No matter if you’re traveling solo or with a group, one thing is hugely helpful: travel insurance. Thank you to Divers Alert Network for sponsoring this video. DAN offers specialized travel insurance for scuba divers, covering everything from dive-related injuries to unexpected trip interruptions. With DAN, you can dive with confidence, knowing you’re covered. Check out their insurance options here.

Part of the reason I started offering diving expeditions through Azul Unlimited is because people were interested in a group travel experience with me. That being said, I have done extensive solo trips over my 15+ years of traveling and my opinion is that either option can be great for your next vacation. The main 3 considerations for your trip are goals, availability, and budget. What do you want to do? When do you want to do it? And how much can you spend within those parameters?

Alright, let’s start with the thrill-seekers or budget divers out there. Traveling alone or with a friend/partner, not part of an organized group can be empowering. You get to plan your own schedule and adjust it on the fly, as you see fit. It opens up an opportunity to go places that you maybe never even considered when you started planning because as you travel, you meet people, they make suggestions, and opportunities become available, if you’re open to it.

Solo travel pushes you out of your comfort zone. It helps you develop skills you don’t typically learn in school like resourcefulness, patience, and ease.

But…solo travel isn’t for everyone. It can be lonely, especially if you’re in a remote location or if you have a hard time connecting with strangers. Safety is a big consideration – as a tourist, you can be a target for theft and attacks, especially as a woman. A huge safety resource is your gut. Your intuition when judging people’s character is your first line of defense, and it’s important to take action when a situation feels off. I mention this because while it’s important to keep your wits about you when traveling, I don’t think it’s a good idea to be afraid to connect with people.

For example, some people will say, “Never tell strangers you’re traveling alone.” I don’t always follow that rule. I have found that my gut judgment of people hasn’t led me astray. When I’ve said I’m traveling alone, I have had some of the most incredible adventures and experienced insane generosity, especially from locals.

Then, as for diving as a solo traveler, one of the main cons is dealing with the coin toss of being paired up with random divers as your buddy. Sometimes it goes great and you meet a lifelong friend, other times you might as well be diving alone.

Finally, let’s talk about budget. Solo traveling means you can make an itinerary that fits even the tightest budget. I’ve backpacked all over the place and experienced cultures on a shoestring budget. Hostels with kitchens and relying on public transportation can slash costs in huge parts of your budget, leaving more money for diving. However, if you are interested in a more comfortable lifestyle, accommodation and transportation can really add up if you don’t have anyone with whom to share the cost.

Now, let’s talk about how I plan trips for myself because that’s probably the most intimidating part of heading out on your own, at least for the first time. When I go on longer trips, I prefer having a very loose itinerary. I figure out where I want to go and some of its key places of interest. I’ll research dive shops in the area and reach out to ones that appear to care about the environment. I use budget flight search engines to find what companies fly to those areas, then book flights through the actual airline webpage. Then, I like to have accommodation booked for when I land, so I’ll find a hostel, airbnb, or hotel that fits my budget and needs.

After that, I’ll book the rest of my plans while on the trip because, in my experience, plans change so much once I’m on the scene. That said, if I’m in a place for less than 10 days or so, I’ll have more structure to my travels because I don’t want to use the little time I have in the location on my computer or phone researching places/activities. 

Now, if all of that sounds like a hassle or stresses you out, group travel may be the way to go, at least until you get some experience and confidence as a traveler.

Let’s talk about the pros of group travel. Traveling with a dive group or on a liveaboard means built-in buddies and support, which makes planning and logistics easier for you. Arrangements fall on the group leader, so you can focus on enjoying without getting bogged down by back-of-house issues and complications.

Plus, if you’re new to diving or want to explore more challenging dive sites, traveling with a group gives you an extra layer of support because you are diving with the same people for several days. Also, depending on the trip leader or group you choose, you may have access to divemasters and instructors who can help you develop as a diver.

And let’s not forget the social aspect – group travel is super fun. You’re usually surrounded by like-minded divers, sharing stories, meals, and post-dive fun. It’s an instant community, which can make your trip that much more memorable.

Of course, there are some downsides. Traveling with a group means you’re committed to that group. You may end up with people you don’t totally vibe with, but the nice thing about scuba trips is you can usually find common ground and connect on diving.

Joining a group trip means sacrificing some flexibility. You’re often on a set schedule, so adjusting excursions may not be an option.

And now, back to budget. Group travel exists in extremes. You can find great deals for group trips, especially if your schedule is flexible, allowing you to nab open spots from last-minute cancellations. Then again, group travel can be more expensive because you pay the trip leader for their knowledge and experience in organizing trip logistics.

If you’re interested in finding group trips, but don’t know where to start, check out people you follow (like me, I have trips lined up throughout the year), dive shops you’ve used over the years, or search for a dive group specific to your interests/demographic.

See what trips are coming up. I always give my community first dibs on spots, so you can sign up for Patreon (and get trip discounts) or my email list to be the first to know about new expeditions in the future.