Some of the appeals of diving are unique travel opportunities, committing ourselves to projects that can make a difference and learning new capabilities. Among other things, these separate diving from other adventure activities, but these tend to have medium to long time commitments, which implies – incorrectly – that diving is always a multi-day experience, taking several days to as much as two weeks or more. While big adventures, like liveaboard trips, are absolutely great and part of diving’s appeal, sometimes we overlook the short end of the time scale.
What if we don’t have a week, or even five days? No diving? Not an option! And, even those of us who can do big trips comparatively often want short-window-options so we can dive even more. Thankfully, there are shorter time options depending on where you live and what your interests are. As English philanthropist and writer Charles Buxton put it, “You will never find time for anything. If want time you must make it.” Let’s look at how we can do that as divers.
Weekend dive trips are big-bang-for-your-buck SOPs for many divers. Go to the dive location Friday afternoon or early Saturday, dive Saturday and again Sunday morning, get home Sunday night. That’s three to five dives no sweat, fun with friends and something your local PADI Dive Center or Resort likely offers because it works well with a lot of PADI courses.
Can’t spare a whole weekend for awhile? No worries. In a lot of places, you can get in two or three good dives in just a day. Outbound to the site or boat in the a.m., two or three dives, back home by dinner time (or at least bedtime). This is also SOP for a lot of dive centers, so start with yours to explore options.
What about when you don’t have an open day? Or if you want to squeeze in some diving after work or school just because you want to? Even this is doable for most of us.
First, think about local diving. Don’t fall for the far, freezing, fish myths if it’s a lake, quarry or similar. There’s worthwhile diving surprisingly close to most of us – some of these, like Athens Scuba Park, Kraken Springs, Stoney Cove or one of Australia’s 58 marine parks, are dive parks that cater specifically to divers. Similarly, you may have a purpose-built dive pool (here are just a few) nearby, offering a super convenient dive option.
Beyond these, don’t rule out your local pool, either. It’s fun to try out new gear, practice new skills and so on, but think specialized diving – like freediving and mermaid diving, which are often done entirely in pools. Freediving and mermaid diving are less gear intensive than scuba, giving both some spontaneity and time advantages for short-time-window splashes in open water as well as pools.
Especially after work or school, also think of night diving at local sites you know. Becoming a PADI Night Diver makes your diving “day” longer, giving you more schedule flexibility. Coupling that with PADI Dry Suit Diver extends your dive season, allowing evening dives even after the days get cooler and shorter.
If you’ve been “too busy to dive,” be sure to check (via phone, email, message or the PADI Adventures App) the short-term as well as the long-term diving options available through your local PADI Dive Center or Resort. Do it today – whatever you do, don’t put it off telling yourself you’ll get to go diving “some day.” Because, as American author and entrepreneur Timothy Ferriss observes, “‘Someday’ is a disease that will take your dreams to the grave with you.”
Seek adventure. Save the ocean.
Dr. Drew Richardson
PADI President & CEO
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