THEE place to snorkel/dive in the caribbean?

[eastcoastzigzag]

im starting to plan a trip for the spring of 07. i am a noob to diving and i will be certified this fall. i need to know the very best place to go for i will be diving/snorkeling all day and relaxing at night ( im sure ill find a bar too ) i have never been there so ANY opinions are very welcome. also this will be set up as independant study so ill be there diving for a grade thanks, dave

 

[sasscuba]

My #1 choice is always Bonaire for great snorkeling and diving.

 

[Damselfish]

There are a number of places in the Carribean that come up frequently as good places to dive. But there is no very best place, because people like different things, have different budgets, etc. Can't tell much from your question as to what you would like.

If you start in the very best place, it's all downhill from there. When you're new, you'll appreaciate anyplace that's pretty decent.

 

[RICHinNC]

Ditto on 98. The great thing about Bonaire...and there are many....is that you can set your own schedule with shore dives and most of the dives are within 25 to 45 feet. The worse thing about Bonaire is GETTING THERE>

 

[eastcoastzigzag]

ahh very true. my budget will be a college kid one, not a lot. I'm into salt water aquariums pretty big, i really want to see this stuff in person.

so where is this Bonaire place and why is it hard to get to? I'll start looking into it more myself too. i guess snorkeling would be my prioroty but i will be certified to dive. id prob like to do one or two dives and snorkel the rest. thanks for helpin the noob guys.

 

[Calvinandhobbs]

I'm a newb too, so I don't haven't dove too many places. But you might want to look at Bermuda. Relatively short plane ride from NY, lots of shallow coral and wrecks, and the island is tourist friendly.