All posts by Kevin Alexander

Looking for a special way to get married or renew your vows with a special someone? Now-a-days underwater weddings are the coolest way to tie the knot. Some couples opt for a quick dip in clear blue waters to finalize their commitment to one another. If you want to fully immerse yourself in the moment get your scuba gear together and check out opportunities on By The Shore Scuba Instruction for a wedding beyond your wildest dreams. We include all the services as well as a Honeymoon package.

Here are some questions you and your partner need to ask before being submersed into this newfound commitment.

• Do you have a specific officiant in mind? If you have a specific officiant in mind for the ceremony discuss his willingness to certify in PADI. Depending on your beliefs or the officiant’s willingness you may want to connect with officiants who specialize in underwater weddings. You can also use individuals who work with the scuba instruction company or with the resort.
• How many people do you want to invite? Do you want the guests to participate in the submersion or do you want them onshore? You and your significant other may be hard set on having guests at the wedding. You will need to add up the expenses or offer options to your guests to join your submersion. If the guests are waiting for your commitment aboard a boat you will not need certifications, but if you are set on taking a group under the ocean consider group instruction for PADI certifications. Group certification usually costs less per person but offering optional dives to your guests may allow others to contribute to their role. A tasteful way to ask is to gather close friends and family together and discuss the option after you invite them to the wedding. The best way to enjoy the wedding with loved ones is to hold a party on board or at a separate location while you, your spouse, and a best man and/or bridesmaid go for the dive. Consider an underwater photographer, videographer, or clip-on camera to solidify this once in a lifetime event. By The Shore Scuba Instruction provides Tornado Video cameras for these occasions as well.
• Audio underwater? When making commitments that will last forever, communication is a must. There are underwater masks that include communication devices. There are also clip-on devices designed for underwater use. If you are concerned about filming audio you will want to consider dubbing audio recordings once you are out of the water. The complexity of placing a recording device directly in your mask has not been vastly explored. You want to ensure that no battery explosions or leaks occur in your mask while you are underwater. Speak with our instructor to see your options. You can communicate underwater with a face mask and you can dub voice-overs on land once the ceremony is complete. A creative option for the underwater film is to include underwater audio. There are many underwater audio devices designed to pick up the ocean’s ambiance. Even if you must re-record your vows you can include ambiance. There is nothing more magical than a whale or school of fish passing in the distance. Speak with By The Shore Scuba Instruction so they can help you pick out the right devices.
• Get your passports ready, chart your boat, and pull together your guest list. Don’t forget your dress. Remember that your dress can affect your buoyancy. Test the dress with your scuba gear on ahead of time. You and your significant other need clothing that is lightweight under the sea. Speak with your instructor. They will be able to recommend the appropriate attire if your heart is set on traditional clothing. Also be open to wearing white suites or a tux bodysuit if you feel the formal attire is too cumbersome.

Vow renewal and weddings are probably some of the most memorable times in your life. Make the most of it with underwater ceremonies provided with By The Shore Scuba Instruction. Call us at 919-247-0356 or email us at scubainfor@scubadivingraleigh.com

How Do I get SCUBA Certified?

Whatever your reason for certification, By The Shore Scuba Instruction offers a variety of courses from the beginner’s course to more advanced add-on modules. The requirements for a first-time scuba diver may vary from other courses. Starting off with a beginner’s certification is the first step. Afterwards, you can add on as many modules as you like.

Being prepared financially, logistically, and medically are key to maximized success and efficiency for your open water course. Here are the important things to keep in mind when preparing for your beginning open water course.

