u/Patient_Barber2004

Hi! I’m currently doing my Open Water certification at home (academics + confined-water/pool portion) and want to travel somewhere to complete my four open-water referral/check-out dives.
I’ll be traveling solo and won’t have a dive buddy, so I’m especially interested in hearing from other solo travelers who did their certification this way.

I originally planned on Cozumel, but getting there from where I live is turning out to be too hectic.. I’m considering Hawaii or Southeast Asia, but I’m very open to other destinations, especially somewhere with warm water, good conditions for a new diver, and a dive community that’s welcoming to solo travelers.

If you’ve done this, where did you go and which dive shop/operator did you use?

Thanks! I’d love specific dive-shop recommendations rather than just destinations.

Hi everyone!
I’m about to start my PADI Open Water certification at home and am planning to complete my four referral/open-water dives in Cozumel. I’ll be traveling solo, and I’m a woman in my 30s, so I’d especially love to hear from other women who have done a solo dive trip to Cozumel.

Did you feel comfortable traveling and diving there alone? Which dive operator did you use, and would you recommend them for a newer diver completing her certification?

I’ve seen the long list of recommended operators here, but I’m especially interested in places that are welcoming to solo divers. A couple of shops I’ve contacted have told me they need at least two divers to run the boat, and since I won’t be traveling with a buddy, I’d love recommendations for operators where showing up solo isn’t an issue.

I’d also really appreciate hotel recommendations! Ideally somewhere that feels comfortable for a woman traveling alone, is convenient for walking around/getting food in the evenings, and makes dive-day pickup easy. Thank you!

I’m 36 and relatively new to Portland.
Are there any book clubs, reading parties, or supper clubs that tend to have a good mix of men and women in their 30s and older?

Most of the clubs I’ve been part of have been predominantly women, which has been wonderful. I’d also love to find a more balanced mix. It would be nice to meet other single people who enjoy reading, cooking, and having thoughtful conversations.