Where are the great flight and dive deals?

[ScubaDiverGirlTeppy]

This coming May (23) for 7 days we want to go away and dive. We are lucky and dive everyday (depending on mother nature) here in San Diego. But, I finish nursing school and my sister-in-law and I are celebrating our 1 year for starting our scuba & snorkel company (doing great). So, we want to go away with each of our families (all together). But, it is a bit time comsuming looking for flights, dives shops, resorts (like the spas), and stuff for kids. Help please. We know the economy is tough, so there are deals out there, but how do I find them. Here is a list of places I am happy with heading to: Hondurus, Hawaii, Mayan Rivera, USVI, British VI, Belize, Keys, Baja. We are all seasoned divers (instructors, so we are happy with intermediate, advanced etc... Thank you. This really helps with the search.:goingdown: Thanks :uwphotographer:

 

[Doc]

We...dive everyday...I finish nursing school and...our scuba & snorkel company....time comsuming looking for flights, dives shops, resorts (like the spas), and stuff for kids.....Here is a list of places I am happy with heading to: Hondurus, Hawaii, Mayan Rivera, USVI, British VI, Belize, Keys, Baja. We are all seasoned divers (instructors, so we are happy with intermediate, advanced etc....

If you want to make your "scuba & snorkel company" a real bang-up success, align yourself with a tour operator or consolidator and you will likely be handed FAM trips that may be complimentary or at a very low cost. Many such agencies are looking to hook up with operations as you describe yourself.

As Diving Instructors, this should be an assist in getting their attention.

At the very least, you could call a tour operator and let them do the work of planning your vacation. Tell them what you are looking for (spa, and "stuff" for kids) and hear what they have to say.

You are missing out on a very large part of the business- travel... that will make your "doing great" company exceed that level very quickly.

Where do you fit in time every day to dive and finish up nursing school? Man, do it now, that's going to change!

 

[robint]

This coming May (23) for 7 days we want to go away and dive. We are lucky and dive everyday (depending on mother nature) here in San Diego. But, I finish nursing school and my sister-in-law and I are celebrating our 1 year for starting our scuba & snorkel company (doing great). So, we want to go away with each of our families (all together). But, it is a bit time comsuming looking for flights, dives shops, resorts (like the spas), and stuff for kids. Help please. We know the economy is tough, so there are deals out there, but how do I find them. Here is a list of places I am happy with heading to: Hondurus, Hawaii, Mayan Rivera, USVI, British VI, Belize, Keys, Baja. We are all seasoned divers (instructors, so we are happy with intermediate, advanced etc... Thank you. This really helps with the search.:goingdown: Thanks :uwphotographer:

ditto what Roatanman says..... you need to make some contacts with specific companies and they will help you out with the deals.

Caradonna is a dive travel specialist company and they are the company that our LDS uses to book all group trips. They take out alot of the legwork that our travel guy at the dive shop is too lazy to do himself. I doubt the dive shop would offer trips if Caradonna didn't put everything together for him (he is very lazy). I have worked with them on a trip myself and it worked out great with no problems. If there is a deal out there, they will know about it.
Another one I hear great things about for group trips is: Island Dreams Travel scuba diving vacations, cozumel scuba diving, dive travel, dive resorts, diving trips They can help you with the Riviera Maya trips or trips to off-the-beaten-path locations.

Working directly with a company you can also get great deals but probably have to work out airfare for yourself.
Check out:
Welcome to CoCo View Resort (adults only)
anthonyskeyresort.com (families, lots of kids activities)
Cozumel Scuba Diving at Scuba Club Cozumel Dive Resort and Scuba Cozumel Dive Shop
Nekton Cruises > Home (great option for dive/snorkel groups as the Bahamas trips may have dolphins and sharks for everyone)
Scuba Diving Bahamas Liveaboard Aqua Cat Cruises (ditto)


robin

 

[fmichaelk]

Fort Lauderdale offers easy access to interesting shore dives from the Blue Heron Bridge in West Palm Beach to the Eurojacks off Dania Beach. My favorite is the Inside Reef at Lauderdale by the Sea. I have seen nurse shark, spotted eagle rays and octopus on this reef, as well as the usual variety of colorful reef fish. The reef itself is about 50 yards off the beach and runs South from the end of the Anglin Pier for about 500 yards.

There are also several charter boats that will take you to dive on any of the numerous vessels sunk as part of the Broward County Artificial Reef Program.

I have pictures at Picasa Web Albums - michael.