Honolulu Scuba Tour: Honest Review + Free Video Perks
So, you are thinking about giving scuba a try while you are hanging out in Honolulu? That is, you’re considering that beginner scuba excursion with the promise of totally free videos? Well, you have landed in just the right spot! I, like your everyday traveler, took the plunge, and I am here now to share what the entire thing was like, from the initial breath underwater to, really, showing off the videos to everyone back home. Very, I will give you my honest opinion, highlighting what worked and also, you know, what might make you think twice. You ready? Let’s get started.
First Impressions and What to Expect
Okay, at first, the booking experience felt pretty easy. In fact, the company’s website looked really polished, plus it highlighted all the important stuff—no prior experience was necessary, that all equipment was included, and also, most importantly, the complimentary video package. So, that part drew me right in because, like, who would not want video proof of their first ever underwater adventure? That is, I selected a morning excursion, fully hoping the earlier time would mean clearer water and even fewer fellow divers. Plus, I was stoked.
Then, on the day of, arriving at the site, it was pretty straightforward. In that case, it was conveniently located close to Waikiki, which made it super easy to get to from our hotel. Very, there was this, almost, small check-in area where the staff greeted us and, they walked everyone through, basically, the disclaimers and some safety procedures. In fact, this part felt really efficient; those guys wanted everyone fully prepped yet they also kept the energy kinda light. Now, this is actually good, I tend to find I get more nervous if things are a bit serious. So, a light and relaxed manner is exactly what I was hoping for!
Actually, the other divers in the group were a mix, as you can expect – solo travelers such as myself, and a bunch of couples, plus a couple friends celebrating something I cannot remember! What’s very cool was pretty much every person had zero prior scuba experience, which sort of, helped calm my nerves. Still, the staff totally highlighted that the dive was for complete rookies, which really set my mind totally at ease.
Gearing Up and Getting Comfortable
Okay, so that part of the operation—gearing up—is always sort of weird. As a matter of fact, they have all the equipment on site. By the way, you actually get fitted with, not just a wetsuit but BCD (Buoyancy Control Device), a regulator, fins, a mask. Now, I remember feeling just a little clunky in that wetsuit. In other words, once you get into all that scuba equipment it’s really kinda bulky. It’s nearly like you gain another 50 pounds instantly!
After, a senior instructor walked everybody through the way the gear worked. So, this actually included how exactly to clear your mask when it flooded, and of course finding your regulator if it popped out of your mouth underwater, along with, very, basic buoyancy methods. Still, he spoke so well and was relaxed and slow. Yet, not patronising. So, top marks there for instructor qualities!
Now, once we had done this we toddled off down to the ocean for a couple basic skills. So, nothing crazy. We were, mostly, trying out what he had just taught us. After a little while splashing around close to the shore it was time to go to the actual, genuine, ocean!
The Underwater Experience
Then, once everyone felt at least, a little good with their kit, the fun truly, like, started. Anyway, the group swam out to, actually, the designated dive spot, which was only several minutes off shore. In that case, the water clarity, on that particular morning, was pretty ok, more or less, not crystal-clear, yet totally good enough so you could view a fair bit. To be honest, after descending, I felt myself, a little amazed from what was all around me.
Of course, the instructor maintained a really calm pace, leading everyone down, little by little, while we each, as a matter of fact, equalized the pressure in the ears. Okay, just letting you know, make sure to actually pay attention to this section in your preamble! As, failing to correctly do that part, can feel truly uncomfortable. Anyway, at the base, it wasn’t very deep – roughly, perhaps, around 20-ish feet? Although, for your very first ever proper scuba , that part feels pretty darn deep!
As a matter of fact, underwater, the marine life really, kinda surprised me. We found loads of tropical fish. Some, just tiny. Others a bit bigger. In fact, I remember vividly this massive sea turtle cruising simply alongside our group. At the end of the day, it felt truly surreal seeing that thing up so close in its natural environment. So, something I did not anticipate at all. Any apprehension that I felt sort of melted off me. In short, seeing real life, in its natural environment, really made me relax!
