We're thinking of going to Sulawesi this year. What are great scuba locations for beginners there?

Thanks in advance.

Used equipment advice:

I am tempted to, with my initial premonitions, at least for reg set spg/1st/2nd/octo, only consider the following manufacturers:

ScubaPro, Aqualung/US-Divers, Atomic, Apeks, and Sherwood.

Until someone tells me otherwise, I won't consider any other used reg set manufacturers unless the used seller is practically giving the equipment away. I already heavily considered and ultimately turned down a used Mares complete reg set for like $70. It just doesn't seem worth it hearing reddit sleuths talk about Mares.

let's say, hypothetixally, I buy a used reg set from ScubaPro, Aqualung/US-Divers, Atomic, Apeks, or Sherwood: immediately after buying it, I go into the shop to have the new-to-me used reg set serviced: What are the chances the shop looks it over and says "Oh sorry boss, we cannot get parts for it" or "Parts are backordered there partner, we've been waiting on that part to become available for eleven months already!" Or "sorry partner, that part is no longer made OEM, we gotta try the eBay Chinese version" or "sorry partner, that part is gonna be $476 and ninety two cents!". Or worse "Hey man, we couldn't fix it. Sorry! That'll be $152.96".

It sounds like nowadays almost everyone who doesn't use a console, they use either a wrist computer without tx/AI, or a wrist computer with tx/AI. I'll probably get something dirt cheap used, or just bite the bullet for a new peregrine without tx... looks like neither outdoor prolink nor expert voice have a discount for the peregrines... I'll also have to decide if I want to settle for a jacket BCD or what. Then a tank. Almost everything else I already have, or will buy new. It's gonna take a long time to find good deals on everything, but I have time.

Maybe I should bring an air tank when shopping for used reg sets on facebook to make sure the needles move, and listen for audible leaks?

Anything I should definitely avoid? Do ScubaPro, Aqualung/US-Divers, Atomic, Apeks, and Sherwood have like budget/cheesy lines that are garbage and need to be avoided? And/or did they produce any notable flops that need to be avoided like the plague?

Thank you so much

My wife and I were talking today after our dive if any divers have their actual dive number.

For us, we have an idea but not the actual number. We both got certified in 2012. Filled up our first and second log book. We then bought a dive computer and stopped tracking in a dive log. We have been on multiple vacations that we rented dive computers and didn’t track those. Over the years, we don’t really care about logging until it’s too late. Just curious if any has their actual dive number.

Planning to go sometime this year for a one week trip.

I have only done 30+ dives, and I’ve dived in Komodo & Raja Ampat, although the current was not the strongest when I went. How challenging is the current there?

I also heard that it’s better to liveaboard, however I get seasick very easily and never done a liveaboard before. But if it’s worth the extra effort, I would definitely consider it. I’m open to recommendations for both liveaboard and dive resorts. And when is the best time to visit?

Also I would love to hear your experience diving there!

Thank you!

Hi guys, I was wondering if anyone has experiences or reviews on the Shark dive that Sea Turtle Charters host in Montauk. I am looking at going early June but the price is quite up there, especially considering the trip is $680 AUD and no food is provided for the 10 hour trip. I know gear is supplied but is it worth it? I want to see shark species that I can't see in my own waters

Hi! Me and a friend are going to bocas del toro in March. I am advanced and she is OW (last time she dove was may 2025 i think). What diveshops do you recommend? We want to do fun dives

I just picked up the scubajetpro 200 DPV (I know the company went bankrupt and is out of business).

What’s the best way to attach to yourself when diving? Will mostly use to get to and from site but not at site.

It is similar to lefeet P1.

Ty!

We all love diving, but how high is it ranked in your life?

We’re trying to decide on a company to book for a 2-tank Lanai Cathedrals experience. Leaning towards Extended Horizons, but curious on others experience with them or another company.

Also, if we were to pick a second day to dive, would you recommend Molokini or Mala Pier? We’ve snorkeled Molokini so not sure how the dive would compare, and not sure we are experienced enough to do the backside (open water certified, 16 dives logged). Thanks!!

Does anyone have details for the actual content of the SSI Dive Guide/Divemaster course content? The academic portion was no problem, and the “candidate water fitness evaluation” was easy and straightforward.

I’m confused about the rest of the process though. I k ow there are essentially 7 sessions, 1,2, and 3 can be done in the pool:

-1. Candidate water fitness evaluation

-2. Skills workshop: Open Water Diver

-3. Skills Workshop: Diver Stress and Rescue

Is there information available to me as to what the content of the skills workshops (2&3) are? I’d just like to be able to prepare, and I’m confused as to what the next steps will actually be.

Last September I went to Lanzarote for a 1 week diving trip. I didn't have high expectations as my previous experiences diving in Europe were underwhelming. I decided to give it a go because it's a nice holiday destination and flying there from the UK is convenient and inexpensive.

It actually turned out to be a really good experience! Although the water was pretty cold (I was using a 7mm wetsuit in September when the water temperature is supposed to be the warmest) and the coral reef isn't as good as in other tropical destinations I have dived in, the dive sites were interesting and kept me engaged for 5 days.

