I currently work in software, with the increasing prevalence of AI I am feeling 0 passion in my work. I am beginning to look into alternative career paths.

Does anyone have any experience in commercial diving? Any recommendations in getting started or if it is worth it?

Anyone know of a charter that runs the last week of October I'm Houston? I'm traveling for work and would love to sneak some diving in.

I got into scuba diving less than a year ago, but I've already logged close to 100 dives and will probably be doing 100+ dives a year going forward.

I'm planning to invest in a full set of gear soon, and I've heard that a lot of new scuba gear gets announced or released (?) around November. My next dive will likely be around November 24, so I'm wondering whether that's enough time for newly released gear to become available, or if I'd be better off waiting until later.

Ideally, I'd like to buy everything before my next dive so I can avoid paying for rentals.

I did my OW back in July 2025 in Gili Air, Indonesia and loved it. Since then I’ve completed my AOW and several recreational dives (now up to 28 logged).

I’ve been planning a big year long trip for a while and as part of that I really want to do my Divemaster course. I’ve looked into going back to where I did my OW as I had such a great experience with the dive shop (though I think I did also get a bit lucky with my group size plus instructor).

They offer an internship for about 6-8 weeks for approx $2000 AUD (not including accommodation). Unlimited dives during internship, plus they offer a very heavy discount to fun dives to get experience up. I’m likely going to complete the rescue course over the summer at home so I won’t have to worry about that prerequisite.

They have moved from PADI to SSI since I was there. Not sure if this is significant or there are any big differences let me know.

I have no intention of becoming an instructor, but I want to continue diving for the rest of my life. From what I’ve read, this is the cheapest way to do a lot of dives whilst getting a unique experience.

Do people think that the commitment and money is worth it? I could continue recreationally diving in numerous places but I like the idea of working with a dive shop and helping instructors. I am also open to going to other places around SEA.

I haven’t dived in many places plus don’t know many divers. I would love recommendations so I can look into them before I book my trip. Even if I don’t do a DM, any must visit dive spots as a I backpack through SEA?

I think 3 weeks can be split several ways and im not sure how to split it so I get a good mix of diving and a little bit of land portion. I've got 3 rough ideas below and wanted to get everyone's thoughts. It would be in late 2026 or Q1 2027

1: Pure Western Coast: Socorro + La Paz + Cabo Pulmo + Land portion in Mexico City

2: Twin Coast: Socorro + Cabo Pulmo + Mexico City + Tulum for Cenotes

3: Combi West Coast: Socorro + Cabo Pulmo + Costa Rica

My thoughts are that the twin coast itinerary might be a little rushed since Socorro would take nearly 2 weeks, and hence am leaning towards 1 and 3. Let me know what you guys think!

I recently got my open water in Ensenada and now I want to get a few specialties so that I can get dives in while also acquiring more skills. The diver debris was the one I wanted to do first because I want to do cleanups, but now I realized that I should do the buoyancy control one and also signed up for the enriched nitrox next month. But the only shop in San Diego that I can find with the diver debris on their website, I have tried to contact multiple times but they never call or email me back. Does anyone know of somewhere/someone else I can do this through?

Hello fellow short sighted divers. Lately my vision got really bad and it’s really frustrating underwater. I have liveaboard trip coming soon and I want to buy daily lenses that are comfortable and easy. I have monthly contacts, they aren’t that comfortable and I’d avoid them cause I heard that they are pretty tricky to maintain clean on environment such as boat. Are daily lenses more comfortable than monthly ones and are there things I should know before first time diving with them?

I have seen some slings you can buy , but dont realy want some long sling dangling on me during the dive

So please share your solution

Hi everyone!

My wife and I are planning a short diving trip to the Netherlands next year, and I've heard a lot of great things about Zeeland and the surrounding area.

We're based in Cologne, Germany, so it's only a relatively short drive for us, making it perfect for a few days of diving.

I'd love to hear from people who have already dived there! Which dive sites would you recommend, and what's the best time of year to visit? I've read that May and June are particularly good months, but I'd be interested in hearing your experiences.

We're both certified divers with experience in cold-water diving, so we're mainly looking for interesting dive sites with plenty of marine life.

Any tips, recommendations, or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance and happy diving!

Hi all is it ok just to remove the din cap (the full silicone body) and just use it before and after diving I don’t like bringing din caps in the water with me? All the best

They look impressive enough in photos, but seeing one in the wild is something else. Definitely one of those moments that makes diving so special!

Recent as in in the past 1-2 years. I'm being quoted $280 USD for a drysuit course in British Columbia, which seems to be on the cheaper side for that area. unlike OWD, where I've seen anywhere between $300-$1k USD (with the higher end being in the US and the lower end being some places in the Caribbean and SEA), i'm not calibrated on how much a dry suit course costs.

Hey there,

I'm a new diver, and I bought a used (but with fewer than 10 dives) Scubapro Definition 7mm semi-dry suit.

