Dive vacation suggestions: Cheap to moderate and not too far from California

[Mtbr]

Hi.

I have 7 vacation days left. What's an inexpensive dive destination that's not too far from California? I was in Belize last year and I'm thinking about Cozumel; however, I'm open to suggestions.

Thank you.

 

[TSandM]

Where in California are you? Have you done the Channel Islands? Have you dived Monterey? There's incredible diving off the California coast that rivals anything I've seen in the Caribbean.

And if you've done all that, come up to Washington State and do the San Juan Islands, or to BC and dive off Vancouver. Lots of spectacular stuff up here, especially in the fall.

 

[daz88]

Hawaii is always cheap from California. I usually go once or twice a year.

 

[it_mike]

Don't miss the Sea of Cortez / Baja California. Great diving and cheap hotels/rentals.

 

[robint]

Hi.

I have 7 vacation days left. What's an inexpensive dive destination that's not too far from California? I was in Belize last year and I'm thinking about Cozumel; however, I'm open to suggestions.

Thank you.

when are you looking at going, what time of year? That may determine where is best.
What price range, how many divers/non-divers? how many dives do you want to do per day?

cozumel is always cheap, but it depends what you want to do and see. We need more info.

robin

 

[Mtbr]

Where in California are you? Have you done the Channel Islands? Have you dived Monterey? There's incredible diving off the California coast that rivals anything I've seen in the Caribbean.

And if you've done all that, come up to Washington State and do the San Juan Islands, or to BC and dive off Vancouver. Lots of spectacular stuff up here, especially in the fall.

TSandm, I'm in Los Angeles. Yes, I've dove Channel Islands, but I haven't tried Monterey yet.

Hawaii is always cheap from California. I usually go once or twice a year.

Thanks daz88! I'll throw it into the mix since I've never been to Hawaii. Are the islands known for diving?

Don't miss the Sea of Cortez / Baja California. Great diving and cheap hotels/rentals.

Thanks, Mike!. Do you have any dive operators in Baja you could recommend?

when are you looking at going, what time of year? That may determine where is best.
What price range, how many divers/non-divers? how many dives do you want to do per day?

cozumel is always cheap, but it depends what you want to do and see. We need more info.

robin

Good questions, Robin!
I could leave any time in October. I like to get in 2 to 3 dives per day, and I'll be traveling alone.
I'm open to other areas even if I have to splurge a little, but I will limit my max flight time to 6 hours.

Thanks again

 

[robint]

Good questions, Robin!
I could leave any time in October. I like to get in 2 to 3 dives per day, and I'll be traveling alone.
I'm open to other areas even if I have to splurge a little, but I will limit my max flight time to 6 hours.

Thanks again

going solo - Since you are traveling alone, you choices might be more costly than if traveling with a buddy. Hawaii would be good if you had someone to share costs with (it is a more expensive than anywhere in Carib.)

October is the height of hurricane season in Caribbean, so that means there are some good deals but also the chance of getting blown out. There may also be alot of rain. It is probably the only month during the year I would not go to the Caribbean.

Most places in Caribbean only offer packages for 2 dives per day, then you pay extra for any other dives.
This is true of Cozumel in particular where most people on do 2 dives per day. If you don't mind the hurricane risk, look at ScubaClubCozumel Cozumel Scuba Diving at Scuba Club Cozumel Dive Resort and Scuba Cozumel Dive Shop where you can do 2-tk dives in morning on the boat then do shore diving right at resort for free the rest of day. Meals are included there, additional boat dives are offered during week but cost extra. There are other places in Cozumel where a solo diver might get a good deal.

Bonaire is great for unlimited shore diving, but since want 6 hours or less travel time it rules that out. It is a 6 hour overnight flight out of Houston on Friday nights. There are some good deals there on room/diving packages though. It is south of the hurricane belt so you most likely wouldn't have the same weather worries. But last year they did have one pass by pretty close that damaged some of the northern dive sites, so it does happen.

Another option for you is South Florida. Fly into Miami or Ft. Lauderdale and rent a car for week. You have the same hurricane risk, but might be worth it. The Ft. Lauderdale area has tons of wrecks to dive, most shallow (60' depth range) but some deeper. Also, Key Largo has some decent diving including some really great wrecks, like Spiegel Grove and Duane.
dive ops to check out with good websites:
South Florida Diving Headquarters
ScubaFortLauderdale.com - Home of the American Dream II
CONCH REPUBLIC DIVERS " COME SEE WHY WE'RE NOT JUST ANOTHER DIVE SHOP"
Florida Keys Scuba Diving with It’s A Dive; Florida Keys scuba diving reefs from Key Largo's Pennekamp Park to Islamorada’s Alligator Light.



robin