anzac65
Contributor
Pamdiv:
Sure is. Immigration officer at Miami wears a Smith and Wesson. Immigration officer in Cayman wears an iPod.
Where to go Belize, Grand Cayman, or Hawaii?
- Thread starter Thresa
- Start date
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Sure is. Immigration officer at Miami wears a Smith and Wesson. Immigration officer in Cayman wears an iPod.
DeputyDan
Contributor
DeputyDan:
Hard coral versus soft coral
Different species of fish
Not a good vrs bad thing just different
Darnold9999
Contributor
Been diving in Hawaii, Belize and Cayman recently. If I had to pick a shore dive I would choose Ambergrise - the diving is good close by and the island itself is interesting and you can do day trips into the mainland. Belize has way more than mosquitos - spent three weeks there a couple of years ago and would go back any time. Just avoid Belize City.
Hawaii was disappointing re diving but interesting on the surface, but it was on the way back from a trip to the GBR so perhaps I just had high expectations.
Cayman was disappointing on shore, expensive and not particularly unique, just american hotels on an island - the diving was excellent - but I was on a liveabaord which went to Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. Did hear that the shore diving was pretty good, not as good as the liveaboard, but OK.
I do get seasick - easily, but liveaboard is the way to go - I have been on three Nekton trips two to Belize and one to Cayman and was only close to sick once. Belize is more protected so would make that my first choice on a liveaboard with someone that gets seasick. Belize diving is not even close to advanced.
Did one liveaboard on the GBR and was on the edge of sick pretty much the entire first day. Nekton is WAY better if you are suceptable.
Hawaii was disappointing re diving but interesting on the surface, but it was on the way back from a trip to the GBR so perhaps I just had high expectations.
Cayman was disappointing on shore, expensive and not particularly unique, just american hotels on an island - the diving was excellent - but I was on a liveabaord which went to Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. Did hear that the shore diving was pretty good, not as good as the liveaboard, but OK.
I do get seasick - easily, but liveaboard is the way to go - I have been on three Nekton trips two to Belize and one to Cayman and was only close to sick once. Belize is more protected so would make that my first choice on a liveaboard with someone that gets seasick. Belize diving is not even close to advanced.
Did one liveaboard on the GBR and was on the edge of sick pretty much the entire first day. Nekton is WAY better if you are suceptable.
jasondcrawford
Contributor
I got certified in Kona, but have to say that Belize lays down the trump card. I just got back from a Nekton liveaboard there a few months ago, and it was WONDERFUL. I will say that from my understanding, the best sites are really only accessible through a liveaboard, so that's something you'd have to look into. If you're husband is prone to sea sicknesses, and you like the idea of a liveaboard, look into the Nekton. They use SWATH technology on their boats that is very stable. I have thrown up on past boats, but didn't even get a little queezy on this one, even with big waves.
I wouldn't count of seeing a whale shark on your trip, but the coral and all the walls are great regardless, with lots to see. However, I think that's huricane season, and while not usually a problem, something you may have to consider.
I wouldn't count of seeing a whale shark on your trip, but the coral and all the walls are great regardless, with lots to see. However, I think that's huricane season, and while not usually a problem, something you may have to consider.
mjarens
Contributor
Have done Kona Aggressor June 06, Cayman Aggressor Sept 06, Kona Aggressor April 07. Take your pick!! Each week was spectacular in it's own way.
Kona Aggressor June 06 - First off, an unbelieveable 16 Manta Rays at our first night dive of the week. Frog fish all week long. Dolphins, turtles, eels, octopus... And the unbelieveable underwater topography of lava flows, caves, and boulders strewn into the ocean. It is not the palm trees and soft sandy beaches you see on the posters for Hawaii. It is the real world exposure to to earth and land and water meshing. The week was unbelievable.
Cayman Aggressor Sept 06 - Again, unbelieveable and totally different than Hawaii. Little Cayman and Bloody Bay Wall was incomparable! I could dive there forever. A calidescope of colors... Different creatures. Equally impressive to Kona Coast on a different scale.
