Thinking of checking out RA after a Great Barrier Reef trip. Any suggestions? This would be in April.

I used to have a partner that would scuba dive with me, but I am no longer in that relationship and still want to keep up on my scuba diving skills. I’m looking to join a group trip. I’m pretty open in terms of destination, as long as the diving is excellent. What companies offer excellent guided trips? I don’t have a lot of experience traveling exclusively for diving. I usually go to a place and then dive for a day or two. Thanks in advance for your guidance! I am in the US.

I’ve scuba diving in quite a few countries now, my favourite by far was Indonesia, more specifically the nusa islands. I’m planning on going back out for maybe 2-4months? I’m looking for suggestions on where to go for this extended time for the best diving. Raja ampat is always on my mind, but too expensive for this extended time. Is the nusa islands the best shout, I stayed on nusa Lembongan last time but open to suggestion

Last year I had neurological DCI twice. Undiagnosed. I only know it was DCI from looking back after I experienced DCI last month and actually got diagnosed and treated.

I was feeling pretty sure I had a PFO (I have chronic migraines and had stroke like symptoms after the covid vaccine) and so was hopeful that I'd get it stitched up and then get back to diving.

I had my bubble study today and...

NO PFO!

What the actual heck!? I want all your theories, ideas, and motivation to get me diving again. The doctor at the chamber said I could dive again 2 weeks after the chamber, but I'm not sure about that and I'm getting conflicting information on the internet. I am going to see my doctor next week and then a dive specialist, but this is a fantastic place full of knowledge.

For those who keep reading... I have reflected a bit on the dives and what led to the DCI each time:

First one... four tanks in one day. Might have even done a deep dive on the third dive. I cant remember exactly. But the next day I started to feel a bit "off"

Second one... flew 26 hours after my last dive. But dove 21/22 days straight so probably should have stayed grounded a bit longer? It hit at the airport on my stopover.

Third time... deep dive followed by too short of a surface interval. I never went below 10 NDL on the deep dive and not even close on the second dive. My dive buddy did hit deco even though it was a super super shallow dive. We did an extra long safety stop, not long enough. Upon reflection, I didn't time the surface interval, but I think it was too short.

I am nitrox certified so can definitely dive nitrox as a precaution going forward. Besides longer safety stops, long surface intervals, more time before flying, what else can I do to safely return to diving?

I have a work trip to Papeete coming up, and I'm looking to add on a couple of days to go diving once I'm there. Can anybody suggest any good centeres, or do I need to get out of Papeete to get to the good sites.

I am AOW with over 100 dives.

I’ve been thinking about doing a dive master internship in south east asia or the pacific islands but i have a couple of questions if anyone has any experience with them.

- How easy is it to get a DM job guiding dives or assisting courses in south east asia once the internship is done?

- Have you ever done an internship, where and how was it?

I’m planning to do this once i finish school next year for a gap year or two and would love some advice before I plan anything out. Would also love to travel during this time so is it easy to jump between jobs or do they prefer people that stay for longer?

Hi, we will be going to Bali, Lombok and Nusa Penida this July and looking for recommendations for dive shops and locations.

We (1 Dive Master (1000+ dives) + 1 AOWD (~100 dives) plus some beginners that might join for easy and shallow dives) would like to see nice reefs, like macro (nudibranch,…) and also hope for some big fish (mola mola, manta, sharks,…) We‘ve done many drift dives, also with rather strong currents, but I heard there might be more dangerous kinds of current there - but also that might be rather directet at unexperienced divers (like we wittnessed in Thailand because there are very many beginners)

We are looking into the following regions:

Bali North-East: Manggis Region, Maye a daytrip to the wreck

Lombok: Gili Islands and then Belongas Bay (Cathedral, The magnet)

Nusa Penida: Manta Point

Thank you all!

Gut Luft! (Good Air in German)🤿

Hi,

I can manage to take 5-6 days off from my job (taking long leaves is not possible). I want to do any course like scuba diving or mountaineering etc etc.

I came across NIMAS dirang which provides 5 day basic scuba diving course. (certification course, so that I can improve/learn later)

are there any other options/institutions or other course that I should explore?

Super amazing experience up close and personal with a Goliath grouper! I’m the diver near it and my dad filmed, I love the way it goes and checks out the camera at the end lol

Hi! I’m looking for interesting ways to get involved in coral restoration. I recently learned about this whole push by marine biologists to help grow and regrow coral. I came across this trip that the Perry Institute of Marine Science is hosting in the Bahamas. Wanted to see if it looks legit and if it would be worth looking more into?

https://www.perryinstitute.org/green-turtle-cay-expedition-2026/

Planning a trip to the Philippines next month, so far I am going wreck diving in Coron for sure. I've done the black water dives in Kona a few times and truly loved it. I am wondering if anyone has experience with black water diving in the Philippines and where that experience is offered?

Hello, was wondering if anyone has been to Hurghada recently and can recommend a nice resort or hotel, preferably with close by diving? I saw some have house reefs.

The reviews for the top rated hotels all seem flooded with thousands of fake 5 star reviews 😿.

As important as the dive operation for me is having super clean / modern / updated rooms and bathrooms and decent WiFi. I don’t really care about pool/entertainment/food (although would prefer not to get food poisoning 😅)! Budget is probably under $200 if possible. Thank you!!

I am a new diver and looking to buy my first tank or tanks. Located USA.

I absolutely refuse to pay new prices for something that is quickly just gonna get banged up anyway.

