A week+ of diving... but where?

[fjpatrum]

My brother and I did a trip to FL last year. We both really enjoyed it. Now I'm beginning the planning stages of a trip for next year early in the year, February or March, probably.

We're looking for recommendations of good places for comfortable novices (20-50 dives but decent buoyancy and comfort in most conditions from mild to rough surf and moderate currents) to dive within rec limits and see flora and fauna, wrecks, spear some fish (maybe), catch some bugs (maybe) and generally enjoy the surface intervals as much as the down time. Budget I'm trying to keep under $2k per person so the more expensive live-aboards are probably out.

No options are off the table yet unless getting there takes too much of the budget. We're basically looking at 10 days including travel time, so we'd like to limit the time it takes to get there as well.

Departure location will either be South Carolina or Washington DC.

Recommendations?

 

[DivemasterDennis]

Some spots on Roatan may fit the budget ( Coco View, Anthony's Key, and you can get in a lot of diving. Cozumel will also be in your budget. Other options include Akumal, MX, Playa del Carmen, MX ( Akumal is better), and maybe the Bahamas. Stuart Cove has some specials .
DivemasterDennis

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Bonaire. Great diving, easy access. You don't rent a car in Bonaire ... you rent a pickup truck with tank racks. Pile a few tanks in the back and drive around the island. See a pull-off with a yellow painted rock next to it, pull in, gear up and go diving. Doesn't get much easier. Boat diving's purely optional. Should be pretty easy to get to from either of your specified departure locations.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[SailNaked]

Cozumel, valet diving. but cheapest per dive is Bonaire, flights are only thing to work out, once you get there it is all easy.

 

[rongoodman]

I'd go for Cozumel or Little Caymen, depending on how you feel about drift dives. I'd look into Explorer Ventures too, they do run sales from time to time. The Southern Bahamas trip was great!

 

[PatW]

Generally, divers are not allowed to take fish or lobsters on most islands.

Little Cayman has great diving but is out of your budget. Cozumel is inexpensive but the diving tends to be deep limiting one to 2 dives per day. If you are careful, you can get in 3 but it will take the whole day.

You might think of Grand Turk. The diving is good and at your price point.

If you like shore diving and can handle the entries, Bonaire is good and inexpensive.

Roatan has good diving and if you want to do a bunch of diving, CoCo View is good and the price is modest. Or you could go to Utila which is the next island over. It is bit harder to get to than Roatan. The diving there is more varied. Deep Blue does 3 dives per day and has an excellent shore dive right off shore.

 

[danvolker]

My brother and I did a trip to FL last year. We both really enjoyed it. Now I'm beginning the planning stages of a trip for next year early in the year, February or March, probably.

We're looking for recommendations of good places for comfortable novices (20-50 dives but decent buoyancy and comfort in most conditions from mild to rough surf and moderate currents) to dive within rec limits and see flora and fauna, wrecks, spear some fish (maybe), catch some bugs (maybe) and generally enjoy the surface intervals as much as the down time. Budget I'm trying to keep under $2k per person so the more expensive live-aboards are probably out.

No options are off the table yet unless getting there takes too much of the budget. We're basically looking at 10 days including travel time, so we'd like to limit the time it takes to get there as well.

Departure location will either be South Carolina or Washington DC.

Recommendations?

[video]http://www.viewbix.com/v/The--WHY--of-Palm-Beach-Diving/755d1e10-f212-4920-b1ac-17d12d534925[/video]

 

[Hostage]

If you want to wait till late summer, I would suggest 1000 Islands, it is a lot cheaper and really great wreck diving. No pretty coral or colorful fish, but wrecks are scattered all over the St. Lawrence w/ lots of big fish. I dive with gloves and a 5mm jacket. Our dive club organizes a dive on the Canadian side that costs $125/person for 6 dives and we do a drift dive and a couple other shore dives to accessible wrecks that are free. Of course you need all your own gear, though it is one of the hidden gems. I have dove in Belize a couple of times and only thing that has topped 1000 islands, when we had a rare contact with some very curious bottle nose dolphins. Belize is a nice place, pretty cheap, though most of the best stuff is accessible via snorkeling. There are hundreds if not thousands of wrecks in that area. They are very well preserved because of the dark and colder water. Some schooners still have their masts attached.

 

[fjpatrum]

Thanks for the great information, folks. Keep it coming. I was looking at Turks & Caicos as an option too. Is it feasible to do as a hotel/shore dive option or is it best done via liveaboard.

Hostage, having lived in Maine for 3 years, I love the St. Lawrence, but I don't think either of us are considering going further north to dive and my brother still dives wet. Perhaps once he's diving dry we'll consider that.

DanVolker, thanks for that. We did West Palm last year and even bumped into you at Pura Vida. I'd certainly enjoy going back but want to keep the options open for other possibilities and "expand our repertoire", so to speak.

 

[tdtaylor]

My daughter and I dove Cayman Brac- flight from DC on Cayman Air was $350 each, no luggage fees- they make it easy for tourists. The resort in combination with Reef Divers was $1,250, including three fabulous meals, transfers, nice rooms and three boat dives a day. Only have to pay for alcohol.

Just got back from Bonaire, and the cost was about $900 a diver for 2 morning boat dives, and unlimited nitrox and tanks for shore dives. Breakfast were included, as well a cold cuts/bread/fruit that you could use to make sandwiches. A truck rental for full CDW was included for each room. We were in a huge Ocean facing suite that would easily accommodate 4. One BBQ dinner was provided Tuesday night. Dinner was not included, but lots of place to eat at all price ranges. Flights were harder to get and more expensive. United was $425, plus baggage fees (I take 2 bags being a photographer- $130).

Obviously, tips and misc. costs are additional.

Terry