altaskier
Contributor
The North Carolina coast has some excellent diving with its offshore wrecks (see here and here for example); getting some more experience back under your belt will be great prior to doing them, however.
I think the suggestion of doing some refresher/recertification training in North Carolina is great, both so that you have done any bookwork and pool work before your valuable vacation days arrive, and so that you get a chance to learn about your local diving scene.
Anywhere in the Caribbean is warm enough in February! As others have said, you'll be diving in a wet suit so you'll be fine. You might want to go to the Caribbean section of ScubaBoard to get more detailed suggestions on particular islands.
In any case, make sure you do at least your first several dives with a guide. Oftentimes in a new area you don't know what the local camouflaged critters are, and a dive guide will point out things you wouldn't otherwise have noticed. Plus a dive guide can give you more pointers on your diving skills.
Beyond that, I'm partial to Virgin Gorda...
I think the suggestion of doing some refresher/recertification training in North Carolina is great, both so that you have done any bookwork and pool work before your valuable vacation days arrive, and so that you get a chance to learn about your local diving scene.
Anywhere in the Caribbean is warm enough in February! As others have said, you'll be diving in a wet suit so you'll be fine. You might want to go to the Caribbean section of ScubaBoard to get more detailed suggestions on particular islands.
In any case, make sure you do at least your first several dives with a guide. Oftentimes in a new area you don't know what the local camouflaged critters are, and a dive guide will point out things you wouldn't otherwise have noticed. Plus a dive guide can give you more pointers on your diving skills.
Beyond that, I'm partial to Virgin Gorda...
