Looking for an AI for a group trip

Planning a trip with a group of about 8 friends including my husband and I. We will be the only divers and no one else has been to the Caribbean. We also need to find an island or resort that is more LGBT friendly. I basically just need a place that everyone else can cut lose and we can get under water a day or two. Looking to keep it under 1500/pp including flights out of PHL

Thanks!!


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For what you're talking about, a cruise on one of the older (not largest available, latest edition) ships sounds good. Your friends could visit a few different islands, you & your spouse could do a dive expedition at a port stop or two, and everyone could have fun on board.

All-inclusives + good local diving + a good party scene + cheap is likely not going to happen.

An often-cited cheap scuba destination with all-inclusives is Cozumel; you can go online and check out Scuba Club Cozumel and Hotel Cozumel; be mindful to calculate with non-diver rates in mind.

I recently had a 1 week vacation at the Courtyard Marriot (not all-inclusive) diving 5 days with Rainbow Reef Dive Center in Key Largo. Some hotels in regions that don't assume you're diving are pretty cheap to put extra people in, dropping average cost of stay, and airfare to Fort Lauderdale from Nashville (rented an SUV & drove down) was fairly cheap.

You'd be not too awfully far from Miami for fun; be mindful Key Largo isn't much on big sandy beaches, though.

If I understand correctly, Fort Lauderdale, and for better dive conditions nearby Pompano Beach, might offer a good vacation.

People on the forum debate the 'all-inclusive vs. roam the town' thing, but I've got a question for you: Since all-inclusives tend to appeal to dive-a-holics who don't want foraging to distract from their diving, and the 2 of you plan to just dive a day or two and you want a place where 'everyone can cut loose,' is an all-inclusive really the best plan for you?

Richard.

drrich2:

For what you're talking about, a cruise on one of the older (not largest available, latest edition) ships sounds good. Your friends could visit a few different islands, you & your spouse could do a dive expedition at a port stop or two, and everyone could have fun on board.

All-inclusives + good local diving + a good party scene + cheap is likely not going to happen.

An often-cited cheap scuba destination with all-inclusives is Cozumel; you can go online and check out Scuba Club Cozumel and Hotel Cozumel; be mindful to calculate with non-diver rates in mind.

I recently had a 1 week vacation at the Courtyard Marriot (not all-inclusive) diving 5 days with Rainbow Reef Dive Center in Key Largo. Some hotels in regions that don't assume you're diving are pretty cheap to put extra people in, dropping average cost of stay, and airfare to Fort Lauderdale from Nashville (rented an SUV & drove down) was fairly cheap.

You'd be not too awfully far from Miami for fun; be mindful Key Largo isn't much on big sandy beaches, though.

If I understand correctly, Fort Lauderdale, and for better dive conditions nearby Pompano Beach, might offer a good vacation.

People on the forum debate the 'all-inclusive vs. roam the town' thing, but I've got a question for you: Since all-inclusives tend to appeal to dive-a-holics who don't want foraging to distract from their diving, and the 2 of you plan to just dive a day or two and you want a place where 'everyone can cut loose,' is an all-inclusive really the best plan for you?

Richard.

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We visited Coz in July for our honeymoon. I know people here love it but it honestly wasn't for us. We're not huge fans of the currents. We are also doing Key Largo in June with a diff group so that's out.

AI is what would work best for everyone. A couple people in the group have even requested it. And we don't have to center the trip around a dive centric destination. I just want to get wet a few days


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LOL! I was trying to figure out why you needed an Assistant Instructor on this trip!

I second the Cozumel suggestion. Hard to beat the price, comfortable all-inclusives, lots to do for non-divers.
Grand Cayman can also be quite economical, but not so much to do.

I've not been anywhere in the Caribbean that your perceived LGBT constraint is relevant. Most seem to not notice or care.

Look at Curacao. Great diving (same as Bonaire) lots of other things to do and LGBT friendly.

There's easy shore diving off some excellent beaches so the others have something to do while you're diving. Many beaches have on-site dive operators and food options. There's more shore dive sites than shown on this list: Scuba Shore Diving Site Listing for: Curacao, ABC Islands The Dive Bus specializes in escorted shore diving also - and runs combo dive/snorkel excursions.

