Any recommendations for a first trip?

dmbelina · Aug 21, 2002

Looking into places to go for my first dive trip after OW cert....will most likely be first quarter 2003....had my heart set on something in the Carribbean.

My LDS is going to Bonaire in that time frame, but when I did a search here on peoples trips to Bonaire, I saw one post where a couple people said that night life in Bonaire was lacking...someone even said that it "has the night life of an assisted living home".

I'm a 23yr old single guy, a lack of night life and scuba bunnies (think ski bunnies...yeah, yeah, a lame joke

) is a serious turn off

Any recommendations?

buff · Aug 21, 2002

I made the comment that Bonaire has the night life of an assisted living home........and I stick by it. And that's why I love Bonaire. Bonaire does have some type of scuba gathering earlier in the year-May or June that attracts a lot of divers. How many "scuba bunnies" it attracts I don't know.

Cozumel is cheap, it's fun, it has great diving and you're still in another country-pseudo exotic. You can always take a ferry to Playa del Carmen and party on the beach with all the topless German and Chilean ladies. I like Playa del Carmen just for the laid back atmosphere-Bohemian like. Cancun is up the road and it's like being in Miami.

Bonaire is great for first time divers, though. No current. Dive from shore. Nothing better.

Natasha · Aug 21, 2002

As a travel agent, I have men ask me all the time, "Do you think I can hook up with anyone on this trip?" My answer is always the same. I will not promise the weather, or that a woman will want to be with you.
Geez, some people really want everything, on a trip!
I will promise good diving in both Bonaire and Cozumel.
I think you should go for the diving and just maybe if your mind isn't on scuba 'bunnies' you will meet one without expecting to.
PS There are casinos in Bonaire for nightlife, and a 'disco' with a big dance floor in town.

Bigberg50 · Aug 21, 2002

Bonaire over cozumel for first trip.

redacted · Aug 21, 2002

Diving - then go to Cozumel
Nightlife - then go to Cancun

Or you could just do both of them.

Northeastwrecks · Aug 21, 2002

My favorite spot. Its not cheap, but the diving is great. I found a couple of spots to have fun at night.

mlove · Aug 31, 2002

I agree with Natasha, there is also a karoke bar. Night life in Bonaire is great night diving. After a full day of diving I am usually ready for bed, or should I say sleep.

mike

scorpionfish · Sep 10, 2002

Have you considered Hawaii? Both Maui and the Big Island have darn good diving and, I think, they are cost effective. Maui will give you more night life than the Big Island. Also Maui has white sand beaches, whereas the Big Island has lots of lava beaches.

We have been all around the Caribbean and the Pacific and have had fine diving in most places. But Coz, in our opinions, is one of the premier dive sites in North America. Some folks are wary of Coz for beginners because nearly all the dives are live boat drift dives; and I have to agree that if you get caught in a swift current and are not an experienced diver, it can be a problem. But the diving and the night life are great!

Back to my original theme: look into Hawaii. Oahu's dives are so, so in my opinion; Kauai has nice dives, but it is a sleepy little island still; Maui has good diving and Lahaina has sparkling night life; the Big Island has fine diving and a more peaceful atmosphere than Maui (I think).

Scorpionfish--don't tread on me!

Rich · Sep 19, 2002

You might consider the US Virgin Islands....especially if $$$$$ is a factor. the carribean is much cheaper than the bahamas.

The Rennaissance (sp?) hotel system on St. thomas can be very reasonable. I used my AAA discount and spent 7 days there with the room being only $98 a night. They are part of the Marriot system so it is not bad at all. The Chris Sawyer (on the web) dive group caters to that area and is within 10 minutes walking distance of the hotel. On st. thomas you have the main port town Amalia (sp?) and it can be lively.

Two years ago i went to St. John and it was great. Stayed at the Westin resort. The thing i liked about st. john were the smaller, almost abandoned beaches. if you could find a dive buddy, (just to appease those who gasp at the idea solo diving...of course if youre new at it...dont try it) the beaches there on st. john are hard to beat for the price.

jgiddings · Sep 26, 2002

Bonaire is very good, very easy diving, but the nightlife is more diving.

The Dominican Republic has a great nightlife and I hear the diving is good as well, but I've never dived there.

Any recommendations for a first trip?

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