5 replies to this topic

[LandlockedinAZ]

Hi Everyone- I am new to diving, learned in Fiji and then 9months later my dive buddy wanted a divorce.   So, now with only 12 dives under my belt I am trying to figure out how I can go diving, rent a buddy and continue learning.  I stumbled across this website and like that it is for solo divers, NOT A DATING SITE, (thank you for this) and has lots of places to go.   What trip would you suggest I take first?  some of them list a skill level that I think is above me so I am confused at where to start.  I usually plan about 9-12 months out.  So I am not looking to go soon, unless of course something amazing pops up and I can swing it.   Thanks for all the help. I hope to see you all soon out in the water.    Bonnie

[dive_sail_etc]

Hi Everyone- I am new to diving, learned in Fiji and then 9months later my dive buddy wanted a divorce.   So, now with only 12 dives under my belt I am trying to figure out how I can go diving, rent a buddy and continue learning.  I stumbled across this website and like that it is for solo divers, NOT A DATING SITE, (thank you for this) and has lots of places to go.   What trip would you suggest I take first?  some of them list a skill level that I think is above me so I am confused at where to start.  I usually plan about 9-12 months out.  So I am not looking to go soon, unless of course something amazing pops up and I can swing it.   Thanks for all the help. I hope to see you all soon out in the water.    Bonnie

Hello Bonnie and again, welcome to SingleDivers.com! You are wise to plan your next scuba adventures with a focus on an environment that offers opportunities to hone fundamentals and gain confidence. The Rent a Buddy (aka Rent a Mentor) Program is designed specifically to achieve both goals, but I will wait for club founder Kamala aka WreckWench to chime in as it is "her baby" and she is typically the DM or higher certified diver with the experience to provide this service.

As for optimal future trips that also pair with your goals, there is a Female only (to ensure same gender rooming works out) for Dominica Week One (Nov 22-29 2025) after which the Summer of 2026 has several options including Saba or Statia or Bonaire. All (including Dominica) are landbased and so offer the Rent a Buddy program.

Ironically I seem to be coming at this backwards, by the time I replied to you via email with various steps and suggestions it appears you were already logged in the Forums like you were reading my mind. I think you are going to fit in well with our community of safe, friendly but buddyless divers. Enjoy!

[WreckWench]

Bonnie we are glad you found us. We have all types of members and a bunch of land locked ones too! Our best trips for super new divers are landbased locations first because we can spend extra time working on skills that may or may not be possible on a liveaboard. 

 

The best destinations are Bonaire as it is super easy and lots of fun. Our Statia trip is quite easy followed by our Saba St Kitts liveaboard... sans the Saba part. Saba diving is deeper pinnacle diving so not suited for a new diver. That means that a good part of the liveaboard would not be suited for your skills Although Saba does offer some shallower dives. With 5 dives a day on the liveaboard you coudl skip the deep dives and just focus on the shallow dives so it possible if we can find a dive pro to do the RAB on the liveaboard. 

 

A good combination would be to do land in Statia and then do the Liveaboard and you'd get a great combo of all three plus really dial back in your skills in Statia so you'd be more ready for the liveaboard

 

I know you are chatting with Brad aka dive_sail_etc and he is super helpful both with tons of diving knowledge but also how our club works. 

 

We hope to have these trips open soon and we are SUPER GLAD YOU FOUND US!! 

[little mermaid]

   Bonnie and    to the fabulous world of Singledivers.com.   This is a wonderful place to find buddyelss divers, lots of great divers and people that will help you in your new adventure!!!  The best part is Kamala and Crew put together the best trips to warm water destinations and accomodate the roommate and dive buddy situations.  I have been diving with Kamala since 2005.  As Brad and Kamala said welcome, and hope you are able to find a trip that suits your new diving adventures!!!

 

Kathy aka little mermaid

[Diver Ed]

Hello Bonnie, and welcome to SingleDivers.  I found this group about 15 years ago and have done over 50 trips with them over the years.  Currently just finished up a week in Bonaire and then another in Curacao.  The club runs some fabulous trips and I have met some great friends over the years.  As you are questioning the rent a buddy program, there was someone on the two recent trips that took the program in Bonaire.  I watched her improvement through out the week.  On week two, in Curacao, we had some choppier weather and less visibility in the water.  She did not have the rent a buddy for week two, but was very comfortable through out the week and did wonderful.  It is always great to see a new diver improve their skills and confidence in the water during a trip, and I have seen it numerous times.  I strongly recommend it.  As Kamala and Brad both mentioned, it is a much better option on a land based destination that it is on a liveaboard.  Hopefully you select one of the amazing destinations that Kamala is offering, and we see you on a trip soon.  Ed aka Diver Ed

[MNJoe]

Hi Bonnie and Welcome to Single divers.com!!