List of dive destinations to not go to...

[Keith.M]

This is written purely from the perspective of one US based East coast diver... etc...

There, fixed it for you.

 

[lostcajun]

As far as "cost" I figure about $50 a tank/dive. Belize is in that range...

 

[chillyinCanada]

Roatan is $30.

 

[Darnold9999]

Part of these choices is where you are starting from. I can get to the Philippines for less $ than I can get to most Caribbean islands and faster as well. Direct Vancouver to Manila for about $1,200 - takes two days to get to Bonaire. Makes Bonaire a second choice to pretty much anywhere in the the Pacific. There was a time when I could get to Belize in a single day, now have to layover somewhere. At about the same price or more to get there, not choosing the Caribbean for diving. Lots of other reasons to go - off to St Maartin in a couple of months but the diving was not the reason to go. Do plan to get over to Saba however.

 

[ASA400]

I used to say the only places I would choose not to dive were the local lakes here in Southern Nevada. Not much to see, bad viz, cold thermocline, you know, typical lake diving. But, you know what, they are great places to practice skills. Then I found out that Lake Mojave has 40 feet of viz alot of the year with a sunken ferry and a few boats and cars, then I found out that Lake Mead has a sunken PBY to dive on (albeit a deep dive). So, even here close to home, literally hundreds of miles from an ocean, there's a reason to dive.

My point is, there is usually always something to recommend a place to go diving if you look deep enough (no pun intended!). You may not be interested in what the place has to offer, but that doesn't mean it's to be avoided, except to you personally.

 

[Doubler]

Bonaire has lots of thief so it is off my list until resolved.

Lived in Hawaii for 6 years and got in a ton of diving. It is bland and has zero color. But it has Tinkers Butterflies, Banded Angels, Dragon Morays along with great Tuna, Mahi and Marlin fishing. 6 hour plane ride from the mainland.

Lived in Florida for several years, Largo and Marathon are way to touristy but Fort Lauderdale by the Sea north and the Dry Tortougas make it awesome. Cave country in the winter time was sweet.

I live in Washington St now and the water here is just too damn cold and I refuse to invest another few thousand dollars in equipment so the spouse and I can get wet or dry depending on your outlook. That money is much better spent on airline tickets.

 

[lamarpaulski]

Last time I was in Jamaica they were down to trapping fish so small i would have let them go fishing in a pond when I was six. Put Jamaica on the list if diving is main thing.

 

[dlofting]

Part of these choices is where you are starting from. I can get to the Philippines for less $ than I can get to most Caribbean islands and faster as well. Direct Vancouver to Manila for about $1,200 - takes two days to get to Bonaire. Makes Bonaire a second choice to pretty much anywhere in the the Pacific. There was a time when I could get to Belize in a single day, now have to layover somewhere. At about the same price or more to get there, not choosing the Caribbean for diving. Lots of other reasons to go - off to St Maartin in a couple of months but the diving was not the reason to go. Do plan to get over to Saba however.

Check your prices for flights to Bonaire or Roatan, maybe more than what it costs from Vancouver, but maybe not.....I'm looking at 800+.

 

[chillyinCanada]

I'm flying Business Class to Belize, booked a couple of weeks ago for $850. Couldn't believe my eyes so had to book it, didn't I? Lift off 6:30 a.m., feet up with a Beliken beer on the fab balconey overlooking the multi-hued ocean and my chosen dive op by 6:00 pm. No jetlag!

 

[Wingy]

Theres another reef of some note in Australia btw