Hi from L.A.!

Hey everyone,
I'm a newly-certified diver, married but my husband doesn't dive. I dragged a friend to the OW course but I have a feeling she's not quite as enthusiastic about the whole thing. I'm going to Playa del Carmen solo next month--any recommendations would be appreciated! I'd also love to meet divers near me. I found this site after I blew my vacation budget and PTO on this Mexico trip, but I'm looking forward to signing up with this group in the future!
-Amy

Hi Amy and Welcome to SingleDivers.com!!

 

Enjoy your dives in Playa Del Carmen!!  As a solo newly certified diver, Kamala and SingleDivers.com is a great place to get yourself on some dive trips and meet some fellow divers.

 

MNJoe

aka  Keith

Hey everyone,
I'm a newly-certified diver, married but my husband doesn't dive. I dragged a friend to the OW course but I have a feeling she's not quite as enthusiastic about the whole thing. I'm going to Playa del Carmen solo next month--any recommendations would be appreciated! I'd also love to meet divers near me. I found this site after I blew my vacation budget and PTO on this Mexico trip, but I'm looking forward to signing up with this group in the future!
-Amy

 

Hello Amy,

Playa del Carmen is a good choice, but IMO as a veteran diver of the waters there the best diving is across the channel on the island of Cozumel. With that said, you will certainly enjoy Playa del Carmen and it is a good place to practice fundamentals and start enjoying your newly minted certification.

Since you mention an interest in honing fundamentals, you will be pleased to learn of an important but sometimes overlooked feature of SingleDivers.com - our Rent a Buddy (RAB) Program is very popular with newly certified members. FOr a fee, you are paired with a DM or Instructor Level diver (often it is The Wench herself) which not only helps raise your comfort/confidence level while diving but also provides immediate one on one feedback and mentoring on your skills. Everyone who participates in our RAB Program speaks of the amazing improvements over the course of the trip! NOTE: The RAB offer is sometimes suspended depending on the trip, some destinations are considered Advanced diving conditions so be sure to ask in advance whether the club offers RAB on any trip you may choose to join down the road.)

Again, welcome!   We are happy you found us, and are here to answer questions and encourage your newfound undersea passion.

Thanks for the tips! I do plan to dive Cozumel at least one day while I'm there; I want to see that underwater museum! Any other thoughts on good beginner dives (or dives to avoid because they're not beginner dives even though they're advertised as such) would be welcome! And I did recently read about the rent a buddy program; that sounds perfect for me.

Do you folks ever do shorter trips, like 3-5 days over a holiday weekend?

Thanks for the tips! I do plan to dive Cozumel at least one day while I'm there; I want to see that underwater museum! Any other thoughts on good beginner dives (or dives to avoid because they're not beginner dives even though they're advertised as such) would be welcome! And I did recently read about the rent a buddy program; that sounds perfect for me.

Do you folks ever do shorter trips, like 3-5 days over a holiday weekend?

 

Great question Amy! Typically our trips are 7-10 days, and especially popular destinations like Roatan are offered as back to back weeks as many of our members who have that sort of time (usually retirees like myself) and really want  to get the most *bubbles* for their air fare bucks usually book BOTH weeks. That said, the club boasts a lot of bargaining clout with resorts so if there is a long weekend you have in mind we suggest you email kamala@singledivers.com and let The Wench see what she can do to score you a discount package tailored to your schedule!

 

As for good SingleDivers.com trips for new divers, it is easier to list the few considered advanced diving. Our annual South Florida trip offers all deep dives (90 - 100 fsw) along with usually a brisk South to North current. On years when we offer mid Pacific trips like Truk and/or Palau current is also sometimes a concern. The rest, including liveaboards, are usually open to include Open Water (OW) as well as Advanced Open Water (AOW) certifications. We also encourage you to consider getting your Nitrox certification, even as your next step on the certification ladder. The additional bottom time provided by slowing your Nitrogen buildup below 50fsw compliments divers with low gas consumption rates. Since most lady divers enjoy the low consumption perk it stands to reason you would benefit.

 

One note in passing - if you have a photo of yourself, preferably diving (even if a pool session) that you like please attach and email to admin@singledivers.com where we will resize, crop and upload as your member photo. All part of the service for new members!

  Amy and    to Singledivers.com.   Congrats on your new certification!!!!  SD is a great place to hone in your skills as Brad said.  There are lots of fabulous trips that Kamala and crew put together.  Playa has several really good reef dives.  If you are only going to dive for one day, the Museum is a really good dive.  Please check out the trips section and hope you find a dive that suits your needs.  If your husband likes the sunny locations, Kamala does have "sleep together" discounts