suggest your favorite dive destination...help me out!

[drbill]

So many places it's hard for me to pick just one. However, Tahiti may be near the top of my list of places to return to... the Polynesian ladies were lovely and the sharks were awesome. However, I'm heading to the Bahamas this week to film sharks there so I may change my mind.

 

[CAPTAIN SINBAD]

It occurs to me that another place to recommend VERY highly is God's Pocket resort at the north end of Vancouver Island. The scenery is spectacular, and one can see dolphins, whales, rafts of sea otters, and bald eagles from the resort or the boat. We had otters in the bay during breakfast! You can kayak or hike from the resort -- the forest is mossy and damp and fertile and a bit spooky, and very beautiful.
!

and this.

 

[herman]

If you want to stay on this side of the world, Bonaire is your best bet. All the diving you can stand 24/7, I think there is some cave diving- I know deep/tech for sure, you can easily do 5-6 dives a day and if you hit the right beach when the KLM crew overnights the boooooobs are not bad either...sorry had a flashback. Air prices can be on the high side but if you watch they can be had in the $700-900 range. You can get there cheaper if you don't mind swapping planes and even at that cost, the $ per minute of bottom time usually comes up much cheaper because you can dive 24/7 with no DM set time limit (no 60 minute dives with 1500 remaining). A little higher than the rest but Delta flies directly from RDU (via Atlanta) at a good time. Food is good and the people friendly. I have a number of nice resort options depending on price. Are you thinking 2013 or 14 and do you want with a group or on your own?

 

[BabyDuck]

thanks for the thoughts, everyone. herman, i don't know yet - it's vaporvacation right now, something to think about before i go to sleep.

 

[Bryan Cunningham]

You want a bit of everything on an affordable budget, with direct flights from NYC? South Africa. Great hotels, great diving including sharks, reef and wrecks. Big 5 game safaris, hikes, lots of boobs, spas galore. It's all there. If you are serious about planning a trip there I can help you do it WAY cheaper than any other North American travel agent, I grew up there.

Also have other ideas, but Africa is a lot more doable than many think.

Cheers
Bryan
SCUBA DESTINATION DEALS - HOME

 

[farsidefan1]

I second Kev's idea but I'd stay in Palau the whole time. Get a package deal with either Sam's or Fish &Fins and save some bucks by staying in the Sea Passion (several other good choices available too but it is a nice choice a stones throw from Sam's and inexpensive. I would lean toward Sam's because of the shore diving to see the mandarins but both ops are very reputable and well known.

 

[CAPTAIN SINBAD]

You want a bit of everything on an affordable budget, with direct flights from NYC? South Africa. Great hotels, great diving including sharks, reef and wrecks. Big 5 game safaris, hikes, lots of boobs, spas galore. It's all there. If you are serious about planning a trip there I can help you do it WAY cheaper than any other North American travel agent, I grew up there.

Also have other ideas, but Africa is a lot more doable than many think.

Cheers
Bryan
SCUBA DESTINATION DEALS - HOME

She is from North Carolina. I am sure she has had her share of "ragged tooth sharks" as they call them sandtigers in South Africa. I doubt that the wrecks in South Africa would compare to the ones in NC. The only charm South Africa would have is the chance to watch Great Whites. For that there could be cheaper destinations closer to US than across the sea. Being from East Coast myself if I was to travel it would be a totally different marine environment than the one I dive at home. If I had to choose between Canada and South africa I would go to Canada. I feel that you Canadians have better dive sites for someone like me than South Africa. Palau doesn't sound bad either.

 

[Bryan Cunningham]

Hi Sinbad

You think Canada has better diving than this? http://www.underwatervideo.co.za/Gallery.aspx

And Raggies are just one of MANY species of shark found in SA.

Wrecks. Canada does have better wrecks than SA, so does North Carolina. But SA has a better combination of wrecks/sharks/dolphins and reef.

Price: Airticket runs about $1300, but your diving and accommodation is very cheap. Much cheaper than Canada, Caribbean and much of the Pacific.

And it is cold here in Canada.

Cheers
Bryan
SCUBA DESTINATION DEALS - HOME

 

[CAPTAIN SINBAD]

Hi Sinbad

You think Canada has better diving than this? http://www.underwatervideo.co.za/Gallery.aspx

Hey Bryan: Charles Maxell is an amazing underwater photographer. It is an amazing video but he must have done many dives to capture the moment we are seeing in that clip. These were the casual pictures I was able to snap on a day of diving in North Carolina.



Imagine if Charles Maxell was there instead of me, what a video he would have shot.

I have never done a single dive in Canada and that is why Canada is on my bucket list. I think that there are a few areas in Canada that can be developed into popular dive destinations. British Columbia has already established itself as the cold water diving capital of the world. But that I feel had to do with a lot of dive operators in the area advertising very aggressively in magazines and websites. Some other areas that look very promising are Tobermory for wrecks and St Johns in NFL and Labrador for cold water wrecks, ice bergs and whales. Now I am sure that there will be some really good diving in James Bay / Hudson Bay but the area lacks road access. If these logistics could be figured out then Canada can claim some of the best and the most unique dives in the world.

BTW ... that video is nice. Specially that whale buzzing by so close to his camera.

 

[Bryan Cunningham]

Captain Sinbad
To be honest, I never realized North Carolina had so many Raggies, I know it is a wreck diving mecca, but the Raggies are a surprise plus.
PS: Love raggies.

And yes Canada does have some great wrecks, some old wooden ones that have not deteriorated. But no, Canada does not really promote its diving much. More dive clubs and individuals here that just like to go diving, (in between going elsewhere for warmer water diving)

Bryan