AI Hotel with beach near town?

[DjDiverDan]

If you decide on Casa Del Mar - hotel I've stayed at many times, which I like (but upgrade to the Superior rooms - the Standard rooms are at the back, overlooking the parking lot, and are, IMO, smaller, less comfortable and, well, kind of worse for wear) - consider Dive with Martin as your Dive Op. It's office is located right at the International Pier, a short walk from Casa Del Mar, and it has excellent DMs. Casa Del Mar does have an AI option, though I've never used it. I usually eat Breakfast there on dive days, then head to town for most lunches and dinners.

 

[ggunn]

Only reason it would be good to be within walking distance to a dive shop is that, as we are taking courses and need gear, we find it is a good thing to be able to meet the instructor, try on gear etc in the shop rather than just getting picked up at the dock. If we decided to go non-AI, is there a good hotel/diveshop combo? We are not partiers so a quiet location is preferred.


Thanks for all the info, we have lots to consider!

Scuba Club is AI with dive shop on premises. If you aren't set on AI, consider Blue Angel. I always stay there and I love it. Dive shop, restaurant, pool, and dock are all within a few steps. All rooms are ocean view with a glass wall overlooking the water. Balconies on upper floors. Drying racks. 22 rooms total. Shore diving. Great staff.