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Solo Travelling and Scuba Diving
Solo traveling elicits strong reactions, with some relishing the freedom it brings, while others shy away from the idea. The dichotomy lies between the autonomy of solo journeys and the comfort of companionship. Scuba diving group trips for solo travellers emerge as the perfect synthesis, offering a unique blend of freedom and camaraderie.
Embarking on a solo scuba diving adventure is a thrilling journey into unparalleled freedom, new discovery and self-discovery beneath the waves. However, solo travellers should be mindful of considerations to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, especially those diving abroad, taking precautions before leaving their home country is crucial for a safe and enjoyable journey.
“I started travelling solo by chance”- my wife recalls- “I joined a group from the diving club planning to travel to Tobago, people pulled out at the last minute and I decided to go ahead alone. I did enjoy the freedom: I could travel at the times I wanted, to the destinations I wanted, no need to negotiate when and where to eat and the air conditioning temperature. Diving is a social sport anyway, and the divers one meets are by definition like-minded people. It’s an opportunity to make new friends, often from different nationalities. I’ve gained so much in self confidence and interpersonal skills, way more than on corporate training courses J. However, as a woman solo traveller, I’ve always had to be mindful of personal safety in circumstances where one simply doesn’t know what to expect. I remember the apprehension I felt on the boat ride alone from Batanga to Puerto Galera in the evening. Also the same feeling whilst waiting in Dubai for someone to pick me up and drive me 2 hours to Musandam. This someone is now a dearest friend. The best thing for me is always to book through someone that has made the same journey, lived the experience directly and has close personal links at destinations.”
In essence, scuba diving trips for solo travellers offer a harmonious blend of autonomy and companionship. These journeys transcend traditional group travel challenges by uniting solo adventurers with a common passion.
The first question and one of the most important, as the answer usually determines your location is Liveaboard or Shore based, and there are Pros and Cons to both:
Liveaboard
Pros
Immersive Dive Experience: Liveaboards provide uninterrupted access to dive sites, maximizing your time beneath the waves.
Varied Destinations: Journey to remote and pristine locations, exploring a range of dive spots during a single trip. Usually these site are only accessible by Liveaboard
Community Experience: Forge close bonds with fellow divers on board, fostering a sense of camaraderie.
Cons
Limited Amenities: Space constraints on liveaboards might limit facilities compared to resorts.
Community Experience: Liveaboards forge a close-knit community of divers and individuals, which may not be conducive to everyone’s character, particularly for people who enjoy some time alone to charge the batteries, or those not keen on negotiating group dynamics in a somewhat confined environment.
Shore based
Pros
Comfort and Amenities: Resorts offer a comfortable stay with various amenities, including spas, swimming pools and restaurants.
Flexibility: Choose daily dives or explore at your pace, enjoying the freedom to create a personalized itinerary.
Onshore Exploration: Besides diving, resorts often provide opportunities to explore local culture and attractions.
Cons
Fixed Locations: While convenient, resorts limit you to specific dive sites accessible from shore.
Time Constraints: Day trips or tight schedules may impose time restrictions on your underwater adventures.
Flexibility: Unless you are certified as a solo diver then you have to dive with a buddy or with a private guide, which could be a costly option.
Considerations
Personal Preferences: Evaluate your preferences for accommodation, community engagement, and the overall pace of your dive experience.
Destination Exploration: Assess whether you seek the thrill of exploring multiple dive destinations on a liveaboard or prefer the convenience of a single resort location.
Choosing between liveaboard trips and dive resorts hinges on your desired balance of adventure, comfort, and community. Whether you opt for the dynamic exploration of liveaboards or the leisurely pace of resorts, each option promises a unique and unforgettable underwater journey.
Dive Destination – Research and Planning
Conducting thorough research on dive destinations is crucial. Understand its culture, local customs, and any travel advisories. Always check government advice, BUT also consider joining Facebook or similar groups and get some real-world advice from like-minded divers.
It’s essential to opt for reputable dive operators with a strong safety record. Sea to Sky, a trusted name in the industry, places a high priority on guest safety, offering comprehensive services, advice, and recommendations.
Ensure you are aware of any health risks or vaccinations required for your destination. Carry a basic first aid kit, if weight allows and any necessary medications. We would advise not to take any over the counter medications aboard, as most are readily available and in a lot of cases cheaper. If you are prescribed medications, please ensure that your country of entry allows your medication, and in all cases please take a doctor’s letter/prescription.
Solo divers should be mindful of diving in secluded or challenging dive locations. Opting for familiar, well-monitored locations where assistance is readily available if needed. Sea to Sky takes a personalized approach, considering guests’ experience and certification levels to suggest optimal dive locations within their limits.
