Just Returned from Another Coz Trip, Looking for New Dive Destinations

[Snoweman]

Of the places I have visited and dived, St Lucia would get my vote. Turks and Caicos second place. I really want to go to Bimini.

 

[scubadada]

With Florida being so accessible, it is a little disappointing not seeing any related “destination” recommendations for Florida. (I’ve yet to dive anywhere in Florida.)

Here you go, I've done 69 dives in three visits since June
Back in the high life again
Back in the high life, part 2
Back in the high life, part 3

 

[Doctor Rig]

Here you go, I've done 69 dives in three visits since June
Back in the high life again
Back in the high life, part 2
Back in the high life, part 3

After a quick read of your trips, I’m envious of the diving you’ve been able to do. Good details on those trips.

Since you’re experienced, maybe you could comment on how diving/dive life and costs are in comparison to elsewhere, like Cozumel, where @Guitarcrazy initiated this thread.

 

[DandyDon]

Are you thinking of Liberia the country in west Africa, or the city in Costa Rica that has an international airport?

In December of last year? I have no idea what I was referencing then, but I guess the African country. I've heard that Costa Rica is an interesting country to visit with good diving, but then I think I heard that.

With Florida being so accessible, it is a little disappointing not seeing any related “destination” recommendations for Florida. (I’ve yet to dive anywhere in Florida.)

This thread was started pre-Covid and much has changed, that state especially. The governor there seems to be going to "herd mentality."

 

[ReefHound]

After a quick read of your trips, I’m envious of the diving you’ve been able to do. Good details on those trips.

Since you’re experienced, maybe you could comment on how diving/dive life and costs are in comparison to elsewhere, like Cozumel, where @Guitarcrazy initiated this thread.

My experience isn't as recent as scubadada's but I'll give you my views from six trips over ten years to Keys and South Florida area (I'll refer to as SF). Florida Keys and South Florida are really completely different though you can do both in one trip.

Boat charters - it's a wash. Perhaps slightly higher in Florida since they often don't include tanks. You can supplement with shore diving in Coz or SF area. No shore diving in the Keys.
Diving - SF is often drift diving while Keys is stationary. Florida ops may or may not put a dm in the water.
Hotels - Higher in Florida, much higher in Keys where you won't find a cheap room under $100 and probably closer to $150. Unless you're open to staying in Homestead and driving 30-40 minutes every day to the Keys. You can find Super8-type budget hotels in SF for $70-80. (near the ocean, even cheaper further inland)
Cars/taxis - you'll need a rental car in Florida unless you drive your own but they are relatively cheap. Still that's a few hundred bucks plus fuel versus $50 or less for a week of taxis in Coz.
Airfare - varies wildly but I find cheap flights into FLL much more often than CZM or even CUN. You're paying about $130 just in taxes and fees for international.
Food - cheaper in Coz for sure. You aren't going to find an El Pique or Los Otates where you can gorge yourself and have a few beers for less than $10. You have more cheap options in SF than Keys.

All in all, I'd say Keys is about 15-25% higher than Coz. SF is really close on price but a very different feel. I like both places but give the nod overall to Coz for the more reliable seas, warmer weather, walkability and compactness, and change of pace.

 

[scubadada]

Hi @Doctor Rig

Hard for me to answer concisely. I have over 1100 dives in Boynton Beach, West Palm, and Jupiter, easily the most dives in Boynton Beach. I spent a decade diving the Keys and the SE Florida coast from Ft Lauderdale to Jupiter before I bought my townhouse just north of Boynton Beach. I have visited Cozumel just once, with my son, and enjoyed the diving immensely. It has always been my impression that Cozumel is one of the least expensive diving destinations. I have intended on getting back to Cozumel, but have not made it yet.

The diving in BB, West Palm, and Jupiter is quite varied, diverse, and complimentary. Most of the diving is drift diving. The operators I use in BB do not put a guide in the water, all solo divers and groups carry a dive flag. The operators I use in West Palm and Jupiter do put a guide in the water with a flag, but you may surface independently on your SMB. Personally, I believe the reefs in BB are the best, with an incredible array of reef fish. There is a better opportunity to see sharks, turtles, and Goliath Grouper on the reefs of Jupiter. West Palm is intermediate. The BB inlet is very narrow, most affected by high seas, Jupiter is intermediate, West Palm is wide open and least affected by big seas. There is Lemon Shark aggregation, mostly Jupiter, in late January-early March, that can be spectacular. Goliath Grouper aggregation in August-Sept, BB to Jupiter, is fantastic. Of course, there is also the Blue Heron Bridge.

