Bonaire again? Looking for recommendations for new dive destination.

[diver-jean]

We love Capt. Don's in Bonaire but have been so many times and want to explore other great destinations that will fit the bill.
Here's what we are looking for:
1. A house reef would be nice
2. Onsite dive shop & gear storage a must
3. AC in rooms is a must. We're older now and don't want to rough it
4. We fly out of Houston, so direct is nice, but we could manage 1 stop-over/change.
5. Never tried all-inclusive but might be willing
6. Want to avoid invasions of cruisers
7. Prefer small boats with fewer divers
8. Will rent a car if necessary
We have been to Cozumel & Cayman multiple times so not really interested in either of those. Went to Belize (Ambergis) once many, many years ago. Your suggestions are appreciated.

 

[tursiops]

We love Capt. Don's in Bonaire but have been so many times and want to explore other great destinations that will fit the bill.
Here's what we are looking for:
1. A house reef would be nice
2. Onsite dive shop & gear storage a must
3. AC in rooms is a must. We're older now and don't want to rough it
4. We fly out of Houston, so direct is nice, but we could manage 1 stop-over/change.
5. Never tried all-inclusive but might be willing
6. Want to avoid invasions of cruisers
7. Prefer small boats with fewer divers
8. Will rent a car if necessary
We have been to Cozumel & Cayman multiple times so not really interested in either of those. Went to Belize (Ambergis) once many, many years ago. Your suggestions are appreciated.

Statia and Bequia are both very laid back and quiet. Not that easy to get to, which is one of the reaons they are laid-back and quiet.

 

[KathyV]

We love Capt. Don's in Bonaire but have been so many times and want to explore other great destinations that will fit the bill.
Here's what we are looking for:
1. A house reef would be nice
2. Onsite dive shop & gear storage a must
3. AC in rooms is a must. We're older now and don't want to rough it
4. We fly out of Houston, so direct is nice, but we could manage 1 stop-over/change.
5. Never tried all-inclusive but might be willing
6. Want to avoid invasions of cruisers
7. Prefer small boats with fewer divers
8. Will rent a car if necessary
We have been to Cozumel & Cayman multiple times so not really interested in either of those. Went to Belize (Ambergis) once many, many years ago. Your suggestions are appreciated.

Have you only been to Grand Cayman or have you tried Little Cayman or Cayman Brac? You can fly nonstop to GCM and then take a short (15-30 minutes) flight to the Sister Islands.

Since you are willing to try an all-inclusive, take a look at the Cayman Brac Beach Resort or the Little Cayman Beach Resort. No house reef but they are clean, small, diver-dedicated resorts with good food, air-conditioning, onsite gear storage, and an excellent onsite dive op that provides valet-dive services - which is very nice when you are getting older (like us!) They have large boats but they are roomy, modern boats so it hasn't been a problem for us.

Brac and Little Cayman are small, quiet islands - there's not much topside activity - but we always have lots of fun and good diving!

What time of year are you planning to travel?

 

[Steelyeyes]

I second the Cayman Brac Beach Resort.

 

[scubadada]

The house reef/shore diving is the hard part. I was going to recommend Cobalt Coast or Lighthouse Point on Grand Cayman until I saw GC was off the list, along with Bonaire and Cozumel. Maybe Curacao at Kura Hulanda or All West Apts with Go West Diving and a very nice house reef, Playa Kalki/Alice in Wonderland. Cayman Brac does have some nice shore diving, but it is not at CBBR or other lodging, and you would need a car Shore diving on Cayman Brac?

 

[Silty Sam]

Roatan? My trip to CoCo View in May 2018 was epic. Everything on your list. Don't need a car because your on their island. House reef is amazing: easy access, walls, shipwreck, airplane, wide variety of creatures. night dives are easy and awesome.

 

[diver-jean]

Have you only been to Grand Cayman or have you tried Little Cayman or Cayman Brac? You can fly nonstop to GCM and then take a short (15-30 minutes) flight to the Sister Islands.

Since you are willing to try an all-inclusive, take a look at the Cayman Brac Beach Resort or the Little Cayman Beach Resort. No house reef but they are clean, small, diver-dedicated resorts with good food, air-conditioning, onsite gear storage, and an excellent onsite dive op that provides valet-dive services - which is very nice when you are getting older (like us!) They have large boats but they are roomy, modern boats so it hasn't been a problem for us.

Brac and Little Cayman are small, quiet islands - there's not much topside activity - but we always have lots of fun and good diving!

What time of year are you planning to travel?

No firm dates yet - Great suggestions for Little and Brac! Thanks so much!

 

[diver-jean]

Roatan? My trip to CoCo View in May 2018 was epic. Everything on your list. Don't need a car because your on their island. House reef is amazing: easy access, walls, shipwreck, airplane, wide variety of creatures. night dives are easy and awesome.

Thanks for the suggestion! I will look up reviews of CoCo View.

 

[diver-jean]

The house reef/shore diving is the hard part. I was going to recommend Cobalt Coast or Lighthouse Point on Grand Cayman until I saw GC was off the list, along with Bonaire and Cozumel. Maybe Curacao at Kura Hulanda or All West Apts with Go West Diving and a very nice house reef, Playa Kalki/Alice in Wonderland. Cayman Brac does have some nice shore diving, but it is not at CBBR or other lodging, and you would need a car Shore diving on Cayman Brac?

Thank you for the suggestions! I will look up these that you have mentioned.

 

[diver-jean]

Statia and Bequia are both very laid back and quiet. Not that easy to get to, which is one of the reaons they are laid-back and quiet.

Thank you for the suggestions! Will do some research on both locations.