Margarita Island - Is it worth the trip???

[Scuba Sweetie]

I thought we were settled on another trip to Coz in January, but DH suddenly has his sights set on Margarita Island (?!)

I promised him I would have an open mind, but I really don't see any benefits of going, except for the fact that we would be going somewhere different. (To DH, this is a big draw)

I just don't see how it can compare to Coz in the quality of diving, accomodations, food, safety, & additional attractions.

Any thoughts? Come on... give me what I need to get me back to Cozumel !!!

 

[Kim]

I learned to dive on Margarita. For learning it wasn't too bad, lot's of Chevron Barracuda. Not a lot of other stuff though. I doubt if the diving comes close to Coz.

 

[drbill]

Probably doesn't close to Coz... but you've been there, done that... right? A Dutch dive friend of mine tried to get me to come down and visit her when she was instructing there. She found it pretty enjoyable.

 

[Kim]

Actually I'd have thought that if you were going to head in that direction one of the ABC islands might be a better bet. I've been to Curacao as well and would take that any time over Margarita.

Just a thought.....

 

[Doc]

Margarita is universaly regarded as a SCUBA rated 2.8 A lot of mainlanders go there for a flop in the water, otherwise it's kinda' bleak. Major party-till-the-dawn scene.

I always enjoyed the diving off of Los Roques, right next door (8.9). All but inaccessable nowadays with the demise of the Hughes Antares III. Many people thought it sucked, but I liked the shallow swirling sandy currents and the wrecks that it exposed and covered... on a daily basis.

Downside #1: You gotta route through what is referred to as Caracas Airport, usually necessitating an overnight.

I like the Bonaire alternative idea as above. Tobago is also an oft overlooked option. (9.7 and 9.5 respectively on my Scale o' Caribbean Diving)

 

[Scuba Sweetie]

Well, Roatan is where we REALLY want to go, but it's just out of our price range right now. Coz has a much better deal for the dates we need to leave.

 

[drbill]

Ah, a major party-til-dawn scene eh. Maybe that's why my Dutch friend Sonja liked it, not the diving!