Being cautious about equipment is paramount for solo divers. Rigorous gear checks to ensure everything is in optimal condition are essential. For those renting equipment, Sea to Sky ensures that the dive centre or liveaboard operator’s gear is regularly serviced and up to date. Please self-check all equipment, we are happy to advise on what to and how to check any equipment.
Safety and Security
Invest in comprehensive travel insurance and Dive Insurance that covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and potential diving-related incidents. Keep a digital and physical copy of your insurance details. Secure important documents like your passport, travel insurance, and diving certifications in a waterproof pouch. Consider making digital copies that you can access online. Share your itinerary and emergency contact information with a trusted friend or family member. Keep them informed about your whereabouts and any changes to your plans. We personally use Nord Locker to store all relevant information, including copies of passport, accessible via the cloud (No affiliation, it’s just what we use).
Financial Preparedness
Inform your bank about your travel dates to avoid any issues with your credit/debit cards. Carry a mix of local currency and cards. We can advise country by country what cash to take, as in some destinations Euros or Dollars are the better option. Be cautious when using ATMs and choose secure locations (inside banks for example). Keep a small amount of emergency cash separate from your main funds. This can be invaluable in situations where card payments may not be accepted.
Communication and Connectivity
Consider getting a local SIM card to stay connected. Check the network coverage in your destination and inform your loved ones about your contact number. We also use an ESim called Airolo (Again no affiliation) but some of the charges can be quite high especially in Egypt, but for peace of mind it’s great. Carry a portable charger for your electronic devices, including your phone and any underwater cameras. Also check with the country you are travelling to ascertain what plug is compatible.
Cultural Sensitivity
Familiarise yourself with the local culture and customs to show respect. This includes appropriate clothing, gestures, and behaviour, both on land and underwater.
What sets Sea to Sky apart is the personal relationships developed with its suppliers and its commitment to providing 24-hour telephone contact for guests, offering reassurance and assistance around the clock. Solo travellers can dive with confidence, knowing that expert guidance and support are just a call away.
In essence, while solo scuba diving opens doors to incredible underwater experiences, travellers must exercise caution, conduct diligent research, choose reputable operators, and prioritise safety.
For any information or assistance you require please feel free to contact the team at hello@myseatosky.co.uk.
Join Sea to Sky and embark on new diving adventures! Visit www.myseatosky.co.uk for more information.
Far from the usual tourist trails, on a small island in the Northern Moluccas, lies a place of extraordinary beauty: Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort. Nestled between dense tropical jungle and a powdery white sand beach, the resort offers a peaceful escape immersed in nature at its purest. With panoramic views of the turquoise sea and direct access to some of Indonesia’s most untouched reefs, it’s a dream come true for those seeking tranquility above and adventure below the surface.
The resort features just 16 spacious beachfront bungalows, each only steps from the ocean. At its heart is a beautifully designed open-air restaurant, built entirely from natural materials, where guests can enjoy a diverse selection of Indonesian and international cuisine.
But what truly sets Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort apart is the underwater world that surrounds it. The reefs of the Northern Moluccas are among the most pristine and biodiverse in all of Indonesia – and remarkably, they remain largely untouched. Thanks to the remote location, dive boats are often the only ones around, giving divers the rare privilege of exploring vibrant coral gardens, dramatic walls, and colorful drop-offs in complete solitude.
Marine life here is nothing short of spectacular. Blacktip reef sharks are spotted on nearly every dive, while nutrient-rich walls attract sea turtles, schools of jacks, and bumphead parrotfish. For macro enthusiasts, the area is a treasure trove of rare and photogenic species, including pygmy seahorses, ghost pipefish, nudibranchs, frogfish, leaf scorpionfish, and several types of octopus and shrimp.
One of the region’s most extraordinary highlights is the Halmahera Walking Shark, a rare species endemic to this part of Indonesia. First described by scientists only in recent years, this small shark is unlike anything else in the ocean. Rather than swimming, it uses its muscular pectoral and pelvic fins to “walk” along the seabed. These elusive yet fascinating creatures are most often encountered on night dives – and witnessing one in the wild is a truly unforgettable experience.
The reefscapes surrounding Spice Island Resort are equally impressive. Flourishing hard coral formations spread across the seabed, interspersed with vivid sponges, large sea fans, and colorful soft corals. The biodiversity is astonishing, and the visual spectacle underwater is a dream for photographers. Most importantly, the reefs here are healthy—a rare treasure in today’s marine environment. With minimal tourism and careful management, the ecosystem remains intact, vibrant, and teeming with life.
Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort is more than just a dive destination – it’s a retreat for those seeking peace and a haven for underwater explorers looking to experience the authentic magic of Indonesia’s last true frontier.
