Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Learn While Traveling

Most scuba divers acquire their scuba certification in their neighborhood pool or at the local dive shop, leaving them with a lackluster first impression of scuba diving. Instead of taking scuba lessons next to the 5-year-old swim class, why not take your first breath under water next to a school of Banded Butterflyfish?

Odyssey Expeditions Yacht in St. Lucia (Kat McDonnell)
For the ultimate first-time scuba experience I would recommend Odyssey Expeditions. Odyssey Expeditions offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to live on a yacht with fellow divers for 14 to 28 days while you gain your certification. Odyssey offers multiple voyages throughout the summer in either the British Virgin Islands or the Windward Islands.

I personally gained my Open Water Diver certification while participating in the Windward Island North SEA Voyage. My voyage was specifically organized for previously certified divers to obtain their PADI Advanced Diver certification. The Odyssey crew was extremely flexible and offered to certify me if I could arrive two days before the planned departure.

I was nervous that I would not reach the level of the other divers before our departure, but my instructor was very patient and supportive throughout the certification process, which put me at ease. By the time the others arrived, I had grown so comfortable that it seemed like I had been born with a regulator in my mouth.

I highly recommend the method of being certified in the ocean because it makes you more comfortable than beginning divers who have been certified in simulated scuba situations like pools. There is no replacement for the actual experience of being certified in open water.

While on my voyage I not only gained multiple scuba certifications but also traveled all over St. Lucia and Martinique. I experienced the culture first-hand and had numerous adventures including a hike to the top of the volcano, Mt. Pele in St. Pierre.

My overall experience with Odyssey Expeditions was unforgettable and I would highly recommend the program to anyone. So if you love to travel and want to become scuba certified then Odyssey Expeditions is the place for you!

There are still openings for the 2011 summer voyages so hurry and request a brochure off their website today!
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5 comments:

  1. The Poor Man's Rick StevesMarch 8, 2011 at 9:25 PM

    When I was in Cozumel I really REALLY wanted to get certified but this definitely sounds like a company worth checking out because not only do you get certified but you get to have an amazing time doing it!

    I bet Martinique was wonderful, did you know that it is actually a French island? As in the inhabitants have citizenship in Martinique and France. You will have that as a trivia question one day I promise.

    But what a great blog, I am definitely interested!

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  2. AnonymousMarch 8, 2011 at 10:11 PM

    I like your profile pic, do you offer private lessons?

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  3. UnknownMarch 8, 2011 at 10:13 PM

    Thank you for sharing your experiences Kat!

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  4. Peter JonesMarch 9, 2011 at 8:46 PM

    Great job Kat! I look forward to learning about all of your fun adventures scuba diving around the world. I think you should add some pictures of your travels to your blog along with your posts. Keep up the good work!

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  5. Jasmin D. RomeroMarch 23, 2011 at 12:07 AM

    Sounds like you had a wonderful time and are incredibly passionate about scuba. I have never tried to scuba but love the water, its great to know that training in the open waters is a better way to go. Can't wait to hear about all of your adventures.

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