Where would you go?

[Henryville]

I am a PADI and NAUI instructor. I have three people to take diving - one needing all four OW checkout dives, one needing two, and one certified but infrequent diver who I have never seen in the water. I am looking to make this a long weekend.

Requirements -

Easy travel from New York. Nonstop or one stop without huge layovers.

Shore diving available, but also boat diving.

Warm/tropical.

A place where I won't get a hassle from the local shops for doing the check out dives (this may not be an issue, I just have never tried it before.)

That's pretty much it. Based on your experience, where would you go? Particularly interested in making sure I'm covered on the last point, I know all the good places to go generally, I just specifically need something to fit these criteria.

Thanks!

 

[victor]

Bonaire; Sand Dollar
Perfect location for all of the above.
Only down side will be the travel time and cost.
Stay the whole week and make it really worth while.

 

[DeputyDan]

You can't do a long weekend to Bonaire.

The Keys are not good for shore diving.

You probably need to check on the Florida board about Destin Florida. You can shore and boat dive there.

Out of the County I would recommend Curacao. It meets all your needs and has much better flight schedules than Bonaire.

 

[Garrobo]

I'd go to Vero Beach, Florida. Checkout verobeachreefs.com or type in "vero beach" "shore diving" on Google.

 

[scuba 2447]

crystal river florida swim with the manatee's calm clear water

 

[Henryville]

I should have mentioned, they want to go before May or so. I was going to recommend Bermuda, but they want warmer water. Thanks for the ideas so far.

 

[TeddyDiver]

Easy travel from New York. Nonstop or one stop without huge layovers. Shore diving available, but also boat diving. Warm/tropical.

Puerto Rico?http://www.caribdiveguide.com/Puerto_Rico.htm No experiences, but might be what you are looking for. Comprenden espanjol (or something)

 

[Henryville]

Thanks TeddyDiver. Puerto Rico would be excellent for logistics, but my understanding is the diving isn't that great unless you travel fairly far from San Juan. Happy to be eductated if this is not right.

 

[diversteve]

Grand Cayman, but it's wicked expensive. Although maybe not so bad if you quad share a condo.

Warm water, excellent shore diving with easy entries. Most off steps/ladders. There's even seven miles of beach to practice beach entries but the diving's not much. There are a few places on the beach with some small coral formations just offshore but you have to look for them. One I recall was off Treasure Island - pre Hurricane Ivan though.

And lots of boat diving possibilities from six-packs to 50' flat tops. Don't think the DM's would care if you wanted to do your own thing since it's less work/resp. for them but you probably should check.

Great dive infrastructure there also if you need anything. The resorts/diveops are used to seeing all types of divers.

When they're certified, take them to Stingray City where they can dive in 15' of water. Most fun they'll have all trip.

 

[tvictory]

How about St Croix in the USVI? They have a wall dive accessible to shore. The dive ops are less oriented to "packages" and all-inclusives and you could find accomodations and amenities which are suitable to your preferences. No passport required.