scuba & non scuba marriage vacation

[Robiwan]

Hey, newbie here, just got OW cert and diving has to be one of the most fun, exciting, relaxing "sports" there is....well almost.
Wife doesn't scuba, but she loves the beach and fun, and we travel all over the world, so where does a regular joe like me take his significant other so I can dive my buns off during the morning, and she can have fun at a wonderful beach, or exploring an island or massage/spa? Thought about a cruise, but its not really my thing, but if it gets me under the water, then so be it. Oh yea, don't disco or karokee, but good food and bars are important. Any suggestions or advice??
TIA, Robi

[smokey braden]

robiwan,
welcome to this board.
there are several places that would fill your bill.
do some research on aruba.
they have several ops that rate high.
plenty to do topside.
contact clive and let him set you up.
Dive Aruba - Scuba Classes, Dive Trips and Equipment Rentals (http://www.divearuba.com/)
regards,

[del_mo]

Go to an all-inclusive resort, like Couples or Superclubs, etc. You can do one or two morning dives right off their beach and the rest of the day you and the Mrs. can play, party, or what have you. Grand Lido in Negril is very nice.

[tammymacb]

My vote is Grand Cayman. Lots to do topside, lots to see underneath!

DW can hang out on 7 Mile or shop to her hearts content, you can catch a dive boat! :D

Tammy ( the wife who doesn't really shop or beach, but is sitting next to DH on the boat )

[DiveMaven]

Maui would be a great choice.

[427Dave]

Same situation, we have been going to Aruba about 10 years, wife shops, casinos, sits and reads at the pool, etc lots of things for her to do. I do two tank morning dives with Unique Sports every day. Lots of great eating places. You will not go wrong.

[robint]

I agree with Divemaven on this one! Hawaii, Maui or Kona, would be great. Coming from CO, travel should be cheaper than going to Caribbean!
We went to Kona last Nov and really enjoyed all the topside stuff (volcanos, jungle rainforests with waterfalls), yet we were still able to get some decent diving in each morning. Maui has probably got more topside nightlife and is fancier. Kailua-Kona is sorta funky-hippie town filled with funky little bars, tattoo parlors, and touristy-tshirt shops. Nothing upscale at all unless you go north from town or far south where there are some $$$ resorts.
Very different topside atmosphere - both good diving.

robint:D

[Byte Me]

I'm in the same boat as the OP, my wife doesn't dive. I started after being convinced to do it at a resort course in Tulum all inclusive - Dreams Tulum. Instantly hooked. She was cool with me doing it - she just layed on the beach and relaxed. However, since I was going with their dive shop it was quick and close.

End of this month we're going back down to Playa and I've diving w/ Jason at Fantasea. Gonna be gone a bit longer but the good thing is it's in the AM, early for vacation, 8:00 AM. So I'll be back around lunch and we'll have the rest of the day.

Love the other suggestions, and I totally agree w/ Hawaii. We spent 16 nights there for our honeymoon and at the time I only snorkeled so I'm really looking forward to getting back - 1 because it's the best place we've ever been and 2 because I really want to dive it now!

[Paco II]

To the OP, not sure how far you want to travel or spend, but Matangi Island Resort in Fiji will fit your needs exactly. Just got back from there with my girlfriend, who is also not a diver. I spent my mornings doing boat dives, while she enjoyed the beach, snorkeling, the pool, sea kayaking, etc. It is a very private and romantic location. It was an unbelieveable experience. Matangi Island Resort Fiji (http://www.matangiisland.com/)

[shurite7]

Grand Cayman is nice or Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

Costa Rica is also a good option. Plenty of land excursion for the both of you and the divng isn't to bad.

C

[diverdiane]

You married someone who doesn't dive? Should have checked with us first;-)

[Scuba One]

For a honeymoon I vote for one of the couples or adult based all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica like Couples, www.divecouples.com Sandals, www.divebeaches.com or Grand Lido, www.divelido.com which all include scuba diving every day. If you want to get more serious about diving but still want adults only all-inclusive I suggest the Sabor section of the Wyndham Cozumel.

