Haiti

[SeeTheWorld]

I know w/the bad situation there it's not a good idea to go there, and I'm not going to either. But I was wondering has anybody been there? What was it like? Nice beaches? Diving? Snorkeling? Prices/People friendliness? How did you get there. I know you can still fly there. It was really cool last spring we went to the Bahamas from Los Angeles. We stopped in Ft. Lauderdale on the way, and when we were getting ready to go down the steps into the small commuter plane that goes to the Bahamas, the gate next to us was for American Airlines, I looked at the Destination and it read: Port-Au-Prince, Haiti.

I was amazed people were actually going. It was pretty empty at the gate, I only saw about 10 people go in I think. So has anybody been there? How'd you get there? Experiences? Just curious. Thanks

 

[Chaseh]

I can only imagine what type of dive operator would be running there after so many years of horror in that poor nation.

Even if you could get there with all your own gear, I would be surprised if the coastal waters have been well supported or protected.

 

[sharkman72fla]

Just came across your article after recently joining. I have been there twice and am going back this October. I am planning to do a couple days of diving there this trip. For more see www.bigfishmissions.com.

 

[nipi]

I was there for 10 days in April. We flew American from Miami & the flight was full. We had reservations for an internal flight to Les Cayes on Caribintur but this was cancelled due to the elections so we had to hire a car & driver - US$200.00 for 4 hours on terrible roads. We stayed for 3 nights at Port Morgan - http://www.port-morgan.com/US/manifeste.html - on Ile a Vache - they will arrange a boat from Les Cayes. Thery have nice bungalows, full board & a dive shop. Unfortunately, when we were there they didn't have a divemaster or instructor so we just went out on our own with a boatman so it was a bit hit and miss as to whether we found a decent spot or not. You can also shore dive off the front of the resort out towards the little rock. You can also walk over to another resort at Abaka Bay - http://www.abakabay.com/ - who told us they plan to have diving soon. We flew back to Port au Prince & got adriver to Kaliko Beach - http://www.kalikobeachclub.com/ - where we dived with Jose who's been in Haiti for years. Though there are no markers he knows all the sites & will take you to Gonave Isl., Arcadins Reef & Tina D wreck. You can contact him here - http://www.kalikobeachclub.com/phistory.php - or email - nicolemarcelinroy@yahoo.com - you need to book ahead as he does a variety of other things of which diving is at the moment pretty far down the list. Leaving there we got a car to Cap Haitien - awful roads - 7 hours & visited the famous Citadelle. Stayed at the Auberge du Picolet. There is diving at Cormier Plage nearby but this wasn't operational then. This was a greta trip & the diving was good at Kaliko & we were unlucky at Ile a Vache but that was beautiful & I would return if they had a guide.