I'm brand new here, and I have a cool opportunity....

[pete amrhein]

I'm brand new here, and I have a cool opportunity....
I just found out I have time off work in two weeks from Dec 23 to Jan 1, my kids are with their mom, I'm certified, I'm single, have 20 dives under my belt, and brand new equipment...and I have a passport anywhere in the world...
where would you go if you were me?
pete

 

[ScubaSteve]

Any place over Xmas and New Year's is going to be very expensive. Do you have any sort of budget for the 1 week?

 

[Jax]

I'm brand new here, and I have a cool opportunity....
I just found out I have time off work in two weeks from Dec 23 to Jan 1, my kids are with their mom, I'm certified, I'm single, have 20 dives under my belt, and brand new equipment...and I have a passport anywhere in the world...
where would you go if you were me?
pete

What ScubaSteve said.

If you can afford it, Cozumel.

 

[TSandM]

I really don't like Coz that much for novice divers, because all of the first dives are deep, and the current can be quite strong.

If you are truly looking anywhere in the world, I'm going to recommend the place where I did my first "big" dive trip, which is Byron Bay, Australia. It's a WONDERFUL place for a trip. The dive sites are clustered around what was once a cinder cone in the center of a volcanic crater, and none of them is deep. There aren't strong currents, although we did have some surge. The sites are beautiful, covered with crinoids and multi-colored ascidians, and the fish life is amazingly profuse and varied.

If you're willing to take on cold water, go dive the Channel Islands off Los Angeles. Kelp forests full of Garibaldis, sea lions, and nudibranchs galore!

 

[shortdivemedic]

I would say go some where close and dive dive,and more diving. Sometimes we spend to much time traveling and not enough in the water. Look close and dive often.

Cheers
Michael

 

[loko2dive]

I'm in the same boat as you my friend, off on 12/23 and back to work on 01/03, want to some good diving during those days. I'm going to try to be Blue Heron Bridge in Riviera Beach during every high tide during those days, also going to Jupiter (dive free on my B-day the 27th with JDC), West Palm Beach and Key Largo. Hit me up if you come this way.

 

[pete amrhein]

Just may call you if I decide to hit Fla

 

[ScubaSteve]

If you can find a buddy to go with, Bonaire is some very nice and simple diving. I followed someone's posts about diving the Sea of Cortez a month or so ago and it sounds like they had a great time although I do not know how challenging the diving is. Catalina Island is a place I would love to go and you could even head to the mainland for New Year's if you wanted. Just a couple options but my choice would be what I know.....Bonaire.

 

[loko2dive]

I'm saving the big buck$ for when I go to Brazil in February.

 

[WB2GLP]

Airfare is your biggest obstacle. Most destinations outside the country during that timeframe are over 1K from DTW.