[clem]

Cozumel

[mike_s]

Go to an all-inclusive resort, like Couples or Superclubs, etc. You can do one or two morning dives right off their beach and the rest of the day you and the Mrs. can play, party, or what have you. Grand Lido in Negril is very nice.

Couples in Negril is really nice. So is Grand Lido next to it.

It worked out great for us since they have an onsite dive boat.

They do a one tank dive departing at 9am, back about 10:30 or 11am and the same thing at 1pm. On Saturday, they do 2 dives before lunch. One deep up to 95 or 100', the other shallow. No diving saturaday afternoon as boat maintenace is scheduled and sunday the dive crew is off. All dives are 65' or less on mostly reefs and might have "discovery scuba" students on it or open water students, but that was only one day out fo 7 we were there. For the most part it was only about 6 divers per trip on a 36' Newton Dive Speical boat. All gear and tanks were included in the all-inclusive price.

What worked great about this was that it was all in one resort and after I got through with the dive I just walked down to where the wife was laying out on a beach chair. It was just easy.

Nice resort also. but don't waist your money on the beach view room. Just get the garden view as the beachview's are still not directly on the beach and lots of divi tree's in the way.

feel free to PM if you've got questions.

[Robiwan]

Thanks everybody for the great suggestions!! Now I gotta save some $$ and get her to help plan the next trip. Diverdiane, I guess I should have a done a prenup......not really, been married 19 yrs before I took up scuba. She's cool with it, but I feel kinda selfish going diving while she hangs and waits. Obviously I am in the same boat (sorry about that) as others out there.
Thanks!
Robi

[mike_s]

, but I feel kinda selfish going diving while she hangs and waits. Obviously I am in the same boat (sorry about that) as others out there.




See if your wife actually feels "abandonned" while you are diving?

before kids, my wife didn't, as long as we stayed at a place that should could get one of those umbrellas and beach chairs and perhaps beach service on drinks. That was her idea of relaxing on a vacation was to sit on the beach and read and relax.

(of course all of that changes with kids.... :rofl3:)

[shontz]

Couples Resorts (Jamaica Resorts: Couples Resorts - All-Inclusive Resorts: Jamaican (http://www.couples.com)) and either Couples Negril or Couples Swept Away (both in Negril) would be a perfect fit for what you've described. Both have incredible spa services, excellent food, top shelf liquor, staff that is out of this world, and truly no tipping along with beaches that are world reknowned. Their dive teams are top notch. Of course the diving is not world-class but diving in Negril is very good. I had never been to an all-inclusive that I was impressed with until the Couples experience.

[Robiwan]

The couples thing looked really interesting until I saw the price!!:11: Is there anyway to get a deal there, or a speciality travel agency or something?
Hawaii has always been really good to us - now it would be the first time I would dive - another great suggestion.
Thanks to all - and my wife would never tell me that she feels abandoned, but you know that look you get when your later than you thought you would be getting back from diving....don't like that. Yes she has me trained.....:shakehead:
Robi

[almitywife]

Vanuatu is my choice!

Santo: dive the coollidge Dive the SS President Coolidge in Vanuatu with Aquamarine (http://www.aquamarinesanto.com/) or Bokissa Eco Island - Home (http://www.bokissa.vu/) or aoreresort.com (http://www.aoreresort.com/)

20mins away from Port Vila: hideaway island Hideaway Island Resort & Marine Sanctuary - Vanuatu - The diving resort (http://www.hideaway.com.vu/)

or Port Vila itself: Welcome to Iririki Island - IRIRIKI Island (http://www.iririki.com/)

or Tranquility island for very basic and eco and but nothing else to do but dive, swim and sleep: South Pacific Dive & Cruise Vanuatu (http://www.southpacdivecruise.com.vu/)


cheers

[robint]

The couples thing looked really interesting until I saw the price!!:11: Is there anyway to get a deal there, or a speciality travel agency or something?
Hawaii has always been really good to us - now it would be the first time I would dive - another great suggestion.
Thanks to all - and my wife would never tell me that she feels abandoned, but you know that look you get when your later than you thought you would be getting back from diving....don't like that. Yes she has me trained.....:shakehead:
Robi
before you book one of those 'couples' destinations, read this:
"Friends don't let friends dive Sandals."+ (http://www.scubadiving.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=50177)

[shontz]

before you book one of those 'couples' destinations, read this:
"Friends don't let friends dive Sandals."+ (http://www.scubadiving.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=50177)

There is a big difference between Sandals and Couples. Couples Resorts' dive staff are exceptionally professional and strictly follow roll-calls before and after dives, and as of early this year Swept Away in Negril instituted the DAN Tag system.

