What's my next dive site?

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D

divnamite

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Now that I have finished my first five ocean dives at Key Largo, I'm now eager to look for my next dive destination. I'm not looking for anything crazy, no nitrox, or deep dives, just want to do more relax diving. I have now twelve dives under my belt. When I was out diving, I was paired with other experience divers, I did very well. No problem with equalization, I have very good air consumption rate, I feel comfortable in the water. Although my deepest depth was about 45-50. I still have to work on my buoyancy control, I'm pretty decent at it, I don't go up and down like crazy, but obviously, I could use some pratice.
My criteria:
1. Small boats (6-8 max). I dove with 12 ppl at Key Largo, it was ok, but way too crowded.
2. I don't mind getting paired with anyone. Altho I think I would be paired with more experience people since I'm new. Pairing air-hog would be a problem, but I have good patience.
3. NO ROUGH SEA!!! I was sea-sick twice at the keys, I think it is the wrong season now to dive at the keys. I lost one dive because sea sick, and lost most my breakfast every time.
4. While money isn't a big deal, I would prefer at the mid range side.

I'm thinking of these following places:
1. Puerto Rico, everyone seems to recommend Parguera divers.
2. Turk & Caicos, I think everyone suggest Provo area diving.
3. Cozumel, I think the drift dive would be out of my league?

Lastly, Curacao, How come it takes 17 hrs from NYC to Curacao? I could've paddle a kayak from Miam to Curacao in less than 17 hrs.

Any suggestion?
 
divnamite:
My criteria:
1. Small boats (6-8 max). I dove with 12 ppl at Key Largo, it was ok, but way too crowded.

Any suggestion?
Click to expand...

Key Largo is a great place for a newbie. Next time try Quiesence Diving Services. All they run is 6 packs (6 people per boat, max.). Very safety conscious. Excellent DMs

Get some seasickness med. amd take it every time. Over time your sea sickness will become less of an issue. Nerves have a lot to do with it. I saw it for 10 years in the Navy.

Enjoy.

PS> I saw a quote on here. Something like this: "At 50 dives I thought i had it down. At 100 dives I realized how much I still had to learn."

Just keep diving.
 
Thank for the recommendation about Quiesence, I'll look it up next time in the Keys. Right now tho, I can't imagine going back there until after summer.
 
Cozumel dives will usually start a little deeper than you want. Normally, drift diving is really no problem--actually easier, since you don't have to navigate and you have a DM leading you the whole time.

At times, though, the currents in Coz can be a bit strong for a beginner. If you get them while they are mild, you would have no trouble at all.
 
boulderjohn:
Cozumel dives will usually start a little deeper than you want. Normally, drift diving is really no problem--actually easier, since you don't have to navigate and you have a DM leading you the whole time.
Click to expand...

Forgot to mention this--if you were impressed with the reefs in Key Largo, the reefs in Cozumel will blow you away.
 
Since you live in NY already, please consider the 1000 islands region of NY. There are lots of wrecks, great viz, and no thermoclines. Its also is a very senic area in the summer. Alexendria Bay is a great location. PM me if you want further info.
 
Bonaire or Curacao...no seasickness just shore dive all day!

I live in Toronto and to fly to Curacao was 5.5 hours not 17. Is there a long stopover somewhere?

Continental flies to Bonaire from Houston BTW.

CHeers.
 
My first dives after certification were in Cozumel. I dove with 2 other experienced divers and our first. It was fantastic!!! The deepest dive we did was to 82 feet on my computer that week. The drift diving was so easy- just get neutral and fly! I'm planning another soon. The Bahamas were great too!
 
boulderjohn: is this summer may-june good season to go? I went to the keys last month, while the diving was great, I was miserable on the surface.

Firediver: 1,000 island is far, I have to drive a long time since I live in NYC. Long island is one of my options, but it's so crowded in the summer.

Johnny: Yes, there are ton of stupid stopovers, lasting 8 hrs - 10 hrs. What airline do you use? If I fly to Houston and then Curacao, the cost would be too expensive I think. I will double-check that tho.
 
donostler:
My first dives after certification were in Cozumel. I dove with 2 other experienced divers and our first. It was fantastic!!! The deepest dive we did was to 82 feet on my computer that week. The drift diving was so easy- just get neutral and fly! I'm planning another soon. The Bahamas were great too!
Click to expand...

Hey, Don, it's nice to know newbie that did Cozumel. I'm not really afraid of the depth. I'm more concern with the rough current that could blow me away. Since I'm not experience at navigation, I'm ********d if I ever get lost.
 
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