Spring Break Scuba Trip

SPRING BREAK SCUBA TRIP

The mission of the Georgia Tech Campus Recreation SCUBA program is to educate and inspire environmental and multicultural awareness through our training and certification program.
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TRIP DETAILS

INFO SESSIONS

  • Nov. 26 & Dec 2, 4, 5 from 6- 7 p.m. in Room 147
  • Dec. 3 – Virtual, email Debbie Dorsey
  • Pre-trip Meeting: Meeting with required water session to check skills and equipment
    – Week prior to Spring Break @ 6 p.m.

INSURANCE

  • DAN Insurance required for all divers – proof of insurance required prior to departure
  • Trip Insurance: Highly encouraged, but not required (DAN or DiveAssure); can use others if you choose

PAYMENTS

  • January 15, 2025 – $500 deposit/person (non-refundable after this date)
  • February 14, 2025 – remaining balance

NOTICE

Certification Dives are for Open Water 1 and Advanced students

All diving locations and proposed dives are subject to change as a result of inclement weather and/or safety

We may do a service project one afternoon or a group trip at an additional expense if there is interest, more information to come!

COSTS

Each Package Includes:

  • 7-nights, 2 or 4 person/room occupancy (see details below)
  • 6-days of unlimited shore diving (except non-divers)
  • Assigned trucks for travel to dive sites (includes insurance)
  • 1 day of 2-tank boat dives
  • Round trip Bonaire airport transfers to hotel
  • All inclusive meals – B/L/D, buffet-style + daily snacks + themed dinners
  • Trip T-shirt
  • Unlimited Nitrox for those certified to use
  • Free Wifi + beach chair + towels

PACKAGES

Diver Package – unlimited shore diving + one 2-tank boat dive
  • GT Student – excluding airfare
    • $2175 – Double occupancy (own bed, 2 beds/room)
    • $1795 – Quad occupancy (shared bed, 2 beds/room)
  • Non-GT Student – excluding airfare
    • $2275 – Double occupancy (own bed, 2 beds/room)
    • $1895 – Quad occupancy (shared bed, 2 beds/room
Certification Diver Option – Open Water 1/Advanced student certifications
  • $150 – Certification fee
    • This option required if doing certification checkout dives on the trip
    • Checkout dives w/ GT Instructor + PADI C-Card + 1 day 2-tank boat dive
Non-Diver Package (no shore diving included)
  • GT Student – excluding airfare
    • $1905 – Double occupancy (own bed, 2 beds/room)
    • $1525 – Quad occupancy (shared bed, 2 beds/room)
  • Non-GT Student – excluding airfare
    • $2005 – Double occupancy (own bed, 2 beds/room)
    • $1625 – Quad occupancy (shared bed, 2 beds/room)
Package does not include:
  • Additional costs to be paid by all (including non-divers) before trip departure, bring receipts with you
  • Airfare – must make own arrangements to get to Bonaire
  • $40 marine fee required (paid online/onsite)
  • $75 Tourist Tax required (paid before entry into Bonaire)
  • DAN dive insurance required for all divers, 3 options to choose from – proof of insurance required prior to departure
  • Gas for trucks (shared between passengers on island)
À la carte Options
  • $150 = Certification fee (as noted previously)
  • $100 = equipment rental
    • This option for individuals NOT in the training program but wanting to rent gear for the trip. Based on equipment availability and is not prorated per item.
    • Participants in the GT training program can checkout equipment at no additional charge.
    • DO NOT pay to rent equipment if getting certified on the trip.
  • $125 = Additional 2-tank boat dives (if desired)

TRIP INFORMATION

Trip Information

GT Gear Check-out/in and/or Rental:

  • Individuals enrolled in the GT SCUBA training program are allowed to checkout gear for the trip at no additional charge – DO NOT pay to rent gear on the website if you are a student getting certified on the trip.
  • This includes wetsuit, regulator, mask/fins/snorkel/boots, and dive light.
  • Individuals not in the training program and wanting to rent gear for the trip can do so for $100 (Based on equipment availability and is not prorated per item.)
  • Equipment checkout will be handled at the Pre-trip meeting – TBD, week before trip
  • All gear must be returned between 4 – 6pm on Monday, March 24, 2025.

