Choosing the Right Dive Centre

If you are learning to dive or taking a diving course, it is important to have the right people around you and to learn in the right environment. Likewise, if you are already a diver who is planning a diving break, you want to make sure your dives are remembered for all the right reasons.

That's why the right dive centre can make such a big difference to your diving experience. So how should you go about choosing a dive centre and what questions should you ask before you decide? We talk you through some of the things you should be looking for in a dive centre when you are about to take the plunge.

Exceeding Expectations

The first thing to consider when choosing a dive centre is what you are expecting that dive centre to be. There are many different types of dive operation, from simple, laidback dive centres with a small boat and a few tanks, to luxury liveaboards and dive centres that cater for a large numbers of people.

Even the simplest of dive operations can surpass your expectations and ensure you have a great time, while the most expensive, luxurious dive centre can still disappoint. It all depends on what you are looking for, what your budget is & what kind of dive centre you enjoy diving with.

When it comes to the best dive centres, there are plenty of things that they all have in common, regardless of their style & the size - and you can use these factors to help you make the right decision.

The Human Touch
A good dive centre is as much about the people as the facilities. From the moment you first contact a dive centre to the moment you leave, the people you deal with greatly influence your diving adventure.

Are they helpful in answering your questions? Do they make you feel welcome, comfortable & safe? Are they flexible in dealing with those individual quirks, queries & requests we all have? Are the dive staff & boat crew experienced and friendly? Do they seem knowledgeable about the local area and enthusiastic about the diving?

In a nutshell, at a good dive centre, you should feel part of a family, surrounded by people that want you to have a great time while staying safe. If a dive centre makes you feel like just another customer, then maybe it's time to look elsewhere.

A Good Fit	Having good equipment can make a big difference.
One crucial aspect of a good dive centre is the standard of their equipment and facilities. If you are renting dive equipment, it's important to know that the equipment is well serviced, well looked after and in excellent working order. If you have good equipment, you are more than likely to have a very enjoyable, stress-free dive. But a dive with a regulator you don't trust, a patched up BCD or an o-ring that is leaking is always a more stressful experience, no matter what you are lucky enough to see on your dive.
Likewise, it's important to know that there is a variety of rental equipment and plenty of sizes. Diving with fins that don't fit or a BCD that is far too big will always detract from your experience. A dive centre's facilities are also important, so remember to ask exactly what facilities a dive centre can offer you. Is there somewhere for you to shower & change after your dive? Is there somewhere to wash equipment and store it safely. Does the dive centre have somewhere to store valuables while you're diving? Is there a shop in case you need to buy some crucial extra piece of kit? And can they take care of simple repairs if your equipment goes wrong? If you plan to bring an underwater camera, is there somewhere to store the camera safely on the boat and rinse it afterwards. All these aspects affect your dive experience and help to ensure your diving holiday is stress-free and enjoyable.

The Joy of Diving
The way dive trips are organised and run is also important. A chaotic, badsly organised dive trip is no fun for anyone and does little to inspire confidence. A well-run dive trip on the other hand can make all the difference to your day. What are the dive centres boats like? A small, simple boat is absolutely fine if the dive site is close, but if you have to travel further, you'll be spending a reasonable amount of time on the boat so it's important to be comfortable. And what are the maximum number of divers per trip? Thirty divers on a large boat is no problem, but on a speedboat it's far from ideal. The size of your dive group is also very important. No matter how good your guide or instructor is, the more people they have to look after, the less time they will have to pay attention to you. It's also worth asking if the dive centre visit a variety of dive sites. Everybody likes to see new places and visiting a variety of sites can really enhance your experience. Lastly, researching a dive centre's repuation is a great way of deciding if they are right for you. Divers love to talk and there are plenty of websites and forums with all sorts of useful information, comments & experiences. It's worth remembering that even the best dive centres have bad days and occasionally cistomers leave unhappy, but if the majority of people have good experiences and are happy to recommend a dive centre to others, chances are they are doing a good job. So by following these tips & making a careful decision, the next time you plan to go diving, you can be sure you pick a great dive centre as well as a great place to dive.

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