Gratuity on dive boats

[Dano]

I've been on resort course type dives before and of course the DM goes down with you. We gave him a tip after the dive. Now that I'm certified, does the DM still escort you on your dives off of their boats? Is it proper to tip the divemaster? If so, what's reasonable? How about the boat driver?

[tbrown]

Hey Dano, I think wether or not the DM dives with the group or not varies by location. Most of my boat dives have been lead by a DM, but I beleive in the Keys and other locations, this is the exception rather than the rule. I guess you'll just have to ask ahead of time. As far as gratuity goes, I usually tip 10%. I think the DM and captain split it, and I have always been thanked. If the DM really went out of there way above and beyond the call of duty, I add more. Lets face it, if a guy/gal helps you get a shot of a spotted Eagle Ray, that's gotta count for something! A friend gave me this idea and believe me this works great. Most warm water vaction locales, I bring my own batteries because in some places they are so expensive. After a night dive, or shooting some film, I always put in new. If you give your DM the old ones, they are just happy as can be. I actually had I guy ask me 2 or 3 times if I was sure he could have them. Anyway, have a good trip and we all expect a detailed report.

[jasondbaker]

I'll usually tip about $10 for a 2-tank dive (40-60$). I have been out with a DM a couple times when I was the only diver going out for the day. I tipped more in those cases. I have noticed that good DMs become great DMs the next day after receiving a tip. I stayed down longer and saw more cool stuff on my last trip because the DM knew it was worth it.

[tcjtn0]

I usually tipped $5-10 dollars after a two tank trip in the Keys.
Since I was taking Nitrox and Wreck Diving classes, I had quite a few dives with my instructor (just the two of us)...
I ended up tipping him after all of our diving was over. (Hey, I passed both classes!!!)
But on all the boats I went on, the divemasters stayed on the boat. But I do know of charters down there that
offer "tour guides". I.E. Divemasters...

Thanks...Jean ;D

[lrmoll]

Last year in the keys I believe I gave a $10 tip to the dive masters and a $20 to the boat captain because she let my non-diving son ride along. The dive masters went down with us and where effectively the buddy's of all the other divers in their group.