Most of us have a favorite dive buddy and at least a few backup friends to accompany us on our undersea adventures. What happens, though, if you get the opportunity to travel to a coveted dive destination, in the event your dive buddy can't come along? Here are some tips for going it alone.
Join a Group of Fellow Travelers
A great way to find new dive buddies and to make lasting friendships is to join a group by booking a trip with your local dive center, or with a dive center that's planning a trip to the location you plan to visit. Oftentimes, you won't have to wait until you arrive to meet your fellow travelers - pre-trip parties often give you a chance to meet others and get a feel for who's who.
Book a Liveaboard
You might be surprised to discover just how many single divers there are, and many of them have discovered the convenience liveaboards have to offer. In addition, there's safety to be had by booking a trip like this, and you get the opportunity to make lasting friendships with people from all over the world when you spend a week or two diving and relaxing together. Often, you'll be picked up at the airport, you'll be greeted with a cocktail reception, and you won't have to worry about becoming a target for thieves, or even worry about getting lost in an unfamiliar place.
Tips on Choosing a Dive Buddy
Finding a good dive buddy should be at the top of your "to do" list while traveling solo. In addition to looking for a buddy with a similar skill level to your own, it's important to find a buddy who shares some common diving goals. Make an effort to reach out to other divers and find out who shares your interests and experience level. Doing this can help to prevent a random buddy assignment with someone who might be a less than ideal match. In the event there's no one like this in your group, you might find yourself paired with a guide, a crew member, or the dive master - definitely not a bad situation in most cases!
No matter whom you eventually buddy up with, be sure to spend time getting to know the person before you set out on your first dive. Be sure to plan the dive with care, review hand signals together, and ensure you make a textbook predive buddy check. Watch for red flags that point to incompetence or a lack of confidence, and be sure you don't make the mistake of overinflating your own experience! If you have a bad first dive with your new buddy, see about getting reassigned. Remember, if you're on a liveaboard or if you'll have to spend more time with a person you'd rather not be paired with, do your best to be diplomatic as you seek a new buddy assignment.
Finally, watch your back, regardless of your gender. Single travelers are often targeted by pickpockets, thieves, and scam artists. Avoiding open displays of wealth and remembering not to reveal too much personal information while in the first stages of making new friendships can help you to protect yourself. Making friends with the captain and crew is also helpful. While traveling on your own can be a challenge, it can also be plenty of fun. By following these tips and by learning all you can about the local areas you'll be traveling through, you will increase your ability to enjoy a fantastic vacation and maybe even to make new, lasting friendships.