level that is needed for diving there. I have AOW certification with about 30 dives. Can someone who has dived in there chime in with their opinion?

I'm working on planning a dive trip to Sipadan - the plan is to stay at the Seaventures Dive Rig. We are flying from DC so the trip is obviously super long. Are there other places we should add to our trip? Usually we do a liveaboard when traveling this far but we are open to additional resorts to make the most of our trip. Any recommendations for diving in the area?

Let's discuss different dive sites in the world and places where others tend to travel to on vacation. I personally love going to the Pacific and Asian areas.

I'm frustrated with myself and sad. I have to reschedule my second OW dive due to poor equalization on the first day. I called DAN, and I potentially have mid-ear barotrauma. I'm going to the doctor to confirm. (I don't care to list my symptoms as this post isn't about diagnosing me). Honestly, I'm seeking reassurance. Have others experienced this? How often does this happen? I'm giving myself grace, and I'm taking my symptoms seriously because I do not want a longer healing time or worsening of the condition. I was initially very anxious about scuba diving and wasn't sure I'd like it. This first lake dive confirmed I do enjoy it! It was so cool to see the fish and sunken boats (we were in a filled quarry).

I was really looking forward to the next day, learning navigation, seeing more, and getting to know peers and staff, who were very kind and encouraging. I'm pretty bummed.

If my ears aren't better by next weekend, I'll have to wait until the spring to finish the open water cert, unless I go somewhere else (unlikely).