RussL
Registered
Sorry in advance for the long post.
My wife and I are experienced divers, but we don't dive that often. We're organizing a dive trip somewhere in the Carib with some friends that are new divers. All of us want to go somewhere where there is more to do than just diving. After much discussion, we were thinking of either the Keys, Belize, or Cozumel; mainly for ease of travel and cost. Belize is most interesting because it's one place I've never been.
Lets talk Belize...
Belize is spread out, and it's hard figuring out where to go, even after hours of reading threads on the board. Any suggestions for first timers that want to dive and do other stuff (besides drinking and laying in the sun)?
I haven't had much luck finding flight connections from AZ to Belize other than Belize City ... All I get is "no flights on your scheduled days." After putting every combination in, and still no flights, I gave up. Any suggestions?
Florida Keys
This is certainly the cheapest and easiest travel option for us. It's been a long time since I've been diving there...mainly Key Largo. Visibility was hit or miss because of agricultural run off and it was killing the reefs. Has visibility it gotten and better or worse? How's the diving down in the lower keys? Is that okay for new divers? I was thinking hanging near Key West could be fun... do some diving, plus lots of other stuff to do.
Cozumel
It seems everyone on this board loves Cozumel. We're not huge drift diving fans because we like to take our time and look for micro stuff. We can hang out in a very small area for an entire dive. So, Coz is our 3rd choice, only because it's close, cheap and diving is relatively easy.
Other Possible Places
Cayman Islands - been there many times; great diving, but on the expensive side. Gonna pass.
Roatan - been to CoCoView. Great diving, but not much to do. Airfaire is steep from AZ at $1k pp. Pass.
Bonaire - been there twice; was on the table as an option, but pulled it off since the other divers were there not long ago.
Are there any places/options we haven't considered that we should?
Thanks for reading this who post and providing your feedback. My questions:
My wife and I are experienced divers, but we don't dive that often. We're organizing a dive trip somewhere in the Carib with some friends that are new divers. All of us want to go somewhere where there is more to do than just diving. After much discussion, we were thinking of either the Keys, Belize, or Cozumel; mainly for ease of travel and cost. Belize is most interesting because it's one place I've never been.
Lets talk Belize...
Belize is spread out, and it's hard figuring out where to go, even after hours of reading threads on the board. Any suggestions for first timers that want to dive and do other stuff (besides drinking and laying in the sun)?
I haven't had much luck finding flight connections from AZ to Belize other than Belize City ... All I get is "no flights on your scheduled days." After putting every combination in, and still no flights, I gave up. Any suggestions?
Florida Keys
This is certainly the cheapest and easiest travel option for us. It's been a long time since I've been diving there...mainly Key Largo. Visibility was hit or miss because of agricultural run off and it was killing the reefs. Has visibility it gotten and better or worse? How's the diving down in the lower keys? Is that okay for new divers? I was thinking hanging near Key West could be fun... do some diving, plus lots of other stuff to do.
Cozumel
It seems everyone on this board loves Cozumel. We're not huge drift diving fans because we like to take our time and look for micro stuff. We can hang out in a very small area for an entire dive. So, Coz is our 3rd choice, only because it's close, cheap and diving is relatively easy.
Other Possible Places
Cayman Islands - been there many times; great diving, but on the expensive side. Gonna pass.
Roatan - been to CoCoView. Great diving, but not much to do. Airfaire is steep from AZ at $1k pp. Pass.
Bonaire - been there twice; was on the table as an option, but pulled it off since the other divers were there not long ago.
Are there any places/options we haven't considered that we should?
Thanks for reading this who post and providing your feedback. My questions: