Suggestions - Where to go?

[seussy]

Hello everyone. This is my first posting! Very informational message board.rofile:

I am looking for suggestions on where to go diving for two separate dive trips in August 2007 and January 2008.

We have been to Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, California (Monterey/Catalina/LA), Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, and Zihuatanejo (MX), and prefer to go somewhere new. We love to see lots of marine life, more fishies/turtles/rays the better. We love warm water and shore diving. I personally get pretty sick on long boat rides, so no multi-day boat trips. I prefer dives under 80 feet, I do not really dig super deep dives.

We also prefer to not have to be on a plane 20 hours to go somewhere, so really distant places (Maldives, Red Sea) are not really what we are looking for. We would be traveling from northern California. We also are looking for a destination that is warm and nice weather, e.g. I don't want to Cayman during the peak rain season . $$ is not a huge deal, but I do not want to pay $5000 a person . We like romantic settings, hotel/resorts on the beach, and to really experience the local life. We also like locations where we can do a day trip. We are a young couple in our late 20s so we like to take advantange of multiple activities when we go places (scuba, snorkel, bodysurf, visit markets, etc).

I have been considering for our January 08 trip, that we split Belize - Ambergris Caye and Honduras - Roatan. But that’s just a thought. We like to try to visit two locations or more at once (e.g. like the ABC islands). I am really trying to find the place for our August 07 trip, as that is peak summer time and it can be really hot in many parts of the world.

Any feedback on where to go or even where to stay is really appreciated.

Thanks everyone!

seussy

 

[OHGoDive]

Hi Suessy,

Welcome. As to spots, if you like adventure and want to get off the beaten path a little (or a lot), try Panama. It fits your criteria, it's easy to get to, and you can dive in the Caribbean and the Pacific on the same day. Spend as much or as little as you want. Great food. Fun place. Just a thought.

 

[DeputyDan]

The Big Island in Hawaii - Kona.

Two morning dives and an Manta Ray night dive.

The seven pics I have posted are by my daughter on/under Kona.

 

[seussy]

Wow I would never of thought of Panama. I will do some research. Also thanks DeputyD for the Kona suggestion, great pics too. The nice thing about Hawaii is that there are tons of direct flights from San Fran, and its a 4-5 hr flight. I have heard great things of the Manta Ray night dive. Thanks again for the quick responses.

 

[Doc]

Shore diving & shallow diving?

For that: Bonaire- just about anyplace, or Roatan's CoCoView.

 

[seussy]

Shore diving & shallow diving?

For that: Bonaire- just about anyplace, or Roatan's CoCoView.

Been to Bonaire, was great. I will check out Cocoview.

BTW i didnt know 80 ft was considered shallow

 

[diversteve]

Maui. There's shorediving there, some really great dives on the Molokini backwall, the Cathedrals off Lanai etc. Might even see some Mantas, will likely see some turtles. Dive the St. Anthony wreck, it's almost guaranteed, they sleep there. The only downside is that the crossings back can sometimes be rough if the trades pick up. We even had several people ill while moored at the Cathedrals once. On a 46' Newton dive boat.(Lahaina Divers)

It's different diving - all hard corals over a volcanic base. But there's thousands of fish at most sites. I've seen schools of hundreds of Moorish Idols, Tangs, Triggers etc off Lanai. My buddy dove with Mantas just off Maui at dusk. And just about every other activity you'd want to do there - Fishing, Jetskis, Biking down Haleakala, Helicopter rides, Parasailing, Hiking, ATV's, shopping in Lahaina, Art Galleries, etc. Every time we go there I find something new to do.

We love to see lots of marine life, more fishies/turtles/rays the better.

Another January option is Grand Cayman. It meets all your requirements and then some. Dive/feed the Stingrays at Stingray City. Dive anywhere around Turtle Reef and you'll likely see Turtles. The most fish I've ever seen diving was at the Aquarium site off the westside - in 42' of water. And the water is as clear or clearer than Bonaire. But it's pricey.

 

[robint]

Sept is great time to visit Hawaii - I suggest Maui and Kona both, maybe 5 days at each? Water is warm and tons of fish and turtles. I have pictures and videos: http://www.rnrscuba.net/Kona2006.html
Jan would be Caribbean, Cocoview in Roatan is great for shore diving and boat diving. Or think about doing Belize on the Nekton - Lush reefs and tons of fish. I haven't done the Belize itenerary but did the Cay Sal trip on the Nekton Pilot last June and absolutely loved it.


robint

 

[micks]

January is a good time to visit Ambergris Caye in Belize. Manatees are aplenty, so are the stingrays and nurse sharks. There are no shoredives available though. The Blue Hole is a MUST! Don't listen to others that try to convince you to go to the Turneffe instead of the Blue Hole. The Turneffes are rated at around 6-7 whereas the Blue Hole is a 10!!! For a romantic setting, stay at the Victoria House.

 

[jpcpat]

For me, when the thrill is gone, I head to Key Largo. It's very casual and familiar to me. No Shore diving, but the dive sites are all close to shore, so no long boat rides.

My favorite place to stay is the Hungry Pellican. Best rates on the Island and a great place to stay.