The instructor also had the habit of indicating different underwater features, pointing out things that perhaps your regular first time scuba-er may fail to notice alone. Thus, he pointed to these bizarre coral formations along with showing several interesting tiny critters hidden within the reefs. Then, talking of reefs. You would find better coral further offshore. So, there were these great sights to find and examine, still. Actually, there was quite enough to take up our time at our specific, small spot.
In the meantime, the whole scuba lasted for about thirty to forty minutes, and even that time actually sped by in a flash. After that point it felt almost just a little too short. So, by the time I totally settled into the rhythm and all of it, it was time, essentially, to float to the top! Any apprehension which I initially felt went completely!
The Free Videos: Hype vs. Reality
So, what regarding those, completely free videos I mentioned? Really, this became, truly, one of the most compelling points of the excursion when I booked! Now, it’s vital to really keep your expectations actually in check.
Very, the footage will never, obviously, be award-winning material. By the way, the company provided the GoPro footage recorded by the instructor at the time of our , under the sea. So, I will level with you. I was truly worried that the footage will only contain footage of him pointing things out. Yet, actually, it also contained loads of footage, including me! Then, other sections, I only caught glimpses of us; and that really varied person by person.
Nevertheless, I appreciated all of them recording it, even, it being what it was. Actually, it turned out just a little blurry in parts; plus, you did hear the breathing sound pretty darn loud, the parts when it captures your likeness swimming simply under the sea? These, almost, little clips captured little unique moments from that day. Thus, things I’d have failed to actually remember.
By the way, receiving this digital footage after a couple days through email really provided an opportunity so you could share this experience with loved ones, even if your videos probably never win prizes in contests! In fact, I showed the video over cocktails with a buddy a short time after. So, he thought it was great to actually see the sights underwater. Really, this produced memories, plus moments that simply lasted for a long while after!
What Could Be Better
Really, no experience runs without flaws. So, you are considering doing the scuba excursion? Then, perhaps, a couple points may factor into your actual choice. So, it’s worth actually bringing such points to light.
By the way, while the staff appeared actually competent, actually having simply one extra member available to deal with this larger sized group of newbies probably reduces this wait periods between different steps involved, from gearing right up towards really reaching that designated dive place, maybe even streamlining different actions.
In fact, I found out, perhaps, increasing your time under the sea simply a little – let’s state by roughly fifteen minutes possibly, provides people slightly more chance to take-in your scenery, simply feeling much more relaxed fully down at this floor – instead rather, being constantly aware we need, soon after reaching the bottom area we need to ascend! Then, of course, security really counts.
In fact, thinking over some video recording, I thought that really positioning yet another GoPro somewhere –possibly connecting directly with us instead of totally onto that instructor — will permit just more diverse footage getting recorded, letting a lot more distinct, actually individualized memories eventually getting found after. Or alternatively, what would even happen when there are a great deal more, solo folks onboard, compared against sets and groups etcetera!
Final Thoughts: Is This Honolulu Scuba Tour Right for You?
In conclusion? Now, if I simply rate our entire Honolulu , initial ever attempt scuba, based around anything someone who’s totally inexperienced, wishes anything low key and enjoyable , then essentially yeah: I’d definitely suggest taking that dive actually! Because there’s quite something essentially captivating basically sinking fully beneath the surface and personally finding out marine living. Okay the bits which had free videos almost offered bonus levels relating regarding special pleasure and created simply truly amazing conversational moments shortly afterwards. At the end of the day however definitely weigh those aforementioned pluses plus minuses up when simply fully determining whether such outing lines using whichever choices exist aligned relative yourself personally.
- Ideal for Beginners: No prior experience necessary, so it is perfect for newbies.
- Free Videos: Captures the underwater memories (though quality can vary).
- Convenient Location: Located near Waikiki for simple access.
- Marine Life: Expect to observe vibrant tropical fish and turtles.
- Improvement Areas: Consider more staff and extra underwater period.
Hopefully, you get this breakdown so you are much better equipped regarding selecting fully regardless such “Honolulu first try excursion scuba,” seems a beneficial complement along those experiences through our individual excursions. Have wonderful – safe moves traveling. Good diving!!
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