As for discounts... yes. Couples almost always runs a special that the announce in late spring that cut rates by 40%-50% for late Oct through mid-December. No, they are not cheap as their food, drinks and service are excellent.

[Al Mialkovsky]

Maui would be a great choice.

I concur

[Darnold9999]

Depending on what you like I would add Ambergrise Cay in Belize. Easy to get a couple of dives in and then spend the rest of the day exploring. Lots of other things to do in Belize as well.

My SO does not dive - so I go on liveaboard trips on my own - and couple vacations in places where I can dive for some number of days during the vacation. She hangs out at the pool, beach, whatever and writes. Allows her to write off part of the trip, and I get some diving in.

Costa Rica has lots and lots of things to do - didn't actually do much diving there, but it would work.

Cozumel works, Hawaii works, GBR did not work as well the diving is too far out so I left her in the hotel for 4 days (out of 5 weeks). She visited the local fire station and wrote a romance novella using their station as the setting.

Going to try Bahamas next.

The diving needs to be shore diving or a really short boat ride or it just takes too long and she may get annoyed that you are gone all day. I actuallly find it works to spend some time apart on a holiday - but that is not for everyone. We live and work out of the same house so it works for us.

[DeputyDan]

See if your wife actually feels "abandonned" while you are diving?

before kids, my wife didn't, as long as we stayed at a place that should could get one of those umbrellas and beach chairs and perhaps beach service on drinks. That was her idea of relaxing on a vacation was to sit on the beach and read and relax.

(of course all of that changes with kids.... :rofl3:)

Then your kids start diving and she is free again and you have kid duty.

[mike_s]

The couples thing looked really interesting until I saw the price!!:11: Is there anyway to get a deal there, or a speciality travel agency or something?


You can pay for Couples with freqent flyer miles. I think that with two first class tickets that we paid for ours with 438,000 frequent flier miles.

Yeah, if I had to pay cash for it it would have been like $7500 bucks. (with airline tickets)

We stayed for 7 nights on their "double take" plan. Double Take is where you stay 3 nights at one of their resorts and 4 nights at the other in one week. We stayed 3 nights at Ocho Rios and 4 nights at Negril. They flew us between the two resorts with another couple on a charter aircraft that day. It was pretty easy.

Try Vacation Express. They have decent deals on travel and include this location. Vacation Express : Value-Priced Vacation Packages to Mexico, Costa Rica and the Caribbean (http://www.vacationexpress.com)



There is a big difference between Sandals and Couples. Couples Resorts' dive staff are exceptionally professional and strictly follow roll-calls before and after dives, and as of early this year Swept Away in Negril instituted the DAN Tag system.


I've heard several difference in Sandals and Couples. Sandals is more popular but only because they market/advertise more and have ten times the locations. But I've some very negative reports on service and food about some of the Sandals from people that I know.

[miked]

I'm in a similar situation. My SO doesn't dive-she did a "resort course" dive in 1983, and said "that was great, but that was enough for me and diving". Happily, she knows how much I love diving, supports it while on vacation, and is independent enough to do things on her own: hang at the pool, shop, tour, gamble (where available)etc.

We work the daily schedules out, and I make sure to tell her how much I appreciete her support. As I have recently cut back my diving to "2 a day"-we also try to schedule days where we have a late breakfast together, then I'll do a "p.m. 2-tank", then be together for dinner. On other days, she may be busy, and I'll have to find something to do- it has to work both ways.

When planning vacations, we look to find places to go where she can SAFELY do those other activities, while I dive.
So far, based on our experiences-these places fit the conditions ( finally, getting around to answering your question, after my earlier blah-blah blahing) :) :

Aruba, Bermuda, Cozumel, Grand Caymen, New Providence/Paradise Island (the islands where Nassau is located-but stay out of the city of Nassau completely at night, and during the day unless in a group.)

