Expert advice/recommendations

[willough]

Greetings!

Got back from Cancun 1/24 to brrrrrrr! Vermont! I was certified in Sept 04 and FINALLY got to dive in the beautiful ocean off of Cancun. Wow! I'm sure you all remember your first ocean dive. Incredible!

Now, Cancun is tooo commercial for me, Cozumel seemed like a shopping mall and I'm at a loss as to locating destinations in the Caribbean which are great for diving but are more, shall we say, familiar with the indigenous life/people/culture of the actual location. No kids would be great too. Oh, what about off the Keys in Florida too?

So, all you experts - what's your recommendations? I'd like to plan for a mid September timeframe.

Thanks in advance,
Willough :blinking:

 

[Straegen]

I would consider hurricane season into that formula. For diving in sept, I can't see you going wrong with Bonaire.

 

[dkktsunami]

Little Cayman Beach Resort for lack of commercialism (there is absolutely nothing to do other than dive, eat, and drink) and the diving is world class. For local color and interesting topography read about Dominica as a possible dive destination.

 

[robint]

Greetings!

Got back from Cancun 1/24 to brrrrrrr! Vermont! I was certified in Sept 04 and FINALLY got to dive in the beautiful ocean off of Cancun. Wow! I'm sure you all remember your first ocean dive. Incredible!

Now, Cancun is tooo commercial for me, Cozumel seemed like a shopping mall and I'm at a loss as to locating destinations in the Caribbean which are great for diving but are more, shall we say, familiar with the indigenous life/people/culture of the actual location. No kids would be great too. Oh, what about off the Keys in Florida too?

So, all you experts - what's your recommendations? I'd like to plan for a mid September timeframe.

Thanks in advance,
Willough :blinking:

I agree with you about Cancun and Cozumel. Florida Keys won't be much different though. All used to be sleepy little villages and funky hotels - not any more!

Belize, Roatan, and Bonaire are all good options for you.
Belize, Ambergris Caye in particular has lots of topside activities like jungle tours and mayan ruins to visit when not diving. Roatan is very rustic and not commercial like Cozumel has become. Bonaire is a Dutch island dedicated to diving and not much else. Local culture is very Caribbean and European blend, very quiet, too.
check out a few websites:
Caradonna Dive Adventures - Dive Travel and Vacations
and
Bay Adventures :: Dive Adventures and Island Vacations :: 888.599.3483

to get ideas on prices and hotels.
I have a trip report from Roatan a few months ago if you want to check it out.
CoCoView Resort, 2008
and photos from our Bonaire trip: <Ron & Robin's Bonaire Trip> <>Photos

robin

 

[Straegen]

Haven't been there, but I really want to try out Fantasy Island. It is relatively inexpensive and people talk very highly of it. We visited Anthony's Key Resort, but I wasn't all that impressed even though it is really talked up in Sport Diver.

 

[tadeotadeo]

destinations in the Caribbean which are great for diving but are more, shall we say, familiar with the indigenous life/people/culture of the actual location.

This perfily describes Old Providence

 

[cappyjon431]

If you are looking for good diving combined with a great mix of cultures, great topside attractions, and gorgeous scenery check out the Bocas del Toro archipelago in Panama (at the border with Costa Rica). Our reefs are healthy, we have over 90 species of hard and soft corals, a wide variety of tropical fish, and tons of invertebrate life (starfish, lobster, crab, shrimp, etc.). There are indigenous Indian villages on most of the islands, a wide mix of Mestizo, Afro-Caribbean, and Anglo-European cultures, English is widely spoken here, and Panama uses the US dollar as its currency. Food, lodging and dive prices are extremely cheap. Check out BOCAS DEL TORO - Ecotourism in this Panama Caribbean region for more info.

 

[Utila Dive Ventures]

Everyone seems to forget about Utila! If you're interested in Roatan but want something not as touristy then you should look into Utila. Laguna Beach Resort The Laguna Beach Resort, Utila, Exclusive diving is a beautiful secluded all inclusive dive resort.
PM me if you would like more information or have any questions

 

[willough]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all the great and inspiring information! I want to suprise my workaholic BF with a vacation (he never takes one) so he can scuba too....so these are fantastic ideas. I was wondering about the hurricane factor but hell, I'll try anything once!

If he doesn't want to go, I know where to post the "extra" spot!

Thanks again,
Jill

 

[cappyjon431]

Oh, I forgot to mention Panama is out of the hurricane belt. We NEVER get hurricanes in Bocas del Toro.