Bonaire with a view?

[Inspector#2]

Can anybody name a place that has diving as good as Bonaire but has something on the surface to look at? Basically looking for great hotel beach diving (boat also) with jungle or some terrain that can be hiked, climbed, etc.
Bonaire is great but its not very pretty on the dry part!

Dave

 

[duncanjc]

Barbados, perhaps? I was there in September 2002. Boat dives are nice. Carlisle Bay is a marine sanctuary that is accessible from the shore with a little bit of swimming.

 

[Inspector#2]

I will have to look into traveling there.

Thanks,

Dave

 

[DivingGal]

Barbados does offer a wide selection of terrain - from a bit of the barren stuff, to hills (called the "Scottish Highlands"), to tropical gardens. There is a marine park (Folkstone) along the coast that allows great shore diving and snorkelling. There are a host of charters all along the south & west coast that will accommodate your desire to dive wrecks or coral reefs. A "must" is to dive Carlise Bay in the day, and then return for a night dive.

I love going there, but then I'm a wee bit prejudice as the family has been going to the island since the 70s....

 

[notabob]

I haven't been, but I heard Dominica (not to be confused with Dominican Republic) has some incredible views. Great diving and gorgeous, lush mountainous terrain.

-Roman.

 

[mlove]

The Bay Islands, Hondours. A very pretty Island with great shore diving, some of the resorts do drop offs, on the way back from a boat dive they drop you off and you find your way back.
Jungle is interesting but look out for those bugs. I like Bonaire's terrain.
Enjoy,
mike