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If you want to have a great diving experience, with a super divemaster, Playa Blanca Beach Resort is an excellent choice. Gaz wasn't kidding when he said you become part of the family. There isn't as much pressure on the dive sites up that way, and those uncrowded dive boats get you alot of personal attention if wanted. Getting into town is easy.

Thanks, dbdoberman! I'm all booked and very excited. My only concern is whether the Blue Hole dive will be out of my league. I'm a new diver, my boyfriend/dive buddy has been diving for probably about 15+ years. I'm very comfortable underwater, but I'm wondering if such a deep dive is a good idea for me.

Kim

Do lots of dives all the week and decide later. You'll have a lot more practice by then, may be feeling quite a bit more comfortable. Then you can decide.

Thanks seashell.... I'm so excited to get underwater. I assume you've done the Blue Hole? Any sharks? I'm dying to tell my students in September that I might see sharks while diving. Fifth graders are hard to impress, but that might do it!

Kim

I've been in the Hole a number of times and have seen sharks on every trip.

My first experience started right after I dropped into the water off of the boat. I was still at the surface, looked down and there was a big one lazily passing beneath me, no more than 15-20' down. It paid me no mind at all.

One of my more recent experiences was quite a bit more exciting. We had just begun our ascent from the stalactites and I spied a beauty out in the water column. I was shining my flashlight up and down the length of him. It turned towards me and began to swim my way. I flicked off my light and started to swim away with the group, but my spidey senses were tingling. I turned, and there it was coming up behind me. I went vertical in the water and watched it approach, with my heart thudding in my chest. It passed ever so slooowly, no more than a foot beneath my fin tips, first its snout, then its eyes, then its dorsal. Then . . .

it was gone. In relief and wonder I turned back to the group, most of whom had been watching the scene unfold as well. As if nothing remarkable had occurred, we carried on with our gradual ascent up the wall.

After the safety stop and upon surfacing, I yelled out "Again, Again!! I want to do it again!!" (BIG GRIN)

My dive buddy told me that he was very jealous and that he wished it had happened to him. Ruefully, I was thinking that I wished it had happened to him too. LOL.

In any event, don't be afraid and even if you don't make it to the Blue Hole, you'll more than likely still be able to tell the kids that you saw sharks. There's plenty of nurse sharks around and they are very cool. They look scary but they aren't. Quite beautiful, quite beautiful.

Wow - as crazy as it sounds, I think I'd drive myself (and everyone else) crazy with regret... I've just go to do it !

Kim

Just make sure that you do some deeper dives around the local area first, so that you get a feel for being deeper, before you head out to the Hole.

I don't usually like to see new divers in the Blue Hole. I worry. But if you've put in plenty of dives locally before you head out, you should be fine.

Where did you initially train? In the cold and dark inland waters?

I should definitely be getting in some deep dives. I figured I'd speak to Gaz about it when I got down there. I'm confident, but I don't want that to cross over to bad judgment!

How many times have you been there?

Kim

In the Blue Hole, I think 6 times.

Gaz and Andy will take care of you and make sure you are prepared.