Where to learn?

[Lizcarr]

Hi, my boyfriend wants to learn how to dive, I am already certified. Where would you suggest to go? Some folks have suggested Utila, do you think the red sea should wait until he is more experienced so he could truly enjoy? We want to go mid Jan- early Feb. Any suggestions? We don't want the upmarket scene, we like the relaxed more cultural experience. Thanks from Olympia! Liz

 

[Walter]

Learn as close to home as he can. Assuming (big assumption, I know) he can find a good instructor, he'll get a better class at home where he can devote more time to learning. You get the added benefit of spending all your vacation on vacation and not in class.

 

[divementor]

Hi Liz

Utila has great diving but I personally prefer Roatan. Either of these Bay islands offer really good diving opportunities. My hotel recommendation for Roatan would be Paya Bay Beach resort. It's a small hotel on the east end of the island that offers very personalized service. They have a top notch dive operation that offers diving instruction. check them out at payabay.com

 

[wombat201]

Hi, no experience in Utila or Roatan, but we just came back from Egypt, and if you want to go to the Red Sea, Dahab would be a good choice - almost exclusively shore dives, little to no current, and a great choice of interesting, shallow-ish sites, with more advanced (deeper/drift) dives available for when you/boyfriend are ready. It's also VERY relaxed, budget friendly, not at all upmarket, and there's plenty of non-diving stuff to do as well. You'd also be close enough to Sharm to take a side trip there should you want some more challenging/boat dives.

 

[spectrum]

Learn as close to home as he can. Assuming (big assumption, I know) he can find a good instructor, he'll get a better class at home where he can devote more time to learning. You get the added benefit of spending all your vacation on vacation and not in class.

What he said!

By learning locally you will be oriented to your local conditions where you can dive frequently and master your skills. Modern exposure protection is amazing stuff, no excuses.

Vacations will be a real treat!

Pete

 

[Ocean One]

IMHO>Take your classes close to home as that's where most of your diving will be! Great way to establish a relationship with your LDS for your future needs.
My only experience with resort training was in some specialties I was interested in. They took a large sum of my money and offered little in return!

 

[Lizcarr]

Thanks for getting back to me. I really appreciate it!

 

[Lizcarr]

I agree with the messages that say learn close to home. But my boyfriend wants to do it somewhere else! So if anyone knows of specific names of places in the red sea to learn please pass on. Thanks for the recommendation on Roatan