THE BEST OPTIONS AFTER GRADUATION ARE THE SAME EVERYWHERE… AND ALWAYS… JUST GET OUT AND DIVE!
When a friend, fresh off obtaining their C-Card, asks, “Where’s the best place to dive?” what do you tell them?
of Sharm el Sheikh or your local dive site has its own community of
resident turtles and healthy coral, it may not look this inviting.
Don’t fret, every dive builds experience and comfort.
Unless you’re fortunate enough to live near Sharm el Sheikh or a local dive site with its own community of resident turtles and vibrant coral, it might not seem appealing. The average scenery is rarely as beautiful as this photo suggests. But don’t worry; every dive contributes to experience and comfort level.
It’s tempting to recommend to any new diver, popular dive destinations—places you love or those spots on your bucket list—like the Red Sea, Cozumel, Southern Africa’s famed sardine run, or Thailand. The list is extensive! However, for most of us, there’s a practical issue: very few of my friends own private jets, and your friends likely face similar travel constraints. Even when money isn’t a concern, vacation time is often limited.
So, while it’s great to suggest exotic, far-off locations, don’t overlook the dive sites closer to home. The goal is to get them diving and logging their experiences online.
This advice holds true for any certification program—from Open Water (OW) to sidemount, and even mixed gas on an expedition-grade XCCR. The key is to get out and dive.
To make the most of any level of training—whether recreational, technical, breath-hold, open circuit, or CCR—commit to applying what you learn. Enjoy the journey!