What makes an exceptionally good dive? When asked the question, most divers would answer, the diving conditions; such as no/mild currents, no-swells, perfect visibility and warm water temperature. But that’s not what we are talking about here. Besides water and weather conditions, what makes divers surface with a huge grin on their faces and go “wow, that was a good dive!” We’re talking about those dives you look back on while leafing through your logbooks and remember them instantly as one of your best dives ever.
It seems there are several different things that qualify a dive as a good dive, and often it is a combination of these factors that makes the dive satisfying. We have tried to compile a list of the ingredients that make a great dive. These factors may differ from one person to another, but most of these ingredients are present is a majority of your favorite dives.
Zero-Stress
What we call the comfortable dive, where everything works out as it should, from the planning to the scuba equipment to your buoyancy and air consumption. Divers often have anxiety or stress when they are distracted having to cope with uncomfortable dive gear, like a tight mask, large mouthpiece, ill-fitting fins, or simply not getting your buoyancy right. Often getting angry or annoyed with your buddy, the Dive Master or a fellow diver also leaves you stressed and unable to enjoy the dive. Look back to your best dives and you will instantly identify that these were dives where you felt at home instantly when you dropped into the water, and weren’t stressed out at all.
The Wow Factor
The Wow factor is that impressive structure of a wreck’s Hull looming up in the distance, or a stunning pinnacle rising from the depths of the ocean, a monstrous cave-mouth appearing from nowhere, or an enormous wall steeply dropping-off into the deep; essentially anything that makes you go wow. Coming across an impressive underwater feature on your dive that reminds you of how impressive nature can be, is often a key ingredient to a great dive.
Exceptional Marine life Sightings
An extension of the wow factor described above, often sighting uncommon marine life or coral can mean the difference between an ordinary dive and a great one. Dolphins, Sharks, Manta-Rays, Dolphin, Whales, Sea-lions, turtles, etc. are all sightings that instantly make your dive worthwhile. The marine life sightings need not be rare-species, but simply coming across a shoal of Barracuda, or Sardines is often enough to impress. Often its an ordinary dive until you spot this dive-changing creature, and suddenly its the best dive ever!
Unexpected Stuff
Again closely linked to the two points above, coming across unexpected stuff on a dive often makes the dive more interesting. For example, spotting a pod of Dolphins during your safety stop, or sighting jellyfish during the stop, or having a curious grouper follow you throughout your dive, are all examples of things you didn’t expect to happen on the dive, but the occurrence of which made your dive more interesting.
Effortless Communication
Sometimes, just getting your underwater communication right with your buddy is enough to make a dive good. We’re talking about the dives where you find something fascinating and turn to look at your buddy and he already has the same big a grin on his face as you do. Communication is effortless, you’re in sync with your dive buddy and fellow divers, which simply makes things go much smoother underwater.
Learning something new or doing something better
Learning a new skill, or simply improving upon an existing technique or skill is often what makes a dive memorable. The dive where you finally understood buoyancy, or regulated your breathing correctly, or improved your fining skills, all leave you feeling elated at having accomplished something new. Most experienced divers tend to enjoy those dives where they improve on existing skills a bit or have the opportunity to test their skills to their limits and coming out on top.
