Dive Boat Etiquette 101 - What to Expect When you Board the Sexy Red Boat

Unlike some boats, we allow - and encourage - our customers to come out to the bow to enjoy the view and take in the salt air. There is nothing quite like it!

After a weekend spent private guiding a group of divers that had never been on a boat before, it became apparent to me that there are so many nuances of boat diving - specifically how we dive aboard our Kyalami boats - that I thought it would be helpful to put a few best practices together for anyone travelling here to take in.

Come experience Kyalami

Every dive boat across the world does things a little differently, but here is how we operate on the Kyalami boats.

We offer a valet service to our boat.

No lugging your gear down the ramp to the dock - we’ve got you covered. All you do is pull up your car, drop off your gear, and our crew will take it down to the boat. If you rented tanks with us, they will be there waiting for you. We recommend nitrox when possible to increase your bottom time, and a crew member will assist you in analyzing your tanks once onboard. If you need to rent anything - from a wetsuit to a mask to a full set-up, we’ve also got you covered there.

We use our durable carts to load and transport all your gear down to the boat. Most people choose to walk from there, but we will give you a ride too if you need it!

We provide professional support from the best crew in the biz.

We put a divemaster in the water with the group. Since we are drift diving, the DM pulls the float ball and this gives the captain a general idea of the direction (it’s not always due north) and pace that the divers are drifting at so they can follow along. This is not to be confused with a guide though. If you require extra assistance with setting up your gear, going down slow due to equalization issues or you are unsure on how to safely send up your SMB at depth, then my best advice would be to hire a private guide. If you invest in one or two trips with a guide, especially if it is your 1st time drift diving in Jupiter/Palm Beach, then you’ll be well on your way to feeling confident and more independent in the water here.

DM Erick hangs onto the float ball and dive flag during the entire dive. You are welcome to follow along, or go off and do your own thing, but please only use this as a visual marker and never grab or pull on the DM’s line.

We go with the flow . . .

Because all our dives are drift dives, that changes the rules of engagement a bit. Everyone must have a surface marker buoy (SMB) on them and know how to deploy it. This will help the captain find you when it’s time to get picked up and will also keep you safe from the high amount of boat traffic we have here in south Florida.

If you are surfacing away from the DM and float ball, you will need to inflate your own safety sausage. If you’re not quite comfortable with this practice, hiring a guide is going to be your best bet.

Dive, dive, dive!

When drift diving in current, it is important everyone is ready to stand up and dive at the same time. While we don’t force negative entries, taking too long to get into the water and descend could cause you to miss the drop.

Listen to the crew!

It may seem simple and obvious, but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen people not listen during the divemaster’s briefing, only to find themselves in easily avoidable situations underwater. We deal with strong, changing currents. If you’re blown off the wreck or reef, your DM will give you pointers on how to find your way back or to get a re-drop. Listen to the crew, they will give you advice that will not only make your dive more enjoyable, but will ensure you have safe dive as well.

DM Erick points out where to find all the cool stuff at dive site Area 51 in Jupiter. Fortunately, there were no alien sightings included in the dive report that day.

Bonus tip: do observe posted signs. The flybridge is reserved for captain and crew.

Gear set-up:

Unless you have hired a private guide, we do expect that as a certified diver you are able to set-up your own gear. Of course our crew is available to answer any questions, trouble shoot o-ring issues and gently remind you not to bungee yourself into the boat. If it has been so long since your last dive that you can’t remember how to properly set your gear, then that’s a pretty good indicator that you should hire a private guide.

It is also important to keep your gear tidy and organized. Whatever cannot be tucked in under your seat should go into our v-berth. While this is always a best practice, it becomes particularly important on days when we have a full boat. Please don’t take more space than you are allotted and try not to trip your fellow divers on your exploding gear bag! Bonus tip: don’t forget to re-bungee your gear once it is all set-up!

Keeping your gear compact and organized - not thrown all over the deck - is a great way to show respect for your fellow diver and the crew onboard. Perfect color coordination is optional. ;)

Pro-tip: stay hydrated. We provide containers of Gatorade and fresh water for you to replenish your reusable water bottles throughout the day.

It’s the little things that make all the difference . . .

We provide freshly cut fruit on all our surface intervals. We also have snacks, sodas, sparkling waters, fresh water and Gatorade. We have warm showers to rinse off in between dives and also provide a fresh water rinse bin for cameras.

DM Kayla serving up some surface interval snacks. Knowing how to masterfully cut a pineapple is a mandatory skill for all dive crew!

Camera Bins

Fresh water rinse bins for cameras and electronics are standard on all our dive trips. Please pay attention to the captain’s briefing as he will point it out and also remind you that it’s for electronics only - not to rinse your mask!

Most importantly: we like to have FUN!

We like to play music while we are gearing up, we tell corny jokes on the surface interval and we end each and every trip with a group photo for you to take home and cherish the memories.

And I would be remiss to not mention that if you felt your crew did a great job making it both a safe and enjoyable experience for you, don’t forget to tip. While we realize customs and best practices with gratuity vary around the world, here in south Florida it is how our boat crew makes their living. Minimum expectation is $20 per diver per trip and if they really helped you out and enhanced your experience then closer to 20% of your total trip cost is customary.

Don’t forget to take care of your crew! Tipping is not only customary, it is expected. It’s how they make their living on the water.

One thing is for sure, if you’re new to diving in the Jupiter/Pam Beach area, you won’t find a more welcoming crew. Our team is passionate about the beautiful reefs we get to call home and are so excited to share the beauty of our waters with you. So, what are you waiting for - call us today to come experience the sexy red boat for yourself!

And to those of you already part of the Kyalami Family, what did I miss?

See you out there soon!

-Grace

Proof we do allow bananas on the boat!

Obligatory group photo. No dive trip on a Kyalami boat would be complete without it! We post them daily on our social media outlets and on our dive reports page.