The only true AI is Sunscape - it's a former Breezes. Has an Ocean Encounters shop on-site but the better diving is a short drive nearby. You might also consider Lions Dive Beach Resort - shared it can be reasonable as they have some larger villas. Not a true AI but you can buy a meal plan. The main Ocean Encounters shop is 50yds. down the boardwalk. It's near the Seaquarium complex (think small Seawworld) and there's some shops/restaurants within walking distance.

About a 10min. drive to downtown from there. The cruise port is also downtown so it gets pretty congested downtown at times. Plus the city is built right up to the waterfront and there's no good beaches until you get about 5-10mins. in either direction. One of the downtown resorts even has sand on their roof so patrons can tan.

Curacao Travel- Caribbean, Curacao, Dutch Caribbean has everything you need.

For your friends:

Curacao has been proud of its inclusion of LGBT people and in recent years embarked on a mission to place itself at the forefront of gay tourism for the Caribbean. - See more at: Gay and Lesbian Travel, Caribbean - World Rainbow Hotels

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Of these properties: GAYCURAÇAO.COM - We live and let live! the only place I wouldn't stay is the Hilton, it's older (60's?) and been referred to by those who have as a dump (grounds were nice but the hotel looked old). Also Coral Estates[-] or Lodge Kura Hulanda [/-]are a good 30-45min. drive from town. It's really quiet in those areas at night. Too remote for our taste. The Marriott in Piscadera Bay is one of the nicest I've been to but it's over your budget most likely.[-] None are AI's but LKH is by default - it's restaurant and 2-3 others locally are all there is.[/-] Coral Estates is a housing developement, there's not much nearby.

Edit - 11/2 : Lodge Kura Hulanda just closed it's doors - apparently permanently.

$600+ to fly from PHL. 8hrs. each way connecting thru MIA. You'll need car(s) to get around. We rent from Budget at the airport - it runs about $500/wk. They have extended hours if you have early/late arrivals/departures.

I seem to be recommending Curacao often.

I seem to nominate Little Cayman and Brac a lot as well. No stress, everyone has a good time. Not a lot of nightlife except what you make on your own. Most beautiful place in the world. Rent a big house and have fun.

I would look at the Mayan Riviera. Mexico is probably one of the cheapest destinations right now. There are hundreds of all inclusive resorts to chose from, so you will likely find one that suits your needs. You will also have the option of ocean diving, cenote diving or going across to Cozumel to dive. The non divers in your group will have a lot of activities and excursions to go on if they are so inclined.

I would second the Riviera Maya, although I don't know if you'll be able to bring everything in under your $1500 mark. We just did a trip for 22 to the Catalonia all-inclusive in Puerto Aventuras. The "non-diver" package, which included lodging, meals, and liquor, was about $600. The diving package, which was 2 dives a day, alternating ocean and cenotes, was about $1100. The hotel picked up at the Cancun airport, avoiding bus or rental car fees, and although we did not use the hotel dive op, the one we did use picked up at the hotel.

The non-diving folks hung out at the resort, used the spa, played in the pools and on the beach, and seemed to have a wonderful time. You can also easily walk to the center of PA and have a choice of other restaurants and if you like karaoke, there's a place that offers that. If drinking too much and getting a bit rowdy is "cutting loose", the resort seems to be well accustomed to dealing with that They also have a disco on site.

Anyway, we were really pleased with how well our group trip worked, and the ocean diving was quite good (I even did some!), and of course, the cenotes are unique.

If you decide to go for The Riviera Maya, which is absolutely beautiful with great diving let us know.
We will be more than glad to help you out with the planning and get a cool fun diving package together for you!

Cheers,

Karla and Frank

I second Catalonia. I have been a few times and enjoy it. I went this summer, without car and including flight it came in at about$1200 pp. We went diving 2x per day. There is also plenty to do for non divers.

If you do go, I could not recommend Dive Aventuras any higher. They have been the single best op I have ever gone with. The diving is easy, with a very light current much of the time. Plus, you have a 5 minute ride to some pretty nice reef. Its no Cayman, but you still enjoy it.