Please offer some suggestions for an all-inclusive resort with good diving under 1500

[gr8fuldiver]

Trying to find an affordable all-inclusive resort for a week in late June or early July. I've been to SCUBA club on Cozumel, UNEXSO on Freeport, Buddy Dive in Bonaire, Compass Point in the Caymans and I was happy with all of these places. This years trip we have decided that we want a nice topside resort with multiple restaurants, bars, pools, and a white sand beach. I'm kinda looking for the type of place that once you are at the resort you don't have to leave. Would be nice to wake up and get my two dives in before lunch and spend the rest of the day evening in the pool, on the beach, or at the bar.

My criteria:

-A week long stay including diving to be less than $1,500/pp.
-Diving on site at resort
-Affordable flights to/from destination
-Nice topside amenities

I was leaning towards trying the DR this year but am getting mixed reviews about the diving. Anyone have any other suggestions? Seems Cozumel has many options that fit the bill although I would like to try a new island.

 

[Mark Derail]

Dang, sounds like Cozumel should be right at top of your list. Why not go with the "Scuba Board Invade Cozumel" ?

It would cost you 1,5k including air fare, lodging, food and dives.

I checked into DR, 120$ USD per day per person. Six night, 7 days. You have to pay for 7 days, the day you arrive & leave, you basically paid 240$ twice to eat & do nearly nothing.

I went last year to Gran Bahia Principe - Alkumal (near Tulum, Mexico) and it cost me over 2k per person including air fare, diving not included. Expensive for what it was. Wasn't impressed for the big bucks it cost.

Next week, I'll be in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, making my own food in a condo for the same 4k$ total. With a car included. First week of March - when prices are "high".

If I were you, I'd look into simply driving to Key West - Key Largo, and forgo the stress of flying altogether. Depends on "when" you want to travel. It's probably very cold in the Miami region right now, compared to Cozumel.

 

[DandyDon]

Sounds like a south end Cozumel resort to me.

 

[shawrg]

Since you want a new island, except for the white beach requirement, Roatan might be a good choice as a new caribbean dive destination for you.

 

[RJP]

Would be nice to wake up and get my two dives in before lunch and spend the rest of the day evening in the pool, on the beach, or at the bar.

Two dives a day? Meh! Why bother going!

:d

 

[danvolker]

Trying to find an affordable all-inclusive resort for a week in late June or early July. I've been to SCUBA club on Cozumel, UNEXSO on Freeport, Buddy Dive in Bonaire, Compass Point in the Caymans and I was happy with all of these places. This years trip we have decided that we want a nice topside resort with multiple restaurants, bars, pools, and a white sand beach. I'm kinda looking for the type of place that once you are at the resort you don't have to leave. Would be nice to wake up and get my two dives in before lunch and spend the rest of the day evening in the pool, on the beach, or at the bar.

My criteria:

-A week long stay including diving to be less than $1,500/pp.
-Diving on site at resort
-Affordable flights to/from destination
-Nice topside amenities

I was leaning towards trying the DR this year but am getting mixed reviews about the diving. Anyone have any other suggestions? Seems Cozumel has many options that fit the bill although I would like to try a new island.

Ok, for Palm Beach Florida, staying at the Hilton Oceanfront on singer Island, your per person cost ( for 2 of you) would be about $871, for 2 boat dives per day X 7 and for 7 hotel nights..tanks and air would be extra, but a deal can be had for air--way less than $100..Nitrox can be had for $7 to $10 per day, depending on the package and how far out you are booked. Add taxes, and you are way under your goal.

Diving on site.... As for free and right by the hotel, you have the world Famous Blue Heron Bridge Marine Park about 800 yards away, and a free shuttle to get you there...plus a 5 star PADI Dive Shop on the Island also, about 700 yards away( Pura Vida). There is a nice artificial reef just about 200 yards down the beach to the south of the Hilton ( a mitigation reef), but it is a good swim out for people who are not strong in the water. The Dive boats are at marinas located about a mile away --- and the ride out to most reefs is less than 10 to 20 minutes...longer rides are for specialty dives either in Jupiter or South to Pauls Reef, but the faster boats can reach these in about 30 minutes. Boats provide you with free bevarages and weights. There is a DM, and most diving is with small groups, always drift diving--you follow someone towing a float. When you surface, the boat is following you, and they come to you ad pick you up.

You fly in to West Palm Beach International Airport, about 15 minutes from Singer Island and the hotel. Try Farecompare.com and you will see that the West Palm airfare can be very cheap compared to many destinations you might be considering.

You don't need a rental car, as the Hilton has a free shuttle at the hotel for getting you to the divbeboats, or the BHB park, or anywhere on the Island.

There is a very nice restaurant in the Hilton, with a special Diver menu ( and prices divers like). You can have an excellent buffet breakfast with custom omelettes made in a few minutes for you, and can have a box lunch given to you as you leave breakfast, to take with you on the dive boat.

There are excellent night-time options...the nearby Entertainment District of Clematis Street or City Place is about 15 minutes away, with restaurants, cafes, boutiques, shops, everything.


