5 Tips to choosing
a dive shop
East Africa Diving
Are you considering diving for the first time and planning your first international dive trip? Or are you a seasoned diver with lots of experience? Newbie or pro, you want to make sure that your diving experience is a well thought out, planned and pleasant one.
A good tip even before you start is to know what you want and what you are expecting. Are you looking at the best dive school? Do you want a unique spot? Do you want more than one dive site everyday?
While planning your next dive trip, here are a few things to consider when dealing with the choice of dive centres:
1. PRICE vs QUALITY
Price is no reflection of quality. A dive centre running a promotion should not be the ONLY reason to be a favourite. We recommend looking at their reputation, equipment and overall approach towards diving and business before you make your decision on what you will pay. A saving definitely will make the deal sweeter, but should not be a starting point.
DID YOU KNOW: East Africa Dive Centre are proud of offering great value and all inclusive dives ALONG with the best qualified dive instructors and good equipment.
2. QUALIFICATIONS
Certified dive centre will give you peace of mind with qualified and trained staff and centre are up to date with their safety checks and maintenance, providing an all round safe environment.
East Africa Diving is a PADI 5 star resort.
PADI Five Star Dive Centers are progressive dive shops that provide a full range of PADI scuba diving education programs, equipment selection and experience opportunities, while encouraging aquatic environmental responsibility.
WHAT DOES PADI STAND FOR? – Professional Association of Diving Instructors
PADI stands for the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, the largest scuba certifying agency in the world. More than 60 percent of the divers certified in the world are certified by PADI, and more than 70 percent of the scuba instructors in the world are PADI instructors.
3. EQUIPMENT AND SAFETY
A good dive centre will use serviced and well-maintained gear for all their dives. Don’t be shy to ask them for service history of their equipment. It is your safety at risk. It should be obvious to see if equipment is cared for.
The same goes for the boats. It does not have to be a luxury vessel by any means, but maintenance and general upkeep of all gear relating to the business is important.
MORE READING: You can learn a bit more about how we look after our traditional wooden dhows here.
4. LOCATION AND ACCESS:
Diving are usually done on a holiday and in your well earner free time. Checking the distance from the shop to the shore or dive sites will give you an idea of how much time you will spend in transit (and not diving). It is also worth checking out how many dive site options there are in the area that the dive centre have access to.
DID YOU KNOW: East Africa Diving has been operational in the same area for more than 15 years and have access to the most pristine dive sites with options for all levels around the island.
5. STAFF AND QUALITY OF SERVICE
Obviously your experience with the staff needs to be pleasant. Diving is as much fun as the people you do it with. Testimonials and reviews are a good way to know what others thought of the dive centre.
MORE DIVE SITES – Have a look at all the sites we have access to here.
East Africa Diving can assist with any of the tour or outing bookings and are happy to assist with recommendations.