What's a good place (non-liveboard) for a single diver?

[BrianOrange]

Hey Everyone -

I am in the midst of planning my once a year scuba trip for this summer. I travel as a single, buddyless diver and was wondering what islands or resorts out there (Caribbean only) would be the best for my situation. Last year I did a liveaboard as a single and it was great. This year I am not sure my schedule will work out for a liveaboard. Hence the other options.

I am looking for a place with great diving and a bar or two (or three!) to pass my time at night. Most importantly, I don't want to feel "weird" as a single diver. For example, I don't want to go to dinner in the dining room of a resort and be the only one sitting by myself.

Bonaire, from what I read, sounds like the best bet. Problem is I am not into macro and photography.

Cocoview intrigues me. Not sure if I'd feel weird alone there though.

Any other opinions or options?

 

[diversteve]

Cocoview is mostly macro also. If you want to go to Roatan, you might look at the West End instead. We dove with Coconut Tree Divers, they have some 1BR cabins on site they rent pretty reasonably - my buddy stayed in one. And one of the two local stores on-site, the other - slightly bigger - is a block west. r/o water and their generator always seemed to work. Sundowner about a block away is a beach side dive bar with an Internet cafe.

Diving on the north side is bigger stuff - at least as big as you'll find on Roatan. We always saw Turtles, often grouper, the occasional barracuda and there's the Dolphins at AKR. About the only place to reliably see sharks is the Waihuka Shark Dive on the south side - most diveops can schedule it and provide transport if requested. It's not really near much of anything else (s. off the airport) so is best as a day dive.

There's probably 2 dozen bars/restaurants within 1/2 mile walk of CTD. And many other inexpensive hotels nearby. The more frequently mentioned AI resorts - Cocoview, FIBR, AKR, etc. are all pretty isolated. At the AI's you're assigned a boat all week so at least you'd know 10-12 people quickly. Any of the AI's are a long cab ride to the West End - it really is the only nightlife outside of their bar(s). The pub crawl in the West End Friday night is pretty epic. Lots of options for everything West End related here: Bay Islands Diver Home

Other amusements might be the zip-line tours. Beaches are nice but most have sand flies to deal with. I recommend Deet, others use Cactus Juice. Beaches in West Bay are nicer but it's also quieter and more spread out.

Any date restrictions? Invade Cozumel might be an option the week of June 12th. Invade Cozumel- June 12-19, 2011 - ScubaBoard

DiveNY in your area has their Bonaire Invasion June 25-July 2. It is more smaller stuff. Lots of fish, all sorts of coral, some turtles and a few tarpon. For sharks/rays you can dive the east side - there's a diveop that does it off a zodiac. Bonaire is the only place I've dove where I was asked (thrice) if I needed a dive buddy - while waiting for mine. A lot of pkgs. include a 4dr. pickup - the de-facto dive vehicle there - so people have room to invite you along on a shore dive. Plus the DNY group would likely be a lot of fun if you can go that week. The Plaza has a beach bar, three restaurants and is a reasonable hike - or quick drive - to town . Closer would be the Divi Flamingo resort. The Divi also has the only casino on Bonaire.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/dive-ny/329439-bonaire-dny-invasion-reserve-now.html

 

[lsorenson]

Cocoview intrigues me. Not sure if I'd feel weird alone there though.

If you go to CCV, you wont be alone unless you chose to be....! CCV is all inclusive and we all gathered at meal time to share stories. Has a good bar and is usually busy but most are there to dive so I don't know if anyone was pulling a bender...!

West End is lively for night and day... We just returned from a one day dive up on the Northwest side and I was very happy to see the condition of the coral was as good as it was back at CCV... We only did 2 dives (me and my wife) but it served its purpose for us as it gave us a taste outside of CCV.

I have said alot of good things about CCV just as diversteve raves about Coconut Tree Divers... But when we went out of the West End, we when out with Native Sons where one of the owners (Alvin Jackson) took us out diving. We enjoyed the dives with these guys and would go out with them again if we were to back to the West End.

Cozumel was a blast and I will go back for more drifts but I do not know the details regarding singles however, we did have a single with us and he did just find hanging with the group (if 5 equals a group)

Bonaire... Love it and I can see why people argue their preference; Roatan or Bonaire... I love both places and both are on our yearly rotation, or at least every other year!!!

If it was me and I wanted to get in 4-5 dives a day and being safe... CCV, may change my mind tomorrow but I doubt it...

