Where to go Belize, Grand Cayman, or Hawaii?

[Thresa]

Where to go Belize, Grand Cayman, or Hawaii?
I am a pretty new to diving, I have done about 35 dives (Bonaire, Curacao, and the Bahamas). I want to take a 7 day trip in June and the only thing I am concerned with on this trip is the diving…in your opinion which of these locations offers the best diving experience? I'm not interested in wreck diving. I’m not really on a budget, but the sky is not the limit.

I would love to see a whale shark in Belize, but would hate to plan a trip around that since sightings can not be guaranteed.

Thanks in advance for the advice

 

[DeputyDan]

If you are only concerned with the diving I would do a liveaboard at the location that gives you the best price "the whole package not just the liveaboard".

You may want to add Turks & Cacois to the list!

That being said Hawaii is quite a ways off and the underwater environment is vastly different.

 

[PinkTank]

I got certified on Maui, but Belize is one of my top two destinations. Diving is effortless and beautiful. The Blue Hole is an awesome dive. And Belize is just so quaint, uncrowded, and relaxing....sort of like smalltown USA. I'm diving at Curacao in 5 weeks, so I'd like some input back from you, too.

 

[Thresa]

In Curacao you have to dive with the dive bus on at least one day. They are so much fun. Must do dives are Port o Marie, and Alice in Wonderland. We stayed at the Marriott and loved it. It is a beatiful hotel right on the water. I was thinking about going back to Curacao instead, but I would like to try something different.

 

[Thresa]

If you are only concerned with the diving I would do a liveaboard

That being said Hawaii is quite a ways off and the underwater environment is vastly different.

I would like to do a liveaboard, but my husband refuses. He thinks he will have motion sickness so that it out. What do you mean by the underwater environment is vastly different? Different in a good way or bad?

 

[Rainer]

Pretty sure he just means "different". HI diving is excellent. Also, why don't you talk with some people who have done liveaboard trips. No one I have spoken to has gotten sick in the Caribbean from the boat rocking.

 

[Pamdiv]

Each destination offers its own unique experience. I have been to all three and have had great diving there.

Belize may require a more experienced diver to see some of the really good stuff. There is not much topside but mosquitoes.

Cayman has some of the most incredible diving in the world. I go almost every year and still see new stuff. Topside is safe and fun.

I've only been to Maui, and I can say the diving was great, but expensive. Believe it or not, Cayman day boat trips are much cheaper. Cayman and Hawaii are both pricey topsidewise.

I hope this helps. PM me if you want more information.

Pam

 

[ronrosa]

Hawaii diving is different compared to the Caribbean mainly because it lacks soft corals and plant life. Most of the coral is hard, rock, volcanic and not colorful. BUT, while it lacks colorful coral, it has plenty of fish and animal life.

I know you said all you cared about was diving, but if you are considering Hawaii, you should factor in the amazing topside actvities and beauty. Lodging ranges from super expensive to done right cheap if you do your homework.

Here are 2 videos I made from a 7-day vacation on the Big Island.

Right click and "save target as" to download.

Topside video

Diving video

 

[Damselfish]

Does your husband get seasick on dayboats or haven't you done enough to know? Dayboats depending where they are can be pretty tame, or pretty rough, or anything in between. If he can handle the average dayboat he might be fine on many liveaboards, though often there will be rough patches especially if there is an open water crossing. If he can't deal with boats at all and you're looking for mostly shore diving that limits your options.

(It may be true that people who go on liveaboards don't tend to get sick, but I think it's because they're self-selecting - people that get seasick either avoid liveaboards, have figured out how to prevent it, or maybe go on boats like the Nektons that are more stable.)

Cayman is always great, though I prefer the quiet areas such as the East End or at least the places to the north of Seven Mile Beach. Or consider Little Cayman. You can do a decent amount of shore diving on GC but if you don't do boats you can't get to alot of the good sites. And some of the best sites are North and East where it's often rougher. On LC you will be boat diving - may be rough, may be glass smooth depending on time or year. (Some people shore dive on LC but it tends to be impractical for visitors.)

I wouldn't say Belize has only mosquitos, there's lots of above water sights. But from most areas it's just not stuff you can run off and do in a couple hours between or after diving. I wouldn't consider most of the diving in Belize advanced, but it's true the best stuff is out on the atolls and will probably be deeper on average than diving around Ambergris. The atolls means either a liveaboard or long and likely rough day trips. You could just stay on Ambergris and dive near there, short boat rides, but not supposed to be as good. (I've only done the atolls and a little down south.)

Hawaii is different as described but nice diving and topside. There is shore diving, but no "dive resorts" per se. If you are planning on doing boat dives, could be smooth, could be exciting. Most boats go out early as it tends to be calm in the morning and can really pick up by the time you're heading back in.

 

[robint]

Well, lots to discuss here! We have done a liveaboard in Caribbean (Nekton to Cay Sal Bank last June) and also a trip to Hawaii (Kona last Nov) and I would recommend either. Check out our website for photos, trip reports, and videos: www.rnrscuba.net
The Nekton is very stable unless there is a storm I would guess (we had flat seas every day). Great diving and sharks, lots of fun, dive dive dive. You could do the Nekton to either Bahamas or Caymans in the summer.
Hawaii is different than the Caribbean as stated above - less colorful reef but still plenty of fish and easy diving. We loved Kona topside - the volcanos and rainforests and waterfalls were great and if you go I would recommend a non-dive day for each. I think the Kona Aggressor would be excellent and we hope to do it our next trip to Hawaii so we can get in more diving. Lots of turtles and eels and a chance to see mantas.

If you can afford it, liveaboards are a better value because of the number of dives per vacation and all food is included in the price. It is best bang for the buck.

robint