Ordered a new Optio w30 camera and 16gb card

Get the Optio for sure.  It's a wonderful camera. My buddy has had one for years, in saltwater and surfing all the time.  But you might want to buy local from a reputable dealer...

HobieSport, if you haven't used your camera much yet, be aware that the camera requires a different setting for shooting normal pictures and underwater pictures. So be sure to fiddle around with the control so you won't have to be learning how to use your camera while on the water.

Also, B&H Photo in New York inidcates, in their product listings, whether an item is U.S. (warranty) or not.

Thanks for the heads up, Hojoman.  I'll look into the Optio underwater settings before I start diving.

Also, I didn't mean to diss all NY camera dealers, of course, just to be careful.  If one goes to Google Shopping and types in a product such as the new digital Nikon SLRs, the better deals are sometimes the ones to be careful about.  -Matt