Where is the best diving without getting too extravagant?

[LobsterOfJustice]

Hello,

My girlfriend and I just got SCUBA certified and her grandfather wants to take us someplace diving. Figi and that side of the pacific are probably out of the question, but Mexico, the Carribean, and maybe Hawaii are options. Where would you go?

Thanks,
Mike

[Avi]

I think you'd make a great choice if you went to the Cayman Islands or Bonair, which is a little less convenient to get to. Prices aren't too high this time of year, the water's really great and so are the reefs at both.

[b.branscombe]

I would definitely recommend Roatan, which is an island off the coast of Honduras. If you don't go in expecting a 5-star hotel, you'll have a great time. I have 50 logged dives, 46 of which have been in the Caribbean, and Roatan has the best reefs I've been to so far. The dives are great for beginners, shallow and no real currents. It's also extremely convenient - your gear is stored in a locker area right beside the boats, so you can just waltz down 15min before the boat leaves, without having to haul gear all the way from your hotel.

http://www.fantasyislandresort.com/us/index.html

Check it out, and PM me if you want more information and pros/cons of the resort.

[ScubaDiver93]

I gotta say i had the best time diving in Bora Bora. I saw a school of over 100 eagle rays and there was a dive spot full of great sharks. Highly recommend

[scarter]

I like the caribean, grand cayman is the nicest island in my opinion

[Scuba_Steve]

My first and favorite dive was just off the main island of hawaii.

[Nabob89]

my favorite by far is Grand Cayman

[karlmarx]

My favorite was my morrea dives by far. Ill try to find my log book to get the name of the the place if you want. Nothing like diving with hundreds of sharks and petting an eel.

[danceswithfish]

anyone recomend cozumel? or are other places much better?

[tcwayne]

xel-ha south of Cancun is very nice and most areas of the Bahammas and very easy to get to.

[Kayadad]

i have dove in many places including Tahiti, Galapagos, and a few islands in Hawaii. Northern Kauai was probably the best diving with Taha'a (Tahiti) having the best snorkeling and most colorful reef. I would head to Hawaii if I wanted to go on a simple diving vacation.

[webbstock]

Cozumel is a very easy place to dive/hang out etc. It's probably not the best diving out there, but it's still very nice, plus there's lots of non-diving activities.

I've not been, but I have heard that Belize has very nice diving and is a fun place.

I snorkeled a few of the reefs on Tobago (S. Caribbean) and it was really nice. I'm not sure how great the scuba diving is (it supposed to be good.

One other option a little more close to home is rig or wreck diving in the Gulf of Mexico. Not so much in the way of corals, but a really interesting experience.

[bureau13]

I was just in the Turks and Caicos, and it seemed pretty good. I just had time for one dive, but it was very nice, and there are dive destinations all over the place there. Only about 1.5 hours by air from Miami.

jds

[Frick-n-Frags]

cape fear

[vapor1]

Off the North Carolina Coast ... diving out of Beaufort N.C. Wreck diving at its best .

[Dragon2115]

Cozumel - mostly drift diving from boats. Probably not the best choice for a beginner.

Hawaii is expensive. If you think you can handle a night dive you can go see the mantas.

The Caymans are mostly wall dives. Ok, but be careful, beginners that forget to watch their depth can find themselves in real trouble.

All of these places offer great diving but also have challenges that as beginners you may not be ready for.

Bonaire is by far the best place for newly certified divers. West side diving offers 50 some odd dive sites that are accessible from shore. That means you rent a truck and go shore diving. There is little to no current. Navigation is as easy as it gets and visibility is typically 80' or better. The reef is within 200 yards of shore at the furthest, most of the time it's within fifty. The reef slopes over and bottoms out at around 80 if you on the southern end of the island and in between the inner and outer reefs. The topology is made for safety stops on your return. It's just a great place to get comfortable diving. They also have the utmost respect for their reef. There is a no touching rule and they are very serious about it. This obviously helps preserves the reef. You can get packages with unlimited shore diving plus a few boat dives. You can hire dive masters if you feel more comfortable that way. And if you stay at places right on the water you can just dive right from the dock day or night. The place is awesome for diving.

Here's a few photos from our last trip to Bonaire when our son got certified.

Wherever you decide on, have a great trip.

http://s91.photobucket.com/albums/k3...006/?start=all

[Jutta]

Heron Island or Lady Elliot Island off the east coast of Australia. Schools of Manta Rays around you - brilliant!

[sixspeed]

I hear that bermuda is a great place to dive, however i have not been there myself.

[mr.maroonsalty]

What about Saba? I lived a couple islands away for awhile, I don't dive, but always heard it is a great place to do so?

[virginiadiver69]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Frick-n-Frags
cape fear

Originally posted by vapor1
Off the North Carolina Coast ... diving out of Beaufort N.C. Wreck diving at its best .

I agree, don't discount some of the worlds best wreck diving right out your back door. Diving out of Morehead City will keep you in the Gulf Stream for almost year round diving without a dry-suit.
If you are considering Cozumel, look into Playa del Carmen. It is on the main land just across from Cozumel. Much less hassle, no cattle drive into and out of the water and you typically get to decide the dive site.