Best vacation spot with a non-diving spouse??

[SouthSideScubaSteve]

My wife took OW classes with me, but was never able to get certified because of recurring ear issues; thus dashing my hopes for easy vacation planning…

So, what are your recommendations for vacations that provide an opportunity for daily diving for me, as well as plenty of other activities to occupy my non-diving spouse while I am off loading up on nitrogen??

[RoatanMan]

The more topside activities that you have available, the quality of diving decreases.

Cayman for up-scale spa treatment + shopping & Golf; Nassau/Freeport slightly downscale same stuff; Cozumel if she likes to drink after spa treatments; The Antilles: Martinique, St Lucia, St. Martin, St. Kitts, Montserrat and St. Vincent for upscale pampering and dining.

If she's happy with looking at birds? Tobago (But the diving gets better!)

Exactly what kind of activities grab her attention?

[Teamcasa]

Nothing beats Hawaii for the best of both worlds.

[ptyx]

Bonaire: you either end up with a diving spouse or no spouse at all

(On a more serious note: about ears...)

[diverdiane]

Maui is great for both diving and topside activities. Aruba would be another good choice.

[ppo2_diver]

Aruba was great for my non-diving wife. She had fun at the beach while I went diving. Mexico was also good.

[SouthSideScubaSteve]

The more topside activities that you have available, the quality of diving decreases. .... Exactly what kind of activities grab her attention?

Thanks Doc...

Unfortunately, she works at a Salon / Spa, so that has little appeal for her (the reality is she has rarely found one on vacation where she was happy with the service)…

She’s happy to spend a couple of hours just reading on the beach / by the pool while on vacation, but not every day… There’s not really any one thing she likes to do while on vacation…

[sibermike7]

Maybe what we need is a "non-diving" spouse forum that way those with non-diving spouse could plan vacations together and the non-divers would have other non-divers to share the time.

Catalina Island, CA has a lot of folks that come there that are non-divers. I think you would exhaust you options in 2 days though it isn't a big island!

[SouthSideScubaSteve]

Bonaire: you either end up with a diving spouse or no spouse at all

(On a more serious note: about ears...)

Thanks for the suggestion, i guess ...

As for her "ear issues", it's not a problem clearing. When she dives (or flys in an unpressurized aircraft) fluids get displaced interally, typically creating swelling behind her ear (it appears 6-12 hours post dive). The swelling in turn causes pain and discomfort which typically takes days/weeks to completely go away.... Our Dr (who dives) and 2 ENT's are out of ideas / treatments to prevent it

[ptyx]

Hawaii/Kona might be a good candidate as well - I'm not sure how the diving is compared to Maui but there are tons of stuff to visit/hike/do above water.