Best place to dive for newby

[JetsBoy]

My wife and myself are newly SSI certified divers. We completed our open dives (6) in the Carribean two years ago with one more dive locally (Minnesota) when we returned, but haven't dived since. In March we plan to go back to the Carribean to dive again (after some practice dives locally with a divemaster).

There are many great dive sites in the Carribean, but since my wife is a timid diver (we are in our fifites), I am looking for a location that can provide continued instruction and support for newbies as well as some good local attractions and interests after diving, since we won't be diving all day. We are interested in Belize because of the barrier reef as well as the Mayan civilization, but there seem to be many other places as well. I've heard St. John has some good beginner diving, but don't know if there is anything else to do on the island (we are not much for the bar scene). Since we are new, we do not typically dive deep, but it might be nice to get advanced instruction in something like wreck diving or wall diving. Bonaire sounds great, but I think we will need someone to guide us every step of the way until we gain some experience and confidence. Any suggestions? What are some great must-see dive locations for begineers with good apres-dive?

Thanks.
JetsBoy

 

[SubMariner]

Jets, I don't think you could go wrong with Bonaire. It offers everything you want!

There is a variety of diving available, plus instruction. And the best part is that you can do it all from shore.

Take a look in the Travel Section and I'm sure you'll find several threads on this subject.

Take care, eh?!

~SubMariner~

 

[herman]

Hi JB and welcome to the board.

It's no secret that I like Bonaire. If you don't want a lot of "touristy" things like casinos and shows, then consider Bonaire. The diving is about as easy as it gets. Shallow shore diving with great reefs a couple of hundred feet off shore. There are a lot of great shops/instructors on the island so getting a refresher course is no problem. You can boat dive if you wish or shore dive, which is want we do. The on water resorts have great diving right in frount of the hotel, we do a lot of dives there and all of our nite dives. As for after dive activities you can go up town and shop, tour the island or just kick back at the pool. We enjoy driving around and looking at the donkeys and lizzards....searching for Prisca's ice cream is an adventure in itself. Do a work search on the board, I have posted some rather long post with Bonaire info in them. I am headed back in June myself.

 

[Drew Sailbum]

First, a big thank you for realizing that some tune up dives are necessary before your trip. Any diver of any experience level would be well advised to take a refresher class after an extended break from diving


Belize offers jungle tours, and tours to Mayan ruins for some non-diving days. If you stay out on one of the Cayes (Ambergris, Caulker, etc...), then the barrier reef is quite close. There are nice, comparatively shallow, areas of the reef, and deeper spots. Be sure to discuss your preferences with the dive shop and divemaster on the boat. Be sure you dive within the limits of your training. Further instruction is readily available, if you would like.

Based upon what you have said, Wherever you go I would recommend diving with an operator that provides a divemaster.

 

[Rooster1]

Just about anywhere in the Caribbean is great diving! If you are looking for a little of everything and would like to take it easy, you might also want to consider Cozumel. The diving is excellent and plenty of shore diving for the novice and dive shops there will gladly give you refresher courses. Topside the food is awesome, the people friendly, and the scenery very nice. On the Island there are Mayan Ruins as well as you can take a half hour boat ride to the main land to Playa Del Carmen and venture south to Tulum or west to Chichen Itza, to see more ruins, both are beautiful. Cozumel is also a great place if you don’t feel like being around a lot of party animal youth. Whatever you decide have lots of fun and dive safe.

 

[JetsBoy]

I think I'm very interested in Belize and Bonaire. Bonaire's shore diving sounds great, but I think we both still need a divemaster to dive with, so maybe an all-in-one place or resort might be the best (we are beginners).

I've been reading about Belize and it appears that the best place is on the cayes near the barrier reef. Several resorts have side-trips to Mayan ruins, etc. And I like the idea of diving on the barrier reef.

I have to check up on Cozumel, though. I've heard a lot about it, but I wonder if it will be crowded during the time period we have available (spring break).

Can any of you recommend some resorts or dive shops to use, or stay away from, at any of these places? Thanks for all your suggestions.

JB

 

[Rooster1]

check out this url
http://www.travelnotes.cc/cozumel/links/diveshopreviews/general.html
all kinds of great info here on Cozumel! If you do go to Cozumel during spring break You don't really have to worry much about the spring breakers, they prefer Cancun and Hour north. Cozumel is an older laid back crowd. If you go I recommend Delmar Aquatics, Dive with Martin, or Papa Hogs, they have shore diving right at their dive shops. Hotels take your pick Many most are right on the coast and have their own dive shops so you can go from your louge chair throw on the gear and go do a shallow dive up 40 feet or u got the option of doing deeper boat dives if you choose.

 

[Drew Sailbum]

Originally posted by JetsBoy:
I have to check up on Cozumel, though. I've heard a lot about it, but I wonder if it will be crowded during the time period we have available (spring break).

While there may be a relative few spring breakers at Cozumel compared to Cancun, there will be very few if any in Belize. The small airstrips on the cayes cannot handle the large jets :fly: that are chartered for those spring break trips.

Back in the early 90's, I recall quite a few spring break trips being promoted for Cozumel - nothing compared to Cancun :boozer:, but several. I never saw one trip selling Belize as a spring break destination. Belize just doesn't appeal to the hard core, drink until you puke uke: crowd.

 

[JetsBoy]

Thank you all for your assistance. We have decided on Cozumel and I booked the trip today. We will be staying at the Allegro Diamond and I'll report back on how things went. I'll look for the recommended dive shops, and if anyone else has any more to recommend--please do! Also looking for good restaurants and activities if any of you have preferences.

Thanks all. We have a refresher course lined up along with a bouyancy control class before we leave. And of course, I have to dust off the cameras.

Thanks again.

JB.

 

[Rooster1]

Originally posted by JetsBoy
Thank you all for your assistance. We have decided on Cozumel and I booked the trip today. We will be staying at the Allegro Diamond and I'll report back on how things went. I'll look for the recommended dive shops, and if anyone else has any more to recommend--please do! Also looking for good restaurants and activities if any of you have preferences.

Thanks all. We have a refresher course lined up along with a bouyancy control class before we leave. And of course, I have to dust off the cameras.

Thanks again.

JB.

Good Pic for your dive vacation and a great hotel. The Allegro is a very nice hotel. Be sure to rent a jeep and tour the Island, well worth it. Have fun!