Need Family Dive Trip Tips

[Sanctuary]

We are determining where to travel in the Caribbean, including diver dad and age 15 daughter diver, plus mom and age 2 daughter non-divers who need a pool and toddler activities. We want to steer clear of cruise ship terminal towns. My kid has only dove Kona and Monterey Bay, CA, both nice but the Caribbean will set the hook. If we figure it right, mom will want to go again and again, too. From April 10 to 24, 2011 is our travel window. Thank you subaboard community members for your input!

 

[gypsyjim]

Everyone is different, but I would consider Bonaire. Especially the 15 yr old, if you want to "set the hook" for scuba. The mom and 2 yr old is a bit harder, but at 2 everything will be new.

Because of the non diving two, I would consider staying at the Plaza on Bonaire. Nice pool area, great beach. Very pretty surroundings, marina, etc. You could also expose the 2 yr old to simple snorkel on the Plaza's easy beach are, which has lots of reef life to see. That was about the age of my son, when I first took him in the water with his first mask, and both he and his older sister are now more fish than land creatures now.

Take the kids around the island, watch the windsurfing on Lac Bay, visit the donkeys.

And while the land people are occupied you and your daughter can have some awesome shore diving, exploring and diving at your own pace, as you can very few other places in the world.

This is where I took my two at 10 and 14, when they first certified, and it was here that the hook was set forever.

 

[Sanctuary]

Thanks, though I'm not sure I can take my 2 year old that far on a plane. I think the closest excellent diving for us is Cozumel. We are told it is very safe and kid friendly, but I don't want to be in a cruise ship crowded area.

 

[cardzard]

Thanks, though I'm not sure I can take my 2 year old that far on a plane. I think the closest excellent diving for us is Cozumel. We are told it is very safe and kid friendly, but I don't want to be in a cruise ship crowded area.

You could join Scubaboards invasion to Cozumel. This is a family friendly event and kids under 12 stay and eat free. We also have other teenagers attending and the hotel has a kids club plus tons of activites. The packages details can be found here.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/in...61018-scubaboard-invades-cozumel-package.html

 

[gypsyjim]

I though about that Dennis, but his April time frame precluded either the SB Coz trip or the DNY Bonaire trip, so I mentioned neither.

 

[EevelMonkee]

St. Croix has nice diving for the beginner or advanced diver. Hotels with pools are certainly available and snorkeling, jet ski, sailing, beach lounging, and hiking are all either colocated or within minutes of diving. You can stay on the waterfront in Christiansted and dive with S.C.U.B.A. (www.stcroixscuba.com) Ed, the owner, would help you arrange hotel and activities if you contact him ahead of time. My wife and I just got back from St. Croix and we had a great time.