Suggestions for first diving holiday

[fury84]

Firstly hello to everybody,

Now as the titles suggests I'm after some suggestions for my first diving holiday.

By the time we go we shall be open water qualified and may even look to completing some more courses out there but for now just assume we're qualified for 18m.

I'm open to anything really at this stage with cost being the biggest issue (just back from expensive boarding holiday to Canada).

So please post away your suggestions and why.

Thanks in advance

Andy

 

[robint]

Firstly hello to everybody,

Now as the titles suggests I'm after some suggestions for my first diving holiday.

By the time we go we shall be open water qualified and may even look to completing some more courses out there but for now just assume we're qualified for 18m.

I'm open to anything really at this stage with cost being the biggest issue (just back from expensive boarding holiday to Canada).

So please post away your suggestions and why.

Thanks in advance

Andy

Do you have a price range and time of year?
Most people in UK seem to go diving in Red Sea as it is closer than Caribbean for them.
I have seen lots of Europeans in Riviera Maya (Mexico, fly into Cancun then drive south to Playa del Carmen), and Bonaire (Dutch Antilles). You shoud be able to get flights to either one and both are great diving for beginners to Advanced.
Check out a couple of these websites:
Scuba Diving, Fishing, Dive Packages, and Extreme Sports in Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Riviera Maya, Yucatan, Mexico and Caribbean
Geofish Dive - Scuba Diving, Snorkeling & PADI Instruction in Playa del Carmen & Cozumel, Mexico
Yucatek Divers, Playa del Carmen
Info Bonaire - The Bonaire Information Site - The Most Current and Up-To-Date Information
Bonaire WebCams - The Works - All the WebCams and Weather and UW Temperature on One Page!
Bonaire: The official tourism website of Bonaire

I am sure others here will come up with other destinations.

robin

 

[Oyster Diver]

Scapa Flow? Thats where I really want to go because of the wrecks and their history. Its close to you so that should cut down on cost. However, I don't know about the difficulty of the dives. I guess it all depends on what you are looking for. Have fun!

 

[Doc]

Your "depth limit" and experience level eliminates any number of typical Brit destinations, Scapa Flow for one!

RobinT is spot-on this one. In the UK, you might want to jump on one of the winged buses that fly a regular route to the Red Sea.

Here are some great "last minute deals" for travel out of Heathrow & Gatwick:

Longwood Holidays: Independent specialists in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Israel

 

[fury84]

Lot of good info guys already - thanks.

robint - at the moment prob looking to go June, July or August.

Don't have an exact price range but from what I've seen already at best I'm gonna be paying £500+, right???

When you see prices advertised what do these normally include (appreciate this differs from one company to the next)? I mean if booking a dive holiday would this exclude the dive excursions?

Thanks again

 

[Wisnu]

Andy
If you have 2 weeks or more; you should consider Manado, North Sulawesi for great wall diving in Bunaken and World muck capital diving in Lembeh to spot the most strangest critters. Lembeh is very easy diving and mostly shallow water with no current. Many people say - muck diving is not for everyone; muck diving is for photographer only - I hv to say, not true, even my 9 years old daughter enjoyed muck diving in Lembeh - here is her report melati luv diving

Too far and expensive ?? Yes, half globe from UK but not necessarily high cost. Air Asia has direct flight from London to KL and KL to Manado. With good planning, you don't have to break your bank. Full accomodation incl. meals can be as low as Euro 10 /day and diving for 15 - 20 Euro and large bottle (650 ml) of beer for Euro 2 only.

The downside of Bunaken and Lembeh is - no nightlife except beautiful night diving.

Cheers

 

[driftwood]

Hi Andy,

I have to vote for Bonaire. Bonaire will show you what a Carib reef should look like. Look at KLM to get to Bonaire. If you are going to spend good money, make the dives count. Unless you are going to dive the cenotes or are going on to Cozumel, take Mexico off your list.