Locations in June

[saulyuk]

Hi hope someone can help. I normally get a last min deal to the Maldives for my holiday - diving needs and tend to go early on in the year when the weather is pretty much guaranteed.

Next year however is my 30th and after getting my Open Water last year would like to rack up a load of dives and become more experienced.

Now the problem is my birthday is in June so the Maldives would be bit of a risk with the weather. With only me diving out of my girlfriend and I it would be nice to be somewhere like the Maldives, beach, house reef for snorkelling and easy quick diving, all inclusive and chilled out.

We have been to Egypt and both of us did not really like it. We will be travelling from the UK but don't mind a long haul flight. We are not on loads of money but we don't mind saving hard to get the perfect holiday. Like I say I only go away once a year, and it is my 30th so it would be nice if it could be a special one.

Thanks in advance for any advice on locations, every where I have fancied has the highest rainfall in June!

Saul

 

[robint]

The Caribbean has a couple of options for you. If you really want an all-inclusive and unlimited shore diving, I would look at Scuba Club Cozumel or Cocoview Resort Roatan Honduras.
Scuba Club Cozumel Dive Resort very Mexican atmosphere
CoCo View Resort Roatan very Caribbean atmosphere
~~both would give you just what you want.

if you could forego the all-inclusive, I would suggest Bonaire. Unlimited shore diving all over the island, many resorts oceanfront with fantastic house reefs. Many resorts also have a kitchen, so you can cook your own meals.
Welcome to the Buddy Dive Resort website

robin

 

[Doc]

The perspective you will get from ScubaBoard's General Travel Forum will likely be from our view here in the USA/Canada.

From your base in the UK, first I have to inquire... what is it in your beginning career in diving that you "didn't like" about Egypt? The dive resort areas (and certainly the liveaboards) are a lot different than anything else that you might encounter as a general land tourist in Egypt. Even if you tried diving from Egypt as a "noob", you were exposed to a different environment and treatment than would be a more seasoned diver or those who venture off for a week on a liveabaord. Take a good look at the offerings of Longwood Holidays. http://www.longwoodholidays.co.uk/redseaholidays/home.aspx

If, as you say, you don't mid a "long haul flight", follow the well worn trail by fellow Brits to the Philippines and other SoPac dive destinations.

The Caribbean, which we all know pretty well, is somewhat limited access to you because of the very few direct flights. I know you can easily access the Caribbean through direct flights to the Bahamas, Tobago and other former British zones, maybe including Belize? I think that you could easily go through Schipol and take KLM to the Netherland Antilles, but.... (read on)

The Caribbean in June? It is before the storm season, and many Brits do find themselves in Tobago and San Salvador, but this is for us North Americans... I would liken this to you skiing at Cairngorm versus Zermatt. We go to these Caribbean islands because it is quick and easy, just like your quick access to the Red Sea... you lucky devils.

For us here in North America, the Maldives might be the distant fruit, much as you limeys view the Galapagos... which is for many of us, an attainable goal.

 

[dvrliz1]

Saulyuk,

Definitely Bonaire. KLM flies direct out of Amsterdam. We do get a lot of tourists from the UK. As far as where to stay, etc, you have a fairly large selection, depending on your budget. I would say the most "luxurious" places on island would be Harbour Village (they have a dive operation onsite as well as a magnificent beach) or Bellafonte (the accommodations are beautiful, they are on the water, but don't have a dive operation on site (it is right down the street) and they don't have a beach, but a great dock.

If you are looking for something similar to "all inclusive" I would look at the Divi Flamingo, they are on the water, have restaurants on site, a small beach area with jetties for lounging. You can get "meal plans" added to your package. The also have the only casino on island on site.

If you want to do it budget, you will want to look at a place similar to ours. We are not on the water, have one bedroom apartments, with a pool. The closest dive site is about a 1-2 minute drive. We do have dive facilities on the property. The apartments also have full kitchens, so if you want to do breakfast and lunch in, you can. You can even make your own dinner.

It all depends on what you want to spend and where you want to be.

Remember, Bonaire is outside the hurricane belt so you will have no worries regarding weather.

Good Luck!

Liz

 

[saulyuk]

Thanks for the great comments and advice. I have been looking into a few places you all mention but it is great to have some resort names I know are good. Bonaire seems very easy for us to get to and not going to cost a great deal with KLM. Only question is about crime? Reading lots on here and other places about crime rates and with my girlfriend being on her own most the day (with me diving) would not feel that comfortable if she was getting pestered all the time. This was out original problem with Egypt, she would get pestered the whole time I was away even know we had a private beach.

I personally would look into Egypt again but not sure my girlfriend would be keen, think it will be Caribbean. Thanks for the info guys, like I say any info on crime in Bonaire would be great too.

 

[robint]

Thanks for the great comments and advice. I have been looking into a few places you all mention but it is great to have some resort names I know are good. Bonaire seems very easy for us to get to and not going to cost a great deal with KLM. Only question is about crime? Reading lots on here and other places about crime rates and with my girlfriend being on her own most the day (with me diving) would not feel that comfortable if she was getting pestered all the time. This was out original problem with Egypt, she would get pestered the whole time I was away even know we had a private beach.

I personally would look into Egypt again but not sure my girlfriend would be keen, think it will be Caribbean. Thanks for the info guys, like I say any info on crime in Bonaire would be great too.

The crime in Bonaire is regards to petty theft from unattended vehicles or hotel rooms. The atmosphere for divers is very safe, no one pesters the tourists as tourism is their ONLY industry. Since it is Dutch, it has a nice mix of cultures and very friendly, you will meet Europeans, Americans, and locals diving and on beaches. Everyone gets along well. The crimimals are taking the easy targets, breaking into vehicles when they see valuables or breaking into hotel rooms off the main beachfront strip which have no security guards. I know lots of people who go to Bonaire at least once a year and the only thing any of them has lost due to theft was sunglasses or towels left in vehicles. The rule in Bonaire is leave the windows rolled down at a dive site (while you are diving) and leave no valuables. When we were there we left windows down, inside a small cooler with water bottles, sunglasses, cheap sandals and towels... nothing was ever stolen.

robin

 

[DeputyDan]

Thanks for the great comments and advice. I have been looking into a few places you all mention but it is great to have some resort names I know are good. Bonaire seems very easy for us to get to and not going to cost a great deal with KLM. Only question is about crime? Reading lots on here and other places about crime rates and with my girlfriend being on her own most the day (with me diving) would not feel that comfortable if she was getting pestered all the time. This was out original problem with Egypt, she would get pestered the whole time I was away even know we had a private beach.

I personally would look into Egypt again but not sure my girlfriend would be keen, think it will be Caribbean. Thanks for the info guys, like I say any info on crime in Bonaire would be great too.

Bonaire is one of the few dive locations my non-diving wife enjoys visiting.
Most likely crime will not be an issue - never say never but the chance is low.

 

[dvrliz1]

It has been relatively quiet, crime wise, since the arrested the "group" that was doing all the break ins in Jan/Feb 2010. I would check with the resort you choose and ask what their security measures are. Also, and as stated above, leave nothing of value in the truck, leave the windows down and doors unlocked at the dive sites and you should be fine. as DeputyDan says, you can never say never, but the chances are low.

Also, you don't have to worry about "pestering". Bonaire is not one of those places where people walk up to you on a beach or a dive site and ask if you want to have your hair braided, or if you want to buy something. That just doesn't happen here.