TripAdvisor, Google Maps, PADI Travel: read the negative reviews. Ratio of 6-8 divers per guide. Condition of rental equipment. Emergency oxygen on the boat. Specialist agencies vs generalist operators.
Bad experiences with agencies or last-minute itinerary changes on safari trips are shared within the community. Divers warn about abusive contract terms and debate what to do when a liveaboard cancels or modifies its itinerary without prior notice. The topic of dive-specific travel cancellation insurance also comes up, including when it is mandatory and which coverages are genuinely useful.
Reviews on platforms such as TripAdvisor, Google Maps, and PADI Travel are useful, but it is worth reading negative reviews more carefully to detect patterns of poor safety. Key indicators are the diver-to-guide ratio (ideally no more than 6–8 per guide), the condition of rental equipment, and whether the center has emergency oxygen on the boat. Specialist dive travel agencies know local operators firsthand and typically have agreements that guarantee minimum standards — something that is difficult to verify when booking directly from home.