With your new certification card tucked proudly in your wallet, you are anxious to plan your first exciting scuba diving vacation. Where do you begin? Maybe you will simply call the local travel agent and tell them to book it - or you could customize your very own adventure of a lifetime!

Select a location known for great diving. With your budget in mind, decide how far you can afford to fly or drive. Whether driving to a nearby beach resort area or flying to a different hemisphere, you'll need to spend some time learning about your destination. Discuss locations with the dive staff or club members from the shop or school where you received your certification. Divers love to brag about their scuba exploits and can supply a mountain of information.

Once you know where you are going, decide whether you will bring your own equipment or rent gear on site. Unless you are driving to your location it is usually much easier to simply use rental gear. It may be wise to bring your own mask, as it is small, lightweight, and known to fit well; a leaky mask will ruin any dive! The other things you must take from home are your dive log and proof of certification.

Select a reputable scuba shop or tour boat to work with. Hopefully you have received a positive referral from one of your research sources on which company to use. Find out if there are deals for booking multiple boat dives and/or equipment rental packages. Get a list of dive sites and a rating of the difficulty level for each dive when planning your excursions.

Find out what lodging options fit your budget and style. Ask about scuba packages that may be available at a preferred rate. Find out if any units have kitchens so that you can save money by preparing a few meals on your own.

Since you won't spend all your time under water, consider other recreational amenities available such as water sports, tennis courts, golf courses, bike rentals and, of course, a nice beach. Find out what dining options are close to your choice of lodging and whether there are local grocery stores nearby. Decide if you want peace and quiet or exciting nightlife while considering the location of your hotel.

With the planning finished, now you can savor the anticipation of an exciting scuba diving holiday on the horizon. To build confidence, sign up for a refresher course at the dive school if it has been a long time since your last dive. Have a great trip!

The diving lessons will impart information as to how best to use dive equipment such as the scuba diving computer and what is the science behind diving as well as responsible diving practices. You may also discuss some of the best places to take a scuba diving vacation. You'll find all the free information you'll need on our website.