Fall vacation suggestions for new divers

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CW2008

Contributor
Messages
71
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Location
South Alabama/Panama City
# of dives
50 - 99
I am a new diver, and my wife will be certified this summer. I would appreciate any suggestions for good dive vacation ideas for September that will have relatively safe dives, i.e. not much current, good quality dive companies...
How does Bermuda compare to other places in the Gulf or Caribbean?
Thanks in advance.
 
Welcome to ScubaBoard. Bonaire is the obvious choice for new divers. No current, no surface chop--nice, easy, shallow dives from shore or boat on healthy reefs. Not a lot of big animals, but dolphins are a pretty common sight, and there are always tarpon on night dives. I think the coral spawns in the fall, too, but Bonaire is a year-round destination.
 
Take into consideration that time of the year is Hurricane season.

If that is a concern - You would do better to look at Curacao or Bonaire for that time period.

Bermuda has diving but is not known as a dive destination. You need to decide what you are looking for - a vacation with some diving - or a dive vacation!!! They are not the same thing.
 
I would vote for Bonaire. It is about as far south as you can go in the caribbean so there is little chance for a hurricane to disrupt things at the time of the year. The cost is reasonable, the diving is excellent with good vis and hardly any current, and you have your choice of boat diving or shore diving. With a shore diving package, you can dive as much or as little as you want and the price is always the same.

Lots of places to stay and you should be able to find some great deal that time of the year. Go to the travel section here and find the ABC Islands to see many excellent reviews about Bonaire.

BDSC
 
Another vote for Bonaire.

Bermuda can be chilly in the fall, and as noted above not really known for diving.

Majority of the Caribbean is at hurricane risk that time of the year.

Where will you be traveling from? Will flight schedule/length be a concern?

How long are you looking to go for?
 
We wil probably fly out of Atlanta or New Orleans. There are not any real restrictions on travel time. Also, this is more of a vacation with diving than a dive vacation.
 
Also, this is more of a vacation with diving than a dive vacation.

Well, that could change things considerably. What else do you like to do? To me, there's really no other reason to go to Bonaire other than to dive. Yeah there are a few things to do BETWEEN dives, but not much to do INSTEAD of diving.

Curacao might be a better choice as the diving is similar to Bonaire, but there are more beaches (heck, Bonaire doesn't really HAVE beaches in the "white sand" sense.)

Took my family to Curacao last year, staying at the Marriott and had a great time. Plenty to do (or not to do as the case may be) on site, including a great dive op offering shore and boat diving right on site.
 
I would also say the Mariott in Curacao would be a good choice for a first timer. I have not stayed there but have stayed at the Hilton right next door. My only complaint was food prices.
No other complaints!
 
We wil probably fly out of Atlanta or New Orleans. There are not any real restrictions on travel time. Also, this is more of a vacation with diving than a dive vacation.


what other types of things do you want to do... since you say it is not just diving trip? Shopping and laying on beach? Or adventure tours?

Since you are both brand new divers, I would suggest Hawaii - nice mix of easy diving and also topside stuff. Sept is great there as kiddos are back in school so prices are cheaper but water is still around 80. Check out Maui or Kona.:D

If you still want to do the Caribbean area, if you don't mind taking the risk of a hurricane, then it is a good time for cheaper prices. It all depends what you want to do when NOT diving though as to where I would recommend.

robin:D
 
I would suggest Roatan------less storms than other Caribbean places---& Bermuda is way north, check out the quality of diving there overall compared to the more southern spots....
 

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