Destination Recommendations?

[Coraline_Reef]

It does really suck that you have to stay a full week to have the nonstop to Bonaire! The guy on the phone from Continental told me it was only a 4-5 hour flight, haha. Does anyone know how long it actally is?

 

[dvrliz1]

Ok, ok, let me help everyone out here. You have several options. One: The flight from Houston leaves at 11:30 pm and arrives 6:15 am. You have to remember the time differences and that we do not "fall back" here. The flight actually only takes about 4.5 hours.

Secondly, American flies out of Houston via San Juan to Bonaire.

Thirdly if you can get a cheap flight to Aruba and or Curacao, there are very inexpensive inter island flights you can take to Bonaire.

One of the busiest times in Feb is the 11-18. You can get from Houston to Aruba for $567 RT INCLUDING taxes, then for $100.00 RT you can get do Aruba-Bonaire RT. Not bad $667.00 RT from Houston To Bonaire.

Newark to Aruba $494 including taxes, then the extra $100 bucks to Bonaire RT. $594.00 Newark to Aruba??? Not Bad.

If you know where to look, you can find the right fares.

Liz

 

[ImaDivingMom]

My husband and I went to Grand Cayman for our first dive trip. We dove with DM Andy Walls of Seasports. I could go on for days about how fabulous the diving was in Grand Cayman and how great Andy was at dealing with me ... a very nervous new diver.

Check them out...
http://www.bestdivingingrandcayman.com/

We went in Mar 05 and found that there wasn't much to do on the island beyond diving. But we were okay with that. They were still recovering from Hurricane Ivan; however, the food was good and the people were very friendly. And, we felt very safe there. The marine life was incredible! And, the stingray visit was so much fun! I could have stayed there forever.

Have a great trip wherever you choose.

 

[Puck]

In the interest of time and expense, consider Grand Bahama Island. Airfare or even boat from Florida is easy to find and fairly priced. Lots of hotel options in all ranges. I did some of my early dives there, and felt like they had lots of different options depending on your level. Deep, shallow, wrecks, reef, sharks, lots of fish and photo ops -- a really good mix of good-great dives. Water is warm, and my dive op (Grand Bahama Scuba) couldn't have been more helpful for a newer diver. I learned things diving with them that should have been basic material for certification. Many other operators as well, but I have been spoiled.

As for life above the water, they have lots of other activities, great beaches, casinos, kayaking, fishsing, etc.

I have been back a few times, and in my opinion GBI is not the place to find the one best thing -- dive of a lifetime, greatest meal, most luxurious hotel -- but it has all that you need at a good/very good level. When you couple that with the diving opprtunities and the overall price, it is a great place for a dive trip.

 

[caymaniac]

The keys have good diving, Hawaii is good, great diving is more like Bonaire for two people that are just begginning to dive (your best choice). Cayman Brac would be another easy spot.
It really depends on if you like long boat rides. There are some really great places that have longer boat rides, like Provo/Turks & Caicos.

 

[dolphin adventures]

Hi: I notice you are from Houston. Belize is a really easy trip from Houston and has great diving. We have a super group trip going over Presidents Holiday for 7 nights to Ramons Village on Ambergris Caye in Belize. It's a fun group and the price is great. If you are interested I can give you the trip details just email dolphinadventures2004@yahoo.com. Thanks, Mary Jane

 

[awall54308]

Bonaire is the place to go. I just spent 11/18-11/26 there. As everyone has said, getting there and back sucked. Being there was awesome. I will difinitely be going back. Whatever you decide, do not fly Bonaire express. They are no doubt the worst airline I have ever flown. And it's only a 15 minute flight from Curacao!!!!

 

[oly5050user]

good beach /shore dive at sunset house grand cayman 24/7...Bonaire preferred-buddys has a rental car included with stay..dive with Zoo or Alex @buddies

 

[Darnold9999]

Have been to Cancun, Cosumel, Cuba (not an option I know), Belize, Costa Rica, Hawaii, Thailand and GBR.

First choice would be GBR, can't afford to for a while. Second would be Belize - am planning to go back shortly to do a liveaboard. Easy dives - 15 minute boat ride to the reef from Ambergrise Cay. Longer trips from south of Belize City. Fairly easy diving, lots to see and do. A really easy trip from Huston. Lots of dive shops, accommodation from backpack to 5 star.

Cancun, Cosumel - after a hurricane alot of what you would want to see as a beginning diver will have a fine coating of sand - not awful, but not great either. The walls will be OK, but the reefs not so much. At least that was my experience after the last major hurricane went through Cancun (about 89 - 90 as I recall - ripped off the ocean facing walls of about 20% of the hotels. They looked like beehives that someone took a knife to).

 

[cleung]

If you want to go diving in Feb or March, Florida and Bahamas might still be borderline water temperatures if you are prone to cold like I am. You would have to go a bit further south for the warmer waters. By say May, Florida Keys and Bahamas should be fine as well as other island destinations.