On June 4th and 5th, I attended my first ever Scuba Show in Long Beach produced by Mark Young. Imagine over 76,000 square feet of exhibit space, 300+ exhibitors, seminars, clinics, film festival, $40,000 in door prizes and a Saturday night party at the Aquarium of the Pacific with Marina Inserra, Miss California 2014 who is also Scuba Queen USA! Last year over 10,000 people attended and they expected there would be more this year in 2016.
Learning to Scuba dive in Monterey Bay, California changed my life. There is world-class diving all over California from the Kelp Forests in the North to the Channel Islands nearby Los Angeles. I hope you will find a local dive shop to teach you how to explore underwater. It is truly magical.
I was overwhelmed at the Scuba show by the vast number of destinations, products and companies in the many aisles of the show. I felt like a child at the candy store because I want to go everywhere. I want to SCUBA dive in the Solomon Islands with SIDE, visit Musa, the Underwater museum in Cancun with The Dive Shop, return to Fiji, Indonesia and the Philippines. I cannot wait for my first visit to Cuba, Papau New Guinea and New Caledonia. There are literally so many places to go.
I watched my first 360 video and climbed inside my first shark tank. As a Divemaster with over 300 dives and having lived on a cruise ship for seven years, I was surprised how many places and experiences were new to me.
I absolutely loved the scuba show and met many incredible people like Tom and Margo Peyton who run Kids Scuba Camp, and Paul Coolen from Buddy Dive Resort in Bonaire who inspired me to participate in the Coral Restoration Foundation.
As show producer, Mark Young says: “At the [dive] show you get to see all of diving’s possibilities, at one time in one place. Hopefully you get excited about what to experience next.” And I agree. I cannot wait for my dives in Dominican Republic in June and my trip to Bonaire later this year. I wonder where else I will add to my itinerary after this show.
I was fortunate to meet Richard Woulfe and attend his Insider Secrets of Travel Talk.
Insider tips from Rich:
- Where to Travel? Go to Marine Protected Areas but ask questions and make sure that the area has actually been protected!
- When is the best time to go? NOW! Richard is in the “business of helping other people be happier with their travel.” Contact him for more suggestions of where to go and how to get there.
- Where to go? ASIA! Airfare prices are lower than usual and there more carriers with more flights offering you more choices and a better deal!
- The US dollar is strong and there are many places in Asia that are a particularly good value!
- Advocate for yourself: It never hurts to ask for an upgrade or to get your excess baggage onboard. Try building rapport with people or ask: “I don’t know if you can help me, but” Always reconfirm airline seats and check-in.
- Best Prices: It is a myth that the best airline prices are online. Work with a trusted Travel agent for fares and to make sure your schedule is the one that works best for you.
- Specific Sites to try: CostcoTravel.com and AutoSlash.com for car rental, the app Hopper for monitoring flights and finding the best time to book.
Meeting experts and new friends in the Dive Community was incredible for me. I am so glad I went to the Scuba Show! I look forward to seeing you underwater and at next year’s show!
A photo posted by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on
Learn about our underwater world @aquariumpacific! Thanks @thescubashow @visitlongbeach
A photo posted by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on
A photo posted by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on
A photo posted by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on
A photo posted by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on
A photo posted by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on
A photo posted by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on
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