First Time Young Adults with Mom...

[tizzylish27]

I'd like to take my 23, 24, & 27 year old 'children' on a trip that includes scuba. I've been diving about 3 years/70+ dives & they are taking their local pool work in Oregon & Colorado. The 'plan' is that we'll meet up someplace for them to finish their open dives & then have a week+ afterwards. This is a partially a family retreat for us as their father recently passed.

I was thinking of Bonaire, because that's most familiar to me, the shore diving makes for a more leisurely schedule, but it doesn't have much 'night life' for the kids. I was looking at Turneffe, but that seemed a little more for couples.

I don't want them to be overwhelmed with 'over-diving' (my first diving experiences were with a group that was trying to hit the high numbers of 4-6 daily dives, and by the 4th day I was exhausted).

Does anyone have any suggestions? I'd like to keep it to the Caribbean or maybe Hawaii since two of them are on the West Coast.

Thanks in advance!

Diane

 

[Jim Lapenta]

My personal take on this is if you are looking for a family get together/retreat as stated go to Bonaire. Given the circumstances why worry about night life? Make it about family time and diving. As new divers by the time you all get done with 3 or 4 dives a day I don't think clubbing and partying is going to be as high on the list as sleep, relaxing together, and most likely remembering what are hopefully good times. And there is no need to overwhelm them with diving. Bonaire has the refuge, kayak tours through the mangos, the salt huts. Lots to see and do. Divi Flamingo does have a small casino. Maybe I'm getting old but clubs and bars can be found anywhere. Quality family time in a low key relaxed manner is, sadly, in much shorter supply these days.

 

[herman]

I tend to agree with Jim but if night life is required, how about the Keys? Plenty of easy but good diving and lots of night life.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

True dat. Key West is a blast. And no passports needed!

 

[diversteve]

You might look at Curacao also. Curacao is Bonaire diving with nightlfife (bars, dance clubs, casinos, beach parties) and other things to do. It's also easier entries than Bonaire - typically off a sandy beach instead of ironshore. The few that are more difficult have dive docks. Might be easier for new divers.

It's basically exactly the same diving - Curacao is 50 miles from Bonaire. Low current, about 50+ shore dive sites - one difference is you drive more between them on Curacao - there's a road that bisects the island and from it it's typically a 5-10min. drive in to the site. Easy for you to get there, and 9hrs. from Denver (a friend lives there). Probably longer from Oregon unless there's an early flight to MIA.

Curacao Travel- Caribbean, Curacao, Dutch Caribbean
Scuba Shore Diving Site Listing for: Curacao, ABC Islands

The other choice for good shore diving plus nightlife is Maui. Or Oahu but the diving is spread out all over the island. On Maui it's more centered on the west coast.

Not much shore diving in Key West...

 

[rick00001967]

i would tend to think if the "kids" are going to be newly certified then it might be best to go somewhere that has guided diving instead of shore diving on your own. i' m not knocking your abilities as a diver yourself, but if it was me taking my son (who is 19 now) on a dive vacation and he was a new diver, the last thing i would do is take him shore diving without a guide. i think the task of looking after the three of them on a new diving experience would be enough of a job for a skilled pro never mind their mom. please don't take offense. just my honest opinion about the safety aspect of it all.
sorry for your loss. i hope wherever you all go, you enjoy your time together.

rick

 

[Kryssa]

Check out Kona, Hawaii. When we go there, we dive with Big Island Divers and they are great. You can do at least 2-3 tanks every morning and they also run manta night dives (which I consider a must-do while in Kona.)

There are a couple of bars with live music and dancing, but nothing crazy like you'd find someone like Cancun. It's a nice place to enjoy with family. Be sure to visit Da Poke Shack for lunch one day if you go