Dive Trip Suggestions

[MNScubaSteve]

I'm looking for some last minute trip ideas for this month. I have dove in Cozumel, Florida Keys, and did a live aboard in Turcs and Caicos last summer. Looking for a trip that lasts about 3-4 days. I'm from Minnesota a d would like to go somewhere in Mexico, Central America, or Caribbean although I am looking for somewhere not too expensive. Any ideas?

 

[KathyV]

I suggest you try for at least 5 days, because the travel time and the "wait to fly" rule won't give you much time to dive during a 3 or 4 day trip.

Going back to Florida or Cozumel may be the best options for a less expensive short trip, perhaps you can wait to try someplace new when you have more time?

Will you be traveling alone? A lot of resorts add a hefty single supplement unless you are booking double occupancy.

Anthony's Key Resort on Roatan has a 2 for 1 option (so no single supplement) but airfare to Roatan can be expensive, and you should get immunizations and take malaria meds before you go - and you don't have much time to prepare. FYI, the cheapest accommodations at AKR don't include air-conditioning and there is a big tax, 18 or 19% I think, added on to the resort prices in Honduras, so keep those things in mind when you are comparison shopping.

You can often find reasonable airfare to Grand Cayman, and the Cobalt Coast Resort has some nice all-inclusive dive packages and they will pro-rate their plans for the number of days you are staying, see the link below.

The price includes accommodations, meals, beverages, 2 daily boat dives, unlimited shore dives, airport transfers, taxes, and hotel services charges. But again these prices are for double occupancy and the single supplement will be brutal and there is a surcharge for diving Nitrox.

Southwest recently started offering daily flights to Grand Cayman from Fort Lauderdale with 2 free checked bags - so if you can fly to FLL on Southwest that might be a good option.

Dive Packages

Grand Getaway Special – Starting at $1,650

Valid for Travel January 1, 2017–December 16, 2017

• 7 Nights Accommodation
• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (begins with dinner on arrival day through breakfast on departure day)
• 12 morning boat dives
• 5 drinks daily (house wine or beer, well drinks, soft drinks)
• Shore diving is available on our house reef behind the resort (weather permitting)
• Complimentary use of dive computer
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Welcome rum punch
• Manager’s cocktail reception (usually Monday evenings)
• Airport ground transfers
• Resort fees and taxes

 

[KathyV]

I'm looking for some last minute trip ideas for this month. I have dove in Cozumel, Florida Keys, and did a live aboard in Turcs and Caicos last summer. Looking for a trip that lasts about 3-4 days. I'm from Minnesota a d would like to go somewhere in Mexico, Central America, or Caribbean although I am looking for somewhere not too expensive. Any ideas?

BTW, Scuba Board is hosting an Invasion trip to Roatan that leaves in about a week, I don't know if there is still any room to join that trip but if you could arrange it, it sounds like a great trip, check out the links below:

ScubaBoard Invasion Central 2017 Roatan

https://www.scubaboard.com/community/posts/8008724/

 

[KathyV]

MNScubaSteve, I see that you are in Minnesota, how far are you from Chicago? Cayman Airways just announced a summer sale on direct flights from ORD to GCM ($149 one way), and you get 2 free checked bags on Cayman Air.

You have to buy the tickets by June 12 and travel by August 13; see the link below.

Cayman Air $149 Direct One Way Fare From Chicago - Sale Ends June 12

 

[MNScubaSteve]

MNScubaSteve, I see that you are in Minnesota, how far are you from Chicago? Cayman Airways just announced a summer sale on direct flights from ORD to GCM ($149 one way), and you get 2 free checked bags on Cayman Air.

You have to buy the tickets by June 12 and travel by August 13; see the link below.


Cayman Air $149 Direct Round Trip Fare From Chicago - Sale Ends June 12

P.S. I've asked the moderators to fix the title of the thread, it should read "one-way" not "round trip" (wishful thinking!)

Thanks for the flight deal info! Do you know if there are any good deals to cozumel? Or where does one look to find good deals on flights to scuba destinations?

 

[Streydog]

i use Matrix ITA to search flights. It will not pull up SW though
It is hard to beat Cozumel for overall value but flights are a little higher it seems this Summer. Sun Country was the best deal I could find into CZM this July.

 

[scubadada]

Maybe you would want to try SE FL, Pompano, Boynton Beach, West Palm, Jupiter

 

[elmo]

I recently got home from a trip to Mexico and Cuba. Diving in the Bay of Pigs was awesome, and it's a lot closer for you than me. I shore dived off Punta Perdiz (between Playa Larga and Playa Giron, which are the two towns where you'd likely stay). It's a coral reef, dropping off to a wall from about 15m (50ft) down to deeper than you can see. Lot's of colour, fish, lobsters, big green moray, turtles, etc. Also saw a small wreck that no doubt had some serious history, and I believe there are more around. I just suggest you bring your own gear, as what was provided was ok at best.

 

[KathyV]

....Do you know if there are any good deals to cozumel? Or where does one look to find good deals on flights to scuba destinations?

Post a query in the Cozumel forum and someone will be able to advise you. I haven't been to Coz recently. I understand that some folks do what is called "the bag drag" they find cheap flights to popular tourist areas like Cancun and Playa Del Carmen and then take the ferry to Cozumel.

Scuba travel agencies like Caradonna often list "specials", see the link below.
Diving

The site at the link below shows current availability for upcoming liveaboard cruises:
Live search for dive liveaboard spaces

 

[MNScubaSteve]

I have another question: How does one get to Little Cayman? Do you fly into grand cayman then take a boat?