We are going to Aruba and staying at the Radisson for our Honeymoon in mid May 2002.<BR>We would like some advice on who/where to go for first time scuba lessons and diving. Naturally, our first priority is a reputable place that is concerned about safety. We tried getting info from all the diving websites but we can't find any specifics concerning beginners. Can anyone help? Also we heard that De Palm Island is a ripoff? Is this true? Thanks

Can't tell you where to go on Aruba, but can hopefully shed light in the beginner part. <BR><BR>You'll probably wind up doing what they call a "resort course." You'll spend some time in the pool, get some instruction, and then do a few ocean dives. You won't be dive certified, but it'll allow you to get the experience of it. They'll probably do dives that are relatively shallow, above 50 feet, and each will last around 25 or 30 minutes. (Possibly longer depending on water conditions, waves, physical condition of other divers, etc.)<BR><BR>Whatever shop you use make sure they are certified by either NAUI or PADI. (These are the two largest dive organizations in the world.) These places run these courses all the time and most are probably safe.<BR><BR>You may want to ask about a free trial or refund policy as some people find that the equipment is difficult to use. I say this because the regulator (the piece you breath from) requires you to use an exaggerated breathing motion - deep, heavy breathing. Some people have a hard time with this and don't feel comfortable the first time they try the equipment. That's part of the reason why spending some time in the pool is helpful.<BR><BR>One other tip, don't go the day before you plan to leave for home. Go earlier in your trip. While it isn't typically a problem after only a couple of dives, repetitive dives within 24 hours of getting onto a place can cause medical problems in some people.<BR><BR>Anyway have fun, don't be worried about sharks and enjoy!

make that getting onto a "plane."

Lots of resorts offer open water certification courses not just 'resort courses'. As mentioned above, you can contact the various dive agencies on line and in your area to get more information. Since it is your honeymoon sounds like you will be busy before you go to say the least. Might I suggest you contact a dive shop to get your diving manual and perhaps the lesson video tape ahead of time. Often dive shops will cater to your schedule and set up 'private' scuba lessons and you could complete your open water certification in Aruba, signed off by instructor there. At that point you may wish to do your advanced open water (not hard or time consuming, done while diving! w/ a little discussion afterwards w/instructor) so you will get to use your skills w/divemaster in Aruba. Either way, do invest the money to go ahead and get the real certification because the resort course is limited to diving with that particular resort on that vacation only. You can go online and email. One more tip, DAN (Divers Alert Network) offers VERY inexpensive diver insurance which is specific to emergencies that are dive related. You can do that on the phone to sign up as well, it goes into effect immediately. DAN isn't the only insurer out there but they are out of Durham and do lots of research programs, etc. Happy Diving!

One more suggestion, If you don't already have them do buy your snorkel, mask and fins ahead of time! Again, consult with your dive shop on this purchase so the dive experts can make sure you have good quality mask and properly fitting fins. You may want to get fins and booties to go with rather than just slip ons.

With all due respect to Hi LUV, I would not suggest that you invest a fortune in dive equipment until you try it first. Dive shops LOVE to tell people they need "this piece of equipment and that piece of equipment". You haven't spent much time diving, yet they "suggest" you invest in the equipment. <BR><BR>Try it first, if you find you enjoy and want to make an activity you participate in more often, the gear will still be there. Honestly, for your first experience, it is foolish to spend the money on gear that may not get used again.<BR><BR>What I said was you'll probably wind up taking a resort course. As HI LUV correctly suggested, you can get certified at many of these locations. However, I assumed that you were looking to try diving, and not yet invest the time or money in getting certified. <BR><BR>If you want to get certified, that's great. You'll will probably need to invest several days of your trip in this process. <BR><BR>Again have fun. BTW, you can buy disposable cameras that are made for underwater usage. When you take a photo underwater, just remember that objects appear 1/3rd closer and 25% larger to the naked eye.

BTW, I don't own a dive shop nor am I an instructor. However, my brother was a recreational instructor and a for several years, the lead diver for the New York City Fire Department. <BR><BR>He'd laugh at how decked out these people would be for their first lesson. The guy who owned the dive shop where he worked was at great at selling people expensive, new gear. That is how dive shops make money. <BR><BR>We still laugh about the guy who showed up with a 7" knife strapped to his leg for his first foray into "the dangers of the YMCA pool."