nategasser
Registered
Hi all,
I'm just beginning to investigate getting my 15yo son OW certified. In the ~20 years since I did mine, I still feel like the local pool work + tropical checkout dives is the way to go. While I enjoy diving our local quarry, if I had done my checkout there (40 degrees + 20' viz) , I don't think I would have ever bothered to dive again.
Our checkout was in Bonaire, which again, I feel was ideal -- I don't see how you can beat shore diving right from the resort. So much less stressful than being a brand new diver and having to deal with boat dives.
All that said -- are there other (western hemisphere) designations comparable to Bonaire, in terms of diving quality and especially ease/abundance of shore diving, combined with (reasonably) affordable resorts with, reputable on-site instructors doing OW checkout dives?
The Bahamas is attractive because the flights are cheap, but I've never been and don't know that much. Some magazine (can't remember which) recommended Ambergris Caye, Belize as a top first-time destination. Thoughts/opinions/other places to consider?
Thanks so much!
I'm just beginning to investigate getting my 15yo son OW certified. In the ~20 years since I did mine, I still feel like the local pool work + tropical checkout dives is the way to go. While I enjoy diving our local quarry, if I had done my checkout there (40 degrees + 20' viz) , I don't think I would have ever bothered to dive again.
Our checkout was in Bonaire, which again, I feel was ideal -- I don't see how you can beat shore diving right from the resort. So much less stressful than being a brand new diver and having to deal with boat dives.
All that said -- are there other (western hemisphere) designations comparable to Bonaire, in terms of diving quality and especially ease/abundance of shore diving, combined with (reasonably) affordable resorts with, reputable on-site instructors doing OW checkout dives?
The Bahamas is attractive because the flights are cheap, but I've never been and don't know that much. Some magazine (can't remember which) recommended Ambergris Caye, Belize as a top first-time destination. Thoughts/opinions/other places to consider?
Thanks so much!