How common are guided dives?

[LI Diver]

I ditto that they know where all the cool stuff is. They dive the same spots over and over and know what critters can be found where. Great for photogs. But some of the most fun and memorable dives I've had were unguided.

[navyhmc]

If you ever dive Bonne Terre, all of the dives are guided dives-and rightfully so.

I talked to the DM on one of my dives and the stuff they have to go through before they can guide is phoenominal. They are all but seasoned cav edivers and could dive all of Bonne Terre blind folded before they can DM/guide.

[rach]

I've never been on a dive without a DM...but I'm headed Bonaire in December/January, so that'll be an experience for sure!

As far as DMs go, I've seen a wide variety, from the guy who grabs your computer to see for himself how much air is left to those who find the coolest critters ever....that's why in my log I always write a review of the DMs I dive with when I travel so I can request someone the next time I go back!

[tarheeldiver]

I like having a guide so I can enjoy the view and not worry so much about navigation plus most of the cool things are hard to find on your own.

[divingchef]

the no knives/gloves thing is to discourage touching or altering the reef in any way, and its forbidden to anchor on the reef, so there arent any anchor lines to hold on to ....maybe a turtle ball behind the boat....

[Damselfish]

Unlike most dive charters in the US, pretty much any boat dive in a resort area like on any Caribbean island will have a DM in the water. Often you can go with them or not as you choose. There are some places it's useful or better to go with a guide. And there are places that insist you go with the guide when there is no good reason to do so. (I avoid places in that last category.)

Shore dives there are a few places that require a guide, but not too many.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by BouzoukiJoe

Reading a lot of posts here and I continually see comments that say the DM this and the DM that which gives me the impression that the dives are guided by a dive master.

Not that I've done a lot of diving, but I have never been on a guided dive. Other than shore or quarry diving it's always been this formula: boat takes you to site, you have a dive briefing, the mates help any way you need on the boat and then you and your buddy execute your dive plan on your own.

Just how common are guided dives? Is it a regional thing? Just a resort thing? What are guided dives like?

I've never been to a dive resort but I am condering it. In a new area I might like a guide but I definitely don't want a baby sitter.

Same experience as you. DMs are very common in warm water locations, but very uncommon here in SoCal. You can always hire a DM independently, and it's not a bad idea if you're new to CA diving, but I rarely see it.

OTOH, as a DM, I wouldn't mind getting paid to lead some new divers on some of our local sites. I do it for friends for free all the time, after all!

[BouzoukiJoe A.K.A. wrecker130 AKA Chuck Norris AKA joeforbroke (banned)]

Originally Posted by divingchef

the no knives/gloves thing is to discourage touching or altering the reef in any way and its forbidden to anchor on the reef, so there arent any anchor lines to hold on to ....maybe a turtle ball behind the boat....

Sounds quite a bit different than NC. This from Olympus Diving

Olympus Dive Center - Boats

Upon arrival on site, one of the mates enters the water with the anchor and ties it directly into the wreck. S/He then runs a reel, connected at one end to the anchor line, along the wreck giving divers a large target by which to find the anchor. Directly under the boat at 15 feet are weighted, horizontal hang lines running the length of the vessel on both the port and starboard sides. Towards the bow, the parallel lines form a gradual slope down to the anchor line.

When divers enter the water, off either side of the vessel, they are able to use the line system to make their descent to the wreck. Upon completion of their dive, divers find the anchor, make a gradual ascent again using the line system, and use the hang lines for an easy 15-foot safety stop.

[Mycroft]

Originally Posted by navyhmc

If you ever dive Bonne Terre, all of the dives are guided dives-and rightfully so.

I talked to the DM on one of my dives and the stuff they have to go through before they can guide is phoenominal. They are all but seasoned cav edivers and could dive all of Bonne Terre blind folded before they can DM/guide.

Don't know if he is still there, but there was one they called "Bear" and he was able to lift me out of the water when I couldn't lift myself up that one spot. And that took some doing.

And they took care of me individually when I was there.

[booger]

In california you rarely have a dm in the water with you. Sometimes if the group is small, they might jump in. Only because they want to get wet I believe. They don't follow you around, but if you follow them, they can show you a lot of great things.