Diving in December

[delphis12]

Fairly new to diving and we're only getting a few days off work (Dec 28-Jan 2) for a dive trip. Trouble is.....too many choices/advertisements/etc. Please if any of you have gone diving this time of year & know of a great/affordable place please let us know your experiences/suggestions. We will have our 3 kids with us (10, 7, 5), so we were thinking of a place that had decent unlimited shore diving for convenience. I should also mention, that we would be looking to finish our check-out dives for Advanced Open Water, so any place that offers PADI is a plus. Thanks for you help!

 

[DivemasterDennis]

It will be tough to get transportation at this late date, but if you can, Grand Cayman has good shore diving, as does Maui, Roatan, and some of the Turks and Caicos. Bonaire is best of all. If you go to Bonaire, Buddy Dive has 3 bedroom units that may suit your family. No doubt there are other places too, but your primary task is to see if you can (a) find a flight) and (b) find lodging. In my opinion there isn't really any US mainland destination that fills your requirements, but some other poster may know. None of those I mention will be "economical" for last minute booking for 5, I'm afraid. If you don't mind colder water and a boat ride, I'm sure some Florida Keys location will work, but shore diving is not part of that destination. I hope you find a spot, and wish y9ou and your happy holidays!
DivemasterDennis

 

[Clinton Hooper]

I'm new to diving, but i am told that Genni Springs in florida is a great place for shore based diving and based on what i've read from their website it's pretty cheap, plus they offer on site camping. I'm actually planning on making a trip down there with a friend to dive over new years so hopefully what i've heard/read is true.

 

[black_sea]

Florida does not have the best diving, but for an American family it might be a convenient choice, family-friendly. I would suggest you start off with Florida in your research.

 

[delphis12]

Thanks for the tips guys! Genni Springs looks perfect for a quick, affordable (family) getaway.

 

[Doc Harry]

It would be cheaper to go Mexico or Central America or the Caribbean than Florida, especially the Keys.

Florida sounds convenient, but when you add up the cost of travel, food and lodging, often a trip to Florida is significantly more expensive than a trip to, say, Playa del Carmen or Cancun.

Plus there is the water temperature to consider - 80 degrees for Cancun in the winter (wet suit) and 70 degrees for the springs in winter (dry suit).

 

[Martina Brandl]

Hey!
I would also recommend you to go to playa del carmen, mexico..great place also for the children.they can snorkel and here is huge offer of diving in playa del carmen or in cenotes or isla cozumel..and your kids can accompany going with you on the boat and snorkel as well..really professional diving school with free pcik-up service,own swimming pool plus restaurant and also accomodation would be diversity diving..its a really great place and the team is international and fun to hang out with..in playa del carmen you have many options o do sme sightseeing or visit mayan ruins or the familiy parks like xcaret..would be great for your kids! Playa del Carmen Scuba Diving | Diversity Diving in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

 

[bwbake]

Plus there is the water temperature to consider - 80 degrees for Cancun in the winter (wet suit) and 70 degrees for the springs in winter (dry suit).[/QUOTE]

It's hard to say that 70 degrees needs a dry suit, thats a bit more of a personal choice, I personally switch from a dive skin to a 3-2 wetsuit at a about 70 degrees.

 

[2905luvsbubbles]

You can comfortably dive 70 degree water in a wetsuit. I don't switch to dry until the mid 60's usually. I would also be sure to head any travel warnings to certain areas in Mexico. Some are not safe to travel to.