My mother used to say “Where there’s a will, there’s a way” - and this attitude was key to our success getting to this destination. In the early days of Covid, travel was possible - but it took a lot of flexibility - creativity - and tolerance for risk.  This 3-part series will share our experiences, review our liveaboard on the Sea Dragon, and inspire you (we hope) - to get out there again. 

Updated 2023

Advanced travel planning is key these days - a good travel agent is worth the pennies (if anything) it costs you.  It's not so much about Covid closures nowadays - but a question of flight cancellations due to weather, staff shortages and over-booked flights.  And Covid is still around....

Our original post was about our travel experiences early in the Pandemic, when countries would close, reopen & close again, and the challenges with testing requirements & visas.  This update will give you a few pointers about dealing with post-Pandemic travel.  Some countries require special visitor visas, vaccine affadavits and special medical insurance in case you get Covid while there visiting.   

Our travel in 2020 was helped by relationships spanning decades with the owners of the Sea Dragon (a rare level of trust).  We also had government contacts in the Bahamas helping to sponsor our work.  We had to be super flexible about our plans because airlines/airports would shut down. Our air connections changed 5 times.  Despite the challenges getting there, we enjoyed our 10-day trip & learned a lot about diving in the Exumas.  A liveaboard was ideal - within 2 days we’d forgotten all about COVID.  It’s truly eat-sleep-dive-repeat!

The requirements below are applicable for nearly all international destinations:. 

1. Check with US Embassy for current travel restrictions: https://bs.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/ 

2. Covid testing and vaccine requirements are still a thing - rules vary widely by country so it pays to check.

   1. Travel insurance didn't cover Covid initially. Today - some, but not all, cover this. Check the policy for CLEAR language about whether they will cover the full cost if you or another traveler gets Covid BEFORE the trip (causing you to cancel the trip for medical reasons) - AND - whether they will cover help if you get Covid DURING your travel (medical care and/or quarantine). 

   2. Check your health insurance coverage.  Most US-based medical insurance policies (including Medicare/Medicaid) do NOT cover you out of the country (see 4 below).

   3. A few countries still require PCR Covid tests - and they may specify which labs they require!  You may have to find a lab that meets their turnaround requirements.  We used a mail-in kit from Everlywell with 48 hour results..

   4. COVID testing is more widely available in the US.  But...it may not be covered by your health insurance unless you have symptoms and a doctor orders it.  Testing is no longer free from the government in the US.  

   5. Many countries are requiring some kind of a travel visa nowadays with a nominal fee.  Some require a "health visa" (usually Covid vaccine/recovery related).  Best to check in advance.

3. Flight issues....sigh.  Now (2023) there are rampant airline cancellations and over-booked flights - with few allowances for refunds or options for re-routing with different airlines.  Make sure you have good travel insurance!  Airlines are under-staffed and in the US, there have been work stoppages.  Baggage handling is worse than ever, in our experience.  Our checked bags are missing on arrival about 50% of the time in the past 18 months.

4. The Covid pandemic made proof of international health insurance coverage a common requirement for many countries. Because most US health insurance plans don't cover you when you travel to a foreign country - be prepared to purchase health coverage through trip insurance (or to pay in cash).  Note many trip insurance plans are SECONDARY insurers - so you pay the foreign doctor/hospital/clinic in cash, then apply for reimbursement. Cash means cash - no credit cards accepted in many countries.

5. Quarantines upon entry are largely a thing of the past. But...if you get Covid during travel, some countries will require you to quarantine in a facility of their choosing. Check policies.

6. Take 30 days supply of medications (just in case you get stuck, for any reason).

Sunset of the Green Flash

Keeley Collins is an avid traveller & award winning marine photographer based in NC.  A DAN Ambassador, she dedicates her time to supporting non-profit organizations that promote diver education and marine/reef conservation efforts.