{"id":2249,"date":"2018-07-23T14:17:10","date_gmt":"2018-07-23T14:17:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/expedia.blog.au.local\/how-to-plan-diving-holiday\/"},"modified":"2022-08-08T23:26:35","modified_gmt":"2022-08-08T23:26:35","slug":"how-to-plan-diving-holiday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/stories\/how-to-plan-diving-holiday\/","title":{"rendered":"How to plan a diving holiday"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019ve ever watched a documentary about the Great Barrier Reef<\/a>, or maybe even Finding Nemo<\/em>, then you will at some stage, perhaps, have been inspired to explore the underwater world.<\/p>\n

The coral reefs of the South Pacific and Indian Oceans really are as spectacular as they look on TV and they are far more accessible than you might think. A diving holiday may need a bit more planning than your average snooze-by-the-pool resort holiday, but generally not much more effort.<\/p>\n

Much like a skiing holiday, a diving holiday needs a bit more research and preparation. There is expensive equipment involved, weather conditions to consider, and an element of risk that might put some off. But it\u2019s really not that hard. Here\u2019s how.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

First things first, can you dive?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Scuba diving, much like skiing, requires some training. Skiing obviously carries the risk of something going wrong if you throw yourself down a mountain at full pelt, without learning how to stop. Diving carries the risk of something going wrong if you don\u2019t know how to use your equipment.<\/p>\n

By comparison, diving actually poses fewer risks, so long as you pay attention to your computer and gauges that now do all the work for you, and it requires far less physical fitness or coordination.<\/p>\n

The training is important though, and in fact (unlike skiing), you won\u2019t be able to dive without it. There are two options: get qualified at a local dive centre before you go or plan to get your qualifications while on holiday.<\/p>\n

The first option gives you more time to relax on holiday without three days of training and reading dive manuals. The second is an opportunity to learn how to dive, usually in rather idyllic conditions, in warm, clear tropical water.<\/p>\n

If you are qualified to dive, but you haven\u2019t dived in several years, it\u2019s a good idea to invest in a refresher course, which will give you more confidence. Most dive resorts offer refresher courses and again, you also have the option to do one before you depart.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Are you fit enough to dive?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Scuba diving doesn\u2019t really require a great deal of exertion; you don\u2019t need to be fit enough to compete in triathlons to be able to dive. It does help, however, to be swim-fit, or at least, a reasonably good swimmer, because this means you will use less air, which means you will be able to stay underwater longer.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t dive if you have a head cold or some kind of ear infection as it will affect your ability to clear your ears as you descend, which can put you off for good. One of the main reasons I\u2019m given by people who tell me they can\u2019t dive, is that they tried it once and had problems with their ears.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Choosing your dive destination<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Image Via Pete McGee<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Choosing any holiday destination raises a number of questions:<\/p>\n