 

What you need to know about Bonaire – http://www.infobonaire.com/:

  • The official language is Dutch and is recognized as a special municipality within the country of the Netherlands.
  • The US dollar is the official currency. NOTE: Bonaire follows European tradition in separating the thousands positions in large number with decimal points, and the fractional amounts after a whole number amount with commas, exactly the opposite as the U.S. For example, twenty-three thousand, four hundred eighty-two dollars and 54 cents would be written as US$ 23.482,54 on Bonaire.
  • You may find prices on Bonaire to be similar or slightly higher to what you’re used to for similar items in the states. This is a result of the addition of import duties and taxes to the cost of an item, and is typical throughout the Caribbean, although it should be noted that the Dutch Caribbean has among the lowest import tariffs in the region.
  • Located 50 miles (80 Km) north of Venezuela and 86 miles (94 Km) east of Aruba
  • Food and bottled water are safe to eat and drink – refer to restaurant write-ups for additional information on specific locations!
  • Bonaire is on Atlantic Standard Time (AST). Same time as the United States East Coast during Daylight Savings Time (mid-Spring to mid-Fall). Bonaire does not change time for Daylight Savings, as is the custom in the US and Europe.
  • International calls are expensive! However, the hotel has free wi-fi in public areas. Check w/ your provider for specific charges per phone, text and email.
  • Tipping guidelines – Much like the US – some restaurants add a 10-15% service charge automatically, so if in doubt, ask. Taxis – generally a 10% tip, dive shops, etc. 10% is also the norm. Boat Captain and Dive Crew $10-20/day, Housekeeping $1-2/day

What to bring:

  • International participants: IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to make sure you complete all necessary travel documents to allow you to visit Bonaire and return to the states. ALLOW ADEQUATE TIME TO OBTAIN REQUIRED PAPERWORK prior to departure, as there are no refunds.
  • Pack light, casual clothes – temperature will range between mid 70’s to high 80’s.
  • SCUBA Gear – M/F/S, boots, wet suit, regulator, BC, dive light – extra batteries
  • SUNSCREEN
  • A couple bathing suits
  • Dive logbook
  • Certified Divers – must bring your certification card
  • DAN card
  • Toiletries
  • Spending money
  • Camera and batteries
  • Motion Sickness Medicine

 

* All equipment checked out MUST be returned in the same condition, and thoroughly cleaned and rinsed in fresh water, water drained from BC, dust caps on, wet suits cleaned, etc. A repair/replacement fee will be assessed for equipment damaged or lost.

TRIP ITINERARY

Day 1 - Saturday, 3/15
  • 2/3:30pm Arrive Bonaire (depending on airline)
    • Transportation from airport to hotel via assigned trucks
  • 2:30-4pm Check in at Plaza Beach Resort
  • 3:30-5pm Begin acclimation dives/OW 1 students checkout shore dives
    • Meet as group at dive shop
  • 6/7pm Buffet dinner at hotel provided
Day 2 - Sunday, 3/16
  • 7:00am Buffet breakfast at hotel provided
  • 8:00am Shore Diving – meet as group at dive shop
    • OW 1 students – checkout dives
    • Advanced students – checkout dive
    • All other divers will dive in buddy teams and within the safe parameters of their skill and experience levels
  • 12:00pm Buffet lunch at hotel provided
  • 1:00pm Unlimited shore diving (within dive table/computer parameters)
    • All divers electing to dive in the afternoon will dive in buddy teams and within the safe parameters of their skill and experience levels
    • OW 1 students – check out dives (if needed) or certified group leaders will lead OW1 divers
    • Advanced students – checkout dive
  • 5:00pm Pool Time/Beach – ENJOY!
  • 7:00pm Buffet dinner at hotel provided
Day 3 - Monday, 3/17
  • 7:00am Buffet breakfast at hotel provided
  • 8:00am Unlimited Shore Diving
    • All divers electing to dive in the afternoon will dive in buddy teams and within the safe parameters of their skill and experience levels
    • OW 1 students – check out dives (if needed)
    • Advanced students – checkout dive
  • 12:00pm Buffet lunch at hotel provided
  • 1:00pm Unlimited Shore Dives (within dive table/computer parameters)
    • All divers electing the afternoon dives will dive in buddy teams and within the safe parameters of their skill and experience levels
    • Certified group leaders will lead recently certified OW1 divers
    • Advanced students – checkout dive
  • 5:00pm Pool Time/Beach – ENJOY!
  • 7:00pm Buffet dinner at hotel provided
Day 4 - Tuesday, 3/18
  • 7:00am Buffett breakfast at hotel provided
  • 8:00am Unlimited Shore Dives (within dive table/computer parameters)
    • All divers will dive in buddy teams and within the safe parameters of their skill and experience levels
    • 2-tank Boat Dive – meet as group
    • Certified group leaders will lead recently certified OW1 diver

