Spring travel suggestions for new diver

[jejton]

Hi,
I haven't posted in a while but have lurking. After an aborted training a few years ago, I finally was able to complete my PADI OW. I was hoping to get some local ( NY ) diving in before wet suit season was over but doesnt look like thats happening so my next opportunity will be when I am off in mid-April. I was looking for some vacation suggestions. Cozumel and Bahamas have been suggested and I've been spending a lot of time reading the Coz threads. Here's my criteria.

1.) Enough diving opportunities for a novice.
2.) Family friendly - I will be traveling with two yungins'
3.) Nondiver friendly - the other half does not, and will not, be diving so there need to be activities that we can do together when I'm not diving.
4.) Nice beaches to spend family time relaxing.
5.) Night life - not looking for Spring Break scene but would like some options for after dark.

I haven't worked out a budget yet. That will be determined later but I do realize that mid-April is high season in at least Cozumel but obviously more affordable is better.

Thanks in advance.

[DeputyDan]

Might want to look at Ambergris Caye, Belize.

It will have everything you are looking for.

The diving is not great, but as a new diver it will be more than good enough.

[NCBabs]

Hotel Cozumel is agood choose but there are others let me know be glad to help.

• 180 room resort. Each room has an ocean or pool view and its own terrace with hooks for hanging dive gear, 1 king size bed or two double beds, A/C, direct dialing telephone, tub/shower and cable TV.
• Hotel amenities include room service, safety deposit boxes, billiards, gym, "Kids Club", multiple restaurants/bars/shops and newly renovated beachfront.
  • A full-service Dive Paradise shop and training facility is located onsite, beachfront. Showers, rinse tanks and lockers are available for gear storage.
• The resort boasts the largest pool on island! Free Dive Paradise "Introduction to SCUBA" classes facilitated in pool.
• All diving trips depart directly from hotel pier.
• 4 night package totals 9 dives, 7 night package totals 15 dives!
• "All Inclusive" packages are available which include 3 meals a day, between-meal snacks and domestic drinks between 11:00AM - 10:30PM. Telephone calls, laundry and room service is not included. Prices are shown in parenthesis in the table below.
• Visit the Hotel Cozumel website for more information!

Based on double for don’t know age of youngkids
$1012 Diver 7 night with 5 days 2 tank and 4days 1 tank afternoon dives ALL Inclusive package
$607 non diver

[cardzard]

If you can wait until June, Scubaboard is having the Cozumel Invasion.
It's a unbeatable deal and members from around the globe will be attending.
There is diving for all levels of drivers.

Details can be found here
Invade Cozumel 2012 Package Deal

[annlaur]

1.) Enough diving opportunities for a novice.
2.) Family friendly - I will be traveling with two yungins'
3.) Nondiver friendly - the other half does not, and will not, be diving so there need to be activities that we can do together when I'm not diving.
4.) Nice beaches to spend family time relaxing.
5.) Night life - not looking for Spring Break scene but would like some options for after dark.

I haven't worked out a budget yet. That will be determined later but I do realize that mid-April is high season in at least Cozumel but obviously more affordable is better.

Cozumel has plenty of diving opportunities. Make sure you let the dive op know you are a novice and hire a private DM for the first few dives (costs about USD50 extra for a 2 tank trip).
The island is very family friendly (safe to walk everywhere), but you will need a means of transportation to enjoy the island beaches and activities. The latter include visiting the ruins of San Gervasio, the local museum, snorkeling, shopping, eating out, live music, swimming with dolphins or stingrays, spas, all kinds of watersports…
There is some night life, live music most nights at either French Quarter, Love, Money Bar, La Hach, Ambar, Piratas, Viva Mexico, Tiki Tok… You'll also find a Hard Rock Café, Carlos and Charlie, Señor Frog's, as well as sports bars, a casino, and night clubs. Venues change everyday, so just ask the locals what's happening when you're there.
April is high season, but with Easter being the 8th, it should be somewhat quieter (and possibly cheaper) after the 15th.

Since you're a beginner and the only diver in your party, you might also look at deals on the mainland. Playa del Carmen, across the channel, boasts beautiful beaches, great nightlife and shopping, and if you rent a car you can access world famous ruins as well as several theme parks from there. My understanding is that the diving is not as spectacular there, though.

[NCBabs]

what ages are the 2 young kids?

If you can go now between Dec 20 Allegro Cozumel has a good price and 2 kids are FREE up to age 12 ALL Inculsive package.
diver $787 and non -diver $427


ALL INCLUSIVE FEATURES
• Unlimited meals, snacks & beverages
• Full open bar
• 3 restaurants, 6 bars & 1 sports bar/Disco with bar
• 3 swimming pools (1 relaxation, 1 activity pool, 1 kids)
• Chaise lounges & towel service by the pool & beach areas
• 1 Jacuzzi
• Fitness facilities & sauna
• Kids Club with supervised activities (ages 0–7 yrs)
• Teens Club with activities (8-17 yrs)
• Kids Water Park
• Sports: 4 illuminated courts: 3 tennis and 1 multipurpose court: basketball, tennis, volleyball; beach soccer, ping-pong, darts, billiards, kayaking, snorkeling, boogie boarding, sailing, windsurfing& giant chess board
• Daily activities program by the pool and beach areas
• Nightly shows & entertainment
• Taxes & gratuities

[BDSC]

You may also want to consider the Florida Keys.

[jejton]

So thanks for all the suggestions. Unfortunately, as a resident ( pediatrics ) my schedule is pretty inflexible so April 16-22 is my window for vacation. I've done some reading at the local library and online and decided to expand my options to include Florida and Key Largo seems like the better of the options - due to its proximity to airports, Miami and nondiving activities. Maybe Ft. Lauderdale as well but what I'm reading seems to point to Key Largo as the better option for newbies. If I go with Florida, I might consider renting a vacation home rather than hotel but am undecided. So right now it seems like Cozumel and Florida are the main choices. Would much appreciate some more help as the more random reading I do the more overwhelmed I get with the options.

[jejton]

I want to add two things - I will be renting all my gear save fins, mask and snorkel. I would like to be on, or very near, a sandy beach.