Kona Aggressor April 07 - Again, another view of this unique coastline. Underwater topography is so different than Caymans that it is hard to discribe. You must go do this to understand. Manta Rays, eels, spinner dolphins, turtles, octopus (during the daytime too).
Each trip the ocean was smooth as a lake. Take a chance!
You need to do both!
Enjoy,
mjarens
Kona Aggressor June 06 - First off, an unbelieveable 16 Manta Rays at our first night dive of the week. Frog fish all week long. Dolphins, turtles, eels, octopus... And the unbelieveable underwater topography of lava flows, caves, and boulders strewn into the ocean. It is not the palm trees and soft sandy beaches you see on the posters for Hawaii. It is the real world exposure to to earth and land and water meshing. The week was unbelievable.
Cayman Aggressor Sept 06 - Again, unbelieveable and totally different than Hawaii. Little Cayman and Bloody Bay Wall was incomparable! I could dive there forever. A calidescope of colors... Different creatures. Equally impressive to Kona Coast on a different scale.
Kona Aggressor April 07 - Again, another view of this unique coastline. Underwater topography is so different than Caymans that it is hard to discribe. You must go do this to understand. Manta Rays, eels, spinner dolphins, turtles, octopus (during the daytime too).
Each trip the ocean was smooth as a lake. Take a chance!
You need to do both!
Enjoy,
mjarens
DiveMaven
Contributor
I always describe the difference between Hawaii and the Caribbean like the difference between the desert and the rain forest. Diving in Hawaii is like being in the desert, there isn't much plant life and the landscape is stark but beautiful. The Caribbean is like a tropical rain forest with so much lush plant life that you don't know where to look next.
We dive in Maui every year and I look forward to it because of the amazing marine life and the stark beauty of the volcanic rock formations and hard coral. I've run into many folks who cannot see the beauty and uniqueness that is Hawaii, so I don't recommend Hawaii for ALL divers. It depends on what you want to see and what your expectations are. There is so much marine life there, and if you know what to look for and/or have a great dive guide to help you find it, there's some amazing macro creatures too.
We were in Belize in December of 2005 on the Nekton Pilot and have talked about returning, but for 2 weeks next time. Belize has an amazing array of marine life, and I know we missed at least 80% of the macro critters that were there. Since you've dived the Caribbean, I certainly don't have to describe what it's like.
We loved our trip on the Nekton so much that we're returning this summer for a 2 week back-to-back in the Bahamas (NW Bahamas and Cay Sal Bank). I have sea sick issues and even when a storm came up, had no problem on the Pilot (I did wear a "patch" the whole week though).
If you want to dive a lot, eat good food, have comfortable accommodations, hang out with like minded folks, and have the most fun and relaxing vacation of your life, do a liveaboard like the Nekton Pilot or Rorqual.
We dive in Maui every year and I look forward to it because of the amazing marine life and the stark beauty of the volcanic rock formations and hard coral. I've run into many folks who cannot see the beauty and uniqueness that is Hawaii, so I don't recommend Hawaii for ALL divers. It depends on what you want to see and what your expectations are. There is so much marine life there, and if you know what to look for and/or have a great dive guide to help you find it, there's some amazing macro creatures too.
We were in Belize in December of 2005 on the Nekton Pilot and have talked about returning, but for 2 weeks next time. Belize has an amazing array of marine life, and I know we missed at least 80% of the macro critters that were there. Since you've dived the Caribbean, I certainly don't have to describe what it's like.
We loved our trip on the Nekton so much that we're returning this summer for a 2 week back-to-back in the Bahamas (NW Bahamas and Cay Sal Bank). I have sea sick issues and even when a storm came up, had no problem on the Pilot (I did wear a "patch" the whole week though).
If you want to dive a lot, eat good food, have comfortable accommodations, hang out with like minded folks, and have the most fun and relaxing vacation of your life, do a liveaboard like the Nekton Pilot or Rorqual.