Other places that we have gone to-with less successful experiences.
St. Martin (Dutch side)was just ok, but less than ideal.

Jamaica-no way. The people at the resort told us: "never leave the resort grounds unescorted."


Hope you both enjoy your trip.

Mike

[mike_s]

.

When planning vacations, we look to find places to go where she can SAFELY do :

Aruba, Bermuda, Cozumel, Grand Caymen, New Providence/Paradise Island (the islands where Nassau is located-but stay out of the city of Nassau completely at night, and during the day unless in a group.)

Aruba is very safe, even in light of the media spectical about Natalie Holloway. I felt it was one of the safer islands I'd been too. Grand Cayman seems very safe also, as did Cozumel.

I didn't think Nassau would be very safe at night once the cruise boat crowd left town. Folks tried to sell me drugs there twice when I was in town one day.

St Thomas has to be one of the worst considering it's a US possession.




Jamaica-no way. The people at the resort told us: "never leave the resort grounds unescorted."


In Jamaica, it all depends on where you are going (what town or what part of town) or what time it is. Late at night, stay in your resort.

But it's not a problem leaving the resort. However its nice just to hire a driver for the day. The resort will provide one (for a fee). It's just eaiser to get around that way as you essentially have your own tour guide. I think we paid about $10 or so bucks an hour for a driver. So cheaper than renting a car on average if you don't need it long term.

[MattJ]

We've done Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, and Cancun. I'm the only diver in my family too, so when time and finances permit, the wife and I do a FunJet trip to one of the locales above. I'll do morning dives; she'll sleep in. I'll meet her at the pool just before lunch. Works out great.

[Kevrumbo]

Hey, newbie here, just got OW cert and diving has to be one of the most fun, exciting, relaxing "sports" there is....well almost.
Wife doesn't scuba, but she loves the beach and fun, and we travel all over the world, so where does a regular joe like me take his significant other so I can dive my buns off during the morning, and she can have fun at a wonderful beach, or exploring an island or massage/spa? Thought about a cruise, but its not really my thing, but if it gets me under the water, then so be it. Oh yea, don't disco or karokee, but good food and bars are important. Any suggestions or advice??
TIA, Robi
Phuket Thailand. For her, all the above as you noted (shopping, cultural tours, laying out at beach etc). For you: Diving the Similan Islands (http://siamdivers.com/sites/similan.htm) --good mix of fish life, corals and pelagics. Recommend a Liveaboard combined with a subsequent Land based accommodation/Dive Op in Phuket as a good compromise for you both. (This is one of few great dive areas of the world, where you can get the most economy out of an otherwise crappy US Dollar right now. . .)

[luis rivera]

Playa del Carmen is really good. There are dives with huge sea turtles, massive tarpon fish, giant moray eels, tons of fish. There is a nice wreck dive here aswell. It is also a good place for non divers. Very tourist friendly but still a small place. You can walk down the beach until you find a destination that suits you.
A really good shop with Low prices and personalized treatment is Playa Scuba Dive Center * Centro de Buceo * Tauchbase - Playa del Carmen, Mexico (http://www.playascuba.com).

[Willar]

I'll echo the suggestion of an all-inclusive in Jamaica. Superclubs, Sandals, and Couples all have good scuba programs included in the price. I would suggest going to the Negril area on the west end of the island if you want to dive everyday. The north coast is notorious for rough water and cancelled dive trips.

The wife and I love Hedonism II for a fun and a little wicked vacation. The dive crew at the resort is excellent. I hear the crew at Grand Lido is very good also. I've seen the boats from Sandals which look very nice.

It's nice to see you two recognize that each need a little freedom to do the things you love while at the same time sharing a special trip. Have fun!!