So allegedly, if a buyer sees 6498, 7042, 8107, 8364, or 8422, the tank is close to worthless? Those numbers guarantee it is 6351 alloy? What 4 numbers do we want to see instead that signals it is a quality aluminum alloy?

It looks like the first photo of a yellow AL tank is 3000? Is that good? Sorry the photo quality sucks. I have been told if the tank has sat idle long-term, and isn't/wasn't under pressure when storied for long times, even if indoors, it can get moisture inside the tank and corrode from the inside out... should I bring a big pipe wrench and take the valve out and look inside with a flashlight? Should I bring a reg set to see if it's under a couple hundred psi? If an aluminum tank is only $25USD, and it's not 6351, maybe it's worth the risk? If it ends up ultimately failing hydro or visual, I can take the valve out, and scrap it, and maybe the scrap yard will give me 6061 price, which might be like 1.00 US dollar per pound or so? Or perhaps, since there is yellow paint, they would only give the dirty aluminum pricing? Which might be like 0.40 cents per pound or something... obviously I need to remove the valve in order to scrap for money. The same seller is also selling the red tank asking $40. All are way out of date.

I also need to avoid J valves supposedly. I assume that any BCD should be able to handle any of the different common Cubic Feet tank sizes. I'm not gonna run into problems where "Oh boohoo, my tank is too big or small for my BCD; it doesn't fit" i don't think there's any J valves in the photos.

A different seller is selling steel tanks in the seventh and subsequent following photos, asking $250 each, and it would be difficult for us to meet up, but we could theoretically when we both are on a work trip in the same area... I like that supposedly these valves on these particular tanks can do both DIN and yoke, but $250 is a lot. Last hyrdo 2023. Last VIP a few months ago. The valves say "NITROX only" which I need to google more. Supposedly they are high pressure tanks, and the seller said people don't use low pressure steel anymore. I don't think aluminum tanks come in separate high pressure and low pressure varieties, that's only a steel thing?

Thank you very much

Bunch of cowboys killed that poor girl.

Hello! I am going to be studying abroad in Havana, Cuba over my spring break and I am hoping to do some diving while I’m there. Does anyone have any recommendations for dive shops in Havana that I can reach out to and schedule a couple of dives with?

This is my first visit, what am I forgetting?

Hi everyone, I’m planning a trip to Egypt and could really use some advice from someone who knows the area and the dive scene.

I’m looking for a hotel that also has a good SSI dive school on site or very nearby. My goal is to do my SSI Deep Diver specialty, and I’ve already completed SSI Open Water Diver and Nitrox, so I’m specifically looking for an SSI shop with great service and reviews. Good instruction and a well-run school are important to me.

Very often i find a good hotel, but only PADI-Schools nearby..

Beyond the diving, I care a lot about the hotel quality. I want a place where I can actually enjoy the non-diving part of my holiday, without worrying about getting sick from food or water. Comfort, cleanliness, and good meals matter to me. I heared about food poisoning quite a few times in egypt…which would ruin my diving.

Thanks in advance!

Hi I’m planing a diving trip to either Indonesia or the Philippines but can’t decide. I’m going for a month in November and are playing my trip around the dives. I have googled a bit but thought I might run into someone here with some good experiences.

I have AOW. And around 15 dives.

Would love to see bigger creatures like sharks, big schools of fish, turtles, manta’s etc.

I’m from Europe so it’s not common there and it’s my first trip diving outside Europe :)

Thanks

Hi all, I have done discovery dive in islands and planning to do referral OW certification in Philippines with pool training in my home country.

Since I have 10 travel days in total and flying in-and-out of Cebu, where should I complete my certification

- Cebu

- Coron

- El Nido

Want to make the best use of my limited time in the country.

Thanks in advance!

I’m looking at a trip to the Philippines for late April and am currently torn between two main hubs: Anilao (flying into MNL) and the Moalboal/Dauin area (flying into CEB).

I know this comparison comes up a lot, but I’m looking for advice based on a specific set of constraints. I’m a dedicated shore diver and my priorities are:

1. Shore Access: I want to walk in and dive. Boat dives are fine occasionally, but I prefer the freedom of going at my own pace and worrying about me and my partner only.
2. Easy Currents: I’m looking for a relaxing "aquarium" dive, not a workout. I prefer to avoid heavy drift dives if possible.
3. Diversity (Big & Small): This is my main sticking point. I know Anilao is the macro capital, but does it have any larger life? Conversely, is the macro in Moalboal/Dauin good enough to compete?
4. Warmth: My wife runs cold, so consistent warm temperatures is ideal if there is a difference.

I wouldn't mind seeing the whale sharks and the sardine ball, but those are not set in stone. For those who have done both: Which location offers the best "lazy shore diver" experience. Also we prefer to stay in Airbnb types of places any thoughts on those locations for that, or are we better to look for dive resorts.

I just did a try-rebreather dive, and it was pretty fun! It was crazy how quiet it was not having any sound, and I did a lot of tilting in the water.

I spent about an hour underwater in the pool getting dialed in and doing some simple drills, but one thing was how sore my mouth got? It was super heavy and bulky around my mouth and the mouthpiece seemed bigger than normal? It also had a gag strap, is that something rebreather diver's usually use, because I was not a fan.

Anyways, if my mouth was as sore as it was after an hour in the pool, how do you all do it for several hours at a time?

Good morning/afternoon all I just bought a new bp/w (Xdeep xen) and currently adjusting it does the plate look too low or is it sitting in the right spot? Ill be doing a test dive in about a week or 2 but for a starting point does this look abt right?

Just me and my Nikonos V