Looking to plan a trip

[upton75]

Hello I am new to this board and was looking to plan a trip. I wanted to go to Europe but the trip was booked for the time i got off. I am now looking to take my first true dive vacation and would like to get some ideas of good dive destinations. I would like to know what would be a better destinations, Bonaire or Hawaii. I have heard both have great diving and would like to experience both. My time off is June 19-29.

Thanks for any and all assistance.

 

[RICHinNC]

First, welcome to the board.

Have dove both. In "my" book, Bonaire kicks butt big time. Hawaii is nice but nothing as good as Bonaire. I am sure some others will disagree and that is cool. But for me, to go back to one or the other....wait....I am...in Sept.

Change vacation to Sept and meet me in Bonaire.

 

[robint]

Hawaii and Bonaire are VERY different dive destinations. Having done both, I can recommend both.
Hawaii diving is usually just a 2-tk am boat dive per day, you are back around lunchtime. Then you have topside activities, fancy restaurants, bars, nightlife, waterfalls, volcano tours, etc. Boat dives are always led by a DM, and prices are expensive. There is some shore diving in Hawaii. Kona has a manta night dive that is awesome. Maui diving has Molokini crater and Lanai caverns. Lots of fish, big and small, but the coral isn't as bright and colorful as in Caribbean.
Bonaire is the Shore Diving Capital of the Universe! People who go there tend to dive dive dive all day long. The reefs are feet away from the shore so you just walk into the water and go off on your own. There are boat dives but people don't always do them, or they only do 1 boat dive per day, then shore dive the rest. No fancy nightlife or crowds, only people on the island are divers or those working at resorts. Reefs are colorful and teeming with life. You won't see lots of big stuff - sharks, dolphins, etc. but you will see about every fish in the Caribbean Fish ID books.

Water temps in Hawaii in June are going to be 74-78 maybe, Bonaire water temps will around 80-82.

 

[PNW Dive Girl]

I argee with both the above posters. My vote and my favorite dive island, Bonaire!

 

[sruddock]

Just got back last week from a 2 week bonaire vacation. WE were lucky enough to be joined by a pod of 6 dolphins on one of our dives!!!!

 

[DeputyDan]

Hawaii and Bonaire are VERY different dive destinations. Having done both, I can recommend both.
Hawaii diving is usually just a 2-tk am boat dive per day, you are back around lunchtime. Then you have topside activities, fancy restaurants, bars, nightlife, waterfalls, volcano tours, etc. Boat dives are always led by a DM, and prices are expensive. There is some shore diving in Hawaii. Kona has a manta night dive that is awesome. Maui diving has Molokini crater and Lanai caverns. Lots of fish, big and small, but the coral isn't as bright and colorful as in Caribbean.
Bonaire is the Shore Diving Capital of the Universe! People who go there tend to dive dive dive all day long. The reefs are feet away from the shore so you just walk into the water and go off on your own. There are boat dives but people don't always do them, or they only do 1 boat dive per day, then shore dive the rest. No fancy nightlife or crowds, only people on the island are divers or those working at resorts. Reefs are colorful and teeming with life. You won't see lots of big stuff - sharks, dolphins, etc. but you will see about every fish in the Caribbean Fish ID books.

Water temps in Hawaii in June are going to be 74-78 maybe, Bonaire water temps will around 80-82.

Everything said here is true. I have also done both. Bonaire is a dive vacation. Hawaii is a vacation with diving (unless doing a liveaboard). There is a difference.

 

[DeputyDan]

It would be helpful to know your budget

 

[dashark]

I have not done Bonaire. It is next up on the list. The ease of shore diving whenever and wherever I want is very attractive. However, I have done Hawaii. Particularly Kona. It is my favorite spot so far and I return often.
Carribean and Pacific dive comparisons are apples and oranges. very different experiences.Since the previous posts are all about Bonaire. I thought I might tell you a few things about Kona
Kona has some very unique stuff to offer. Particularly the Manta night dives. These are worth the trip alone. The black water dive is also one not to miss.
The day diving is very beautiful and consistant. The vis is usually outstanding and the sealife abundant. Lots of turles. lots of eels. Healthy coral.
Topside there is more to see than can be done in just one trip.
I guess it really depends on what you are looking for.

 

[upton75]

Upon seeing the price for Hawaii i am more looking in the caribbean. The airfare for Hawaii was 1600. I want to do Bonaire, but my brother does not want to do a total dive vacations and we must agree. HE said he will go to a resort but doesn't want to stay for more that 5 days because he doesn't want to get bored with it. So right now i am fighting with him on where to go. I found this place that might work, but would like to do more diving.

diveaventuras the website,

 

[robint]

Upon seeing the price for Hawaii i am more looking in the caribbean. The airfare for Hawaii was 1600. I want to do Bonaire, but my brother does not want to do a total dive vacations and we must agree. HE said he will go to a resort but doesn't want to stay for more that 5 days because he doesn't want to get bored with it. So right now i am fighting with him on where to go. I found this place that might work, but would like to do more diving.

diveaventuras the website,

Is this it? Dive Aventuras Mexico scuba diving vacation packages Puerto Aventuras
That might be a great choice for you. The Riviera Maya area (Playa del Carmen, Puerto Aventuras, Tulum, Playacar) has lots of topside activities in addition to diving. Lots of jungle tours, Mayan ruins, ziplines, cenotes, etc. Look at a few websites: Riviera Maya
and
Alltournative - Off Track Adventures
Scuba Diving, Fishing, Dive Packages, and Extreme Sports in Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Riviera Maya, Yucatan, Mexico and Caribbean
just some places to start.

Another place you might like is Belize. Diving and also lots of topside activities.
Check out Belize Vacations, Tours, Resorts, News, Hotels, Travels, Flights, Weather, Maps, Real Estate
and
Monkey Business Travel Shoppe | Trips and Adventures Tours
and
Belize Adventure Travel, Belize Vacations at a Private Island: Slickrock Adventures

Also check out the Dive Travel Specialists websites:
Caradonna Dive Adventures - Dive Travel and Vacations
Bay Adventures :: Dive Adventures and Island Vacations :: 888.599.3483

they have packages and can help you arrange your plans.