Overpriced tourist trap dive locations

[k374]

Since there are so many "best dive location" threads I thought I would start a thread to share what you would consider some of the most overpriced locations to dive...meaning you thought the price paid (for getting there, tourist trap prices for everything like food, accommodation etc.) was not worth it for the dive experience.

my list so far:

Cabo San Lucas - seriously overpriced topside, although diving is good in the Sea of Cortez it doesn't warrant the expense incurred since the whole topside is a huge tourist trap, would do La Paz instead.

Maui, Hawaii - expensive, diving is only so-so imo, Molokini is good but the other dive sites were not that impressive for the seriously high cost of diving.

Freeport, Bahamas - topside is expensive as hell even in off-season and one wonders what really warrants this kind of expense, I think in the dictionary Bahamas is listed as the quintessential definition of the term "tourist trap". I did find the diving good though.

 

[drbill]

Being a dive bum, I research my trips well ahead of deciding where to go and where to stay. I can't really justify the high priced destinations unless the diving is fantastic there. I tend to look for locations with very reasonable accommodations and am quite content with a decent hostel if I'm traveling solo (as I usually do).

When I dove Cabo it was as a working marine biologist with an eco-cruise line so it didn't cost me a cent. Never been to Hawaii or the Bahamas.

Will be interested in the locations others post here so I know what to avoid.

 

[Doc]

"Great" diving ≠ topside diversions

Topside diversions = development

Development = cruise ship docks and neon signage on grass shack bars

Depends on what you imagine "great diving" is, depends upon what you want to do during your surface interval. Increase your blood alcohol content or decrease your Nitrogen load?

If you want to avoid tourist traps and overpriced facilities, the list is getting shorter every day. As Dr. Bill infers, the careful selection is pretty simple.

Don't forget to factor in the higher airfare to some really dreadful places.

Somehow, even on Roatan, you can easily make some bad choices pretty easily. Marketing is the universal lure.

I think you have a good list so far, but you could tick down 8 out of 10 Caribbean islands and fill it up pretty fast.

I think in the dictionary Bahamas is listed as the quintessential definition of the term "tourist trap". I did find the diving good though.

The "Bahamas" is many islands, certainly beyond the classic nightmare of Freeport/Lucaya and Nassau that you are referencing. The Bahamas stretch a long way out, and you could give me a trip to the "out islands" any time. San Salvador is one of my favorite dive destinations worldwide, and there are many more rocky dots in the Bahamian chain.

I have returned to San Salvador Bahamas several times... but to Nassau, Freeport and Hawaii ? Only once. Cabo? Never bothered.

Dr.Bill gives good advice to all, do some research!

 

[tajkd]

I've got to disagree about Cabot. I found a hotel at the edge of town for $36/night and I signed up ahead for a dive package at an average of $40/2 tank dive. The package included several dives up the coast as well as the two expeditions they offer. I prepaid with cash for an even better 10 percent discount. The car rental was my biggest expense. See my trip report for more details but please keep it off this list.

 

[Louie]

I think tajkd touched on something important. Even if a place is known as a "tourist trap", there may be options that fall outside the popular choices.

I was warned about Fiji by a lot of people (because of the cruise ship traffic) prior to my trip but by doing a bit of research and not choosing the accommodation in popular town centres and beaches, I paid a lot less than what I may have had I taken the first thing offered. It's the principle of "nothing attracts a crowd like a crowd". Popular doesn't always mean best value-for-money.

The motto for locals and ex-pats who know their way around popular tourist destinations is "don't go shopping when the cruise ships are in town.

Also, if the operations know that you are a serious traveller and diver interested in good prices and service (as opposed to a passing pampered tourist), they may give you better deals. Many smaller shops/resorts in developing countries set prices at their discretion. Sound informed, be nice and who knows, you may get a discount.

 

[vladimir]

Also, if the operations know that you are a serious traveller and diver interested in good prices and service (as opposed to a passing pampered tourist), they may give you better deals. Many smaller shops/resorts in developing countries set prices at their discretion. Sound informed, be nice and who knows, you may get a discount.

There are still plenty of places in Southeast Asia that have a tiered price structure. In 2003 Undercurrent reported that Mike Ball had a surcharge for American and Japanese tourists, which, if I recall correctly, was eliminated after the ensuing fuss. I often save money if my Singaporean fiancee makes the arrangements. Singaporeans, by the way, are wealthier than Americans, on average, but they apparently haven't gotten a spendthrift reputation.

 

[jbird71]

There are still plenty of places in Southeast Asia that have a tiered price structure.

My experience in Thailand was this way, and found the diving to be relatively expensive. When I asked about how flexible a dive shop was on their prices, I was told that PADI set the prices and they were standard in the country.

 

[DiveMaven]

Wow, although I'd agree that Hawaii is expensive, we dive Maui every year and absolutely love it! We find tons of creatures, and every year seem to experience something new (this year will be our 7th trip diving Maui). I know not everyone likes diving in Hawaii since there aren't any soft corals, sea fans, big sponges, etc., like other parts of the world, but there's so much to see and do (topside activities included) that I definitely wouldn't have it on my "overpriced tourist trap" list. Just MHO.

 

[OkByMe]

I went to Grand Cayman in April after having NOT been there since the Holiday Inn was torn down. My LDS used to run trips back in the 80's for $750.00 including air ( charter, direct), lodging, all the food you could eat - local beer and cheap whiskey you could drink - and diving for 5 days. I could drink at home, but I had to eat to dive and the food was great.

This time I went on my own.. Bad move! I used air miles to get there, timeshare trade for lodging, rented a car with $5.00 gas. I took my wife who is a wave watcher and singled out to 3 operators. Man... was that a surprise. $140.00 2 tank trips. Food was ski high. Our least expensive restaurant meals ( average - run of the mill seafood ) was $114.00 Cayman - that is 114 x 125% or $142.50 US at the Lighthouse. We are talk Ruth Cris prices here. Free air, free lodging and still $1700.00 (US) just slipped through my fingers.

I took a shot at a couple of places I used to dive off 7 mile beach, but I had to drive 30 miles to do it. Back then, I dove the West end and the North (West) wall. The sand, coral and fish were pristine. Now it is in pretty bad shape with dead coral and few fish. Too many cruise ships and sewage I guessed.

I was staying at Morretts on the East end next to the Reefs - the only 2 lodging establishments on that end and 30 miles from the city. We had the entire place to ourselves and you would think that the almost non-existent dive traffic would leave the heads and wall in better shape, but no, Their problem is not about divers, there is damage caused by blight, hurricane and dumping. I saw not one large school of fish in 9 dives from 50 to 120 feet.

To make a long story short... don't let nostalgia prevent you from research and planning. And stay away from the Caymans!

 

[DennisS]

One of the best resources I've found travelling around the world is the Lonely Planet guide books. They list food and lodging from backpacker to luxury. Pick your country, they have the info. They also have a website. It's a great resource.