help recommmend resort

[j.doe]

Hey Guys

Hopefully someone can recommend a resort for us. My wife and I (advanced) and our friends newly certified OW divers are looking for someplace to go this winter to beat the frozen water problems up here

We are looking for an all inclusive ( especially food) that ideally has unlimited shore diving as part of the package. Hopefully there are some nice spots out there for a reasonable rate.

We were looking at bonaire but can't really find an all inclusive there that would fit the bill.

All inclusive meals are a biggy along with great diving.

Anyone been anywhere nice that fits this bill?

 

[BigHarryDiver]

Depends (like most things in life) on what your budget is. We did a week at Fantasy Island on Roatan last year. Great boat dives, unlimited shore dives from the resort. Food and rooms are "ok", if you want a nice budget minded trip, its great. If you have big $$ to spend, take a look at Cobalt Coast on Grand Cayman. I did a week there a few years ago.. Super boat dives with the on-site shop "Dive Tech", unlimited shore dives, super food and for a couple dollars per meal you could upgrade from what ever main dish was on the menu to something better. You may also want to consider Riviera May area of Mexico. Lots of all inclusive places there and the diving is great too.

 

[diver 85]

Be careful of (US) cold fronts making it to the Caribbean @ wintertime....I'd look into CoCo View on Roatan, it's on the south side of the island which is better for 'wintertime' diving there......look 'em up, AI & 24/7 shore available too(plus your regular day boat dives)......

 

[diversteve]

I don't think you'll find an AI on Bonaire that's all-inclusive. Most bundle the room, diving and truck rental in a Drive/Dive package. I think Buddy's also includes a breakfast buffet. Divi Flamingo sells a meal plan. But from there you could walk to any # of restaurants in Kralendijk that might be cheaper.

The only AI's I can think of are on Roatan or Utila. Cocoview, Fantasy Island, Anthony's Key and Barefoot Cay. All have a shore dive off their property but it's not island-wide shorediving like on Bonaire. AKR might have the wintertime issues diver85 mentioned. I've read some of the resorts in the West End move their boats around to the south at times.

On Utila there's Laguna Beach, Deep Blue and Utopia Village. All are AI due to being isolated from town by a lagoon. All have shore diving just off the resort also. At Laguna Beach or Deep Blue you'd have access to several consecutive dive sites. We stayed at Deep Blue, it was nice, food was good, boat diving was great and it was quiet. They're seeing Whale Sharks every month for about the last 18-20 months now also. Snorkel only if you happen to see one - the optimum season is going to be Feb-May.

Sunset House on Grand Cayman might be another option. But I think they only include breakfast.

 

[Dyno Bill]

What are your desires as to type of diving etc. Do you want warm/ no wet suit type of diving or is a wetsuit still on the table? I have enjoyed the Hawaiian Islands in the winter and I have dove all year round in So Cal, water here is in the mid 50's in winter. Not sure as to the storms in the Caribbean. As stated earlier it's a matter of cubic money
Bill

 

[j.doe]

Thanks for the input.

I have a new BC to try out, and we want some easy diving for our newly certified friends. These sound like great places to start.

I have done the iberostar in both playa and cozumel. They were both great resorts for the money but the diving in cozumel was far better than the diving off the mainland.

I welcome any more suggestions anyone might have.

 

[scuba777]

My wife and I Honeymooned @ Don Foster's in 1991 and are hoping to
go back for our 20th year anniversary next year.
I've looked at Sunset House but not sure its 'deluxe/pampering' enough.
Sandals Grand Bahamian was great a few years back but too restrictive/couldn't roam the island safely/too many honeymooners/etc. (felt like the oldest there!)
and we REALLY want to go back to Cayman. What are some other all-inclusive options on the islands that include all food/diving that have luxury rooms?
I've also looked at a resort in Honduras but seems like there's no 'nightlife', just isolated diving...
Also wanted to mention we'd love it to include shore diving....

Thanks!

 

[KeithG]

Can you provide more info on why the Bonaire resorts did not fit the bill? Can you explain why you want all inclusive?

Many (most, all) resorts on Bonaire can become all inclusive when you buy a meal plan. We have stayed and eaten at a number and claim they are all fairly equally just barely ok.

That said, we now stay at the divi flamigo and DO NOT go all meal plan. Bonaire has way too many VERY great restaurants, why lock yourself into a single kitchen? We get divi breakfast, lunch in room & dinner off premises (5-10 minute walk from divi).

Have you considered a live aboard? They are all inclusive. And sometimes price competitive.

 

[Doc Harry]

Scuba Club Cozumel

The shore diving ain't that great but it's free

 

[WOODMAN]

Reef House Resort on Roatan, by all means. For the money, you can't beat it. Please see my rather long winded trip report on this place from a few months ago for more info. At about $800 per person per week (double occupancy, of course), you won't find a nicer all inclusive deal, IMHO. I do think Cozumel has more fish life, but shore diving there is really problematic, as others have noted. I have done it from the beach behind the Barracuda hotel, but it was not really worth it. Roatan looks like more of what you want, and you gotta love that ride from the airport to the Reef House Resort. Good luck- Woody