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Tuesday, August 20, 2013

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? 

16 comments:

  1. Aww I loved this post. We used to live on Oahu and one of the things my husband did when we first got stationed there was get certified to dive. My dad came out and scuba dived with him too. Unfortunately because of my ears I cannot go that far down under water so I've been pretty bummed to miss out on all that magic. So I really loved seeing all your photography today! Thank you for linking up with Belinda and I for Travel Tuesday and I hope you will do so again next week!

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  2. Bonnie- thanks for stopping by and leaving your comment. I wish I had done this earlier so we could have gotten certified, but I hear there's good diving here in Korea. I love Travel Tuesdays and I'll definitely be back next week!

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  3. Oh wow, I can't even imagine what it must be like to be under the water and so close to huge sea creatures like the shark and those turtles! I can definitely imagine that it would be a scary experience, though fun at the same time!

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  4. Rachel, It really was one of the coolest experiences I have had. I can't wait to go again. Thanks for stopping by.

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  5. Alex, this by far was both kids FAVORITE thing they did in Hawaii. They both have talked about how much fun they had and plan on getting certified back in Florida. Thanks again for being such a wonderful cousin and taking them around. We love you and Matt.

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  7. Nickie- I had a blast with them, and glad they had fun as well. I can't wait to show them around Korea :)

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  8. This looks INCREDIBLE!!! I can't believe all the amazing sea creatures you were able to see--especially those awesome sea turtles :)

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  9. Fab blog post Alex! Love all the photography and also reading about the Discover Scuba experience. I used last week's TT linkup to post about diving too but more about getting over the fear of it and doing the Open Water course.
    I floated up too the first few times but I don't any more and it's even better. Good luck with your scuba-ing.

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  11. How fun!! I'd love to learn to scuba dive and swim with all the sea life!

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  12. Amy, The turtles were awesome. I have never seen so many that were that big.

    Anna, Thanks for the comment. I loved your post last week. I had a hard time getting over my fear, but I went with people I trusted and knew they would help me out.

    Tina, If you ever get the opportunity you should do it. I was so scared to try for a long time, but I'm glad I did it!

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  13. Hi Alex,

    I just discovered your blog through the Travel Tuesday Travel Blog linkup. I have enjoyed reading about your exciting travels around the globe! I am now a follower on Bloglovin' and plan to keep up with all your new posts. I actually also just posted a new on the waterfalls in the Big Island (Hawaii is such a magical place!). I look forward to reading more about your travel adventures.

    I would love to have you check out our new travel blog and follow us as well.

    Thanks!
    Jessica

    http://independenttravelcats.com

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    1. Jessica- Thanks for stopping by and thanks for following through Bloglovin'. I loved the Big Island when we went, but Oahu still has a special place in my heart. I can't wait to check out your blog.

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  14. That looks incredible! I haven't had the opportunity to scuba dive yet but I would love to! I do feel you on the wetsuit though, I have never faced a harder task in my entire life.

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    1. Jessica, Thanks for reading and leaving your comment. It means a lot that you stopped by. I really wish I could dive without the wetsuit :) but it does keep you warm.

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Thanks for taking the time to comment- I appreciate and read each and every one of them. All replies will be in the comment section, please check back to read them!

- Alex