Which Caribbean Resort?

[Trailboss123]

If you are preferring something more all-inclusive, then there are a number of those on Cozumel that would probably fit the bill as @flyboy08 mentioned. I have been to Cozumel lots, but never done an all-inclusive resort, so I am not the best resource for you. But, many others can chime in. For an all-inclusive with plenty of good diving, but not on Roatan, I would probably lean toward Little Cayman or Cayman Brac and @scubadada and @KathyV are both going to be great resources for you on those locations and whether or not a 24-26 dive count is doable in one week, given how the resorts operate.

Not a lot of sandy beach to lay around on in Bonaire for your partner and to your point, the airfare may preclude going there anyway.

 

[drrich2]

Since you don't like to repeat the same destination much, if at all, and your desires may not change for some time, I suspect it may be worth looking at the options broadly, not just which one looks best this hoped for trip.

You want to dive a lot, but your idea of a lot sounds like averaging a little over 3 dives/day. Off the top of my head, here are some places (skipping live-aboards because of the non-diver) I believe can do that:

1.) Bonaire - if you shore dive. The glory of Bonaire is shore diving, often 4 - 5 dives/day. You can boat dive, but it's not a sandy beach place (a few exceptions: I hear Harbor Village and I think this new Delfins Beach Resort). Arid island, has a rugged beauty if you know how to look for it (mostly up north), but I don't think this is the droid you're looking for. Airfare is killer but costs on-island not so awful (food's expensive), especially if you do a lot of shore diving & drive cost by dive count.

2.) Curacao -described as similar diving to Bonaire, larger island, not as convenient getting place to place, more topside, and you get sandy beaches. Judging from reports, a lot of people shore dive it, but a lot of people do at least some boat dives (vs. Bonaire where a lot only shore dive). Here are some threads comparing the two:
Curacao vs. Bonaire - http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/lesser-antilles/473036-curacao-vs-bonaire.html
Bonaire vs Curacao - http://www.scubaboard.com/community/threads/bonaire-vs-curacao.535918/
Curacao 1st Timer Trip Report - http://www.scubaboard.com/community/threads/curacao-1st-timer-trip-report.527457/
Curacao Trip Report - Curacao Trip Report
Curacao Suggestions - http://www.scubaboard.com/community/threads/curacao-suggestions.536523/
Place to stay in Curacao - http://www.scubaboard.com/community/threads/place-to-stay-in-curacao.518346/ See Damselfish Post #3.
Curacao Trip with Teenagers in June - http://www.scubaboard.com/community/threads/curacao-trip-with-teenagers-in-june.525886/
Curacao Lodging - Curacao Lodging?
Curacao - First Time Opportunity - Curacao - First Time Opportunity
Curacao Solo Diving with Cert. - Curaçao solo diving with cert

3.) Cocoview Resort, Roatan - boat dives supplemented with shore diving the large house reef with a wreck present. Are you not wanting to go back to Roatan, or just not to Anthony's Key Resort?

4.) Turquoise Bay Resort, Roatan - I think you can get 3 dives/day. Scubadada had a nice report on it that was complimentary. Boat diving, not shore. A popular budget option I've seen listed before by a number of local dive group organizers. I think 3 dives/day?

5.) Cayman Brac Beach Resort, and Little Cayman Beach Resort. They can do 3 dives/day. Rather small islands without much topside, though (more on Brac than Little, I'm told); I don't know about their beach scene.

6.) Grand Cayman - already discussed. Sunshine Suites Resort and Comfort Inn Suites are the 'walking distance from 7 Mile Beach' budget options that drew my eye when I was looking at it. You can find op.s offering 2 2-tank boat trips/day, but cost may get you. Shore diving may start to appeal...! There are a range of excursions (e.g.: some controversial, like dolphin encounters & the Turtle Farm).

7.) Key Largo, Florida - Rainbow Reef Dive Center. 4 Boat dives/day quite doable. (Trip report 2013). I don't know if the hurricane damage will be an issue when you travel. Not a sandy beach destination, though.

8.) St. Croix - I went last August and enjoyed it (thread on St. Croix).

9.) Cozumel - Wow. So many options to research. I've been collecting notes for months hoping to spend a week there someday. IIRC, the southern A.I.'s may offer you sandy beach. The in town options offer you a range of dining options many people praise highly. When you research Cozumel, you may find people talk food 2nd to diving. Cozumel is a (major) cruise ship port, so expect a lot of excursions to be available.

On marine life: 8 trips to Bonaire & I haven't seen a shark. I saw a few in Key Largo, several in Belize, the Caymans & St. Croix. More large grouper in all of those than in Bonaire (where tiger grouper were about it for big ones).