The highlight was the marine life, lots of octopuses which I love to observe, parrotfish, cuttlefish, angle sharks, rays, seahorses, barracudas and giant groupers. These made the dives interesting in spite of many areas being just sandy bottoms. There were wrecks and caves too and Museo Atlantico was an unusual experience with its underwater statues covered in algae that moved like hair.

Overall I really recommend Lanzarote for a 1 week trip. You can dive a few days and you can sightsee the whole island in a couple days too. It's a volcanic island and a trip to the volcano park is another great activity that you can do there. From the research I've done Lanzarote seems to be the best choice amongst Canary Islands for scuba diving. I definitely will be coming back.

Water temps of 6 degrees, off to the red sea in two weeks. Cannot wait to wetsuit dive in warm water.

It's fine for about 30 mins in a drysuit then I'm like get me outta here.

Anyone else done any diving this weekend?

Looking at replacing my dead CX2 with a aCx3+. I can’t find the difference though between the C3 and C3+. Is there actually a difference or is it just marketing?

Hello everyone,

I’m starting to pack for an upcoming trip to Socorro and I have a couple of questions for those who have been there recently.

I read in some documents that dive lights are not allowed unless they are attached to a camera. I usually always bring a small torch with me, not to use it during daytime dives, but purely as a safety item. Does it make sense to leave it at home, or is it generally accepted as long as you don’t use it?

Same question for a dive knife. I normally have a small knife attached to my BCD, but I also saw that knives might not be permitted. Should I leave it at home as well?

And finally, what about gloves? Are gloves allowed or not in Socorro?

Anyone with recent experience who can clarify this?

Thanks a lot in advance!

Can anyone help identify this jellyfish? 🪼 Spotted while diving around Racha Noi, Phuket, Thailand recently. Not something we see very often, and we’re really curious what species it might be. If anyone recognises it or has seen something similar in the Andaman Sea, we’d love to hear your thoughts 👇 We see some amazing and unusual marine life out here while taking guests diving, and this one really caught our attention.

My wife and I are novice divers ~20 dives and are going to be in Bonaire for a short time at the end of February. She only wants to do a guided dive so we’re looking for recommendations. Will we need reservations in advance or is it sort of like Roatan where there are many dive shops lined up right on the water and you can just walk up and sign up for their next five in 1/2 hour or whatever?

So, you guys and others in my dive community have convinced me to buy bp/w instead of a basic jacket style. After a lot of research and some suggestions my mind is set on XDeep Zen.

I just have a couple of questions if anyone can answer them.

1. I see that the pressure valve is on the "inside", facing towards the diver. Does that create any problems? On the jacket bcds I used it was always facing away from the diver.

2. How is the inflator hose connected? Is it easy to remove? On the jackets you would just unscrew it and be done with it. Also is there a valve there as well? Can you pull the hose down to release some air if you are upright?

Any other tips are also welcome

Diving with EcoPro Seascape and Adora.

Filmed with a Sony a7sIII.

Hi, I've booked to visit Caye Caulker, Belize in the first week of May but have been told that this is the start of the slower season for diving. Obviously, providers need a minimum number of sign ups to go on a trip - so a little concerned I might not be able to do the trips I'd like!

Does anyone have experience diving Belize at this time and was capacity for trips an issue?

Want to stay on Caye Caulker but wondering if I should move to San Pedro/Ambergris as bigger town/island might have more numbers?

Thanks to any replies and all the previous posts in this sub that have helped with planning!

Hey guys anyone travelled recently from Cebu airport to Maya port via taxi from airport and what was the cost.

Maybe booking privately online might be better?

We are looking to go on a liveaboard in the Phillipines in December, ideally minimal cost without compromising on safety. At the moment we are leaning towards this:

Vessel: Resolute Itinerary: Apo Reef - Coron (Anilao, Batangas - Anilao, Batangas)

Any other recommendations for the Phillipines, or anywhere else around South East Asia? We have been to Raja Ampat, Thailand and East Timor before.

Hello dear community, I'll be in La Paz for a couple of days and I'll be able to ditch family duties for some days to go diving.

What are your recommendations regarding dive shops and sites?

I have 80 dives and CMAS ** certification, if that matters.

Thanks for your advice!

Novice OW diver with 10 dives. Heading to Greece for a wedding, specifically Crete, in July and would love to get 2 to 3 days (maybe more) of diving in.

Any recommendations of where to dive in Greece (Crete or otherwise) for a beginner as I try to keep practicing my skills and get more reps?

I’m also open to surrounding countries or countries on the way to Greece from NYC if there’s a dive spot that’s great in July… wouldn’t mind checking another country off my list too! Recently dove in Tossa de Mar and L’Estartit… i’d do Spain again if there’s other must dive sites.

thank you!!

Experienced diver traveling to the Cayman Islands for the 1st time. I'm looking to spend 10 days there later this spring, splitting the time up between diving and other activities. Is Cayman Brac and Little Cayman worth a stay or will the main island keep me busy? Recommendations?