Looking for Dive Destination Recommendations

[ALaskowski]

I am looking for recommendations as to good dive package operations that are on the cheap and off the beaten path. Thoughts??

 

[robint]

I am looking for recommendations as to good dive package operations that are on the cheap and off the beaten path. Thoughts??

more information please!

What time of year?
Caribbean or Pacific or ???
Cheap - like what price range?
By package do you mean All-inclusive? or airfare?
What do you want to see?
How many dives per day?
Topside activities?
Are you traveling alone? with another diver? with non-diver?
What kind of "off the beaten path" are you looking for? Rustic bungalows over the water at a resort or a hammock in a tree?


robin

 

[rainmaker]

If you don't mind bugs and heat, you might want to consider Roatan, Honduras. Lodging is inexpensive ($30 - $40 per night), and quality diving starts at $20 - $25 per dive if you furnish your own gear.

And if Roatan is on your list of places to visit, I'd go before they finish the cruise ship pier.

I was there for 2 weeks in June 2007. My trip report (with links for photos and video) is located here:

David "Rainmaker" Mauldin's Scuba Trip Reports .

 

[ALaskowski]

more information please!

What time of year?
Caribbean or Pacific or ???
Cheap - like what price range?
By package do you mean All-inclusive? or airfare?
What do you want to see?
How many dives per day?
Topside activities?
Are you traveling alone? with another diver? with non-diver?
What kind of "off the beaten path" are you looking for? Rustic bungalows over the water at a resort or a hammock in a tree?


robin

Ya, i didn't give much in the way of details, did I?

-Timeframe: End of May to June-ish
-Prefer Caribbean, but open to either. Done pacific for past 2 years
-Looking for dive and lodging type combo. Would want to stay about a week and dive a portion of those days.
-I'm open to see anything, not married to any particular dive type
-2-3 dives per day would be ideal
-Topside: good food and drink! Once again, I'm looking to experience new places, so nothing specific. I'm open to any recommendations!
-Either alone or with non diver who will entertain themselves while I am diving.

 

[ALaskowski]

If you don't mind bugs and heat, you might want to consider Roatan, Honduras. Lodging is inexpensive ($30 - $40 per night), and quality diving starts at $20 - $25 per dive if you furnish your own gear.

And if Roatan is on your list of places to visit, I'd go before they finish the cruise ship pier.

I was there for 2 weeks in June 2007. My trip report (with links for photos and video) is located here:

David "Rainmaker" Mauldin's Scuba Trip Reports .

I was thinking of Roatan, but have heard about the bug issue. Heat doesn't bother me, but the bugs might. Just how bad would you say they are? Do they bother you on the water? Are the local restaurants screened in as a result? Will bug spray keep them at bay? Thanks in advance for the info!

 

[ScubaGiny]

If you're interested in going to Cozumel, try Casa Martillo. It's a condo accomodation and diving package with Dive Paradise. About $600 per person for accomodation and 5 x 2 tank morning dives and 4 x 1 tank afternoon dives. The condo is really nice, about 3 star, clean and you can shop on your way home from diving at the Chedraui grocery store, it's on the way. You're about 6 blocks from the dock that Dive Paradise uses at the Hotel Barracuda, which also has good prices. We just got back 2 weeks ago and did the condo package for our 2nd week there. It's private and quite (when carnival isn't on). Dive Paradise has some great DM's and the large boats are about average for condition and speed (with the exception of Sagitarios, which I think is the slowest boat on the island). The fast boat option is more but the group will only be max 6 ppl so if that's important, upgrade your dives. Good luck in you search for heaven!

 

[rainmaker]

I wasn't really bothered by the bugs too much, but I saw some people who were badly chewed up.

They weren't a problem on the water at all when I was there. In the evenings walking around, I'd use 100% DEET (purchased at Wal-Mart before leaving home) and it worked pretty well.

For me, the bugs were at their worst at night when I was sleeping. We had several small holes in our screens, and they'd enter there, despite our best efforts to plug the holes. In addition, some bugs would enter the room when we'd use the door. I had one particularly bad bite when I was sleeping, and thought I'd been stung by a scorpion. However, it was only a honeybee-size, armor-plated flying insect.

As I recall, most restaurants weren't screened.

The bugs wouldn't keep me from going back, Roatan is a beautiful place, and diving there was quite an adventure.

 

[robint]

Ya, i didn't give much in the way of details, did I?

-Timeframe: End of May to June-ish
-Prefer Caribbean, but open to either. Done pacific for past 2 years
-Looking for dive and lodging type combo. Would want to stay about a week and dive a portion of those days.
-I'm open to see anything, not married to any particular dive type
-2-3 dives per day would be ideal
-Topside: good food and drink! Once again, I'm looking to experience new places, so nothing specific. I'm open to any recommendations!
-Either alone or with non diver who will entertain themselves while I am diving.

hmmm......... still didn't mention what you mean by cheap. Here are a few suggestions:
#1...Belize outer islands (great diving, anything from hammock in a tree to luxury all-inclusive resorts, all boat diving)
#2....Roatan or Utila (more rustic, some bugs but good diving from boat and shore diving)

#3.....Bonaire (not fancy, great diving, shore diving capital of world, need a buddy or group to really get the most out of this place)
#4.....Turks & Caicos (a little pricier and more upscale, great diving with sharks)
#5.....Little Cayman (same as #4)
#6.....Cozumel (probably the cheapest, but diving can range from incredible to fair, all boat dives, has turned into cruiseship mecca so I don't really recommend it much anymore)

I would start looking at some of the Scuba Travel specialists websites and get some ideas on what price range you want. A good place to start:
Caradonna Dive Adventures - Dive Travel and Vacations
or
Caribbean Dive Island Vacations at Bay Adventures
or
Island Dreams Travel scuba diving vacations, cozumel scuba diving, dive travel, dive resorts, diving trips

If you decide to travel alone........ go liveaboard!

robin
2 months until Nekton to Bahamas again!

 

[Alex777]

I'm having trouble seeing Belize, Bonaire, Little Cayman & Cozumel as "off the beaten path." The path to those destinations has been beaten into the ground.

In the Turks & Caicos, you could try Salt Cay. When my wife and I were there, we were the only 2 tourists ON THE ISLAND. The Island was less expensive than some others and the dive op there is professional.

In the Bay Islands of Honduras, check out Guanaja. From descriptions by a diving friend of mine who grew up there, it sounds both off the beaten path and very worthwhile underwater.

 

[robint]

I'm having trouble seeing Belize, Bonaire, Little Cayman & Cozumel as "off the beaten path." The path to those destinations has been beaten into the ground.

In the Turks & Caicos, you could try Salt Cay. When my wife and I were there, we were the only 2 tourists ON THE ISLAND. The Island was less expensive than some others and the dive op there is professional.

In the Bay Islands of Honduras, check out Guanaja. From descriptions by a diving friend of mine who grew up there, it sounds both off the beaten path and very worthwhile underwater.

I agree with you but I really don't know what he is specifically looking for so I thought I'd give him some choices. My first choice for "off the beaten path" with "low price" in mind would be Utila. The only reason I suggested Cozumel is the price thing, lots of people go there just because of price. Belize outer islands though have some nice small resorts, so it would be a good choice also. I know only one person who has gone to Guanaja and he did't enjoy it (most of group got sick and he says the diving was only okay).
Check these out: Utila Official Site - Utila, Bay Islands, Honduras - Tropical Island Paradise and Belize Vacations, Maps, Real Estate, Resorts, News, Hotels, Travels, Flights, Weather, Tours
or Welcome to CoCo View Resort

robin