Best Diving in January?

[JodyLynn]

Hello

My first posting! I am looking for some recommendations on the best place to dive in late Dec/Jan. My last diving experience was 4 years ago in Bali, Thailand, and Australia--I got certified and logged about 50 dives. Bali was the best! But Dec/Jan is a bad time of year to go back there. So, I'm looking at Bonaire, Curacao, and Tobago but want to make sure I see some unspoiled coral. Also, looking for beaches and good off-shore snorkeling. Heard Dominica was good, but no sand on the beaches. Any recommendations would be very much appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[montychandler]

Curacao would be my suggestion. It has everything you listed as selection criteria. I'll be there in February..

 

[JodyLynn]

Thanks, Monty! I recently realized that I was on Curacao 20 years ago on a cruise stop over. I remember an awesome waterslide on the beach I spent the entire day going up and down. Can you recommend any hotels on the beach? I'd like to spend no more than $60 or $70 per night but don't know what if that even gets me a dump.

Jody

 

[Damselfish]

Thanks, Monty! I recently realized that I was on Curacao 20 years ago on a cruise stop over. I remember an awesome waterslide on the beach I spent the entire day going up and down. Can you recommend any hotels on the beach? I'd like to spend no more than $60 or $70 per night but don't know what if that even gets me a dump.

On the beach for $60-70? Maybe 20 years ago. :14:

There are some small inn type places where you might be able to find rooms in that price range, mostly catering to Europeans or local. Doubt any on the beach though. Landhuis Daniel has inexpensive rooms and a great restaurant, but it's away from it all and you'd really need a way to get around. (If you see any old info that implies they have a dive shop don't believe it, it's been closed forever, is full of old mattresses and smells like cows.) There's a place called Martha Koosje which is closer to town though still out there a bit, that looks like it has rooms now and they have a dive op of some sort, but I don't know if they provide transportation. Probably others those are just the ones I've seen. There's some lower priced hotels in town though you'd want to be careful what area you stayed in. You could maybe stay someplace like that and hook up with the Dive Bus. Certainly wouldn't be your typical beachfront vacation.

 

[scubatexastony]

http://www.curacao-travelguide.com

http://search.msn.com/results.aspx?srch=104&FORM=AS4&q=curacao+hotels

http://www.curacao-actief.com

Location, location.... plan on renting a car? All inclusive or european? 75/night/pp?

Questions? I can give you some info on the ones you would like to know about. You might drop Suzy a note at http://www.the-dive-bus.com and see what properties they can hook you up with. They are great for the diving portion of your vacation too.

tony

 

[scubagirl_61]

Hi and welcome to SB
Have you considered Puerto Rico, you don't need a passport and diving is great. We have a really good and safe New Years Party on the small island of Culebra, Just a boat ride away from the big island, 2.25 one way for the ferry ride! Culebra has a underwater national park, you can look it up on www.culebra.org.
Happy and safe diving always
Scubagirl_61

 

[cowboyneal]

So would Culebra be the place to dive in Puerto Rico? Can you dive Vieques?