The Self-Reliant Traveler: Things to know before going it alone

As I’m sitting here in the airport, about to embark on my latest trip, it seems very apt to be sharing some of the valuable lessons I’ve learned over the years about solo dive travel. Some find the concept incredibly scary, others find it liberating. Honestly, at times it can be both. But don’t be put off… the wonderful diving community means that solo travelers are never truly alone and amazing adventures await those that seek them.

My first piece of advice to anybody contemplating a trip for one but is unsure about whether travelling alone is for them is “think and just do it!’. I know this isn’t quite the familiar “don’t think, just do it!” but it’s for a reason. There are some practicalities that you need to consider when travelling alone and a little forward planning will pay off volumes. For instance, if you’re on the other side of the world, in an unfamiliar country where you don’t speak the lingo, you want your ride to show up! And in planning the ride, you need to know the destination… So do your research, speak to some dive resorts, get recommendations on great places to stay and book ahead. It will save a lot of stress at the other end. Of course, if you’re planning a longer trip, this isn’t always feasible for the whole time but at least plan your first port of call. You can then figure out the lay of the land when you arrive and take it from there!

Side note: It will also help, in the event that your ride doesn’t show up, to have a local SIM card and the details of your destination/transfer company to hand. I learnt this the hard way and it’s certainly no fun to be stood at the side of a road wondering how on earth you’re going to find your way out of this one when you can’t find anybody that speaks a common language. But if this should happen, stay calm and you will find a way to figure it out. Which leads me to my next point…

You will meet some incredibly kind people and make new friends in the most unexpected of places. Back to being stood at the side of the road: two lovely people came to my rescue. They got off a different boat and saw me sitting on a wall with an insane amount of dive gear, presumably looking pretty lost. It turned out we were headed to the same place and despite having a ride, they insisted on booking and sharing a cab with me to make sure I wasn’t left stranded. I’ll never forget this act of kindness that meant the world to me in that moment. It sounds like a cliché but diving really connects people and it will surprise you how this manifests itself when travelling alone. Have faith, talk to fellow divers and don’t forget to pay it forward whenever you can!

Related to this, make sure you are open to meeting people on your travels. Strike up conversations with strangers, say hi to your fellow divers in the shop and ask the dive staff what their recommendations are for a good post-dive bar. Even if you’re new to diving, you’ll soon learn how easy it is to spot a diver – let’s face it, given half a chance we’ll tell you but if all else fails look for t-shirts with dive flags and sharks, the dive computers on the wrist or tell-tale tanned hands and feet. Then strike up a conversation! You have a heap of options, ask about the viz, the sightings, the best dive site in the area so no need for the usual small talk about the weather (unless there’s a typhoon coming of course!). Diving is such a friendly community, people are happy to share their knowledge and take solo travelers under their wing. Keep in touch with the people you meet, you never know where they’ll end up next and it might just be your dream destination! I’ve been on a few trips where I’ve met up with past dive buddies and it’s always great to see a familiar face, especially in a remote corner of the world. Remember, it all starts with a smile and hello!

If talking to total strangers really isn’t your thing… don’t despair! There are other approaches that can make it easier to meet new people without even having to make an effort. Check out local diving clubs in your area, you’ll make some new friends and often you can find a trusted buddy or ten to plan trips with. Group travel is another great option as you have a ready-made group of teammates with a shared interest in both the diving and the destination. Liveaboards also offer a similar experience. Being a member of a dive club and having done both group travel and solo liveaboards, I’m a big fan of all options. Just pay attention to the budget for the trip – if you’re looking to meet a younger crowd, a high end liveaboard isn’t likely to provide this. However, you will meet some amazing people from a diverse range of backgrounds. Check out groups such as GirlsthatScuba or InsiderDivers for group travel options or find your ideal liveaboard holiday on Liveaboard.com or dive-the-world.com.

So that’s it… I hope these little insights help inspire you to take the plunge into the world of solo travel. It really is worth it! There’s nothing quite like diving to open up a whole new bucket list of travel options and the best thing, an incredibly welcoming community to go with it! I do have one final tip though: Think about your luggage carefully – Pack light or hit the gym!

Take a deep breath and dive in…