My wife and I took about half of a PADI course, including two open water dives in the Seychelles. Now, we want to get certified and are planning to do it sort of last minute over the next few weeks. Our plan is to do the class and pool work over the long weekend in New York, and then go away for about five days the following weekend to do our open water dives and for additional dives. What do folks recommend for a good combination of colorful, beginner diving, good operators, and decent topside activity? And because we don't have that much time, we're pretty much limiting our search to places in the Carribean, although if there are strong opinions about Belize or something, please let us know. Thanks!
Good Carribean location for beginners
- Thread starter jmax
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diverlady
Contributor
How about the Bahamas? I was there in May at Dive Abaco and there were beginners in our group. Shallow dives, lots to see (sharks included).
Diverlady
Diverlady
JRO
Contributor
Well I don't know if you've already made your trip. If you haven't, I posted a similar question in the "travel location""carribean" section and got some great responses.
http://www.scubaboard.com/t39909/s.html
Jeff
http://www.scubaboard.com/t39909/s.html
Jeff
Easy shore dives, warm water, great viz...a beginner's dream!
JRO
Contributor
That's one that's on the top of my short list from the suggestions I received.
Jeff
We did our Open Water cert in Cancun at Solo Buceo and I had a great time. It was 3 hours from Denver very little current, pretty reefs and a great DM named Marcus. It was after Spring Break so there were not a lot of people there.
They had two dive boats. The first was rather small and could fit 8 people but we only had 4 and had to do a backward roll. The second was larger and could fit 12 but we only had 6 and there we did a giant stride.
I higly recommend this area and Solo Buceo
They had two dive boats. The first was rather small and could fit 8 people but we only had 4 and had to do a backward roll. The second was larger and could fit 12 but we only had 6 and there we did a giant stride.
I higly recommend this area and Solo Buceo
rakjar
Guest
I did a discovery dive in St. Maarten and loved it so much, I came back and took a class for my certification.
Warm water is very good, but don't discount cold water dives.
Warm water is very good, but don't discount cold water dives.
treehugger
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Bahamas is easy diving as well as the ABC's. The Florida keys are nice easy diving also. Whatever you do DO NOT RENT GEAR in mexico. Their ideas about maintenance are different from other places.
Rent gear for a week from a local shop if you do not have your own. Enjoy.
Rent gear for a week from a local shop if you do not have your own. Enjoy.
caymaniac
Contributor
I would suggest Bonaire. The easiest shore diving in the Carribean, warm water, always calm water, decent viz.
Not really any pelegics, but it has great macro life.
If you'd like to boat dive there's plenty of that, if you like to wall dive then there's Klien Bonaire.
You'd be Happy
Caymaniac
Not really any pelegics, but it has great macro life.
If you'd like to boat dive there's plenty of that, if you like to wall dive then there's Klien Bonaire.You'd be Happy
Caymaniac
NJDiveGirl
Guest
I'd say either the Bahamas or Bonaire - The Keys have some fairly easy diving as well... Personally, I'd go to Bonaire - beach or boat you cant go wrong!
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