I used it for the first time on Monday for four indoor dives.

When I hung it up to dry, I noticed tiny holes and wear in all the seals, right where the outer zipper runs. I wonder whether I did something wrong or if there's a way to prevent this. When putting the suit on, there's some stress on the seals, and the zipper is obviously rubbing against the same spots every time.

Is this normal? Should I add some sort of protective layer? Of course, I opened the zippers when putting it on and tried to be careful.
I have the feeling if I use it regularly, it will break down pretty fast?

I've added two pictures showing the legs.

Heya divers, at the beginning of November I will be flying out of HK or Shanghai and would love to get some scuba diving in to finish my backpacking trip.

I'm looking for something that has the same vibes as Roatan, Honduras. Something that has decent dive sites but also a nice topside with a social atmosphere, laid back and chill beaches. I would love some feedback if anything comes to mind!

So far I have thought of:
Philippines:
Puerto G - Coron - El Nido
or
Dauin - Apo Island - Malapascua

Indonesia:
Last minute liveboard or shorediving locations??
I just hate the idea of Bali and overtourism

I'm OWA, 50 dives, confident but haven't dove in a year;
Exp: East+West coast Mexico, Honduras, Canary Islands, Egypt

Would love your thoughts thanks!

Or do dive centers (especially abroad) expect a separate nitrox cert card?

The card I have is a small credit card which just says I am a Sports Diver.

Some of the weight will be used for my scuba camera equipment but otherwise I'm thinking board games, card games, a small speaker, extra t-shirts, my own weight belt.

(just in case: one of those is a joke)

I'd love to hear your trip review/reports. What you liked/didn't like, how well put together the dive operation was, food, the island in general, service etc.

Perfect for your warm water destination vacations, keeps your core dry for maximum thermal protection while letting your appendages breathe and soak in the healing properties of salt water. Plus no boot bubble to contend with!

Credit to The Drysuit Lady for this monstrosity - https://www.instagram.com/p/DeaPnUJkqJ2/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&srtk=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Looking into diving Belize in February. AOW, Nitrox, 70 logged. Would like to dive Turneffe, half moon, and the blue hole (I know many think it's not worth it but might as well since I'm there). For those who dove Belize would appreciate your thoughts on:

Are there enough good dive sites near Ambergris Caye for 6 days of 2-3 tank diving per day?

Does Caye Caulker offer a different type of diving experience in terms of topography and sea life?

Is the diving in Placencia worth the extra money and travel time as I wont be there during whale shark season.

Are golf carts a must in San Pedro or can I just walk about town between bars and restaurants?

Is Ramon's the only proper beaches within walking distance of San Pedro?

My ideal trip is to dive all day, decompress at the beach, walk around town, grab a few pints and a bite, have a bit of a chat with whomever at the bar, back to hotel, and get up and do it again.

Thanks all.

Hey people,

I’ve got around 2 weeks going spare at the end of July and wanted to see where people recommend to go.

I’m a fairly competent AOW for my experience but only have 20 dives and was thinking Komodo, but seems to get mixed opinions about the experience level required to enjoy it and I wouldn’t want to waste my trip.
Budget is around £2000 for the diving + accommodation/food etc.

Any thoughts much appreciated😄

Hey, I was planning a liveaboard trip in January to either Phillipines or Egypt. Ive been leaning a bit more to Egypt cause I really wanna explore the red sea and was wondering what would be a good itinerary.

I've heard Jan would be one of the colder months for diving in Egypt and it can get a bit chilly but would you say its still worth it ?

Also what would be some good boats to join as a solo traveller. I have an AOW and I currently dont own my own diving gear so would be renting all of it.

I'm freaking out about being cold. I've read quite a few posts that say it will be cold. I'm not cold by nature, but don't want to ruin my trip by being cold.

I have a 3mm wetsuit and an O'Niell ThermoX rash guard that has been fine for single dives as cold as 58º. The reviews and AI tell me to add a 3mm hooded vest or hooded jacket.

Adding to the dilemma is a trip to the Gallapagos in August. I don't want to miss any dives because I'm cold, but don't want to spend a fortune on wetsuits for two trips.

Any advice is appreciated.

Just saw this video about a taiwanese diver and bangladeshi guide claims a korean dive guide from another boat attacked him and his buddy underwater in Palau.

there are other divers who claim they witnessed everything as bystanders.

Everyone was hanging current hooks along the rock wall with the rising tide. The bangladeshi guide’s group came from the opposite direction. Some of their guests tried to push forward into other groups’ hanging areas and even tried to dive down.

The korean dive guide rang a bell and gestured, but the guest didn’t see it. He also gestured to the bangladeshi guide to bring the guests up, but the guide was turned around looking at the rear guests and didn’t notice.

korean dive guide then went over, pulled the descending guest up, and stopped them from going down or into other groups.

The bangladeshi guide then intervened and told the korean not to treat his guests that way. That’s when the korean diver aggressive attack started.

Watch the full relaxation edit here