Need advise on Dive Destination

[pm3009]

Hi

I've been diving for three of four years, with about 90 dives under my belt and an advanced certification. My girlfriend just got certified this year, and we took one trip together and she did 8 dives and I'm thrilled that she is now hooked on the sport and anxious to go on our next trip.

I'm trying to plan our next trip which will be at the end of February or April.

I like to dive every day, she'd probably prefer every other day.
So, I don't want to go to a destination where there isn't anything to do but dive (like Roatan and Bonaire). I know she wouldn't be happy with that. At a minimum, the island has to have some nice beaches.

So far, I've been to Cozumel twice, Roatan (CoCoView), Bonaire (Captain Don's Habitat), Grand Cayman and Aruba. I took my girlfriend to Cozumel, since I knew the diving was fantastic, and there was plenty of other things to do.

What suggestions would you have for our next dive trip with diving that would compare to where I've been to so far?
Somewhere that isn't half way around the world since we only have a week. Turks and Caicos is one destination that I'm considering. Don't have any idea which Island has the best diving at Turks.

Also....I MUCH prefer to dive with very small dive operators. In Cozumel and in Grand Cayman, I never dove with more than 4 divers on the boat and sometimes it was only myself and my dive buddy, and want to keep FAR away from the cattle boats, so if you have an Island that you're recommending, I'd love a recommendation on a good small dive operator too.

Do not care if there is shore diving or not. Some beaches a must.....I missed a nice beach on Roatan and Bonaire.
I've thought about a liveaboard, but again, a DIVE ONLY trip would not make my girlfriend happy, and I don't want to push her to a point where she doesn't enjoy diving. I myself will dive every day.

Thanks so much! You guys haven't steered me wrong yet!!
Bye
Pam

 

[WarmWaterDiver]

I suggest Dominica in general and dive operator East Carib Dive in particular. Nice beaches, many of which are black sand, more golden ones on the windward side but be VERY careful of rip currents etc. on the windward side - ask around before going in the water on those beaches. Don't stay in either town - get accomodations on the coast between the 2 towns on the leeward side or up in the mountains / rain forest a bit. Great if neither of you are 'shopaholics' and want to relax & enjoy nature both above & below water, away from crowds. East Carib Dive is a very professional family run shop that never was crowded - sometimes we were the only 2 divers - and the reasearch organization ITME on the island uses them also, so sometimes your dive buddies include a PHD marine biologist and his graduate students - great for discussing what you saw underwater with. There is shore diving from their beach to a nice house reef - this was the first spot we saw flying gurnards in our travels. I'm sure Harald and Bea at East Carib can help you find accomodations to your liking - unfortunately the lovely resort we stayed in (Anse-a-Liane) has gone out of business since our trip there in November 2002. PM me if you'd like me to send some pictures from our trip.

http://eastcaribdive.free.fr/en/ecd/

Have a safe, great trip wherever you decide to go!

 

[kmp5]

I can't really speak from a lot of experience, but I would highly recommend Hawaii and Maui in particular. Not only is the diving spectacular, but Maui has some of the best beaches in the world, the topside activities vary from surfing lessons to hiking through rain forest to biking down a volcano. It's also very romantic. I think it's paradise!

 

[OE2X]

I spent a week at Turks and Caicos. Even though I was on a cattle boat, the dive sites were very nice. Big walls with lots of coral, excellent vis. etc... I'm sure you can find smaller operations on Provo. The only one that comes to mind is Dive Provo.
Provo is the largest of the islands and the one you fly into. I will say the beaches on Provo have some the finest sand that I've seen.

 

[Tim Ingersoll]

There are four islands that you can stay on and dive in the Turks and Caicos. Provo is the largest and most developed. If you want anything to do topside then Provo is the pick. The other three are Grand Turk, South Caicos and Salt Cay. They definitely provide the out island experience. . .great diving but not much else. If you choose to go to Provo then check out Caicos Adventures. Fifi runs the best op on the island IMHO.