Question ISO “Best” All-Inclusive Dive Resort Options in the Caribbean

[Lorenzoid]

If you want to breakout of the Caribbean Philippines and Fiji have amazing diving with many all inclusive dive resorts.

Not to mention Indonesia and elsewhere in the Coral Triangle. That was my thinking behind my comment above. The true dive-eat-dive-sleep-repeat "dive resort" has never struck me as being as big a thing in the Caribbean as it is in the Indo-Pacific. But the OP said Caribbean.

 

[BoundForElsewhere]

What about a high-end luxury liveaboard?

 

[NorCalDM]

Not to mention Indonesia and elsewhere in the Coral Triangle. That was my thinking behind my comment above. The true dive-eat-dive-sleep-repeat "dive resort" has never struck me as being as big a thing in the Caribbean as it is in the Indo-Pacific. But the OP said Caribbean.

Going to Raja Ampot next month for 10 days of diving!

 

[NorCalDM]

When were you there? I've been wanting to go back to St Lucia after a cruise stop dive many years ago.

We were there August 2021.

 

[AggieDiver]

Yes, we LOVED Little Cayman and want to go back one day. But for now, we'd like to explore some other places. Interestingly, our April reservation is at AKR in Roatan. While I've read mixed reviews, part of me will always wonder if we don't try it. Ha!

I would definitely give AKR a try, just be careful about the time of year and what accommodation you choose. Some have no AC, just fans, which is fine as long as there is a breeze blowing at night. We were there once with a no AC cabana on the island, and there was no breeze for the first 2 nights and it was not pleasant to try to sleep. The diving is good, with a couple of big wrecks to check out if you are into that. Like I said, I don't think the quality of the diving is up to what LC offers, but it is a different kind of on-land experience than LC, with a great view from their restaurant and other things to do nearby on the island.

I have never been to one of the atoll resorts in Belize, but did a day trip to Turneffe from San Pedro once and it was very good diving out there. I would like to eventually make it out there for a trip, but the resorts seem to come and go and it is hard to get a read on which ones are really the best to try. I have MS and react to the heat with extreme fatigue sometimes, so there are times when I need to be able to go inside and cool off. So having a resort with no AC in the rooms, or only AC at night just won't work for me.

I know somebody mentioned Phillipines and Fiji, but one place we have been looking hard at and will probably do a trip to in the next couple of years is Lembeh Resort in Northern Indonesia. It is a good long trip to get there, but the "muck diving" they do and the unique sea life they get there is second to none in the world from what I can tell.

 

[drrich2]

I'm game. Do you have recommendations?

I haven't been to either. There was a ScubaBoard Invasion some years back that used an Atlantis Resort, and that was well-regarded. The impression I got from reports was that Atlantis was quite good...at a price.

@Trailboss123 has a report from staying at another popular option; I don't know whether it's A.I., but it's my understanding it's more of a budget option (and what I'd be looking at for a solo trip). Keep in mind added days of round trip travel and enduring very long flights ought to be factored into a trip's cost, along with the money.

Trip Report-Philippines-Puerto Galera-El Galleon/Asia Divers-April 1-14, 2019​

 

[ScubaJoy65]

I would definitely give AKR a try, just be careful about the time of year and what accommodation you choose. Some have no AC, just fans, which is fine as long as there is a breeze blowing at night. We were there once with a no AC cabana on the island, and there was no breeze for the first 2 nights and it was not pleasant to try to sleep. The diving is good, with a couple of big wrecks to check out if you are into that. Like I said, I don't think the quality of the diving is up to what LC offers, but it is a different kind of on-land experience than LC, with a great view from their restaurant and other things to do nearby on the island.

I have never been to one of the atoll resorts in Belize, but did a day trip to Turneffe from San Pedro once and it was very good diving out there. I would like to eventually make it out there for a trip, but the resorts seem to come and go and it is hard to get a read on which ones are really the best to try. I have MS and react to the heat with extreme fatigue sometimes, so there are times when I need to be able to go inside and cool off. So having a resort with no AC in the rooms, or only AC at night just won't work for me.

I know somebody mentioned Phillipines and Fiji, but one place we have been looking hard at and will probably do a trip to in the next couple of years is Lembeh Resort in Northern Indonesia. It is a good long trip to get there, but the "muck diving" they do and the unique sea life they get there is second to none in the world from what I can tell.

Excellent insights. I did double-check our reservation and we do indeed have a room with an AC. I think we have to check AKR off our list and just go with an open mind. I just completed a 4-day underwater photography class, which has me focused on macro and I hear there's incredible macro critters to see there, along with bigger things. ;-)

The group that taught the photography class offers a trip to Lembeh. Perhaps I'll get to do that one day, too.

I like the other recommendations and will check them out.

I'm sorry to learn you have MS. I understand what it is like to dive and travel with a malady, although mine is vastly different. (I had my left foot rebuilt and the hardware causes walking problems daily.) No matter what the situation, we just have to push forward and live life to our fullest. Right?!

My goal is to explore the world one reef at a time.

 

[ScubaJoy65]

I haven't been to either. There was a ScubaBoard Invasion some years back that used an Atlantis Resort, and that was well-regarded. The impression I got from reports was that Atlantis was quite good...at a price.

@Trailboss123 has a report from staying at another popular option; I don't know whether it's A.I., but it's my understanding it's more of a budget option (and what I'd be looking at for a solo trip). Keep in mind added days of round trip travel and enduring very long flights ought to be factored into a trip's cost, along with the money.

Trip Report-Philippines-Puerto Galera-El Galleon/Asia Divers-April 1-14, 2019​

Good points to keep in mind. I just love the aspect of one price gets everything accomplished for me at the resort. It makes me feel a bit spoiled and I can pretend to be a wealthy heiress or something. RLOL (I'm soooo not that kind of person. I'm just kidding.)

 

[NorCalDM]

I'm game. Do you have recommendations?

Phillipines in order of best to very good:
Amun Ini - in Anda-Bohol
Atmosphere - Duin/Dumaguete
Atlantis - Puerto Galero and Dumaguete

Fiji:
Beqa Lagoon Resort - Beqa Fiji

Long trips to get there so we go for 10 days minimum. We have a trip next month on a liveaboard in Raja Ampot and it is 37 hours trip time with 3 flights but the traveling is worth it!

 

[dflaher]

I'm game. Do you have recommendations?

Nakia Resort, Taveuni, Fiji

My goal is to explore the world one reef at a time

Excellent!