As a passionate diver since 2009,I planned a Galápagos liveaboard trip for November 2024. The logistics included considerations for being a solo female traveler in her 60s and dealing with my trepidation about cold water with heavy currents.
The first checkout dive was after lunch and a boat safety briefing, and I was surprised that we were sent into unknown waters with little instruction, unfamiliar equipment, and new buddies while the divemasters waited in the boat. The 7 mm wetsuit meant I needed more weight to manage my descent. It was not a great dive for me — I was disoriented, struggling with buoyancy, and having difficulty seeing in the low visibility.
On the second day we visited Punta Carrión on Santa Cruz Island. We saw a sea lion, mola molas, and a school of mobula rays, but once again I had difficulty descending and was low on air much faster than usual, causing my buddy and I to ascend after only 40 minutes. The dive instructor pointed out my mistakes without asking why I made them or suggesting how they could support me in improving my skills in these conditions, which were new to me.
The third day was at Wolf Island, and I was told a divemaster trainee would assist me with descents and safety stops if needed. The upcoming dive would be challenging with the currents, so I decided to sit out this dive until I felt more secure. After learning that the conditions were fine, I joined the next dive.
We were doing four dives the next day at Darwin, so I sat out the first dives while waiting for condition reports from the other divers. I had some beautiful, peaceful dives there that afternoon.
It was hard to restrain my excitement for the next day of diving at Darwin, but my dive buddy confirmed the strongest currents would be in the morning, so I sat out the first dive. I was ready to go for the second dive. After the negative reverse entry, however, something did not feel right, and I could not descend.
I reached for my weights, and the divemaster trainee and I locked eyes as we both realized the integrated weights were missing from my BCD. I returned to the boat but had several successful dives that afternoon and on the last two days at Fernandina Island and Isabella Island.
- To avoid incidents during this trip I had to know myself and my limits, but I felt great about achieving a travel milestone on my own. The trip inspired me to reflect on some takeaways for solo dive travelers.
- Don’t let being on your own stop you. Do it, but be prepared.
- Take responsibility for your safety. Do not feel rushed or pressured into a situation if you’re not ready.
- Work on your fitness. Removing scuba equipment in the water and getting onto a boat after a dive takes strength and dexterity.
- Ask for the support you need. Hopefully, you will get it, but you have to count on yourself and make decisions about personal security in the water.
- Check and double-check your equipment before the trip and before every dive.
- Be a good dive buddy.
- Relax, and enjoy the serenity.
© Penyelam Siaga – Q2 2025
