Newbie Dive Location

[Cheeky]

As you can all see myself and my buddy are new to diving and travel south every winter for approximately 1 month. We're going to Cozumel this time around and are planning on doing our AOW and as much diving as our bodies and budget permit. What other locations would be suitable for new divers? We're not afraid to get off the beaten path but do have to watch the bottom dollar somewhat. Thanks.

[diverrex]

As you can all see myself and my buddy are new to diving and travel south every winter for approximately 1 month. We're going to Cozumel this time around and are planning on doing our AOW and as much diving as our bodies and budget permit. What other locations would be suitable for new divers? We're not afraid to get off the beaten path but do have to watch the bottom dollar somewhat. Thanks.

Bonaire. If you stayed a month you could do lots of shore diving at a lower cost than boat diving most other places. The popular resort may be pricey for a month but there are also some small apartment type units not on the water that are reasonable.

Also look at Utilla.

[Cheeky]

Has anyone here rented an apartment there? Recommendations? We always rent an apartment/villa for our vaykay. Prefer not to be in the thick of the tourist zone.

[diverrex]

Has anyone here rented an apartment there? Recommendations? We always rent an apartment/villa for our vaykay. Prefer not to be in the thick of the tourist zone.

Post that type question in the specific regional forum and you should get lots of responses.

[TSandM]

I have to say, I was really impressed and pleased with the diving we did in the Sea of Cortez. It was ideal beginner diving -- TONS of stuff to see in shallow, protected, sunlit water, with minimal current. Lodging prices in Loreto didn't seem bad, either.

[DivemasterDennis]

Don't overlook the Florida keys. Lots of inexpensive places to stay and dive. Easy shallow diving and more challenging deeper wrecks when you finish your aow. Hawaii has great shore diving and you can find a condo or apartment for a month at better rates than a hotel for a week. Other swill have more suggestions, I'm sure.
DivemasterDennis

[Token]

I second the idea of the Florida Keys. It's easy to get to from Canada and there's a lot of variety both in terms of diving, dive ops and accommodation. Loreto interests me a lot...probably will get there in a couple of years. The fact that you're going for a month will ease the two-day jaunt to get there [stay over in L.A. to catch a morning flight].