It’s a bit funny to be working as an intern at a scuba diving company when you have absolutely no scuba diving experience. And while I got to know the sport from working at Dive Logz over the past year and a bit, looking at pictures is nothing like the real thing.
Recently, Peter and Sandra, the dynamic duo behind Dive Logz, decided that enough was enough. Just like that, we packed our bags and headed for Costa Rica.
While the trip was a bit of a mixed bag (read all about it here), the one thing that was a runaway success was my first diving experience!
To make it happen, we got together with the Montezuma Crew and rented their private yacht for the day. Being out on the water was amazing, and we became fast friends with the crew: Miguel, Tomas, and David.
The best part? I went scuba diving!
I wasn’t able to get certified because our trip was cut extremely short (because, ahem, reasons) but I was able to get a taste of scuba diving. It was amazing.
I did a ‘Discover Scuba’ experience which lasted about an hour with the incredible Miguel, a certified diving instructor originally from Rome.
Now it’s time for me to fess up – I don’t remember too much before the dive. I’m sure there was a safety overview, but I was a bit distracted. I do remember being suited up (I looked like a member of the Avengers at that point). And I remember Miguel explaining the bubbles.
Scuba diving can be a bit claustrophobic in a strange way, and I think it could be easy for newbies to be overwhelmed. But as Miguel said, “Focus on the bubbles. The bubbles are life.”
While I never felt claustrophobic, I admit that I was a little freaked out for the first two minutes. And then I found the harmony. It really is therapeutic. It’s just you, your bubbles and the ocean. And Miguel, whose arm I held onto. Unfortunately, I don’t think he will be available for everyone’s first time.
The scuba hand signals were interesting. Looking back at it, the signals make sense, but there were a few times when I accidentally gave Miguel a thumbs up instead of the okaysign. Which could have ended in disaster but didn’t.
During the dive, I saw two sharks, and lots of fish including, starfish, and puffer fish. I didn’t want to stop. And let me tell you something, the ocean was warm. You don’t need a wetsuit when you’re diving in Costa Rica!
Costa Rica is truly an incredible place. Expert divers would be happy with this destination because there are so many things to do! Admittedly, if you have a trip with the sole purpose of diving, and you have a few dives under your belt already, Costa Rica may not be the best match. But if you’re a beginner like me or travelling with a diverse group, Costa Rica is gold.
I also can’t rave about the Montezuma Crew enough. If you’re planning a trip to Costa Rica, and if you’re planning to stay in theSouthern Tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, give them a visit, it was the highlight of the trip.
I didn’t have a dive watch, but I recorded every detail of the dive in my waterproof dive log (thank goodness it was waterproof because there were a lot of splashes). I’m glad I recorded the dive because now I will have this memory to look back on for the rest of my life.
While the scuba experience wasn’t very long, it was impactful, and I can’t wait to go out again. I’ve already made plans to get my certification and to get back out there.
