Places to avoid in the Caribbean?

[kscates]

Hi all! We have agreed to go on a trip with 3 other couples to somewhere in the Caribbean. They want to do an all-inclusive. None except myself and husband are divers. I am open to spending my hard earned vacation time at an all inclusive ONLY because of the potential of daily scuba Love all-inclusive with Scuba, all-inclusive without scuba is just not for me.

Destination is TBD. Obviously, there is good scuba to be found at many Caribbean destinations. I am trying my best not to dictate the destination completely based on my selfish diving requirements . So, my question is, which places in the Caribbean would you AVOID for an all inclusive trip? For example, I have heard that the reefs in Jamaica are not in great shape. Are there any other places you've visited recently that you'd give a poor overall scuba rating? I am hoping to give a short "let's go anywhere except these places" list and let the non-divers decide from there. Most likely the trip will be in the summertime, June, July, or August. Any suggestions appreciated!

 

[Doc]

An odd premise.

My “no dive” list is Jamaica, Nassau, Grand Bahama, Margarette (VZ), Panama (et al), Bermuda, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta.

My above, very short list, contains destinations that receive great reviews, mostly from first-time dive travellers or those who are working at the local dive ops. To make my list, it would be in the “you couldn’t pay me to” category.

Portions of some other Caribbean islands are sucky, but do have some good stuff. A prime example in that regard would be Grand Cayman, Puerto Rico, or Cuba . If you pick the right dive op and demonstrate the right skills, you might get to some better stuff.

In that you specifically requested a list of Caribbean destinations, that made my head hurt. So, I looked at the zone in a wider sense, likely as you were thinking.

You did not ask for positive suggestions, but many are likely to follow. I have dove extensively near Club Med Columbus Isle and the diving (available) in their zone is really as good as (the Bahamas/Caribbean Basin) gets. Is it still operational? Are you ready to suffer the vagaries of a Club Dread Dive Operation? But it fits your odd criteria perfectly. (probably going to have to woke-up and change their name, just sayin’)

When my dive count was 50-99 i could not find my foot, so lucky you that you can get benefit from “reefs in great shape”.

 

[jmark18]

Dominican republic was terrible for diving

 

[also_anon_dc]

Dominican republic was terrible for diving

I will second this. Punta Cana has some really nice all-inclusive resorts but the diving is terrible. I went on one dive there and didn't even do a second because there was just nothing to see and the swells/currents were really bad.

 

[drrich2]

Love all-inclusive with Scuba, all-inclusive without scuba is just not for me.

There are some things to unpack here.

1.) You can stay at an A.I. that includes diving, or an A.I. and book your diving separately. While the first might be more convenient, it might also get you a more conservative operation with a workflow tailored to relatively inexperienced divers. This topic has come up where Sandals is concerned. Compared to an in-house provider at an A.I., if you book with a separate operator you might get taken to nicer dive sites, get dives longer than 45-minutes, etc...

2.) Are you guys more after a budget, mid.-range or luxury experience? For example, if you were looking at Cozumel, Mexico, Hotel Cozumel or Scuba Club Cozumel and the Cozumel Palace might technically offer A.I. with diving services available, but when you look at the price tags...

We have agreed to go on a trip with 3 other couples to somewhere in the Caribbean. They want to do an all-inclusive. None except myself and husband are divers.

Are these 3 other couples expecting to be entertained on resort grounds most of the time (from what I've read a Sandals Resort is like this), or is that the base for food and drinks but they plan to explore the larger area more (in which case Sunscapes Resort Curacao comes to mind)?

If they wish to get out more, are they the type who want 'cruise ship excursion' style guide-led tours with a large activity base to choose from, or who prefer exploring on their own and may appreciate more 'quaint' offerings and a quieter, relaxing vacation? St. Thomas and St. Croix are both U.S. Virgin Islands, but the former does a lot of cruise business, and the latter is quite nice but a little more laid back.

How important is a big sandy beach? That can knock some places out of the running...

I assume there are no minors on the trip, or people with serious chronic medical ailments who need ready access to 1st world medical care 'just in case.'

Dominican republic was terrible for diving

Which part? It's had good reviews for the Bayahibe region and an outfit called Scuba Fun, but it's my understanding that's not the region most vacationers who aren't focused on diving tend to hit preferentially. I haven't dove there, but it's on my 'maybe someday' list. There are trip reports on ScubaBoard for the area.

 

[Wookie]

I know I’m not answering your question.

I have stayed at Club Med Columbus Isle and thought that the diving was excellent.

I was a dive instructor in St Lucia, and the diving around the pitons is excellent. There are AI resorts around Soufriere.

I go back to Grenada and stay with True Blue. I’ve been 3 times.

 

[scubadada]

The website says Club Med Columbus Isle is closed until Oct 2022

 

[mcohen1021]

They want to do an all-inclusive. None except myself and husband are divers. I am open to spending my hard earned vacation time at an all inclusive ONLY because of the potential of daily scuba Love all-inclusive with Scuba, all-inclusive without scuba is just not for me.

I think you answered your own question - avoid all AIs in the caribbean. You can blame covid if nothing else for avoiding the filth of the AI buffet food

 

[mcohen1021]

I have heard that the reefs in Jamaica are not in great shape.

Negril reefs were great when i was there in 2014. You can keep the rest of the island, no thanks.

 

[tursiops]

I think you answered your own question - avoid all AIs in the caribbean. You can blame covid if nothing else for avoiding the filth of the AI buffet food

Grumpy, rather generalized response! Is is based on anything factual?