Where would you go?

[ScubaGir1]

I'm going to be planning a Spring time (March '08) trip. Yes, I know its a bit early, but I figured since I have some time right now I might as well start my search
Plus, I just bought my gear and I'm a bit excited

So....

Please tell me, (from the choices listed):
-Where would you go,
-Why
-Is there a particular area/hotel that is best.

Thanks for the help!!!

Oh, and if you know of a place that you think would be a great choice you can go ahead and mention that too haha.

 

[tc_rain]

I would say cozumel but lets see what hurricane dean does first.

 

[DiverBeth]

Hey why such a limited choice. What about the Red Sea? or Indonesia? or the Philippines?

 

[vladimir]

I voted for Costa Rica, because you asked where I would go. Cocos in particular. I was there in June and it is in a different league from the other choices.

But if your profile is correct and you only have 0-24 dives then I would save it for later. Of the places I've been, I prefer the Belize atolls to the rest of the Caribbean. After Belize, I like Bonaire, Little Cayman, and Cozumel in that order. Bonaire edges Little Cayman on ambience and lifestyle points, though the diving on Little Cayman might be a shade better. I have never dived off the Belize mainland, but I hear it is not as good as the atolls.

On Belize, I recommend the Aggressor or the Turneffe Island Lodge. On Bonaire, the Harbour Village Beach Club. For Cocos, the Undersea Hunter.

 

[vladimir]

Double post.

 

[ScubaGir1]

Hey why such a limited choice. What about the Red Sea? or Indonesia? or the Philippines?

Oh, because of $$.
I really LOVED Cozumel and would have no objections to going back. I just wanted to see where everyone has gone and which area was their favorite.

I just keep hearing that Belize is wonderful too. So I figured I'd get a wider view on the topic by asking all of you

 

[ScubaGir1]

Thanks for all the details vladimir!!

 

[diver 85]

I'm going to be planning a Spring time (March '08) trip. Yes, I know its a bit early, but I figured since I have some time right now I might as well start my search
Plus, I just bought my gear and I'm a bit excited

So....

Please tell me, (from the choices listed):
-Where would you go,
-Why
-Is there a particular area/hotel that is best.

Thanks for the help!!!

Oh, and if you know of a place that you think would be a great choice you can go ahead and mention that too haha.

Little Cayman(if Dean cooperates) is my new #1 dive destination----Little Cayman Beach Resort is perfect...see my photos below.......

 

[vladimir]

Thanks for all the details vladimir!!

You're welcome. If you are on a budget though, I have to re-think my recommendations. The Turneffe Island Lodge is a little pricey, and I think if you go to Belize on the cheap, you'll either be diving off the mainland or taking long boat rides out to the atolls. In that case, I'd rather be on Bonaire. Not at Harbour Village though--again, kind of pricey. OK, I'm a little bit spoiled. But you won't have to compromise on diving in Bonaire if you stay someplace less posh. There are a lot of Bonaire and Cozumel experts on the board here who will chime in.

I can second the Little Cayman Beach Resort recommendation. Good diving, though a bit regimented for my taste; good food; ok rooms. The booby pond stunk to high heaven when I was there, but I understand it was an anomaly.

 

[diversteve]

We do a spring time Caribbean trip almost every year. One point to consider since money is a concern is that there's usually a drop in pricing across the Caribbean around mid-late April since it's the start of low season.

My only reservation about Costa Rica is that people who've been have mentioned that the water can be cloudy.

Considered Roatan? It's slightly more difficult to get to but cheap once you're there.

Bonaire's among the best. But it's a dive destination, not much else there to do. The diving is among the best I've seen, only Grand Cayman edges it out for bigger animals and water clarity. But Grand Cayman is also the most expensive place I've ever been.

Or Curacao - same reef as Bonaire just 10X the people. So more nightlife, resorts non-dive things to do etc. More crime also. But it's a lot easier to get to - especially from our side of the country.

We also did some pretty good diving in the BVI's last year. An interesting mix of sites. But the viz was inconsistent.

It's never too early to plan a trip. There are some liveaboards that are mostly booked up by now for next year.