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Scuba_Adventure_Octopus (4)-01

2301 Central Expy #140

Plano, TX 75075

(972) 423-3483​

info@scubaplano.com

Mon-Fri: 11:00 A.M. - 7:00 P.M.

Saturday: 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.

To Tip or Not To Tip: Tipping Protocols in the Dive Industry

Tipping is a common practice in the United States but who to tip and how much isn’t always clear. Then, you factor in international travel and their country’s tipping protocols and things definitely get confusing.
Although it may vary, here are the general tipping protocols for the dive industry.

“Should I Tip My Dive Master or Scuba Instructor?”

In the scuba world, most tips are reserved for a boat’s DiveMaster and crew.
On boat dives, each diver will tip the crew $10 per tank. Tips are important in the dive world for multiple reasons.
So if you’re in Florida or Mexico, on a “two-tank boat dive”, at the end of the dive, you would tip $20.
If you are on a multiple-day trip you may tip at the end of each day OR drop it all on the final day.
If you save it all for the last day, make darn sure you set that money aside on day one so you don’t spend it on cold beer and fish tacos. There’s no excuse for running out of money at the end of a trip or forgetting to tip your crew.
Remember the T-shirts that say “Divers know where to hide the body!” Keep this in mind, lol.
There will either be a tip jar, or you may hand tips directly to the DiveMaster. A kind word and google review are also greatly appreciated.
Some boats will be equipped with multiple staff. In this situation, tip the standard and the staff will have an internal policy on how tips are split. No need for the diver to worry about how the boat shares tips.

When to tip above the standard $10 per tank

You can tip more if you had an incredible experience or if you needed or received more help than the other divers.
Examples where an extra tip may be warranted; if you lost gear and they had to go get it for you; if you forgot gear and they had to bail you out with their gear; if they provided you with a guide underwater and showed you amazing stuff others didn’t get to see. Or if they put you on a once-in-a-lifetime experience such as seeing a whale shark, a big shark; a massive manta ray…a migration of some sort; something no one expected to see and you probably won’t get to see it again for YEARS. In these cases, feel free to throw in something extra.
Big tippers on a two-tank dive might slip the crew $50 instead of $20-30 but those big tippers know who they are, and enjoy doing it.
What about tips for instructors and non-boat dives. If you have a DiveMaster leading ANY dive, then tips are in order. DiveMasters often work exclusively for tips.
Instructors are paid per student and therefore don’t rely on tips for their work. Many will accept a modest tip if the diver feels it is warranted, but don’t take offense if the instructor politely declines.
Use common sense when considering tips to an instructor. If you have unintentionally caused them extra work, and you know it lol, consider offering a modest tip for their extra time and attention. Even if they politely refuse, the gesture will be greatly appreciated. Again, relative to instructors, use common courtesy to guide your decision. Tips are not usually expected by instructors.

Do I Have To Tip At Scuba Adventures?

Relative to our dive shop and interactions with Instructors and Divemasters, we don’t expect tips. Since we are land-based; don’t utilize boats for training and since our dive shop pays its DiveMasters so they don’t rely on tips…there is no need to tip BUT there is a need to remember these industry standards and tip accordingly outside of our team.
It is incumbent on us to make sure students understand national and international standards, expectations, and common protocols because we send divers worldwide non-stop.
A Scuba Adventures trained diver will dive well; dive safely and be well informed.
Sea you on a dive boat somewhere soon!

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Customer Reviews

Scuba Adventures

Customer Reviews

John Worthen July - 2020

Google
I can’t recommend this place enough. After moving to the area, I read a lot of reviews and emailed several dive shops before going with Scuba Adventures. I choose them because they were the most responsive and helpful. The owners seem to not only be great divers but have business backgrounds. This is the most focus on customer service I have seen in a dive shop. Good inventory with all of the brands I could ask for. On point with their pricing. If you do find a better price they will work with you.

I ended up taking the Rescue Diver course and had a blast! I just got back from a dive trip with them at Lake Travis, very enjoyable. They also have one of the only indoor pools (18 ft.) in the area.

At Scuba ranch they have a big spot that is one of the easiest to get to and a nice pavilion for training. They are right next to the air refill station, which I love! Family and friends are welcome at the ranch. Good community there on weekends and you'll most likely find a dive buddy for a fun dive.

Maddie Womack August - 2020

Google
Scuba Adventures and their staff are beyond amazing! Their Plano store has a very wide selection of equipment and the pool is 18ft deep! Their Scuba Ranch location is amazing and still growing, with plenty of room and seating. I’m a fairly new diver and all the instructors do an amazing job of making me feel safe and secure deep underwater. Their staff is always very helpful and I can’t wait to continue my diving knowledge and certificates with them.

Jason Domenden March - 2020

Google
Found a great diving shop for all my gear. Been living here in texas for awhile and this shop has just what I needed. Really recommend scuba adventure for all your gear.

Emily Winnenberg March - 2020

Google
Went in last week to pick out goggles for an upcoming trip— loved the selection of masks they had available! Ended up picking out a hot pink pair to shamelessly match the other accessories I’d picked out.

Matt K March - 2020

Google
The new owners are the greatest! Their positive approach towards people and the sport of diving are huge part of the reason I love the sport. When they told me they were going to open a dive shop; I knew without a doubt I was going to be their customer. I have taken several dive adventures with them and other scuba diving misfits, and plan on taking many more.

Martin Garvie February - 2020

Google
Decided to revisit this shop since it is under new management. Already impressed with the facility improvements - by far the best training pool I have seen. Looking forward to the roll out of the full training curriculum - will be able to go from open water certified through all kinds of technical specialties. Good dive gear selection. Owners really have a great vision for promoting scuba diving and ocean adventures.

Don Champlin July - 2020

Google
This is the shop with the most experienced and competent personnel in the metroplex. Their commitment to safe, enjoyable and professional instruction is obvious from the first time you enter the store and meet the staff and owners. I have dove with most of them over the years and know first hand the love of diving they have and now share with the community as the new team. They are knowledgeable and up to date with the latest dive info. Don't miss a chance to dive with them.

Julie L February - 2020

Google
In January 2020, Scuba Adventures was purchased by divers that were affiliated with a different scuba store. These same divers taught me to dive, and got me to fall in love with scuba diving (despite me being pretty scared to start). I trust them, enough that I opted to take a trip with them to Cozumel for diving in 2019. It was one of the best trips of my life, and now I'm already signed up for their Costa Rica dive trip in 2020 with Scuba Adventures. I haven't visited the shop yet, but I can 100% vouch for the new owners--they are knowledgeable divers, good people, and all around amazing.

Jeremiah Perez May - 2020

Google
Owners and staff are professional, knowledgeable, and friendly. Allowed me to try backplate and wing set up in the pool. They did not pressure me to buy anything, but gave great information on products and financing options. All in all great staff and would recommend them to anyone!!!

Eric Coulombe August - 2020

Google
Great customer service, from the owners to the employees. Very knowledgeable about everything and anything pertaining to scuba diving. The instructors are highly educated and experienced in scuba diving. They put you through real life scenarios, so you know and understand what to do in the event something happens while you are under water. My family and I learned a lot about scuba diving in a very short amount of time. We will definitely keep taking additional courses with Scuba Adventures as we progress. We definitely reccomend Scuba Adventures to anyone wanting to learn and get scuba diving certified.
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