Book your next diving adventure at Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort with Extra Divers!
Two weeks ago, during World Oceans Day weekend, over 200 divers from at least 15 different BSAC clubs descended on Cornwall to be part of the Kernow Dive Festival 2025. Ten RIBs and their skippers collectively carried out just shy of 300 boat dives over the weekend, with divers of all levels participating in the scheduled diving.
Not only was it fantastic to see the diving community come together to celebrate diving on World Oceans Day, but the weekend also raised funds for DDRC Healthcare Plymouth and hopefully increased awareness of their work.
The plight of UK chamber facilities has been in the spotlight recently due to the planned reduction in the number of hyperbaric chambers available to scuba divers in England.
With their number set to be cut from eight to just three, the pressure on the remaining chambers is a serious concern. Yet many divers starting out are unaware of the facilities available when things go wrong, or the ongoing research that takes place at these centres to make diving safer for everyone.
DDRC leads the field in dive medicine research, treating decompression illness and maintaining the national 24/7 helpline. Their work is essential for keeping all divers safe, and we’re proud to help raise awareness of their fantastic efforts.
Last year, the Kernow Dive Festival raised over £7,300 for DDRC Healthcare in Plymouth; this year, we’ve raised a phenomenal £8,550! This brings the total raised by the festival for DDRC to £69,760!
This is primarily thanks to the incredible support the event receives from the attending clubs, the diving industry, and local businesses, who contribute significantly to the raffle and auction fundraising activities on Saturday night.
The following businesses deserve a special mention, and we can’t thank them enough for their generosity. In no particular order:
North Coast Diving donated a full-day charter
O’Three Ltd donated a 50% drysuit voucher and a semi-dry
Kent Tooling Diving Products donated two of their reels
Seaways Diving and Suunto UK donated a Suunto Diving D6i Novo Zulu dive computer between them
Scubapro donated a pair of their Seawing Supernova fins
MARES – just add water donated three of their bags
Discovery Divers Plymouth Ltd donated a day’s diving for two divers
Seaways Diving and Engineer Aftercare Caravan, Campervan & Motorhome Warranty donated vouchers for cylinder testing and £100 off at Seaways
Liquid Sports donated a BigBlue 1300NP torch and some Sharkskin caps
Cressi donated a pair of their Origin fins
AP Diving donated an assortment of items, including flasks, dry bags, mugs and beanies
DDRC Healthcare donated a 40m chamber dive and facilities tour for up to 8 people
Dive Signs donated a selection of their Smart Emergency, MOD, and Gas Analysis sticker packs
Sharp’s Brewery donated a voucher for either a 5-litre mini cask of Doom Bar or an 8-pack of cans
Scuba Ry Divers donated a snorkel set
BSAC – British Sub-Aqua Club donated two digital SDC training packs
Porthkerris Divers donated T-shirts
Two local businesses also helped keep the divers warm and well-fed:
Penryn Joinery donated a van load of heating fuel briquettes to keep everyone warm on Saturday night, and Firewood Supplies Ltd near Penzance kindly donated several large bags of restaurant-grade charcoal for the Kernow Dive Festival BBQ.
We also need to give a big shout-out to local ghost gear recovery charity Fathoms Free, which supported the fundraising weekend with its recently refurbished RIB and experienced skipper, Jules!
Their RIB, Stingray, was the first boat out and the last boat in on both days. They said it was fantastic to support such a great cause and were pleased to help raise awareness and funds for DDRC, which provides a vital service to all divers in the region—including those who volunteer for the charity during ghost gear recoveries.
The BSAC South West Region clubs that played a major role in this year’s event included:
Bude Dive Club, whose members handled catering and, along with Peninsula Sub Aqua Club, ran the control room and slipway like a well-oiled military operation.
Peninsula Sub Aqua Club (BSAC), whose members oversaw much of the shotting of the dive sites and planned the weekend’s diving. They also have a small quiz team, known amongst other names as the Four Skin Divers, who attend Tricky’s at the Tolgus Inn every fortnight for quiz nights. Over the last 12 months, they collated all their winnings and donated £230 to the fundraising efforts!
Totnes Sub Aqua Club, whose members managed the finances and insurance and once again ran the record-breaking raffle!
A special thanks to Ponsandane Camping, who once again gave us VIP treatment, let us take over the site for the weekend, and provided secure boat storage for all attending clubs.
We’re also incredibly grateful to the team at Penzance Harbour for supporting the event year after year.
Huge thanks to everyone who helped organise the weekend, to the businesses and individuals who donated to the fundraising efforts, and to the 200+ people who took part!
It was truly a fantastic event. Despite the less-than-ideal weather, everyone had a great time—and a record amount of money was raised. Planning for next year is already underway!
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