To check this out, try :

• South Florida Dive Journal > Find a Hotel watch the video under the Hilton, then click on the Hilton link to see more specifics. The summer time frame you have is the best times for good rates at the hilton.
• A Galapagos for Nudibranchs and the Teams studying it. Article on the BHB which just came out ( cool if you like Macro) also Blue Heron Bridge Marine Park
• If you dont care for macro, no destination has more huge fish than Palm Beach...see Goliaths of ZION.. 6min - YouTube and I have dozens more of you would like to see more

 

[cardzard]

Trying to find an affordable all-inclusive resort for a week in late June or early July. I've been to SCUBA club on Cozumel, UNEXSO on Freeport, Buddy Dive in Bonaire, Compass Point in the Caymans and I was happy with all of these places. This years trip we have decided that we want a nice topside resort with multiple restaurants, bars, pools, and a white sand beach. I'm kinda looking for the type of place that once you are at the resort you don't have to leave. Would be nice to wake up and get my two dives in before lunch and spend the rest of the day evening in the pool, on the beach, or at the bar.

My criteria:

-A week long stay including diving to be less than $1,500/pp.
-Diving on site at resort
-Affordable flights to/from destination
-Nice topside amenities

I was leaning towards trying the DR this year but am getting mixed reviews about the diving. Anyone have any other suggestions? Seems Cozumel has many options that fit the bill although I would like to try a new island.

ScubaBoad is celebrating it's 12th birthday in Cozumel June 30 - July 7. It has everything you asked for plus SB members from all over the USA and Canada coming.

2012 ScubaBoard Invasion
​

IT'S A DONE DEAL​

:sblogo: is invading Cozumel ​

We are pleased to announce an all inclusive deal with Bay Adventures :: Dive Adventures and Island Vacations :: 888.599.3483 making it 1 stop shopping.

We will be hosted by Hotel Cozumel & Resort and Diving with Dive Paradise, Cozumel MX

Here's your chance to meet NetDoc :doctor: (Chairman of the board)
and share a great week of diving and fun with all your SB friends

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ScubaBoard Invades Cozumel 2012 Package Details

June 30th – July 7th, 2012 Saturday to Saturday

Diving Package includes Tanks & Weights,
5 - 2 Tank Morning and 4 - 1 Tank Afternoon Boat Dives
Unlimited Shore Diving (Tanks returned by 10pm )
Free gear locker per room (on dock)

7 Nights Hotel, All Meals, Unlimited Bar & Diving package
$1025 Single Ocp. , $850 Double Ocp. , $815 Triple Ocp.

Non Diver Rate, Doubl Ocp. Hotel, All Meals & Unlimited Bar
$500 per person

Children Rate, up to 2 Children under 12, Stay and Eat Free
With 2 Paid Adults per room

Free Wireless Internet acess thru-out the Hotel

Private Cocktail Party

Private Group Dinner

Invasion Crew Group Picture

All Taxes included (except Daily Marine Park Fee )

Hotel Transfers will NOT be included

$100.00 Deposit per Room (Non Refundable)
This will Guarantee your Hotel/Diving Package.
We have 75 rooms on hold, get yours before they are gone.

Final Payment due May 15 2012 (Non Refundable)

Room deposit may be transferred to another person until the final payment deadline on
May 15. After final payment the hotel/dive package is nonrefundable but can be credited towards future travel if cancelation is prior to 30 days before arrival)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not In the package but available

2nd Week available at 1st Week Rate

Extra Day Hotel, All Meals, Unlimited Bar and Taxes
$92 Single Ocp. , $67 Double Ocp. , $62 Triple Ocp.

Extra Day Diving 2 Tanks Morning Boat $65

Night Dive Cost $30 per person

Nitrox Cost $10 per tank

Whale Shark tour – 40 spaces available $175/person
( Friday July 6th )
(More details will be posted in the Invasion thread )

Cenote “Double Underground” trip – 20 spaces available $155/person
( Friday July 6th )
(More details will be posted in the Invasion thread )


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To join the Invasion just call Bay Adventures at 1-888-599-3483
and ask for Al or Felix :work:

9am to 5pm Eastern, Monday thur Friday

Be sure to give them your ScubaBoard Name

Bay Adventures can also assist with Travel Insurance and Airfare
​

 

[FPDocMatt]

ScubaBoad is celebrating it's 12th birthday in Cozumel June 30 - July 7.

You know what, I think I'll go. Now just have to get the boss's approval. And see if she can get off that time period as well.

 

[diversteve]

You might look at Lions Dive on Curacao to see if it meets all your requirements. Curacao Hotel - Lions Dive & Beach Resort for an unique Caribbean experience? It can be done as an AI if you buy a meal plan.

I think it's about $200/nt. in the summer. Plus diving thru Ocean Encounters 50 yds. away. And meals.
Also the DiveBus is nearby if you want to do some escorted shore diving.

There's also several other restaurants in the SeaQuarium area next door if you get tired of theirs. And it's 5mins. from downtown Willemstad.

There's also Breezes nearby which is a full AI.

Similar diving as Bonaire just most entries are off beaches instead of ironshore. I think the west end (LD is east) is some of the best diving on either island. It would be worth renting a car for a day or two and drive out. Dive Playa Kalki in Westpunt, lunch then a dive at Porto Marie or Playa Lagun on the drive back would be a good day. All have on-site dive operators.

 

[Dirty-Dog]

Cozumel really ought to be on your list. I just pulled the trigger on a 10 day trip, May 27th - June6th. Just under $1150pp. Flight from Denver. 10 nights at Hotel Cozumel. AI, Oceanview room (that added about $150 to the price, but it makes Sue happy).
We'll be diving with Aldora Divers. Small, fast boats, HP120 tanks... what's not to like?

A one week trip would, of course, cost less.