New here - Need a reasonably priced trip in March

[THellURider]

Well before I get started I suppose I should let you know where I stand with SCUBA. My father got me SCUBA classes for my 22nd birthday last May as well as the whole family at Blue Dolphin Scuba (www.bluedolphinscuba.com) We then went to Grand Cayman for our cert dives and dove for about 5 days. (I know I know, a hell of an introduction). needless to say I got hooked. I've always been a bit of a ski bum because the beaches bored me. Well, no more! So after that trip I went in immediatly and signed up for my advanced certification. I got that in Lake travis in July. That sucked. I see no reason to ever dive in a lake again. Anyways as you might have surmised I don't have a ton of dive time yet but am working on it. Being a college student its hard to get away for any diving but I'm trying to plan something now; which is why I'm here.

My brother, one of my best friends and I want to do a dive trip over Spring Break (March 12-20). Being as we're college students we'd like to keep it as reasonable as possible but we want a good expereince and realize that to some extent anyways you get what you pay for. $1500 is a stretch closer to $1000 would be better.

If you could guide me in the right direction that would be awesome.
We're not real picky about the destination as long as it doesn't involve getting shot at (especially when I can't shoot back).
Also I'd rather avoid the college Spring Break crowd.(read: my gf wants me to, I was in Cancun last year... )

Also if they offer cert dives that would be awesome as I would love to do my rescue diver course work here in dallas before hand.

Wow. That was long. Anyways, any insight would be very helpful.


Thanks.

 

[Dive-aholic]

Welcome to the Board, Marcus! Your best bet is to check the lds' in the DFW area. There are quite a few in the area. Check out the PADI Pros section at www.padi.com. Follow the links to the listings pages. Texas has about a dozen printed pages of shops. You can set up your own trip through an agency or airline (continental has dive packages), but if you're looking to complete some certs, it's best to set it up ahead of time with someone you're familiar with. Unfortunately, for the price range you're looking for and the time of year, most lds' will be running trips to spring break areas like Cancun. Just tell your gf that you'll be spending most of your time there u/w.

 

[tedwhiteva]

Check out Blackbeards out of Miami - $895 for 7 days, albeit it 22 people on 65' sailboat

 

[Tim Ingersoll]

You live in Dallas. Check out air/hotel packages out of DFW airport to Cozumel. Travelocity runs some great specials. You can stay within your budget and experience better diving than Grand Cayman IMHO.

 

[ScubaTexas]

As Tim suggests, Cozumel is an excellent choice from DFW. Easy 2 1/2 hour flight. Much more subdued spring break crowd that time of the year. Most importantly, the diving is out of this world. My experience has been that you'll find the best prices from DFW to COZ via www.adventuretoursusa.com or www.funjetvacations.com I would guess that you'll find something in your price range.

 

[detroit diver]

I was just typing when I saw the post above about Funjet. Fantastic prices which include air and hotel. Some are all inclusive. Lot's to choose from.

Have fun whereever you go.