Where to go to do OW dive

[Medicaptain]

We are currently taking our classes here in the Northwest ... but we want to go to a nice warm place and do our Open Water referal dive and stay for about a week of diving.

Some guidance for the rest of our week would be good as well as a nice place to stay so the whiff can get tan in between margarita's and diving ... Any idea's out there ... experiences?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[DiverInAk]

:tree: Wow, what a delima! It's certainly not hard to find places to go. However I think the Caribbean would be one of the best places to get out there for novice divers wanting to get some great bottom time.

There's no end of places to stay, but I don't think you would go wrong at Sunset House on Grand Cayman. Or you might look at the BVI's as they have some diverse dive opportunities with relatively easy profiles.

Take a look here http://www.reefrainfrst.com/diving.htm and then do some homework on the dive profiles available in the areas you are interested in.

If it's a PADI program, you can visit PADI's web site and check for resorts or dive centers in the area you are interested in.

The possibilities are almost endless... If the bank account is!

 

[Lisa]

I had the same "dilemma" 2 months ago...I chose Cozumel, MX and just got back...

I did my OW cert dives there in February. For those who don't know, Cozumel is a small island in the Caribbean off the coast of the Yucatan peninsula. This is a beautiful island with gorgeous beaches and fantastic diving! Because the reefs are on the side of the island facing the mainland, the water is protected from the Caribbean surf and consequently visiblity and marine life are phenomenal. I think the Palancar Reef is rated as one of the top 5 dive sites in the world. There are tons of nice reef and wall dives to choose from all along the island. http://www.travelnotes.cc/cozumel/links/scuba.html

Because its a Mexican state, costs were very reasonable for diving and luxurious accomodations (Allego, Reef Club, and Iberostar are all nice resorts). While topside...we really enjoyed the nite-life in the town of San Miguel. The islanders were super friendly and the island seemed very safe. There's a few sites of Mayan ruins on the island, snorkelling is great, and if you like margaritas, this is a good place to visit! Weather was sunny and low 80's every day.

Good luck and have fun!!

P.S. I did my cert dives with PapaHogs http://www.papahogs.com and there instructors were great!

 

[kyleterry]

I would agree with cozumel.

Great place, great dives,good prices. Was there last month and had a wonderful time. I actually stayed in Cancun at the Fiesta Americana.

It was a great place, but we took the ferry over to Cozumel. Next time I will just stay in Cozumel.

Have fun.

 

[Rick Murchison]

For me, for OW referrals, there's no place like Bonaire. Good vis, warm water, calm seas, no current, walk in, walk out, dive your own schedule as soon as you're certified. Nice folks, good accomodations, plenty of sun..

I like Buddy Dive or Lions Dive/Bon Bini Divers.

As they say on the license plates... "Diver's Paradise."

Rick

 

[herman]

I agree, Bonaire is great, easy diving and great reefs. Going back for my 3rd trip in July. I also have stayed at Buddy Dive and will on the next trip.

 

[madeiraherman]

For a nice break, for diving, relexing or ......
MADEIRA (dive)Paradise in the Atlantic Ocean.