Caymans, Bonaire, Curacao, Barbados

[Vetdrm]

First of all, what a wonderful forum. I've been lurking for a few months and have gained so much valuable information.

Now we need some help.

We'll be finishing up our last 2 OW dives next week and are excited to plan a diving vacation in October. We've already had our first boat dive in Xcalak last month with Steve at XTC and it was awesome. We're anxious to work on our skills and are looking for some easy diving, relatively shallow with little current.

There are some good flight deals to Grand Cayman and we are thinking of flying from there to Cayman Brac to dive with Divi Tiara. Our LDS thought the conditions may be a little rough for us. Any thoughts?

Would Bonaire, Curacao or Barbados be better choices?

Thanks for any advice you could give us.

 

[divingjd]

Were they talking about diving conditions, or the accomodations? Typically, Cayman Brac diving conditions are excellent for new divers and Divi Tiara has a great dive operation. The water is usally calm, there is no current to speak of, and it's not particularly deep. The accomodations at the Divi are nothing fancy, but unless you are the kind of person who only stays in high-end hotels and resorts, they are fine. But, remember that October is hurricane season, which can also mean some rough weather in general. Maybe that was why your LDS thought conditions might be rough. I was in Little Cayman once in November and the conditions were great, although a hurricane had passed nearby two weeks before. That time of year is a crapshoot in much of the Caribbean. It might be great, or you might get a tropical storm or hurricane. Bonaire and Curcacao are generally considered to be outside the "hurricane belt," which does not mean they don't ever get hurricanes, just that they are not in the most common path of tropical storms and hurricanes. Barbados is also considered outside the hurrican belt. Your weather odds are probably better at one of those places.

 

[sasscuba]

Bonaire for some of the most relaxing shore dives on earth! Reef generally starts at 30 feet and gently slopes off deeper. Very nice diving especially for a beginner.

 

[ronrosa]

Bonaire for some of the most relaxing shore dives on earth! Reef generally starts at 30 feet and gently slopes off deeper. Very nice diving especially for a beginner.

Ditto for Curacao. Either one will be a great choice. You can boat dive in the morning and shore dive the house reef in the afternoon.

It can be a little difficult and expensive to fly to Bonaire. Curacao has more frequent and usually less expensive flights.

 

[RICHinNC]

Without a doubt....regardless of how much I like Barbados....BONAIRE would be the place to go. Other than just a couple of dives....there are over 60+ dives that are fantastic in the 25 to 45 ftsw range.

Now if you decide Barbados....and can be there 13 to 23 Sept time frame...Join me
and my buddy...we will be there.

 

[El Orans]

Bonaire...

 

[Michael Schlink]

If only Bonaire wasn't so difficult to get to, but then again, that may be why it's one of the top 5 dive spots in the Carib.
But to answer your question L Cayman and the Brac would NOT be too advanced for a new diver, people get certified to dive there all the time-and the diving is great also

 

[purduepete007]

OMHO I have to say is you need to go to other places first before going to Bonaire. You'll be spoiled if you goto Bonaire first.

 

[El Orans]

If only Bonaire wasn't so difficult to get to, but then again, that may be why it's one of the top 5 dive spots in the Carib.

I just love KLM's daily flights...

 

[jdcpa]

Caymans.

If you can't dive on the Brac, you can't dive anywhere. Very little current, great vis.

I don't have any experience with Divi, only Reef Divers, but Divi has been around a while so they must be doing something right.

Plus Aunt Sha's restaurant is a little down the road from Divi and is one of the best "local" restaurants I have ever visited. I could eat there tomorrow and the day after.