Central America / Caribbean - or both ?

[Cabbie]

I have the opportunity for either an 8 week vacation or 2 x 4 week vacations in 2009 and am starting to think about where I should go...

I have always been curious about Belize...but what about Turks & Caicos ? Or the Caymans ?

I've done some very basic research...but would welcome any contributions on best time of year to travel, places to stay, people to dive with, safety for a single female.

I may even think about doing my DM...

It doesn't all have to be about diving - birds, flowers, animals + fish !

 

[dladowitz]

I'm in the same boat as you (figuratively). Looking for a place to spend extended period of time, 4 - 6 months.

I've been looking at Abergris Cay, Cozumel and Roatan. If anyone knows a website describing the different types of diving in the world I'ld love to see it. From what I've read Cozumel has more large animals while Roatan has more small beautiful coral formations.

 

[robint]

I'm in the same boat as you (figuratively). Looking for a place to spend extended period of time, 4 - 6 months.

I've been looking at Abergris Cay, Cozumel and Roatan. If anyone knows a website describing the different types of diving in the world I'ld love to see it. From what I've read Cozumel has more large animals while Roatan has more small beautiful coral formations.

Cozumel is not known for large animals. They do have some nurse sharks and turtles, but I think what you have read is that they have adult fish. Roatan has been called a great place for small animals as there aren't as many adult fish, lots of juvies, lots of macro and very little current so you can stop and appreciate the little stuff, take pictures of them, etc. Cozumel on the other hand, is all drift diving, so there are plenty of little things there, you just can't really stop and look for them because of the current. Belize is a combination of the two - lots of fish of all sizes, some nurse sharks and turtles, and little current so you can stop and see all the little fish.

Turks & Caicos and Caymans are similar to Belize but more expensive. T&C and Little Cayman are known for the dramatic wall structures and reef sharks, sometimes hammerheads.

Probably the best way to learn about the differences between dive destinations is to read trip reports and look at photos posted by the divers. Also, do some searches of websites such as YouTube and Vimeo for underwater stuff. You will learn alot. There are a few regulars here on SB that have great videos you should check out, too. Ronscuba has a bunch on Vimeo from Belize and Roatan. Check those out. http://www.vimeo.com/user381786/videos/sort:oldest
I have stuff on my website also.. RnR Scuba from places we have been. On my links page I have websites you might want to check out, also.

robin

 

[DeputyDan]

If its about "the experience" as opposed to a dive vacation I would choose Costa Rica.
There is lots to do on land as well as diving opportunities.

If diving were out I would do Peru. Lots of hiking and historical sites.

 

[tadeotadeo]

Mostly overlooked
San Andres Island & Old Providence Island
A small island about 100 miles off the coast of Nicaragua, with great resorts and people this Caribbean Island has some of the best wall diving around a 200+ wall starting at 20 ft on the windward side of the island is not always accessible do to weather but there are numerous smaller walls on the leeward side of the island. There is just about everything anyone would want to do on holiday with nightlife, casinos, beaches and resorts. The islanders love to have a great time and it shows in there treatment of their guest. Rates are some of the best in the Caribbean.

About 50 miles north of SAI is Old Providence Island with over 100 square miles of prime virgin reef (3rd largest in the world) surrounds the mountainous island and its dry rain forest of 6.5 square miles. Most of the diving is a 10 minute or less boat ride. With a wide variety of diving interest, there is everything from walls to caves to crevasses to shipwrecks to tropical fish to coral formations to rays. The only think it does not have is the larger animals, although I did see a king crab on one dive that was 3 to 4 feet across.
Plenty of snorkeling from the shores or kayak/snorkel in McBean Reserve Park and Three Brothers Islands. Fishing, beachcombing, Kayak, trekking, bicycling, horseback riding are the other major attractions.
There are no casinos, no large resorts, no night clubs….its more like a game of dominos over a beer, mom and pop bed and breakfast style cabanas and a bon fire on the beach with local musicians.
Most restaurants serve local cuisine, all fresh from local fishermen.
There are only about 5000 people on the island and they all treat guests like family. Crime is simple non-existent on.
Of coarse this type of place is not for everyone but if you love nature, no crowds, personalized service, and some of the best diving in the Caribbean Old Providence is it.
Ciao
Tad

 

[Kiefer]

Grand Cayman is very...I mean very expensive. It is high end resorts and not much of a Caribbean feel. Lots of internationals. The diving is insane though. Can't say anything about the other Cayman Islands. The word is there is not a lot going on.

Roatan is a blast and when I was there last 2004 it was a breach road through West End and low key. There is plenty of beach bars and restaurants though. The diving has a lot to offer, sharks, wrecks, walls swim throughs etc. It would be a great place to do your DM. Utilla is MUCH smaller. No beaches. I do hear the diving is good. And also a good place to do your DM. What they both have in common is proximity to Honduras mainland. Which means some great nature gigs. Think Copan (Mayan Ruins) and Pico Bonito (Cloud Forest). Pico Bonito is just outside of La Ceiba where the ferry from Roatan and Utilla docks.

Costa Rica is a grea place with a ton of stuff to do. But the diving I found was cold with mostly big animals and not a lot of reef, walls, wrecks etc. Not so good for your DM.

Providencia (Old Providence) is beautiful but sleepy. The diving was great. Not a lot of activities on the island though.

I would say if you want to DM with stuff on the side to do...Roatan or second place Utilla. If lots of activity is your thing...you won't beat Costa Rica. And if you want off the beaten path...Providencia and her sister San Andres. They are Colombian islands off the Coast of Nicaragua. They are lovely and not a lot of American tourists like Belize.

 

[Damselfish]

With all that time and a desire to do more than diving, personally I'd skip Turks & Caicos and Caymans. Great diving but they're not that interesting places to visit so I wouldn't choose them if looking for 4-8 weeks of interesting stuff. Belize would be good, lots of areas to visit, see and do different things.