March Location for a Solo Newbie

[Andromeda]

Hello all-

First time poster, long time lurker! I'm a 27 year old American gal currently living in Amsterdam in Holland- got certified 4 years ago while backpacking in Thailand, since then have done... maybe 10 dives total: a few in Zanzibar two years ago, then most recently got the refresher/ one dive in Greece in Sept and one dive in La Palma in Oct (I get around...). So classic "beginner wanting more" I guess, and am looking for one week in March or so to go somewhere, and time to start thinking about it... one caveat is I'm traveling solo, so want to go somewhere where you can meet people, not just find yourself surrounded by honeymooners etc.

Now I know under normal circumstances I would just book a week in Dahab... but even if the flights were running from Amsterdam to Egypt currently it's probably not worth the worrying my family would do. So that's out, and there's no immediate other frontrunner- I'm not ruling out Caribbean or elsewhere in Africa, but if it takes more than 10-11 hours to fly there it's probably not worth going that far for just a week (not to mention getting seriously pricey).

So that's a pretty big radius, but if folks could suggest anyplace they know within it that's good for a beginner and where folks hang out at the beach bar/ go for dinner together after so a solo female isn't left out, that would be great.

Thanks!

 

[scubaweasel85]

Hello all-

First time poster, long time lurker! I'm a 27 year old American gal currently living in Amsterdam in Holland- got certified 4 years ago while backpacking in Thailand, since then have done... maybe 10 dives total: a few in Zanzibar two years ago, then most recently got the refresher/ one dive in Greece in Sept and one dive in La Palma in Oct (I get around...). So classic "beginner wanting more" I guess, and am looking for one week in March or so to go somewhere, and time to start thinking about it... one caveat is I'm traveling solo, so want to go somewhere where you can meet people, not just find yourself surrounded by honeymooners etc.

Now I know under normal circumstances I would just book a week in Dahab... but even if the flights were running from Amsterdam to Egypt currently it's probably not worth the worrying my family would do. So that's out, and there's no immediate other frontrunner- I'm not ruling out Caribbean or elsewhere in Africa, but if it takes more than 10-11 hours to fly there it's probably not worth going that far for just a week (not to mention getting seriously pricey).

So that's a pretty big radius, but if folks could suggest anyplace they know within it that's good for a beginner and where folks hang out at the beach bar/ go for dinner together after so a solo female isn't left out, that would be great.

Thanks!

Hi.

I am organizing a diving trip in March to Dahab. Just send me a mail: i.scubaweasel@gmail.com and ill give you info.

 

[diversteve]

One interesting option could be Curacao. It's Dutch and they also speak English, German and Papamientu. In fact we got directions several times from kids wanting to practice their English.

It's also a non-stop direct flight from Amsterdam - KLM has one flight on Saturday. (I didn't check other days) 9hrs. out, 8hrs. return but the return is a red-eye. Fare is C737 the middle of next month. I use Matrix - ITA Software to find flights.



Although the two dive specific resorts have both closed in the past 5 years, you could look into Lions Dive - I've read their bar is a good place to find dive buddies. They also have several restaurants on property. Ocean Encounters main shop is 50 yards away on the same boardwalk. In addition, for escorted shore diving, there's the Dive Bus. There are also several hire-a-guide operations for both shore and boat diving. It's literally the same diving as Bonaire just more spread out.

On the west end of the island, All West Apts. is similar - they have an on-site dive operator (Go West) but no restaurant - there are several nearby. And a couple of bars. But the west end is really quiet at night and a 45min. drive to town. We dove off the beach at Porto Mari once and were asked if we needed a buddy also by one of the locals.

Curacao is a big island and most people live near downtown Willemstad. So there's nightlife, beach bars, dance clubs, casinos etc. Also shopping there is world-famous. A lot of the better diving is to the west. So you'd need/want a car. Rent/bring a GPS or a good map also - outside of town many roads are just a guess.

You'll probably pay a single supplement at any of the resorts also - if you rent an apt. you can get around that but very few are dive focused. Atlantis Apartments/Diving is one - they're located downtown on the waterfront. I've never been there so have no idea what's there/nearby.

Curacao Travel- Caribbean, Curacao, Dutch Caribbean has links to everything I posted.

Bonaire would be an option also. There are several regional airlines that fly multiple flights daily between the islands. To keep the costs/time down fly non-stop to Curacao first then puddle-jump over - it's a 1/2hr. flight on Insel - $100 r/t. There's also a direct flight on Arkefly from Amsterdam to Bonaire. Details here: http://www.infobonaire.com/airlineinfo.html

On Bonaire you'd have your choice of 2 dozen dive focused resorts - all offer dive packages and at some like Buddy Dive - almost everybody is a diver. In a week, I only met one person that wasn't a diver at Habitat resort. Most dive resorts have their own bars and restaurants also. Plaza Resort is now a full AI resort - they bundle everything. It might be one of few places where there would be some non-divers - they have a nice beach/pool also. Most of the other dive resorts bundle diving/truck rental/accommodations and occasionally breakfast. Info Bonaire - The Bonaire Information Site - The Most Current and Up-To-Date Information.

Either has low current easy diving. Both offer morning/afternoon boat dives and unlimited shore diving. I prefer the entries on Curacao - they're either beaches or dive docks. Except for the dive resorts - most entries on Bonaire are over ironshore and coral rubble so harder for a new diver.

 

[H2O Gal]

DiverSteve-
Can I hire you as my travel agent for the next trip I take?

 

[diversteve]

You should've seen it before I shortened it...

 

[Lana.mcglynn]

My group has a trip to Curacao in Feb 2017, we are solo female divers

other trips also, let me know if you are interested

 

[Kharon]

+1 for Curacao. Much more to do topside than other options.

 

[Lana.mcglynn]

+1 for Curacao. Much more to do topside than other options.

are you interested in joining our group?

 

[Kharon]

are you interested in joining our group?

ROFLMAO - actually no. I am a solo male diver. I have a solitary trip scheduled for Nov 26 through Dec 10 2016. Haven't decided where I'm going late winter (Feb/Mar 2017).

I recently tried going on a trip with my scuba club and tried an all inclusive. I was disappointed both times (severely in the case of the all inclusive). I'm going back to my original MO. Go someplace that I can dive from shore in very good visibility, rent an apartment with a full kitchen, a vehicle, and unlimited air. Dive where I want, when I want, how I want for 2 weeks. And finally, regret having to go back home.