I'm not sure what you mean by dive life. Having my own home, I have never been particularly active in dining out or other non-diving activities, other than riding my bike. There are plenty of good restaurants, others can offer you more accurate advice. I wouldn't have a clue about where to stay on a visit. Of course, during the Covid-19 pandemic, my goal has been to limit my interaction with others as much as possible. We all hope that changes someday. I have not travelled internationally this year at all, and don't find it likely that I will. My wife and I had an April trip to Bonaire cancelled, it has not been rescheduled yet. I had a trip to Malpelo in June that has been rescheduled to July, 2021, I hope it goes.

It's not that easy to objectively describe cost. I recently made a post in a thread discussing cost per dive Cost per Dive? This calculation, for a 13 day, 12 night visit, included first class airfare, not the least expensive rental car, and no cost for accommodations. I wish I would have made similar calculations for previous trips.

Take care, good diving,

Craig

 

[Doctor Rig]

Thanks @scubadada & @ReefHound for the info on Florida. After two trips to Cozumel, I find everything there easy and set up for divers. This kind dive oriented area is relaxing and real fun. Are there areas in SF or the Keys where a similar atmosphere exists or is it only found in spotty areas?

I haven’t been to the Keys, but when I think of the Keys, I think of partying and drinking, not diving for the most part.

 

[ReefHound]

Thanks @scubadada & @ReefHound for the info on Florida. After two trips to Cozumel, I find everything there easy and set up for divers. Being is this kind dive oriented area is relaxing and real fun. Are there areas in SF or the Keys where a similar atmosphere exists or is it only found in spotty areas?

I haven’t been to the Keys, but when I think of the Keys, I think of partying and drinking, not diving for the most part.

You're thinking of Key West. The rest of the Keys are quiet and relaxed. Very few bars. Roads are mostly empty after 9pm. San Miguel has 10x more partying and drinking than Key Largo.

Easy, is probably the best single word that describes Cozumel. There are lots of ways to do a Coz trip. You can stay in town and walk everywhere and hang at one of a dozen bars every night. You can stay away from town, taxi or rent a car, and go into town on nights you want action and stay around hotel on nights when you want quiet. You can even hole up at a southern AI and either drink yourself silly or read in a hammoc all afternoon. And all three of those are super easy to do.

 

[scubadada]

Thanks @scubadada & @ReefHound for the info on Florida. After two trips to Cozumel, I find everything there easy and set up for divers. Being is this kind dive oriented area is relaxing and real fun. Are there areas in SF or the Keys where a similar atmosphere exists or is it only found in spotty areas?

I haven’t been to the Keys, but when I think of the Keys, I think of partying and drinking, not diving for the most part.

I agree with @ReefHound, nothing in SE Florida is like Cozumel, especially San Miguel, where it is so concentrated. Cozumel's economy is largely dependent on cruisers and divers. SE FL happens to have some great dive sites located in regular urban areas, where the majority of people live and work permanently, with no connection to diving.

Bonaire is my wife's and my fall back destination, just like Cozumel is for so many people. I have about 200 dives there and would really like to get back. Unlike Cozumel, Bonaire is not currently open to Americans.

 

[ReefHound]

Costa Rica is open to some US states now, several more Oct 15, and all of them Nov 1. Fly into Liberia and you're 20 minutes from Playa Coco. See my post earlier in the thread. You have a compact walkable location, 3 or 4 dive ops to choose from, enough bars and restaurants in one small area to enjoy a bit of nightlife but mostly quiet and relaxed. Reminds me of Coz before the cruise ships. Diving is very good but about ten degrees cooler and 40-50' is considered very good viz. No coral but tons of fish and rock formations. Topside is always hot. Prices on par with Coz, perhaps about 10% higher.