December 2012

[hogge]

Where is the best place in the Caribbean for diving (I am advanced with 30 dives, my son OW with 15 dives) and relaxing as we are a family with 5 of whom 2 are divers.

Dates 22nd Dec - 4th Jan

Would be great if this island as direct flights to Europe.

We are looking for recommendations for diving, resorts, dive centers and of course islands.

/Hogge

 

[Rhone Man]

Where is the best place in the Caribbean for diving (I am advanced with 30 dives, my son OW with 15 dives) and relaxing as we are a family with 5 of whom 2 are divers.

Dates 22nd Dec - 4th Jan

Would be great if this island as direct flights to Europe.

We are looking for recommendations for diving, resorts, dive centers and of course islands.

/Hogge

Well, at the risk of pointing out the obvious, you have a lot of choices.

Of places that I know which get direct flights from Europe I would suggest you look at the following:

- Aruba. Excellent diving. Slightly boring topside. Good direct connections from Amsterdam. Can also consider taking another short hop flight to Bonaire, which has better diving but more boring topside. Some people on SB have strong opinions on Bonaire.

- Dominican Republic, particularly Bayahibe or Punta Cana. Diving is not world class, but it is decent, and the hotels are nice and very cheap. Lots of direct flights from Europe.

- Cayman Islands. Superb diving, but fairly expensive. Direct flights from London to Grand Cayman, although the best diving tends to be on Cayman Brac or Little Cayman which requires a second flight.

- St Martin. Pretty average diving, but otherwise nice place to visit. Direct flights from Paris and Amsterdam. If you are flying into St Martin, I'd seriously consider taking an extra Winair flight to Saba, which has superb diving (although not much else to do).

- Guadelope. Never been, but they are supposed to have good diving, and I believe there is still a direct flight from Paris.

- St Lucia. Pretty good diving, and pretty decent hotels. However, the direct flight from London only runs once a week.

- Cuba. Don't know much about it, but there are direct flights and I hear the diving is pretty good.

- Puerto Rico. Direct flights from Madrid, although the diving is (in my opinion) a bit so-so. Good nightlife though.

Unless I have overlooked something obvious, most of the other traditional diving destinations in the Caribbean will require you to do a stopover and change planes.

Other destinations which offer direct flights but (in my opinion) I would not consider for a diving holiday would include Jamaica (too crime ridden), Antigua (diving not good), Barbados (diving not good). Just my opinion - others may disagree.

Hope that helps.