Discover Scuba {Travel Tuesdays} {Travel Series}

This week I wanted to share with you one of the greatest experiences I have ever had: Scuba Diving! 

While my cousins were in town we decided to try Discover Scuba. Discover Scuba is for those trying to figure out if they want to pay the money to get certified to scuba. It's good for those that aren't sure if they can actually dive. 

Becoming scuba certified is on my 50 by 50 list, but I get really nervous in open water, and I wasn't sure I would be able to do it. Discover Scuba is the perfect entry into diving. 

Discover Scuba with Rainbow Scuba Hawaii 

Time: About 4 hours 

Cost: $100 

Location: Piers across from Ward Center in Honolulu 

There are a few dive companies that offer discover scuba, so I want to talk to you about how we chose Ken at Rainbow Scuba. My friends and I started talking about going diving and immediately we were on Yelp and Trip Advisor to see what company was going to be best for us. We had it narrowed down to Rainbow Scuba and one other company. We were kinda on the fence about the two. They both offered two different dives on your tour, both had really good reviews, and both were pretty close in price (Rainbow was cheaper by $25). So I called both companies just to get a feel of them, and right off the bat I knew I was going with Ken at Rainbow. 

He was super helpful on the phone and made me feel really comfortable, so we picked him. Plus, he takes pictures while you are under water and they are given to you for free! 

{Jessie, Me, Jane, Tyler, and Jake} 

When we got to the piers we had to put on our wet suits, which was literally the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, and get set up with flippers. 

Then you get on the boat and while they are driving to the first site Ken takes you through the basics. {Clearing your mask, breathing through your respirator, popping your ears, etc.} 

*I get really sea sick so I took Bonine the night before and an hour before our dive. This was recommended by Rainbow Scuba, and it worked really well. I did not get sick at all. 

{Jessie, Jane, Jake, Tyler, Me, and Ken- with Diamond Head in the background} 

What's weird is that you are on the boat with other tour companies, so you can see how the other tour guides teach and treat their customers. {I'm happy we went with Ken.} 

After your short intro to scuba, Ken gets all your stuff on and then you're in the water. Discover Scuba is really basic when it comes to what you have to know. We didn't learn how to check our gauges because the instructor does that for you. The dives are only about 40 feet deep, so you see everything, but you are still safe. While we were under water, Ken was constantly counting us and checking our gauges. I know this would freak some people out, but I felt like I got enough information to do well. Plus, I stuck pretty close to Ken. 

{That's me floating up. The whole first dive I had a hard time staying on the ground. This was our first group shot and Tyler was trying to pull me down and still look good for the camera.} 

There were three things I was worried about: 

1. Being able to clear my mask under water- which was really easy

2. Being able to pop my ears- everyone else seemed to be able to dive down and pop their ears, but I had to stop diving to pop them and then I could keep going. I was always able to pop them, but I felt like I was always having to do it. The first time we went down I started to panic because they weren't popping and it was really hurting, but Ken stayed with me until I was good to go. 

3. Seeing a shark- Everyone in my group wanted to see one and I was so scared, but we saw one and it really wasn't that big of a deal. 

{White tipped reef shark- about 6-7 feet} 

{Our first dive was to a spot called Turtle Island. There were tons of turtles just swimming around. And they were huge!} 

{This whole reef was filled with fish} 

This was seriously the best experience ever. I am glad they have programs like this because we got to experience a real dive without having too much stress for our first dive. I will definitely be getting certified in the future. Most Discover Scuba programs are set up to put money towards your certification so you usually get a discount if you go through the same company. 

Being underwater is unreal. It is so beautiful down there. The pictures are not even close to how pretty it was. We were able to see so many cool things- I am glad I got the courage and went. 

It was such a blast, and I'm so thankful I was able to go with such great friends and family; I only wish Matt was able to go. 

{Me, Jessie, Tyler, Jane, and Jake- I love that he is sitting on the floor. It looks like he is pouting.} 

What do you think? Would you ever scuba dive?

If you dived before, what's been your favorite dive?