OP
Thresa
Guest
We did boat diving in the Bahamas and my husband was OK with that, but he said that he is not ready to do a live-aboard yet. Maybe on the next trip I can talk him into it. I see that there are a lot of varied opinions on my three options….maybe I’ll flip a coin….well it would have to be a three sided one.
Is there a good chance of seeing dolphins while diving in Hawaii?
I’m still trying to figure out if Belize would be a good option since we will not be able to a lot of the advanced sites like the blue hole. Is the beginner/intermediate diving as good for instance around Ambergris Caye?
Is there a good chance of seeing dolphins while diving in Hawaii?
I’m still trying to figure out if Belize would be a good option since we will not be able to a lot of the advanced sites like the blue hole. Is the beginner/intermediate diving as good for instance around Ambergris Caye?
Darnold9999
Contributor
Did 8 dives in 4 days of Ambergrise a couple of years ago. Very easy diving, lots to see. The dive sites are from 10 to 40 min from your hotel so you can do two dives in the morning and spend the rest of the day sightseeing or trips to the mainland. The reef runs from the top of the island all the way to the end so there are lots of dive sites to choose from - your operator will likely choose based on who is diving and their experience level. Did my first night dive there and loved it. The town is unique and we had no trouble filling 4 days of poking around just on the island.
It is possible to do the Blue Hole in a day trip, but personally I wouldn't bother, deep dark and short, but others feel that it is a great dive so ... you may want to try that. Usually this trip does a second dive at one of the atols and these dives are the kind of diving I want to do. Lots of life, easy walls not too deep.
The dives off the atols further south are better - more to see - but two dives will take the whole day. Have not done these dives from Ambergrise only from a liveaboard so not sure what the logistics are.
Of the three choices Belize will likely give you the more interesting/different experience, however interesting does not always translate to everyone. Cayman and Hawaii are much more predictable - you know what you are going to get, very little culture shock, everyone around you is pretty much the same as the people you have around you at home. Belize - not so much. That works for some, doesn't for others.
You can't really go wrong with any of them for diving.
It is possible to do the Blue Hole in a day trip, but personally I wouldn't bother, deep dark and short, but others feel that it is a great dive so ... you may want to try that. Usually this trip does a second dive at one of the atols and these dives are the kind of diving I want to do. Lots of life, easy walls not too deep.
The dives off the atols further south are better - more to see - but two dives will take the whole day. Have not done these dives from Ambergrise only from a liveaboard so not sure what the logistics are.
Of the three choices Belize will likely give you the more interesting/different experience, however interesting does not always translate to everyone. Cayman and Hawaii are much more predictable - you know what you are going to get, very little culture shock, everyone around you is pretty much the same as the people you have around you at home. Belize - not so much. That works for some, doesn't for others.
You can't really go wrong with any of them for diving.
RLarsen
Guest
Belize is a good dive trip and Ambergris is fun and easy but it gets much better if you go South. Dive around Turneffe or go South from there. Wish I was going with you, have fun.
Rex
( I might be tempted to go back to Bonaire, and you may want to add Wakatobi to your short list )
Rex
( I might be tempted to go back to Bonaire, and you may want to add Wakatobi to your short list )
jasondcrawford
Contributor
If you're not going to do a liveaboard (and it sounds like that's the case) I'd save Belize for another day. LIke RLarsen said, it gets much better once you go south (Halfmoon, lighthouse, glovers). I don't know about Cayman, but I know in Hawaii all of the dive sites (at least the great majaority) are easily and quickly accessible from the island. I was certified in Kona, so the diving is easy, however, after being to the Carribean, I don't have any intentions to return to Hawaii for diving purposes (I guess I'm one of those who preferes the Rainforst!) On the plus side though, you're almost gauranteed to see several Manta Rays if you do the night dive there, which is a wonderful expereince. Good Luck!
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