• Be prepared to commit to time-intensive intervals. By The Shore Scuba offers 3 weeks, twice a week, 3 hours a day, and a full weekend for the standard classes. This means you will have to set time aside. Discuss timing options with the instructor to see the if there is any flexibility. By the Shore Scuba offers private and online options for those who struggle to make it to their classroom locations.
• Check the class schedules and locations in advance. By The Shore Scuba Instruction changes the facility depending on the type of instruction. Don’t miss a class.
• Check up with your doctor on any medical conditions you may have. Make sure that your body is prepared to undertake the pressure and intensity of diving. It is not ideal for those who have severe heart problems or conditions that interfere with blood pressure. With your medical professional’s guidance, you can decide whether your body is able to withstand diving. Getting in physical shape beforehand is also wise so that you can maximize your diving potential.
• Prepare all your paperwork beforehand. Paperwork can be as simple as your liability forms to harder to locate items like your passport. Make a list and check-in with the instructor for all necessary documents. By The Shore Instruction offers a list on their website under the Beginner’s course page.
• Check to see if meals are offered or not. Usually you are responsible for your meals, transportation, and lodging.
• Check to see what equipment is required. Don’t buy anything unless your instructor tells you implicitly to purchase it. Sometimes instructors would rather you wait until after the first course, so they know your specific needs. If you already have equipment bring it with you to your first class so the instructor can determine if the quality is right. By The Shore Scuba Instruction asks students to bring simple reef gloves to the first course but prefers students to wait until after their first class to make any purchases. This also ensures that the equipment you have is currently serviced and PADI approved.
• See what the instructor provides. Some instructors offer the oxygen in the cost of the class. By the Shore Scuba Instruction offers air and some other safety equipment. They also recommend additional equipment on their site. If interested read under the Beginner’s course webpage.
• Meet the instructor before calling and scheduling any courses. If you live a good distance from the diving instructor reach out to them for a phone call or skype session depending on the circumstances. If you live nearby, visiting their business or meeting up with them may be a good way to determine if you are ready for the time, commitment, and if you can see yourself succeeding in their class. Building trust with the instructor will ensure you make the right decision if you choose to go forward with your Scuba certification.
• You are going to need certain equipment to reach your certification. You will have your personal gear which include snorkel, mask, fins, wetsuit, and gloves. Then you will have safety-based gear which includes buoyancy control device, regulator, dive computer, and tank. Some of this may be provided by the instructor, but you may be required to purchase all these items. It is possible that you will need to find a specific buoyancy control device to fit your body type or specialty dive.

If you are getting a certification for wrecks, caves, reefs, or anything other than open water check in with your local instructor (ideally By The Shore Scuba Instruction) and ensure that your goals are met with the best module. By The Shore Scuba Instruction offers a variety of add-on modules and specialties including fish identification. We offer wedding vow renewals, vacations, and equipment as well. Whatever your interests start off with a basic certification and then let your instructor guide you to the next level.

Have you ever imagined what becomes of people’s ashes once they are released? For the ashes given to Memorial Reefs International, they go on to become part of our oceanic eco-system. Ashes of loved ones are fashioned together with concrete and other organisms to create a living reef.

There are quite a few benefits to consider when deciding whether the ashes of a loved one will become a memorial reef.

• The ashes provide life and nutrients to areas that have been destroyed by fishing industries. The underwater reefs bring vitality back to the oceanic floor and will help foster growth. Memorial Reefs International have gone back to memorials 6 months or so later to find vibrant plant, algae, and fish life attached to the reef.
• You can add up to a family of four to one reef. Memorial Reefs International also has pricing for a couple together on one reef. This is especially ideal for a family who wishes to keep their parents, a couple or a set of inseparable twins together.
• You can choose from a variety of beautiful coastal communities around the world to place your wreath. Memorial Reefs International offers 3,000 locations in 70 countries across the world.
• You can visit the reefs just like you would a grave. You can schedule a tour with a scuba charter. Feel free to ask By the Shore Scuba Instruction if we are scheduling certain tours or if we would be willing to accommodate your visit.
• Memorial Reef International is around half the cost of traditional funerals. Most funerals are around 11,000 where the reef memorials cost about half the amount.
• You can finance the payment. Funerals are never easy especially when your loved ones leave little money behind to cover the funeral expenses. With the financing program your family can focus of the grieving process instead of worrying about pulling money together last minute for a funeral .
• The reef has a bronze plaque available upon selection of your reef. You can set the reef up to look like a headstone.

Here are some of the spectacular locations you can chose from to cremate your loved one.

