Many new divers get their PADI certification in tropical waters, myself included. Getting your PADI certification while on holiday is a great experience, and can really enhance your trip. You may also be lucky enough to live somewhere tropical, where the water is warm, and the fish are colourful. Lucky you!
Now, what if you are planning a dive at home, or your travelling somewhere cooler and want to explore the underwater world while there? Will it be as fun to dive in cold water, or will learning to dive in a tropical location ruin cold water diving for you?
In my opinion, cold water diving is just as exciting as diving in the tropics, whether your kind of ‘cold’ is the Mediterranean or the Silfra Fissure.
You’ll quickly notice that the gear is different, which may take some getting used to. If you always dive in shorts and a rash guard, putting on a wetsuit for the first time can be a fun experience. A dry suit will require even more diligence, but it won’t affect your enjoyment of the dive.