Shore diving- best places?

[scubascaff]

Hi! I am essentially picking a country out of a hat to go diving in September with my husband.. I reeeaally love renting a car and going shore diving- such a great experience. We did Curacao last year, the coral was beautiful, although I would have loved to have seen more big animals- sharks, rays, etc.

Are there other places that are exceptional for shore diving? How is Barbados? Open to all suggestions!!

TIA!

(PS- advanced divers)

 

[DeputyDan]

Bonaire

Maui

California (7mil or dry suit)

 

[ScubaSteve]

Bonaire

Maui

California (7mil or dry suit)

To add to this (on the cold water side since you've said Bonaire for the warm water) - Vancouver (well Southern BC anyways) is supposed to have some spectacular diving and I have heard of many diving from shore.

 

[tonio]

Malta is certainly a place you should consider. Malta is essentially an archipelago of islands right in the middle of the Mediterranean sea. Excellent vis all year round.

 

[chauncy19]

Bonaire and Curacao are very similar. Rays are possible in both locations as well as Turtles. Sharks haven't seen them. Large grouper and barracuda that's about as big as I've personally seen as well as Rays. Been to Bonaire over 10 times, Curacao once. Surprised you didn't see rays or turtles but its a crap shoot really. improve your odds more you go or just get lucky. sorry these are the only places i am familiar with for shore diving.

 

[chinacat46]

My favorite shore dive is the house reef at Wakatobi.

 

[drrich2]

People often mention shore diving in Grand Cayman. I haven't not done so, and G.C. has a rep. for being expensive.

Richard.

 

[captboob]

So where did you decide? We are going back to Curacao in less than 2 weeks to make it our 4th trip there. We have been to many places but like this one the best...