Need help for 1st dive trip.

[PaScubaGirl70]

:dazzler1: Hi everyone,
I just got OW cert. and am planning my 1st dive trip!!!! Excited!! I need some help deciding where the best place would be for a beginner. I want short boat trips, little or no current, and easy, relatively shallow dives. I have been thinking about Curacao, Bonaire, or the Cayman's. Anyone have any input on these areas. We will probably be going in Feb 2006 -- if I can wait that long!!! Appreciate the help! :dazzler1:

 

[dlndavid]

I have never been, but have heard from many, that Bonaire is an awsome place to dive. I think it's rated one of the world best shore diving locations. But any of the ones you mentioned would be great warm water diving.

btw: Your user profile isn't completely filled out, it helps if you fill in your general location, so people can offer advice based upon where you would be coming from.
David

 

[VinceDS]

I have to say that Grand Cayman is one of my favorite places to dive. Especially the west side of the island - Eagle's Nest and Hammerhead Hole. The best diving I have done is in Cozumel - the best period. You may want to consider Cozumel as well - it's that good...

 

[El Orans]

Hello &
welcome (Scub)aBoard! :balloon
Just look at the second line of my signature!

Laurens

 

[DandyDon]

We generally handle Introductions in this forum, as we did yours a week ago. I'll see if I can bug a Moderator about moving it to a more appropriate forum.

BTW, I don't know where you are - Pennsylvania maybe? - but Key Largo would be my suggestion for any :newbie: east of the Rockies.

 

[Mantasscareme]

Nobody ever remembers the Pacific! Kona, Hawaii is a great place for newbies, I got certified there myself. Granted, there are no colorful sponges and gorgonians like in Grand Cayman (never been anywhere in the Caribbean myself). Okay, even if the reefs in Hawaii are a bit bland (which make no mistake, they definately are), but Kona has one thing you're definately NEVER gonna see in the Caribbean, MANTA RAYS! Kona has hands down the world's best night dive. The local dive ops put really powerful dive lights on one of the sites. At night, this draws plankton, which in turn draws manta rays, sometimes 20 rays with 15ft. wingspans at once. There are absolutely no currents in Kona and surge is very mild. Personally, I recommend Jack's Diving Locker http://www.jacksdivinglocker.com/welcome.htm if you consider Kona. Now, the reason I'm raving about this one destination is because it's the only place I've ever been. I honestly can't compare it well to Grand Cayman or Bonaire because I have no experience with either of these places. Anyway, if you're a West Coaster, I've just given you another destination to think about.
Happy Diving
-Mantasscareme

 

[PaScubaGirl70]

Thanks to all for your help! I have been doing much studying, and price checking on several of the areas mentioned. Now, I am going to get ready to dive locally this weekend. It will be in a resevoir. Viz ifs usually 2 - 10 ft -- yuck!! But, it gets me diving!!! We usually see some bass, and salamanders. I can't wait for my 1st experience in crystal clear waters!!
Thanks again!!

 

[Orlando Eric]

I also vote for the Florida Keys! You can plan the trip very easily. There is no exhange rate. You do not need a passport. Almost 1/2 the people speak english. The diving is nice (SCALE= yuck,okay,good, nice, WoW, Fantastic, AWESOME) and the profiles very easy for newbie divers. I spend lots of time at this side of fifty feet when I am there.

 

[cerich]

first trip vote for cayman, dont do a large operation. Of fthe Wall or Red Baron is best.

 

[hammerhead man]

Well I took my first dive trip to Cozumel Mexico with my kids (all adults and certified new divers) and had a great time. We just got back from Bonaire and the diving there is very easy. Most were very shallow and if you get a package of boat dives the rides will be very short. The cost is more than Cozumel but shore dives are easy. Email me at wjames3@cox.net if you want any other information.