Dive travel

Tips for planning your family dive vacation.

by
St. Lucia, Kids Sea Camp, family vacations, kids and diving

What to bring, what to pack, where to go, and how to plan:

Planning a dive trip can be a lot of work, so having a family travel expert like Kids Sea Camp handle it makes the process fun and incredibly rewarding. Here are a few tips to help you plan a successful family dive trip:

  1. Start by planning early. The earlier you start planning, the more time you’ll have to research destinations, book flights, and accommodation, and get everyone’s dive gear needs together.
  2. Choose the right destination. When choosing a dive destination, consider factors such as the type of diving you want to do, the time of year, and your budget.
  3. Book your flights and accommodation early. The earlier you book, the more likely you are to get the best deal and the most direct flights.
  4. Get everyone’s gear together. Ensure you have a list of what is needed and what you have. If you’re going to rent dive gear, planning early ensures sizes and needs are met. Dive gear is a very personal item, and kids should at least have a wetsuit, mask, fins, and snorkel. Kids Sea Camp is #1 in outfitting kids with scuba gear needs.
  5. To ensure everyone’s safety and comfort, talk to your dive professional about dietary needs, special needs, concerns, and expectations. The more we know, the better we can meet your needs.
  6. Be flexible. Things don’t always go according to plan, so be prepared to make changes if necessary.

Here are some additional tips that you may find helpful

  • Do your research. Before you book anything, take some time to research your destination. Read online reviews, talk to other divers, visit our website, and look at the Dive training and services offered, client comments, and the photo gallery. 
  • Get travel and dive insurance. This is always a good idea, but it’s especially important for dive trips. Travel insurance can cover you in a medical emergency, lost luggage, or other unexpected events. 
  • Pack light. Bring what you need and consider lighter bags, and more travel-friendly dive gear, such as the SCUBAPRO Lighthawk BCD or the Rebel, which are specifically made for compact and lightweight design.
  • Be prepared for the unexpected. Things don’t always go according to plan, so be ready for the unexpected. Bring 1 day’s worth of items in your carry-on in case of baggage delay.  Pack snacks and stay hydrated during travel days.  Have a second copy of your trip documents and passports in a separate carry-on. 
  • Have fun! Dive trips are a great way to see the world and connect with like-minded families. So relax, enjoy yourself, and allow us to create memories that will last a lifetime.

Additional Tips for Planning a Family Dive Vacation

When planning a family dive vacation, there are a few additional things to keep in mind:

  • Consider your family members’ ages and abilities. Not all dive sites are appropriate for all ages and abilities. Be sure to choose a destination suitable for everyone in your group. Give us a call and talk to any of our dive instructor team to answer your questions.
  • Not everyone is a certified diver. Before you book your trip, make sure everyone in your group has the proper training and certification. Kids aged 5-7 can do our SASY program, and Kids aged 8 and 9 can participate in Seal Team. Kids as young as 10 can become PADI-certified divers. 
  • Be aware of the risks involved in diving. Diving can be dangerous if safety protocols are not followed. Be sure to educate yourself about the kids’ depth limits and restrictions. Talk to your family doctor about any conditions or concerns before scuba diving. 
  • Call Kids Sea Camp and Family Dive Adventures today to start planning your next great family adventure vacation. We look forward to serving you: 25 years and over 8000 youth scuba certifications. We are #1 in the dive industry regarding kids, diving, and family dive vacations.
  • With some planning, you can easily organize a successful family dive vacation that everyone will enjoy.

By Margo Peyton (see link)

Two-week diving vacations create better emotional, physical, and workforce health

by
Bonaire, Diving with Kids, Tom Peyton
A two-week diving vacation is the perfect antidote to a long, stressful year.

Margo and I have built a business around facilitating these restorative getaways with Kids Sea Camp, and over the years, we’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative power of time off. (See our events calendar)

We recently led a four-week Kids Sea Camp trip to the Philippines with ten other families—about sixty people in total. While the trip was filled with the usual Kids Sea Camp highlights—incredible diving, wonderful families, fantastic accommodations, and rich cultural experiences—something else stood out. We observed a noticeable shift in people’s attitudes as they entered the second week of their two-week diving bliss. The pressures of work began to fade, replaced by a deep relaxation brought on by the stunning beauty of the Rock Islands and Yap.

Days were spent connecting with each other during surface intervals and boat rides to incredible dive sites. Out in the middle of the ocean, cell phones and internet access were nonexistent, encouraging everyone to unplug, relax, and truly engage with one another. The diving itself was so captivating that thoughts of texting back home were replaced by the wonder of being forty feet underwater, surrounded by whale sharks. Our vacations naturally foster connection and relaxation, whether you intend it or not.

By the end of the two weeks, our clients were noticeably calmer, more peaceful, and friendlier—dare I say, blissful. This observation inspired me to research the importance of a two-week vacation. It turns out my “personal bliss” had a basis in scientific study. Researchers have discovered what I intuitively knew: two weeks away from work is significantly more beneficial than one.

The American Families and Work Institute has compiled some revealing statistics about vacation time:
  • The average employee has 16.6 paid vacation days but takes only 14.6.
  • More than 36% of employees don’t plan to use all their vacation time.
  • 37% take vacations of less than seven days.
  • Only 14% take a two-week vacation.
  • Employees report needing an average of three days to truly relax—that’s nearly half the length of a typical seven-day vacation.
  • Longer vacations have a greater positive psychological impact than shorter ones.
  • Most people feel better about their lives and work after taking time off and are more motivated to achieve their goals.
Other studies reinforce these findings
  • 70% of healthcare costs are stress-related.
  • 80% of workers experience stress on the job.
  • The human mind performs best in short bursts of intense activity followed by short breaks.
  • Our brains naturally shift from alertness to fatigue every 90 minutes.
  • Time off allows the mind and body to recover.

As Leaf Van Boven of the University of Colorado notes, “Vacations make us happier than material things because they can’t be compared to anyone else’s experience. They create lasting memories that fire off multiple parts of the brain and, as a result, stick with us. It’s our memories that tell us we like our lives.”

Dr. Mel Borins adds, “Getting away helps to distance yourself from stressful parts of your life. It can help restore your perspective, give you new viewpoints, and allow us to develop new strategies to cope.”

Tom Peyton