1. Be Honest With Yourself

The clearer you are about knowing what you want in a dive trip, the easier it will be to plan. Start with acknowledging your skill level. For example, not every destination is suitable for beginners. “The first question you ask yourself should be: What are the dive conditions of the destination I have in mind, and what is the experience level necessary to enjoy the trip,” says Micaela Laboureau, of PADI Travel.

If, for example, a diver without proper training in currents and depth books a getaway on a Galapagos liveaboard, they might be able to complete just a few dives of the trip.

Related Reading: 4 Thrilling Dive Destinations in Brazil

Travelers will also want to identify their budget, as well as the biggest priority of the trip— whether that’s what they want to see or when they want to travel.

2. A Season For Every Budget

One of the biggest ways to save is to travel during the off season. Each destination has its own high, mid and low seasons, and research helps determine when they occur. Traveling during low season means discounts as well as rewarding experiences.

Everybody wants to target destinations at their peak, but those times are pricier and typically more crowded. “In places like Raja Ampat [Indonesia], you’ll have a private dive site because nobody is there,” says PADI Travel’s Meg Whitehead of the rainy season here.

Travelers may not enjoy as much sun in between dives, but they can use the time to relax or take a dive training course.

3. Manage Expectations

Every destination comes with its own price tag. Anyone who doesn’t know which places, such as Honduras’ Bay Islands, tend to be more affordable, can research or call the pros at PADI Travel. Experts can also connect you with budget-friendly ways of visiting otherwise pricey destinations, such as Tahiti or the Maldives.

4. Book With The Pros

The biggest misconception is that it costs more to have someone else book your next dive trip. Not so. PADI Travel matches the best price available for any trip, and offers an additional 5 percent discount to PADI Pros.

Their team has 12 active agents, based in a handful of countries from Indonesia to Mexico. Phone lines are answered 24/7—a boon for travelers facing issues outside of North American business hours.

Related Reading: An Unforgettable Dive: A Colorful Caldera

One of the biggest reasons to consult a travel agent is that you don’t know what you don’t know. “Think of a travel agent as a local dive guide,” says Laboureau. “If you dive by yourself, you miss many things around you because you didn’t know they were there—it’s the same.”

Each agent specializes in their own list of destinations, having lived or traveled there. They know the don’t-miss dive sites and restaurants, and have insider knowledge of which resorts are best for privacy, families, shore-diving enthusiasts and the like—which could be all the difference in making that next dive trip truly one for the logbooks.