Recommendation for large group, mostly non divers

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khatley

Registered
Messages
48
Reaction score
4
Location
Murphy, Texas, United States
# of dives
200 - 499
All my buddies and I are turning 50 this year and we are looking for a beach trip but no one can decide where to go and looking for recommendations. We have looked at a number of places, Costa Rica has been a top choice and they have some incredible air bnbs but not too sure about costa rica as I have never been, not even sure about diving and it is such a big place so really not sure. I have always wanted to go to Bonaire but not sure it would be a good place for non divers, I have been to Curacao and that would great but it was a long time ago and do not remember much about anything and i did not plan that trip. There will be at least 12 of us and only a few divers so it is certainly not the most important thing but was thinking shore diving from a big air bnb that is on the water would be a great find! The only thing that everyone wants is a beach but a little night life would be good, a little diving would be really good. Direct flight from Dallas a bonus but not absolutely necessary. we are flexible on dates but thinking end of June or early July most likely. Any suggestions on a place or options to search.
 
Have you considered Provo on TCI?

Normally, Provo is pretty expensive, but if you stay at the Ports of Call hotel it is off the beach, but only a couple minute walk and the beaches are public in TCI, so you have access to some gorgeous beaches only minutes away.

As for diving, Dive Provo is VERY convenient. If fact, when I was there, they shared the same parking lot. I have heard that Dive Provo might have moved, but I can not confirm this.

As with the beaches, downtown Provo is only a few minutes walk away, so nightlife is within walking distance (including a great little watering hole in the same complex as Dive Provo.

I'm not sure if this will meet your needs, but it may be worth looking into.
 
Thanks, price is not so much a concern and yes the beaches are outstanding in TCI but we are not wanting to do a regular hotel. Looking for a large property where we have the whole place to ourselves. Chef included would be a plus! I keep coming back to Costa Rica but if I can find a place in Curacao or Bonaire that would work for both divers and not would be ideal.
 
Cozumel has some fabulous big homes and the flights are easy
Thank you for the response. That is always an option but I have been there probably 100 times so really wanting something new and special for this trip and to be honest...Cozumel is not the best place for non divers.
 
If the majority of your group are non divers then Bonaire would probably not suit. Almost all ironshore so no beach access from a west side villa. Not a scenic island and arguably not too much to do other than diving.
There are activities such as windsurfing, kite boarding, mangrove kayaking and deep sea fishing but not a big built up tourist destination. I guess that is the charm of the place but might not appeal to all.
 
If the majority of your group are non divers then Bonaire would probably not suit. Almost all ironshore so no beach access from a west side villa. Not a scenic island and arguably not too much to do other than diving.
There are activities such as windsurfing, kite boarding, mangrove kayaking and deep sea fishing but not a big built up tourist destination. I guess that is the charm of the place but might not appeal to all.
That is what I was afraid of, thanks for the confirmation.
 
....There will be at least 12 of us and only a few divers so it is certainly not the most important thing but was thinking shore diving from a big air bnb that is on the water would be a great find! The only thing that everyone wants is a beach but a little night life would be good, a little diving would be really good. Direct flight from Dallas a bonus but not absolutely necessary. we are flexible on dates but thinking end of June or early July most likely. Any suggestions on a place or options to search.
You just described Curacao. Haha! Large rentals are available with pools. There are beaches. There's a lot of nightlife if you want it and the diving is fantastic for those who want to get away and go do some shore/boat diving. I think they have direct flights from Dallas almost every day and Curacao (at least right now) is pretty COVID protocol friendly. We were last there in December and had a great time! There's a little bit for everyone.
 
You just described Curacao. Haha! Large rentals are available with pools. There are beaches. There's a lot of nightlife if you want it and the diving is fantastic for those who want to get away and go do some shore/boat diving. I think they have direct flights from Dallas almost every day and Curacao (at least right now) is pretty COVID protocol friendly. We were last there in December and had a great time! There's a little bit for everyone.
Thank you, that is where I am looking right now. Any recommendations on places to stay? I found one that sleeps 12 and looks great and only $500/night. Does not talk about diving much so not sure if there is a place to dive within walking distance but doing some research now. I do recall when I stayed there it was on the far NW end of the island but looking at some of the other threads it appears that immediately W there is some good places to stay which would probably be better for non divers. I know we have some gamblers as well so Casinos would be a hit I am sure.
 
You just described Curacao. Haha! Large rentals are available with pools. There are beaches. There's a lot of nightlife if you want it and the diving is fantastic for those who want to get away and go do some shore/boat diving. I think they have direct flights from Dallas almost every day and Curacao (at least right now) is pretty COVID protocol friendly. We were last there in December and had a great time! There's a little bit for everyone.
There are not direct flights from Dallas though, they all go through Miami last I checked but I will dig into that here in a bit.
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/teric/

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