    • Advanced students – checkout dive (if needed

  • 12:00pm Buffett lunch at hotel provided

  • 1:00pm Unlimited Shore Dives (within dive table/computer parameters)

    • All divers electing the afternoon dives will dive in buddy teams and within the safe parameters of their skill and experience levels

  • 5:00pm Pool/Beach Time – ENJOY!

  • 6:00pm Advanced students + Others = Instructor led Night Dive

  • 7:00pm Buffet dinner at hotel provide

Day 5 - Wednesday, 3/19

  • 7:00am Buffett breakfast at hotel provided

  • 8:00am Unlimited Shore Dives (within dive table/computer parameters)

    • All divers will dive in buddy teams and within the safe parameters of their skill and experience levels

  • 12:00pm Buffett lunch at hotel provided

  • 1:00pm Unlimited Shore Dives (within dive table/computer parameters)

    • All divers electing the afternoon dives will dive in buddy teams and within the safe parameters of their skill and experience levels

  • 5:00pm Pool/Beach Time – ENJOY!

  • 7:00pm Buffet dinner at hotel provided

Day 6 - Thursday, 3/20

  • 7:00am Buffett breakfast at hotel provided

  • 8:00am Unlimited Shore Dives (within dive table/computer parameters)

    • All divers will dive in buddy teams and within the safe parameters of their skill and experience levels

  • 12:00pm Buffett lunch at hotel provided

  • 1:00pm Unlimited Shore Dives (within dive table/computer parameters)

    • All divers electing the afternoon dives will dive in buddy teams and within the safe parameters of their skill and experience levels

  • 5:00pm Pool/Beach Time – ENJOY!

  • 7:00pm Buffet dinner at hotel provided OR Optional Shore Night Dive

    • All other divers doing the night dive will dive in buddy teams within the safe parameters of their skill and experience levels and will adhere to the dive plan determined by the instructor

Day 7 - Friday, 3/21
  • 7:00am Buffett breakfast at hotel provided
  • 8:00am Unlimited Shore Dives (within dive table/computer parameters)
    • All divers will dive in buddy teams and within the safe parameters of their skill and experience levels

~ NO MORE DIVING AFTER 12PM ~

  • 12:00pm Buffett lunch at hotel provided
  • 1:00pm Pool/Beach Time/Island tour – ENJOY!
  • 7:00pm Buffet dinner at hotel provided OR Optional group dinner in town
    • Optional group dinner meal is to be purchased on your own
Day 8 - Saturday, 3/22
  • 7:00am Buffett breakfast at hotel provided
  • 10:00am Checkout
  • 12/1pm Depart for airport (depending on airline)
    • Group transportation via trucks from hotel to airport

Certification dives for Open Water 1 and Advanced students.

All diving locations and proposed dives are subject to change because ofinclement weather and/or safety.

NOTE: We may do a service project one afternoon, more information to come!

Click Here for The Trip Itinerary Document