Dive Travel Is Back! After two frustrating years of lockdowns and travel restrictions, divers are once again dusting off their logbooks and passports and taking flight to destinations around the world. The reopening isn't 100 percent yet, but it's getting closer every day, and resorts and dive operators are responding with some great incentives to help bring divers back to the reefs.
Get Prepped
Your reentry into diving can begin even before you hit the water. If that gear's be sitting for a while, it's probably due for routine service. Local dive shops around the country are getting ready to receive customers, and some are also offering pick up and drop off services. Now's the time to get that regulator tuned up, put fresh batteries in the dive computer, and maybe treat yourself to a new wetsuit.
Your local dive shop is also a great resource for dive planning. Caradonna is in ongoing contact with shops and group travel leaders across the country. This network can keep you up to speed on the latest developments, whether it's information on accessing a local site, or getting the latest word on resorts and flights at favorite international destinations.
Consider A Local Refresher
Your first opportunity to get in the water may come close to home — or at least within a reasonable driving distance. Packing some gear in the trunk and heading to a favorite local dive site is an easy, secure way to get wet. Opportunities abound, from the life-rich waters of the Pacific Northwest and the kelp forests of California to the historic shipwrecks of the Great Lakes and North Carolina, Midwest quarries or Florida's Gulf Stream-washed shores and sparkling springs. And while some might argue that some of these activities may not offer the thrills of a world-class wall dive or a big animal encounter, there's a lot to be said for simply slipping below the surface and enjoying the weightless calm that diving provides.
Diving locally is also a great way to tune up for what is to come. Such submersions provide a chance to ensure the gear is working and fitting properly, and to refresh in-water skills that may have gotten a bit rusty during those months of confinement on the couch. This might also be a good time to get with that local dive shop and upgrade skills with additional training such as a rescue or specialty course.
Take Off
Dive resorts around the world are reopening, but flight schedules to some destinations are still in the rebuilding process. Right now, the places you'll have the easiest time reaching are those destinations closer to the US which can be reached by direct flights or simple connections. Think Bonaire, the Bahamas and Cozumel.
For some, the prospect of flying may still seem risky, but airlines have stepped up their safety protocols with more aggressive decontamination routines. Thanks to sophisticated filtration systems and a steady addition of fresh air, airliner cabins are reported to be at least 99.97% free of airborne pathogens. That's far higher than you would encounter on public ground transportation, or even in a supermarket.
And then there are the deals. As they reopen, resorts and travel providers are offering some attractive incentives. These range from waiving change fees and instituting lenient deposit and cancellation terms to offering discounts on room nights and packages, along with bonus amenities and perks. Caradonna continues to share special deals and incentives through our social media and e-news platforms, and our agents are on call to provide you with the latest information and specials. An added security of working with Caradonna is the fact that we are the only dive travel company in the United States that is covered by a USTOA $1 Million Bond. This is certainly worth noting, particularly if you are considering working with an uninsured dive travel wholesaler.
Plan Ahead
Arranging travel to the world's more remote and distant diving destinations can be a bit more involved that visiting places close to home, but the process is easier with the help of a Caradonna agent. If you are considering this type of trip, it's best to get with an agent as soon as you decided on a destination. Many of the resorts and liveaboards affected by COVID-19 interruptions saw cancellations, but there were also quite a few clients who simply delayed their travel plans. As these businesses resume operation, this backlog of suspended travel may fill a majority of short-term time slots, but there's also a chance for last-minute openings, which is something our agents monitor on a continuing basis.
The return to diving and dive travel still involves some variables, and Caradonna will continue to monitor and report on the latest developments. Our agents are available to answer your questions and concerns, and we are also offering a series of Online Presentations to keep you informed and ready to go diving.