Only one dive destination in the Carribean?

[Bioteacher]

I would have to put a vote in for Dominica. It had some of the best diving and topside was beautiful

 

[Twilodiver]

You just met these guys and they are here now asking about this? I therefore assume that this trip is pretty imminent, and that complicates things considerably. Logistics is going to be a pain for a jump-and-run trip of any kind, as I'm sure you are aware. Your best chance for good diving on a minute's notice is probably Cozumel or Bonaire, when you figure in available transportation and available services when you get there. And, as others have noted, costs will be a big consideration.
But as to your basic question, you are looking for premium diving and lots of it. If you had more time, I would recommend any of several good liveaboards that I can think of, which will get you maximum diving in what are often otherwise inaccessible areas. But, these guys book up in advance, and I sort of doubt you could shoehorn 5 people in at the last minute. But then again, given today's economy and sagging occupancy rates on these boats, you might be able to do it. If you want memorable diving, I can't think of a better way to fill up a week in the Caribbean. Just my 2 cents worth.

I would love to know the names of the liveaboards that I can think of, which will get you maximum diving in what are often otherwise inaccessible areas if iyou want can PM me. Please love to find cool places to dive ....Thank you so much!!!

 

[bractime]

If you like wall diving it is hard to beat Little Cayman. People are friendly and no crime. Great place to get away dive and relax.

 

[edclee]

I think if I could only dive that part of the world only once in my life, I would feel cheated if I did not spend that opportunity diving Bonaire. Bonaire diving is unique in the world, vis is great no big critters but there are plenty in the rest of the world. There is just no other venue like Bonaire. If boat diving is all you do, then Coz or Curacao are both great, but for only once?....Has to be Bonaire.
Ed

 

[vladimir]

In past iterations of this well-trod discussion I have chosen Belize for its mix of diving, including large animals, macro stuff, the Blue Hole, high current dives, and leisurely reefs. But the big animals were already few and far between on my last visit, ~5 years ago, and the recommendation assumes accommodation on either a liveaboard or Turneffe Island Resort. Some of the highlights of my Belize trips were a hammerhead, dolphins (frolicking among us!), huge schools of game fish not ordinarily seen by tropical reef divers, and a crocodile.

It is not quite accurate to say Bonaire has no big animals. Although shark sightings have been rare, I have seen schools of dolphins on a few occasions, and from close by. And there are the tarpon, which can be reliably seen on most night dives. But I agree, if you want to see big animals, you should opt for somewhere else.

Like Little Cayman, perhaps. There's always potential for something big when you're diving a 1,000' drop off, and we regularly saw gray reef sharks, mantas, and turtles.

Cozumel rounds out my top four, but my Caribbean experience isn't as broad as it could be. Like a lot of divers, I am more prone to repeat a trip I enjoyed than explore a new island. While I enjoyed my Cozumel trip, I was never tempted to return. Too many divers.

 

[robint]

I would say Cozumel, but with some restrictions. I would book the group at ScubaClubCozumel (through a Dive Travel specialist like Island Dreams or Caradonna). With your group, you would be able to have your own small boat and DM for the trip. Meals are all included but it isn't buffet, it is sit down meals off a menu with the exception of breakfast which is buffet. The resort is DIVERS only, so no kiddos and no wild parties. Just dive eat dive eat dive eat... repeat. Unlimited shore diving for free. Your group can add on extra afternoon dives, they only need 4 people to sign up to send a boat out in afternoons. They need 6 people for a night dive boat. Prices are very good.

I would pick Cozumel because the reefs are fantastic, especially anything in Palancar and Columbia areas... deep pinnacles and swim-throughs, best in Caribbean. Fishlife is also best of the Caribbean with everything big and small. It is drift diving, so easy as long as you follow the rules.

photos from my last trip there: http://www.rnrscuba.net/2012_Cozumel/2012_ScubaClubCozumel.html

and a video:
[vimeo]40235717[/vimeo]

or another video of mine from a previous trip:

[vimeo]11934524[/vimeo]


I love Bonaire also... but it isn't the Best of Caribbean trip IMHO because it is only smaller fish and the reefs all look similar, no swim-throughs or vertical walls, etc. Great diving, but not the same as the variety in Cozumel.

 

[lmorin]

I think if I could only dive that part of the world only once in my life, I would feel cheated if I did not spend that opportunity diving Bonaire. Bonaire diving is unique in the world, vis is great no big critters but there are plenty in the rest of the world. There is just no other venue like Bonaire. If boat diving is all you do, then Coz or Curacao are both great, but for only once?....Has to be Bonaire.
Ed

Oh, I don't know about the "no big critters." Does a pod of 40-50 dolphin qualify as a group of big critters? A manta? Spotted eagle or southern sting rays? Then there are the baitballs made up of thousands of boga or bigeye scad. Those baitballs are "big critters" in our eyes!

 

[robint]

Oh, I don't know about the "no big critters." Does a pod of 40-50 dolphin qualify as a group of big critters? A manta? Spotted eagle or southern sting rays? Then there are the baitballs made up of thousands of boga or bigeye scad. Those baitballs are "big critters" in our eyes!

those things are rare... well, with the exception of the large schools of fish. I have been to Bonaire twice, have seen 4-5 eagle rays, NO sharks, NO southern rays, NO mantas, and NO schools of dolphins.
I have been to Cozumel 8 times, have seen all of the above (except for the mantas), sometimes all on the same day there. As far as Big baitballs, I have seen those at every destination in the Caribbean.

 

[Oldbear]

Guys n Gals -

I just met a group of foreign students who have come to the US. They were planning to go to either the Carribean or Bahamas for one week of diving. For most of these guys, this will be once a lifetime trip because once they go back to their home countries USA and the Carribean is a long and $$$ ride.

If you could dive only one place in the Carribean in your life, which would it be? Bonaire? Little Cayman? Cozumel? Puerto Rico? We have the option of signing up with a dive shop but since there are five of us the group is big enough to pick our own desitination. Your thoughts and input will be a huge help and I thank in advace for your replies.

Regards -

Sinbad

Sinbad,

This might be too late for your planning purposes but here are my 2¢.

Puerto Rico is really low on the list – great land based activities by definitely no WOW to its diving from what I have seen.

Where are the students from? If they are from a large city, perhaps a destination with a rural flare might be the ticket for them.

If they are from a rural community, than something more with a modern flare might be in order. artytime:

There are so many great diving destinations in the Caribbean that maybe looking at the non-diving amenities might be the way to go for these travelers.


Good luck with the trip...

~Oldbear~

 

[edclee]

Well, I see my "no big critters" comment stirred some souls. I only said that because NORMALLY one would not expect to see big critters there. However, in August we saw (see pics) a 10-12' manta at arms length, and then in November (dontcha love Thanksgiving in Bonaire?) we saw a shark (ok it was a nurse shark), but it was about 6 ft long and beautiful, plenty of turtles as well. See the pics attached