[moneysavr]

Hey, newbie here, just got OW cert and diving has to be one of the most fun, exciting, relaxing "sports" there is....well almost.
Wife doesn't scuba, but she loves the beach and fun, and we travel all over the world, so where does a regular joe like me take his significant other so I can dive my buns off during the morning, and she can have fun at a wonderful beach, or exploring an island or massage/spa? Thought about a cruise, but its not really my thing, but if it gets me under the water, then so be it. Oh yea, don't disco or karokee, but good food and bars are important. Any suggestions or advice??
TIA, Robi

get her certified or beware,,,
it sounds great in the beginning and dose not end with that fairy tale ending,,

[DiveDiva_Ashley]

We too had this dilemma. We chose a beautiful all-inclusive resort called Sunscape in Riviera Maya, Mexico. There is lots to do throughout the day for the non-diver and a really nice spa. You can also snorkel off the beach, which was a nice compromise for us. We ended up doing this every day and I took some neat pictures of the sealife right there. It is within walking distance to several other resorts, so we walked down along the coast a couple times to see what was down there. One of the resorts not so far down the way was a topless resort, so I had to try that. ;o) That was a strangely liberating experience. hehe Anyways, you can book all sorts of excursions through the resort and they will pick you up right at the front door to take you to the places. We swam with dolphins and did an atv ride/cenote swimming excursion. Both were awesome. One day, I set up an opportunity for me to dive the Mexican cenotes while he was snorkeling with all of our non-diving spouses at the same time. They had a guide with the nondivers so they would take them around to the different parts of the cave that the divers would surface in so we could see each other throughout the dives. He said next time he'd have a wetsuit because he got cold, but the caves were definatly a different experience from the quarries and reefs I usually dive. The resort was within walking distance to town and the marina, so a couple days we went down there and looked at all the boats and shops. I got some great hand made jewelry down there and souveniers. We also booked a private dinner on the beach one night. They set a table us for us in the location of our choosing and our butler served us a huge, extravagant meal on the beach. Very romantic. There was a newletter they put out daily that listed all of their honeymooning couples and those celebrating wedding anniversaries, so we were almost famous for a day. ;o) There were 5 or 6 restaurants at the resort and all were included with the price of the stay. They are all different genres of food- there's plain American, a diner, Italian, Mexican, etc. Every night they had a different show- there was a fire show, a broadway show, Mariache band, etc. They had lots of pools- one that was adults only so there were no kids running around splashing you- and bubble pools also. My one caution though- no matter what they tell you at the resort, DON'T DRINK THE WATER. They will tell you it's purified and filtered and thus, safe for all of their American guests to drink. They lie. I'm not even sure if the bottled water they gave us was ok, but they kept the mini fridge in the room stocked with all sorts of pops and beers, so it wasn't bad once I figured out it was the water that was making me sick. I have some pics online at anp05/wedding - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting (http://photobucket.com/albums/y174/anp05/wedding/) The honeymoon pics start on page 7. Everything I took both topside and underwater is on there (minus the ones from the topless beach ;o)

Wherever you go, good luck and congrats! :crafty:

[divergirl50]

I am a diver and travel agent and suggest going to Cozumel. Lots of shopping and they do have beaches in Cozumel. The diving is first rate and much better than the Myan Riveria area or Playa del Carmen. I suggest staying at Park Royal. It is a beautiful resort that is easy pick up for you to go diving. It has 3 pools with swim up bars, 3 ala carte restaurants that are really good, a large buffet, several snack bars, nightly entertainment...that I never went to sorry, and the rooms are really nice and all have an ocean view except the first couple of floors. You get the most for your dollar in Cozumel. I think you can also get charter air or a great deal with Frontier to Cozumel. Lots of shopping for the wife and they have lots and lots of tours. Some night life in town and a major port for cruise ships so let me say lots of shopping again. Let me just say I stayed here 3 times this year and was very happy with the hotel and so was everyone else. The diving is great in Cozumel...the big stuff is back since hurricane Wilma and you will have a great time!
Affordable Trips And Tours (http://www.affordabletrips.net)
Diane

[luis rivera]

playa del carmen mexico is nice the cenotes unique dive in yucatan , go whit Playa Scuba Dive Center * Centro de Buceo * Tauchbase - Playa del Carmen, Mexico (http://www.playascuba.com) small groups very good prices , in downtown playa , cheers .