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Normally I'd recommend the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao) for good, cheap diving (it is mostly shore based, and certainly in Bonaire you can get "free refill" deals and get in up to 5 dives a day (or so one of my instructors says), plus there are direct flights). But if you are from the US, all the prices will be in Euros and the exchange rate is a bit rough at the moment.
Aruba uses the Aruba Florin, and Bonaire & Curacao use the Netherlands Antilles Florin, all of which are tied to the US Dollar.
I've been researching the same thing. Cozumel and Negril kept popping up as the cheapest and easiest to get to. Coz is cheaper, especially if you fly to Cancun, then bus to Playa del Carmen, then ferry to Coz. Lots of inexpensive places to stay and inexpensive diving. But No beaches on the west coast where the diving is done. (my wife is a non-diver also.) Some resorts truck in some sand. And father south of San Miguel some of the more remote resorts have some beaches.
We're trying Negril this summer. Couples resorts includes diving and supposedly has wonderful beaches. I doubt the diving will compare to Cozumel but from what i can gather, most vacation divers seem pleased.
Before I was certified we spent a great week in Key Largo. Stayed at funky little resort called Bay Harbor Lodge. We snorkeled and 'Snubaed" Molasses Reef. It was very nice. That would probably be the cheapest option.
Normally I'd recommend the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao) for good, cheap diving (it is mostly shore based, and certainly in Bonaire you can get "free refill" deals and get in up to 5 dives a day (or so one of my instructors says), plus there are direct flights). But if you are from the US, all the prices will be in Euros and the exchange rate is a bit rough at the moment.
Prices are NOT in Euro's in the ABC islands. Prices are in Florin (local currency), and American Dollars are accepted everywhere.
I was in a similar situation recently. I wanted to do a dive trip, but having just come back from 19 months away from home I did not want to leave the non-diving wife behind. So a 8 day cruise on Carnival Cruise lines Valor (Sunday night to Sunday Morning) out of Miami to Grand Cayman, Roatan, Belize and Cozumel gave me 8 fabulous dives in 4 locations, quality time with the wife and something for her to do while I was diving (shopping, snorkeling, sight seeing). I like the idea of her having an organized group to hand with while I enjoyed 2 boat dives a day.
Cost for a corner balcony cabin (highly recommended as they are at least 1/2 again bigger) was less than $2,500 total for the two of us which covered all expenses including the shore trips, tips, lots of awesome food etc. Note we do not drink and a bar tab will add significantly to that. Inside cabins (small, just big enough for a queen size bed with two night stands wide and a tad longer, but hey your not in it that much) would lower the cost a bit. Plus the two days at sea relaxing on our balcony and enjoying some quality time together.
That makes for a great memorable vacation that is not that expensive particularly when you consider the cost includes transpiration from Miami to 4 ports, all your meals and lodging etc.
__________________
Melvin Pasley
Seen the Sand, now bring on the water.
Even the smallest bubble shall beat me to the surface.
ah, but what will the temp be in Coz at the end of July? Comparing apples and oranges here...
to me, there's a big difference between 79 & 75. I can still dive my 1mm in 79. But probably not in 75.
If you have a 5 day vacation, the river will get you 5 days of diving, where Coz will get you 3 if you're lucky.
I'm probably biased, since I like the wrecks more than the reefs, but you do get an extra day (maybe two) of diving and save round-trip airfare for two people, and an 18 hour no-fly time.
yeah, to each their own. I'd rather 3 days in Coz over 5 in the river, and I'm a reef person that doesn't like wrecks all that much. (The OP did say Caribbean...)
I was actually wondering about this myself because I want to go to Bonaire next summer, but I forgot about the flight time thing...so if I go there for 5 days, I'll have 3-4 days of actual diving. Whatabout Keys Largo? Would it be that much more expensive to stay there a couple extra days, and how does it compare to Carib diving like Bonaire? I want some really good diving, but I'd also like 5 days of diving. Price limit is probably $1,800 to $2,000.
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Tim Thompson, NREMT-B, PADI OW / AOW / EANx / Rescue
University of California Davis, Animal Science & Management Class of 2010
Biggest problem I have with Coz is limited shore diving. Boat dives limit you to two or three dives a day ... that's a half-day of diving in Bonaire ...
I've been researching the same thing. Cozumel and Negril kept popping up as the cheapest and easiest to get to. Coz is cheaper, especially if you fly to Cancun, then bus to Playa del Carmen, then ferry to Coz. Lots of inexpensive places to stay and inexpensive diving. But No beaches on the west coast where the diving is done. (my wife is a non-diver also.) Some resorts truck in some sand. And father south of San Miguel some of the more remote resorts have some beaches.
We're trying Negril this summer. Couples resorts includes diving and supposedly has wonderful beaches. I doubt the diving will compare to Cozumel but from what i can gather, most vacation divers seem pleased.
Before I was certified we spent a great week in Key Largo. Stayed at funky little resort called Bay Harbor Lodge. We snorkeled and 'Snubaed" Molasses Reef. It was very nice. That would probably be the cheapest option.
Quick note on diving in Negril. I spent my honeymoon there last year at the Sandals Negril and the diving wasn't so great. Couple of coral heads and not a lot of life. Was in Cozumel in January and it was miles better.
Comparing apples and oranges here...
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