Where to go for teen OW certification?

[JDelage]

I'm a long time AOW diver and my teenage son (17) is interested in getting his OW certification. He will do the online course and pool skill portion here (Seattle WA - USA), and then I'd like to take him somewhere reasonably nice & fun for his final skill assessments and first dives. I'm looking for suggestions on where to go. I'd like something easy and pretty, with some social life topside. My experience close to the US is either Bonaire (lovely, easy diving, not much to do topside) or Cozumel (lovely but more challenging dives). I'm open to organized / resorts or DIY suggestions. I'd like to stay in the Americas, but I'd consider other locations. Trip would be around June. Thank you!

 

[Capt Jim Wyatt]

Florida Keys
Florida Springs

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

Just make sure wherever you go, the course is taught completely neutrally buoyant and trimmed. Even in the start of the first pool session. it actually isn't hard to teach this way, but unfortunately, it is not the common case.

 

[Khoujo1]

From Seattle you’re closer to Hawaii than the Caribbean. Go to Kona.

 

[aedwards92]

I get what you're looking to do, but I'd actually recommend doing the skill dives at home. This allows him to get exposure to and comfortable with the local environment which will (hopefully) make him more willing to keep diving after getting certified.
Once certified you both can go on a great father/son trip to somewhere beautiful when he'll be able to spend more time enjoying the dive and not worrying about completing the skills to get certified.

 

[USdiver1]

Roatan, Honduras. Similar to Coz but without the currents. West End has some night life, resorts like Cocoview and AKR are great for family getaways.

For June, I'd also recommend Blackbeard's LOB in the Bahamas, inexpensive, great viz and good beginner/intermediate diving.

 

[JDelage]

I get what you're looking to do, but I'd actually recommend doing the skill dives at home.

No, this is a 100% he'll never dive again. Seattle diving is ... hmm ... an acquired taste. It's just too cold.

 

[aedwards92]

No, this is a 100% he'll never dive again. Seattle diving is ... hmm ... an acquired taste. It's just too cold.

must be like here in New England then lol

 

[aedwards92]

From Seattle you’re closer to Hawaii than the Caribbean. Go to Kona.

If Seattle is a non-starter than I 2nd the Hawaii recommendation. Nothing beats diving in Maui for me.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

No, this is a 100% he'll never dive again. Seattle diving is ... hmm ... an acquired taste. It's just too cold.

If a drysuit is used, then he'd be okay. That's the problem with beat up 7 mils and on the knees instruction. Students spend most of their time on their knees freezing. That is no fun. Drysuit combined with being neutrally buoyant the entire time means being active and generating some heat. You only have two options: 8 diving in Des Moines and Jade Scuba in Port Orchard. However, it sounds like you've got an LDS selected already. I hope it is one of those two shops, but I wouldn't wager on it.