Cool destination needed for divers

[JENANDKEN]

Please help! We are planning a trip May 23-June5 and would like advice an which location to choose. We have been on dive trips to Jamaica, Ambergris Caye, Costa Rica, and Cozumel. Loved Belize - stayed a Ramon's Village and was very pleased with their style. But now we would like to go somewhere new - any experienced travelers out there with suggestions? We are currently researching the Caymen Islands and Barbados. This is what we would like to avoid - high rise tourist traps, cruise ships and children. This is what we like - laid back attitudes, great pool and beach, rooms that overlook the ocean, dive shop on premises, somewhere we could wander around in the evenings and shop and eat.
Can anybody out there help me! I do appreciate it!!!!!

 

[GearHead]

Sounds to me like you are exactly describing Little Cayman Beach Resort. The island is in virtual seclusion compared to the other Cayman Islands (Grand Cayman and The Brac). The resort is diver focused, still luxurious, they have a shop on-site, a nice little pool, and the whole thing is centered around a bar in the middle of the courtyard. Not to mention that the diving is top-notch. Bloody Bay Wall is still one of my favorite places in the world. Also, Children are not expressly prohibited, but since there's virtually nothing for them to do there, you probably won't see any.
Here's a link: http://www.littlecayman.com

 

[caymaniac]

Sounds to me like you are exactly describing Little Cayman Beach Resort. The island is in virtual seclusion compared to the other Cayman Islands (Grand Cayman and The Brac). The resort is diver focused, still luxurious, they have a shop on-site, a nice little pool, and the whole thing is centered around a bar in the middle of the courtyard. Not to mention that the diving is top-notch. Bloody Bay Wall is still one of my favorite places in the world. Also, Children are not expressly prohibited, but since there's virtually nothing for them to do there, you probably won't see any.
Here's a link: http://www.littlecayman.com

You are on the mark about LC., but not about GC. or the Brac. East End would fit your needs on GC. and where on the Brac do you find allot of kids? All the trips I've have taken there, I've seen as many as on LC. On the Brac , both the Divi and Brac Reef resort would fufill your needs. No kids, hotel rooms that overlook the ocean, and quiet.

Dive Safe,
Caymaniac

 

[getwet2]

jenandken,

Seeing as you are travelling during the stormy season and you have asked for suggestions, I would suggest Aruba. It does not lay in the hurricane belt as most other places, it is low travel season, the beaches are FANTASTIC, and most hotels have dive shops at them or very close to them. There are also a large number of wrecks to dive on, I believe Rodale's called it the "Wreck capital of the Caribbean". It's kind of pricey but the island is very clean and safe, lots of places to eat in town and of course lots of shopping but there are cruise ships in town sometimes, these you can probably avoid by asking at the hotel when the ships are not in port.Most hotels have casinos in them if you are into that sort of thing at night but as for children you would have to see if there are any hotels that are adults only.

I hope this helps you.

If you do go I would recommend diving the Sonesta Reef lots to see plus an airplane for some pics. Good Luck!

 

[JENANDKEN]

Has anyone been diving at Barbados and can enlighten me on this place? And should I realy worry about the stormy season at Caymen May 23 - June 5? Thanks for your replies!!!!!

JENANDKEN

 

[GearHead]

You are on the mark about LC., but not about GC. or the Brac. East End would fit your needs on GC. and where on the Brac do you find allot of kids? All the trips I've have taken there, I've seen as many as on LC. On the Brac , both the Divi and Brac Reef resort would fufill your needs. No kids, hotel rooms that overlook the ocean, and quiet.

Dive Safe,
Caymaniac

Thanks for the correction, Caymaniac.

 

[Pamdiv]

There's some great wreck diving in Barbados, but walking around in the evening (unsafe) and cool restaurants (hard to find)is not happening there. Grand Cayman has a great variety of dive adventures and has great shopping. Be sure and shop after 3pm when the cruise ships have left. I go to GC every year in early June and can't complain about the weather, and the diving is superb.

 

[Tim Ingersoll]

Go to Little Cayman. If you haven't been it is really the best option discussed above.

 

[Wijbrandus]

Has anyone been diving at Barbados and can enlighten me on this place? And should I realy worry about the stormy season at Caymen May 23 - June 5? Thanks for your replies!!!!!

JENANDKEN

Don't know much about Barbados, but when they talk about stormy seasons on Cayman, I believe it. I missed out on my dives there last year (as a cruise ship weenie) because the water was so rough we almost couldn't tender in. There was no diving on the island that day. Of course, having only been there once, I'm no expert on it, but it was the worst water conditions of my entire cruise by far.

Could have been just a bad day. If so, lucky me.

 

[Jetwrench]

I would also suggest Aruba, Curacao, or Bonaire(Dutch Antillies). The weather will most likely cooperate down there. I have only been to Bonaire and can't say the shopping there is great. Just not bad. Aruba and Curacao sound like they have more in that dept. If layed back, few or no kids, and great diving is your focus, Bonaire is a good choice.

Jet