Travel Tips

With so many great dive destinations outside the United States, you are bound to travel abroad sooner or later.

The Dive Shop will provide you with the information you need for traveling to any of the countries we will be visiting during our sponsored trips so you can avoid any hassles or unnecessary delays..

For additional information visit the State Department's website for international travel at http://travel.state.gov/

General Travel Tips

Scuba Specific Tips

General Travel Tips

• Check the Center for Disease Control Website (http://www.cdc.gov/travel) well in advance of your trip to determine which shots and vaccinations you may need and any special situations that may exist in the countries you are going to visit.
• Check the US State Department Website (http://travel.state.gov) to determine your safety in the countries you plan to visit.
• Pack light - you don't need much and it's not much fun to drag around a lot of extra stuff you don't need.
• Dress down - don't make yourself look like a wealthy target in a poor country.
• Lock your checked baggage after the airline has inspected it to keep prying hands out.  (Always ask first so you don't violate any new security policies or laws)
• Remove any metal items from your person (large metal belt buckles, etc.) from your person so you can quickly walk through airport metal detectors.
• Check on the safety of the local drinking water before you go.
• Don't ask a local if the the water is safe to drink: - of course it is for them but may make you very sick.
• If the local water is unsafe, don't: drink coffee or tea; use ice, eat washed and unboiled food or vegetables, or used a washed glass if you can avoid it.
• Drink a lot of purified water - one gallon a day will keep you healthy in tropical or hot climates.
• Learn how to say "please" and "thank you" in the languages of the countries you visit.
• Buy travel Insurance. It's inexpensive and invaluable if you have a medical problem during you dive travels. The Dive Shop offers dive insurance through Dive Assure
• Carry on required medication that you can't afford to be without.
• Photographers: it's best to buy all the film you need before departing for better prices and quality. We recommend that you carry on all of your film (exposed or unexposed). Don't let the airport security people talk you into sending your film through their x-ray equipment. Multiple x-ray exposures can degrade even low speed film.  Carry your film in a large, clear zip-loc bag and request hand-inspection.  If you have a lot of very expensive photo equipment you might want to consider a special insurance policy.
• Airline baggage insurance has a per bag limit - split up your valuables. Carry on small items of high value. Be aware that certain international carriers have rigid limitations on carry-on baggage.

Scuba Specific Tips

• Carry on your mask - it's not usually replaceable at most destinations.
• Carry on you ADS or at least your dive computer.  (Screeners may request a hand inspection of your ADS.)
• Tanks and weight belts should be rented at the dive destination. If you decide to check a tank, remove the valve and cap the tank to keep it clean inside. 
• Do not carry on dive knives - they will be confiscated.
• Smell the air in your tank before getting into the water. If the air smalls bad, don't use it.