• Slicer Memorial Reef in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico showcases traditional Mayan culture with a turquoise ocean. It’s vivid and brings a colorful atmosphere to cherish your loved one’s ashes.
• Venice Memorial Reef offers a romantic ancient ruin for your loved one’s ashes. For those who appreciate historical religious settings Venice is ideal for you. It’s lack of coral makes it the ideal candidate for the memorial reef.
• There are locations throughout the United States if you wish to keep your loved one’s remains close to home.

The organization offers opportunities for businesses and individuals to become involved in the cremation community.

• Funeral homes and can partner up with Memorial Reef International in order to ensure patrons have everything they need before saying goodbye to their loved one.
• You can personally receive a kit so that you can assist families and follow them throughout the funeral process.

By joining our team as a partner or by creating a reef memorial you are not only making a difference, you are allowing the next generation to look forward to more vibrant life on the ocean floor. Through Memorial Reef International you are allowing your loved one to live again. For more information on Memorial Reefs go to https://www.memorialreefs.international/ .

The Galápagos are some of the most ecologically diverse islands in the Western Hemisphere. These islands are known for attracting biologists and scientists of all nationalities because of the immense amount of endemic wildlife and organisms they contain that are unique to the region. With all the diversity they contain on land you can imagine how diverse the surrounding waters are. The Galápagos are influenced by currents from three different regions. It brings penguins and animals from Antarctica as well as creatures of the Equatorial current and North equatorial current. If you interested in biodiversity and organisms that uniquely originated in their current habitat then scuba diving in Galápagos is for you. Before your embarkment you will need to consider how to charter your excursion, and the different scuba destinations you can experience throughout the Galápagos.

The Galápagos are not a common vacation spot for people looking to relax, but they are a perfect exploration destination. Here are tips for your charter. Look for a local Scuba company or charter company near you. By the Shore Scuba will offer charters from time to time for a variety of excursions. You can speak your instructor beforehand.

• Keep your eyes open for announcements for charters to the Galápagos. Going with a group makes things easier than trying to search for your own charter.
• You may choose to get to Galápagos Islands and then book a small local charter. You will need to remember there are no direct flights. The best way is to fly to a large city like Quito or Guayaquil. Then it is best to connect through Baltra Island. Once you get to Baltra Island you will have to pay around $100 American dollars to enter the Island.
• If you simply want to dive there are different small cruises that offer scuba diving in the Galápagos. Make sure to check all certification requirements for the ship’s diving program. Check the country of origin that the ship leaves from so you can prepare your visa and paperwork. Galápagos cruises can originate come your country of origin or Ecuador, but also check other countries.
• Different resorts in the Galapagos offer diving packages.
• Some of the best Islands you can dive from include Santa Cruz Island and San Cristobel. Be sure to take these in.

What makes scuba diving in the Galápagos unique is that the island is surrounded by some of the oldest original inhabitants as well as a variety of species from the different currents. The Galapagos have been said to never have been connected to the mainland.

• Tijeretas Hill in San Cristobel is one of the most beautiful animals filled areas in the Galápagos waters. There are iguanas, tropical fish and
  sea lions. It’s a small tropical sea cove that is intimate and full of life.
• Daphne Minor is a good beginner’s area off Santa Cruz. You will also enjoy this area if you are experienced as it is filled with caverns full of reef sharks and manta rays. Of course, it is best to stay with a large experienced group.
• Shark Point is not as blood thirsty as it sounds because the sharks there are whale sharks; however, due to hard currents, surges, and limited visibility this dive is only recommended for advanced divers.
• Looking for an easy drift dive, and a nice swim with the sea turtles? Then Whale Rock is your best bet. The water is cool, and the visibility is
  great.
• Gordon Rocks offers experienced divers an amazing array of hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, eagle rays, sea lions, and lots of other large sea creatures. You will experience the prehistoric depths of a volcanic crater which brings you closer to a world Darwin could have only dreamed of diving in.

Lots of preparations and brainstorming will be needed when charting course to the Galápagos, and you will need to prepare for the travel costs throughout the Galápagos as well as how you will get there. Think about what you really want from your diving trip and remember to keep posted with By the Shore Scuba Instruction to see if they are offering any diving trips to the Galapagos.  CaLL By The Shore SCUBA  at 919-247-0356