Dive Vacation Recommendation

[SF Diver MT]

Hello,

I am planning a dive trip for this May (2010). I am looking to take a vacation from 5-12 days. Does anyone have a recommendation on a dive trip that would not be too expensive. I am interested in diving in Mexico, Belize, or elsewhere.

Does anyone know of a dive trip package that you would recommend? I appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks,
Matt

 

[DeputyDan]

Expensive means different things to different people.

What is your budget and what kind of diving do you want to do?

 

[SF Diver MT]

I am looking to spend a total of $1,000, less of possible. I will have my advanced open water cert. I am looking to do some tropical reef diving if possible. I would like to dive Belize but every trip I have seen is too expensive. Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[DandyDon]

Cozumel can be a cheap dive location, as well as a wonderful one. Depending on when you go, flights start at little over $300 total - cheapest in midweek usually, and the regulars on the Coz forum here love to tell others how to do Cozumel.

Click to enlarge: . ​

Being a single traveler can get pricey with hotels, but there are budget options, and using Orbitz vacations with 200entertain discount code can take $200 off of the package as long as your spend at least a week there, making a private room cheaper than a shared room at some hotels.

Be sure to uncheck the Cozumel Roundtrip Airport Shuttle Service option as you can get the same van to the hotel and same taxi to the airport for half that if you pay there.

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For example, Villa Blanca is a popular hotel with single travelers, close enough to town to walk it if your young and energetic, and you can get air, hotel, breakfasts and taxes for $653...

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I think it was cheaper a month ago but these things change rapidly. Open Vacations on several tabs and try different dates.

That takes a big bite out of $1,000 I know, but it's really a pretty good deal. Scuba Mau is a more popular operator at the same dock as some others there and you can get 2 tanks dives a day for less than $60 trip plus tips - and you do want to tip well as the DMs work hard to please. Free shore diving on the house reef. Even with cheap eating, taking home food for the room fridge, etc, you'll go over your goal, but not much.

I presume you have at least the middle level DAN insurance. If your medical insurance would not cover you there or illnesses, I'd suggest trip insurance too, cheap at your age with other benefits. Here is the one I use.

 

[ScubaduoAdventures]

We hope the $1,000 does not include your airfare.
In general for diving that include accommodation,food,and diving at course at a clean, safe and decently run operation $100 a day for the Caribbean is quite reasonable.
For this kind of pricing we would suggest either Roatan or Utila Honduras and you can search either Utila Dive center or Fantasea Island Resort on Roatan.

 

[DandyDon]

I thot of the Bay Islands having just returned form Roatan, but even tho Utila is cheaper place to stay & dive, the air to LCE alone is more than the air & hotel package I mentioned for Cozumel, then there is the ferry, etc. Flying directly into Roatan might be cheaper than air to LCE plus ferry costs, but again more than above.

I don't know about flying to Baja and diving there. Never done it, but it may well be cheaper in combined costs from San Francisco.

 

[robint]

Cozumel is the cheapest destination in Caribbean.
some DIVE travel agencies to look at:
Caradonna Dive Travel and Vacations
Bay Adventures Dive Vacations :: 888.599.3483
Island Dreams Travel scuba diving vacations

these Dive specialists can book the airfare for you also, if you want, or you can buy a package and book your own airfare.

or look directly at the dive ops/resorts there on Cozumel as they have packages (not including airfare, of course). You can book your airfare on Expedia or Travelocity, etc.
in Cozumel you can go as cheap as you can imagine, and also as expensive.... it all depends what you want.


robin

 

[Doc]

I am looking to spend a total of $1,000, less of possible. I will have my advanced open water cert. I am looking to do some tropical reef diving if possible. I would like to dive Belize but every trip I have seen is too expensive. Any suggestions? Thanks.

And, so... that included airfare?

 

[DandyDon]

I read the word total as total and did my best.... :silly:

If he shops dates and finds hotel and air for less, then applies the 200enterain Orbitz discount, he might get find Villa Blanca for less, or here is this hotel, air, continental breakfast, and taxes for $732 - $200 = $532 but the shore diving won't be there and he may have to walk too far to an operator...?

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Both places have room fridges and a grocery run can save a lot on eating out.

Air & hotel: $532

Van & airport cab: $15

5 dive trips: $300
DM tips: $50​

$897 Before food; with six dive trips $957 so don't eat...

 

[georoc01]

We did Belize last year and earlier this year, staying at the Tides on Ambrigis Caye. It was $700 for the week + air. Since most flights go into Belize City, you need to buy a transfer flight over to AC.

I agree with Don that you can do Cozumel even cheaper, depending on where you are flying from.

I am doing Roatan in May, staying at at B&B in the west end for $400 including free wifi. Dives are $30 each at Coconut Tree. Not sure if they have a package as I am doing a class with them that includes the diving. Again you need to add in the air from wherever you are coming from too.