Thoughts on Honeymoon Destination?

[ScubaTerp]

Hi everyone!

I'm in a bit of a squeeze here. I'm trying to find a good location for my honeymoon next year. At the moment Hamanasi in Hopkins, Belize is my primary choice but I'm starting to get second thoughts. Although everything I've read about the place is fantastic, I'm worried that it might be a bit too remote for us. Also the bugs are a concern.

Basically I'm looking for a place that isn't covered in tourists, is right off the beach, has plenty of things to do, and also has good diving opportunities. The Cozumel Palace was recommended, but my fiance definitely needs to be near a beach she can relax at. Ideally we'd like to go all-inclusive so I don't have to think about what I'm spending, but at the same time I'd like to enjoy good food and nice facilities. A gigantic resort like the Riu doesn't really appeal.

I'd like to keep everything under $5500 if I can. We plan on leaving on the 19th of July, and coming back the 25th. She is going to be a new diver, so I don't necessarily want to pick a location where diving is the only thing we do. I think we'll both be fine if there are days when I run off and dive while she reads on the beach.

We're also considering cruises. Thanks!

 

[robint]

Wow, congrats!
Your budget is easily doable for the Caribbean at multiple destinations, and I am sure you will get plenty of suggestions.
Since you mentioned Hamanasi, I am guessing that you are looking for a more authentic resort rather than a Beaches type luxury.
Here are a couple:

Anthony's Key Resort, Roatan
All Inclusive Roatan Resort & Roatan Diving | Anthony's Key Resort
This would be my first choice for a honeymoon/dive trip. Lots of fun things to do, all-inclusive, diving and rustic charm. Dolphins right there, too.

My second choice would be Little Cayman Resort or Cayman Brac Resort in Caribbean, or maybe Turneffe Island Resort or Ramon's Village in Belize. I have heard nice things about Hamanasi but none of them were about the dive op as most people who go there are non-divers so if they don't have a minimum number of divers, the boats don't go out each day. I would hate to go there and expect to dive each day just to find out it was a no go.

For that budget, you could easily go to Fiji in the Pacific... check out Beqa Lagoon Resort. Beqa Lagoon Resort (Marlin Bay) - homepage

places like Cozumel (cheapest option) or Bonaire (dive dive dive) will probably come up as recommendations here, but for a HONEYMOON I would look for someplace a bit more "special" and romantic. Just my 2 cents.

robin

 

[Thalassamania]

Come to Hawaii.

 

[Kevrumbo]

Jade Mountain St Lucia - Caribbean's Most Romantic Luxury Resort

 

[ScubaTerp]

Come to Hawaii.

Where should I stay? Most of my focus has been in the Atlantic (since I live in MD and it's closer), but I'm open to anything.

 

[robint]

Where should I stay? Most of my focus has been in the Atlantic (since I live in MD and it's closer), but I'm open to anything.

Hawaii is probably the Honeymoon capital of the US. Tons of resorts, but I don't think any have all-inclusive plans or dive ops, so you would have to do everything ala carte. That is why I didn't suggest it.

 

[Thalassamania]

If you want the best diving and a diversity of acivities I'd go to the Big Island. If you want the romantic honeymoon with a tack on dive I'd go to Kauai.

 

[hillcreststjohn]

Many couples travel to St. John, US Virgin Islands as a honeymoon destination and great diving sites.