myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

Just returned from Tobago, and for the first time as newly qualified open water divers we decided to take the plunge. I read all of the reviews on this excellent site beforehand, and pre booked the diving over the net for myself and 2 teenage kids.

R & Sea Divers looked after us brilliantly, thanks to all the team over there for such enjoyable diving. I can recommend them to anyone thinking of diving, or learning to dive, they collect and return you to your hotel and suit the diving to your capability. Cant wait to be with them again in December. R & Sea is owned and run by an English couple and Instructor partner who have moved over there.....lucky people![/b]

Awesome - I've heard several good things about them today already. I'll add yours to the list. My boyfriend and I are headed to Tobago in 24 days to be exact and counting. Definitely thinking of learning how to dive. I think R & Sea Divers is maybe worth checking out.

This website and forum have been a great tool to a lot of information!!!!

Thanks,

Shanna

Hi,

We are a family with two kids (11 and 13), going to Tobago for the first time three weeks in February 2007. We are planning to start with an open water dive course all four of us. We are really looking forward to it ...

It would be nice to hear a bit more from your experience with taking a diving certificate in Tobago with children.

Please se our comments / questions in this topic, subject "First visit to Tobago in February. Dive & Snorkel"

/Erik and Cecilia

Hi Erik and Cecilia,

I would like to add to my previous comments that R & Sea Divers, from my experience, are an excellent choice for those diving with kids.

My daughter was 14 and newly qualified and quite nervous of the sea as she had completed her open water certification in a quarry in the uk, so she had reservations. The staff at R & Sea were marvelous with her, we did a shore dive first and then went on to diving off boats, all done at our own pace. The dives were fantastic and we cant wait to dive with them again in December. My son, aged 15 at the time, had an out of air experience under water (not any reflection on the dive operator - just a fluke really) and the instructor dealt with it professionally and safely and he came to the surface, sorted the problem out and continued the dive. he uses his own equipment but I hired BCD and Regulators for myself and daughter and must say they were of excellent quality.

I cannot do more than say we shall be diving with them in 6 weeks time!

Hi again,

So your daughter did the first part of the dive certifiacte at home, and saved the open water dives to Tobago? We are thinking of doing the same or taking the full course at Tobago. Then of course we have to go to "dive school" the first 4 days of our holiday before we can jump into the water, but on the other hand that could be a part of the holliday as well. What is your opinion? We will stay at Tobago for 3 weeks.

/Erik

Hi again Erik,

Myself and daughter did the whole PADI Open water course in the UK which meant our open water qualifying dives were done in a quarry. So when we went to Tobago the dives there were our first in the sea. I know R & Sea do the PADI course (exactly same as in the UK) and personally the studying of the manuals can take up quite a lot of time out of your holiday as you will have to do 5 or 6 pool dives (they use the pool at the Tucan Inn for this) plus the reviews and tests, and then go on to do the 4 open water dives in the sea.

When we were there, some friends we made were doing the course with teenagers and it did take up a lot of time they felt. but non the less they enjoyed it. Personally I would do the first part of the course where you live and then do the open water qualifying dives in Tobago, but it will work out more expensive than doing the whole lot on holiday. Dont forget to take the referral forms signed by your instuctor from your home country with you if you decide to go down this route. Good luck and have fun

I can only back up what Jo has written. I too have used R & Sea. I guess you could say that I am addicted to the company as I have completed all of my diving courses with them. From Open Water to Divemaster which I completed Jul 06. Thanks to Tony and Tracy ( instructors) Wendy and John ( pushing me on each morning to complete my exams)..... I must be mad but now I am hoping to go on and complete my Instructors after some more time gaining experience. This will be done, yes you guessed it. With R & Sea
The whole team work together, from the moment you get there your kit is ready to go. They are enthusiastic and helpful not just with the diving but if you need anything, they will always know the best place or the best person. All in all their customer care is just brilliant. The guys are fun, reliable and above all safe. You can see they enjoy what they do.
With regards to kids. I have seen both the instructors teaching kids. Professional is an understatment. Patience is the main thing with these young ones and to make it a little less laborious is what they do best.( they make it even more fun) I actually had a dive with one of these youngsters after she had completed her OW. I know it isn't just down to her instructor. But that young girl, yes Yasmin is her name enjoyed the course and the diving she took to it like a pro. At the end of some long hard days she still had a smile on her face and couldn't wait for the next days lesson. She was a star.
Anyway, look at their website you will see all the people I have mentioned. If you have questions, drop Wendy an e mail and trust me, she will get back to you.
happy holidays to all those going to the best island in the Caribbean, may just see you on the maverick....x