Why Group Dive Travel?

Before they go with us, a lot of divers tell us, “I don’t think organized group dive travel is for me.” Their arguments always follow along these lines: I don’t want to travel with a bunch of people I don’t really know. I don’t want to be told where to go and what to do on my vacation. I can buy the trip myself, about as cheap, maybe cheaper. My wife/husband doesn’t dive and she/he doesn’t want to spend our vacation with a bunch of divers.

But then, after folks give it a try, they go on about it. “I’m sold. Best dive trip of my life. I had a blast; my wife had blast. The diving was great. We’ve already started saving, planning to join the group on another SnS dive trip.”

Why the change of heart?

What is it about group dive travel that so many people think they’re not going to like, but almost everyone ends up doing a 180 and loving it?

Letting SnS arrange flights, hotels, and diving.

Letting SnS organize travel and dive arrangements makes the trip a pleasure. Have you ever stared at a card some guy at the airport handed you, or worse yet, the Yellow pages, printed in Spanish, wondering which dive operation should we use, and if the price they’re quoting you is competitive, and what the boat will be like, and who will be on it with you, and where they’ll be taking you, and do they charge extra for this or that piece of gear, and will they serve food on the boat, and does the boat have any thing that represents a bathroom, and on and on and on. So hand those worries all off to your SnS divemaster and travel guide, who has probably already been to that destination and arranged to use a particular dive operation.

You’ll find that when we’re traveling as a group, we’ve got extra pull with dive operations and boats. It’s a whole different ball game than hunting down a boat and dive guide on your own. You’ll find yourself treated like royalty, because we look like a pretty big chunk of change when we walk through their door. Plus, the dive operators want our repeat business.

Just ’cause we call it ‘group’ dive travel, doesn’t mean we’re all joined at the hip 24/7.

One thing everyone seems surprised about is that no one forces any kind of agenda on you — not on an SnS dive trip. It’s your vacation. We know that. So if you don’t want to dive every dive the group goes on, that’s fine. If you want to do your own thing for dinner,  fine. If you want to sleep in one day, lay on the beach and just wave at the dive boat as as it heads out, that’s fine too.

I understand the apprehension people have of putting their vacation dollars in the hands of a divemaster, who might know everything about diving, but you’re not sure if he/she has exactly the same idea as you, about: where to eat; the sight-seeing that is worth taking time for; when to walk or when to take a cab; what time to turn in for the night; and on and on. I know you may want a certain amount of freedom on a vacation that you paid good money for, so we’re there to help with anything you want help with, to arrange diving and meals and activities for the group, but you sure aren’t obliged, to be in on everything we plan. In reality, most people have it both ways: a mix of diving and eating out with the group, along with time away from the group now-and-then.

Before my trip with SnS, I couldn’t even spell camaraderie . . .

Another great thing about group dive travel is the camaraderie. You know, friends, buddies, other divers to hang out with. And for non-divers that come along with you, other non-divers to hang out with if they want to.

Traveling and diving with new friends from your area is great. Occasionally, we have divers join us from other parts of the country & even the world, but for the most part, it’s our community of divers around K.C. with us on these trips. In fact, that brings up another point: if you have family and friends scattered elsewhere and you’re wondering if they can be part of our group and dive with us, the answer is: “Sure”, call us, let’s see what we can arrange.

People from every station in life and situation join us on our trips. By that I mean: singles, couples; young, old; families with older kids, families with younger kids. If you’re wondering about what the mix of a group that is forming for a particular trip is going to, or wondering whether the resort and the destination is “kid friendly,” call us and let’s talk it over. Seriously, don’t sit there and wonder about anything; if you’ve got questions, call us! Then, if it sounds like as much fun as we think it is, make a commitment, drop that deposit, and let’s go diving in the clear blue water of the Caribbean.

Please join in the conversation. If you’ve been on a trip with us, use the reply form below to add your thoughts.