If you can accept some shore diving & total trip cost doesn't bite too hard, I can't imagine you guys won't like Grand Cayman. For a quainter experience, St. Croix was fine for us. There sheer # of Cozumel reports & multiple repeat visitors can't be wrong!

You got analysis paralysis yet?

Richard.

 

[KathyV]

OK I'll work on breaking this down a little further: She is quite happy to sit on a sandy beach with a book while I dive my face off all day and some nights. As long as I am there and enjoying myself, she is super easy going with it. Yes, non-divers definitely complicate things, but with her it's a complication that I can definitely live with. I will even skip the occasional dive to go do a little exploring depending on the location. As for me I like boat diving, being the solo diver, boat diving usually throws you into a group so you have built in partners. As for the marine life, as long as it lives underwater I like it! I enjoy taking pictures of things underwater that other people care to look at, unlike my work photos. I have contemplated this already, but really know very little about the diving/operations/resorts/etc there...Yeah, I'm being lazy. I just want to fly there, dive till my ears hurt then get on a plane after drinking my weeks worth in one night after the diving is done...

So are you looking for an AI or not?

Ultimately yes...

Well, that's makes things easier. I thought that she might like restaurants and shopping and other topside attractions but it will be easier to find a nice, quiet beautiful place to relax and enjoy nature in the Caribbean.

Just a comment, when you are looking at resorts, remember to check what is actually included. Often taxes and services charges are extra above the advertised price.

You might take a look at the Cayman Brac Beach Resort. It is a lovely little AI resort with an amazing infinity pool, the prices are good and everything is included in the quoted price except the airfare and dive op tips. Some of their packages include liquor but others do not, so you can negotiate what you want to include or exclude. They have a nice little spa onsite and your wife could enjoy a massage or a manicure. I always do!

The food is very good for an AI and the desserts are delicious. They have games at the bar every night - you would be surprised at how much fun you can have at Bingo! And there is a Friday night barbecue included in your package.

You are likely to get 17 dives plus maybe a couple of night dives - so not as many as AKR - but the sand fleas are not a problem on Brac like they can be on Roatan. The island is fun to explore and you might like it! Shore diving is also available on Brac but I haven't tried it.

There are some links below with more information.

Cayman Brac video:


Cayman Brac:

Cayman Brac Beach Resort/Reef Divers Oct 23-30, 2017

http://www.xray-mag.com/pdfs/articles/Travel_CaymanBrac_LawsonWood_60_locked.pdf

https://www.facebook.com/cayman.brac.diving/posts/874214046078664#

http://caribjournal.com/2015/09/15/journey-to-cayman-brac/

Cayman Brac free tours:
http://www.islands.com/free-tour-you-cant-miss-cayman-brac

Day trip, one day car rental, McLaughlins email address? - Little Cayman Forum - TripAdvisor

 

[robint]

Lots of All-inclusives on Cozumel....look at the southern end of island, not anything in town as they won't have a beach and longer rides to reefs. Best reefs in the Caribbean, best fishlife large and small. Fabulous night diving. Gotta do boat diving though, shore diving is very limited and mostly just rubble as reefs are so far out and mandatory DM rule for boat diving. It is cheap to go to Cozumel, too. We stay at ScubaClubCozumel every time, not fancy, but we love the atmosphere and staff.

Bonaire... boat and shore diving available. We always stay at Buddy Dive. Not an all-inclusive but I understand that Plaza Resort there now has an AI option.
Its expensive to get to Bonaire, but worth it for 24/7 diving. You can dive as much as you want or have the energy to do. Night diving there is spectacular, too.

 

[Malarky]

Bonaire is not something I'd recommend for your non-diving missus. It's scrubby terrain and relatively devoid of topside activities. The only advantages would be if she wants to slum it at a casino, go kite surfing, or hike the north side. Flamingos are nice but you can't walk up and pet them. The salt pier looks better from below!

Sounds like you are angling for Cozumel or St Croix and maybe St Kitts.

 

[Allie Hutch]

If you go to Belize - Hamanasi resort was fabulous! Not unlimited diving though.

 

[Dogbowl]

@drrich2 , how can you not have gone to Cozumel yet? Go!

Sorry, it appears I have become a Cozumel fangirl in the very limited trips I’ve been there.

And yes, I vote for a nice AI on Cozumel.

 

[drrich2]

Ive had 3 cruise stops at Cozumel where I tried to do dives; weather blew me out twice. Got 2 dives with Living Underwater and enjoyed it. Would like to spend a week sometime.

 

[Divesanywhere]

Cozumel.
Cheap, easy to get to and short boat rides to the reef for drift dives.
Stay south of downtown so dive boats get to you eadier.
All inclusive are good.
I like Fiesta Americana.
Eat at Guidos downtown.
Have fun!