Where's a warm location easily accessible (=cheap) from northern Europe/UK?

[Wibble]

The sea's off limits for the winter. The quarries/lakes are miserable, cold and frankly boring. Mines/caves are nice but cold to kit up...

I fantasise about diving in warm clear waters with pretty stuff to look at. Oh to need only a rash vest and budgie smugglers and become part of a reef/bimble around some wreck...

Where's a cheap(er) place to go from the UK/northern Europe that will also cater for a non-diving partner in January through March?

 

[arew+4]

The sea's off limits for the winter. The quarries/lakes are miserable, cold and frankly boring. Mines/caves are nice but cold to kit up...

I fantasise about diving in warm clear waters with pretty stuff to look at. Oh to need only a rash vest and budgie smugglers and become part of a reef/bimble around some wreck...

Where's a cheap(er) place to go from the UK/northern Europe that will also cater for a non-diving partner in January through March?

Isn't the red sea the destination of choice for Europeans? Otherwise I would suggest Curacao for all your other wishes, general expense on island is quite manageable, good diving, nice beaches with amenities for non diving companions. Not sure about airfare from Europe, but it is one of the most affordable Caribbean destinations from US east coast.

 

[Jacob BV]

+1 for the red sea.

 

[Centrals]

Thailand
Diving is not the best in SE Asia but the top side attractions are hard to beat.
Khao Lak. Flight to Phuket or Bangkok.
Koh Chang which is not very far from Bangkok. However, diving is very ordinary but does attract lots of tourists to the island.

 

[Searcaigh]

Maldives

 

[Wibble]

Maldives

Isn't it expensive there?

 

[Miyaru]

...
I fantasise about diving in warm clear waters with pretty stuff to look at. Oh to need only a rash vest and budgie smugglers and become part of a reef/bimble around some wreck...

Where's a cheap(er) place to go from the UK/northern Europe that will also cater for a non-diving partner in January through March?

You can tick several boxes in Malta:
- warm: it's the warmest you can get in Europe: currently 17 degrees
- clear: visibility is less in the winter, but still around 20m
- to only need a rash vest: that depends on how much bioprene you have
- pretty stuff to look at: I admit, there's a severe lack of pretty girls in bikini during this time of the year.
- cheap(er): life here costs less than in the UK. Low-season prices at the moment.

 

[arew+4]

Looks like Curacao is about $600 to $700 (usd) and 10hrs direct out of Hampsterdam

 

[admikar]

I don't know. I kinda like it like this......

 

[thomschoon]

Just got back from Tenerife in Canary Islands, warm enough and diving was okay, we did shore dives and there was enough fish and octopus to keep everyone interested. Plus, Lots of discount airlines and cheap resorts. Lots of things to do when not diving.