We head to Bonaire in two months and if we cross paths, your more than welcome to join me and the wife, if not, does it really matter where you go to get wet? Some places are better than others for different reasons, you will have choices to make and please let us know what you do and how it goes...

lee

 

[vladimir]

Hey Everyone -

I am in the midst of planning my once a year scuba trip for this summer. I travel as a single, buddyless diver and was wondering what islands or resorts out there (Caribbean only) would be the best for my situation. Last year I did a liveaboard as a single and it was great. This year I am not sure my schedule will work out for a liveaboard. Hence the other options.

I am looking for a place with great diving and a bar or two (or three!) to pass my time at night. Most importantly, I don't want to feel "weird" as a single diver. For example, I don't want to go to dinner in the dining room of a resort and be the only one sitting by myself.

Bonaire, from what I read, sounds like the best bet. Problem is I am not into macro and photography.

Cocoview intrigues me. Not sure if I'd feel weird alone there though.

Any other opinions or options?

Well, what you should really do is get over whatever insecurities you have that make you feel "weird" because you're sitting alone in a restaurant. But you probably aren't looking for amateur psychotherapy.

One of the things that makes liveaboards so comfortable for singles is that socializing is all but compelled by communal meals. (Relax, Teabaggers, sometimes "socializing" and "communal" can be good things. ) Turneffe Island Resort, for example, organizes meals the same way, and has a bar that also tends to lubricate social interaction. Little Cayman Beach Resort has you eating on the same schedule, if not necessarily together, and also has a popular poolside bar. Of course, the most important reason liveaboards are comfortable for the single diver is that the group shares an enthusiasm for diving--and that will be duplicated by any land-based operation that is dedicated to diving and offers quality diving, like the two I mentioned.

 

[parrotheaddiver]

one other thing about CoCo View is that you are on the same boat all week so you will have lots of time to make new friends.....some of tables in the dining room are set up family style....I have been with groups but ended up sitting with other divers at meals I had met....the bar is very open and friendly get to know Willie the bartender his drinks are awesome....lots of chances to meet other divers if you like shore diving that is the place to be there is always someone going out for a dawn dive or night dive and you can hook up with them I have never had a problem there with finding friends or dive buddies....

 

[robint]

ditto what the others said about CCV!
we were a couple there and ended up eating almost every meal with others from our boat. The dining room is very casual and friendly, everyone chats from table to table, and there really isn't enough room for a "single" anywhere. You would be adopted into a group from Day 1. Plus, since everyone there is a diver, conversations are about "what did you see on that last dive?" etc. People bring their laptops into the Clubhouse before/after meals and sit around the tables showing each other photos. It is a very friendly place. In fact, I still get e-mails and we're Facebook friends with people from our trip.
Red Boat Group:

We got along well all week, and if anyone wanted to do night shore dive, it was no problemo!


As far as Bonaire goes.. yes, you can do it as a single, but I don't think it would be as much fun or easy. If you want to go there, I would hook up with a Group or dive shop that has a trip scheduled already. That would give you a group to hang out with, a room buddy, and lots of dive buddy options for the week. Sure, you might be able to go there single and find someone to hang out and dive with who has same tastes and interests as you... but, maybe not.

robin

 

[robint]

just found this here on SB:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/dive-ny/329439-bonaire-dny-invasion-reserve-now.html

robin

 

[NCDiver]

If you would like a great group, not an invasion, you would be welcome to join us in Bonaire in June. I have 2 weeks planned. The 11th to 18 at Buddy's with 6 regular boat dives plus a 3 dive special. Some of us are staying a 2nd week for just laid back diving. Check North Carolina Diver Scuba Diving & Travel for information.

 

[lsorenson]

If you would like a great group, not an invasion, you would be welcome to join us in Bonaire in June. I have 2 weeks planned. The 11th to 18 at Buddy's with 6 regular boat dives plus a 3 dive special. Some of us are staying a 2nd week for just laid back diving. Check North Carolina Diver Scuba Diving & Travel for information.

I checked out your site and you have a pretty nice price for Buddy... Been there but were trying the Yacht Club Apartments this time. From what we have heard, the YC should be a very good experience especially when your going for 2 weeks...

You have a shop over in Burlington??? Been to alot of shops but I don't believe I know of one in Burlington... If so, I will stop by the next time I am in town...

lee

 

[NCDiver]

I don't have a shop, hang out at NADCO scuba shop in Greensboro. I am sure you know those guys. We are staying the first week at Buddy's on Bonaire, the second week will be in an apartment simlular to Yacht Club. Would like to hear more about YC.