Where to Dive with Jr. Divers

[diversteve]

The kids might like Gumbalimba Park also. It's a few miles west of AKR in West Bay. Roatan Shore Excursions | Gumbalimba Park in Roatan

I almost can't think of a safer place for divers than AKR. The recompression chamber is on-site there and the doctor runs a medical clinic in the same facility with - I believe - daily hours. Plus one night when my friend needed the chamber, the staff called him - he lives about 15mins. away.

Also AKR is gated/fenced and the only way onto the Key is via their water taxi. The pool is on the Key, the dive operation/boats/dining room is on the "mainland" if that matters in room selection. Also "Superior" means Air-Conditioning. 3/4 seasons you want that..

 

[SquidSpotter]

Thank you for all your replies! I have looked hard at your suggestions and believe it or not, have found a place in Key Largo that looks awesome. We will save that trip for another occasion. For this one, though, I think we are settled on AKR. We have spoken with them, asked every question imaginable, and I feel like it would be really hard to mess that one up. Their 2 for 1 deal is also kind of hard to pass up. So, thanks for helping me do my homework, and I will be scouring all the boards to get my head back in the game, so to speak! This trip is a gift to our family from a grandparent, so we are able to kind of "go all out" and spoil ourselves a bit. :cool2: I think AKR will fit the bill.

 

[gbf]

When my young daughter was in high school (9th and 10th grade) she went to "Sea Camp" at AKR. She loved it and I had to badger her into going elsewhere afterwards.

Have a great time (and BOGO is really hard to beat).

 

[KathyV]

i am glad that you found a good option for your family trip! i just want to mention that some of the accomodations at AKR are not air-conditioned, so if that is important to you than be sure to ask before you book.

 

[freewillie]

I'll throw in my $0.02.

I have dived Cancun, Nassau, and Turks and Caicos in the Caribbean. I would recommend Cancun or Cozumel since they are primarily drift diving conditions and I don't think great for beginners. Nassau was nice but only went diving one day.

The Beaches Resort in Turks and Caicos was where my then 13 year old daughter learned to dive. It's an all inclusive resort with food and beverage but can be a little pricey depending on the package. But diving is included with 2 tank morning dives and 1 tank afternoon dives. There is a 5 star PADI center on the resort and that's where my daughter learned to scuba (for an additional fee - which would have been the same price as training at home.). There are two other resorts in Jamaica as well.

best part about vacation is that the kids have a miniature water park in the resort. Dive in the morning. Spend time in the water slides in the afternoon. Have nice dinner in resort restaurant. It was absolutely one of the best dive trips with the family I've had. When in Maui and Kona I spent about $140 pp per day diving. Four day dives and two night dives for two divers and rental gear with tips really added up! And at the Beacphes resorts gear is also part of the package. I took all my gear last time but at least I didn't have to pay for my daughter's gear rentals either. And they do cater to beginner divers. Factoring what I pay out of pocket for diving the cost seems like a better deal all things considered.

 

[htatton]

My 2 psi. I'd recommend Isla Mujeres an island off of Cancun.

1- Very laid back and friendly
2- Nice reefs with hard sand bottom at 30 - 40 feet
3- Warm water
4- Very little current
5- Lots of sea life.
6- Friendly little island with lots of fun stuff topside.

I took family members last year to dive with Casa del Buceo and had a wonderful time. I'm 71, a little chubby, have a bad back and love to dive. They took care of me perfectly. It would be a great place for your family to have a stress free introduction to diving. www.CasaDelBuceo.com. Tell them Hyrum recommended them.

I'm going back in October, I can hardly wait.

 

[Frosty]

Kelly Mine--I have to put a plug in for my neck of the woods.
Take the kids to a place called Plantation Island resort in Fiji
You will be diving with a company called Subsurface Fiji.
Im dad to 6 kids -4 are certified divers One is repeat DSDer (can dive but won't study the books)
We dive there regularly and only ONCE have I been concerned enough to can a dive for safety reasons.
So you get great diving AND a tropical holiday

 

[SquidSpotter]

Wow...so many helpful ideas! I'm so excited-- I have locations for all the trips we could ever take!


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---------- Post added June 18th, 2015 at 09:05 AM ----------

Kelly Mine--I have to put a plug in for my neck of the woods.
Take the kids to a place called Plantation Island resort in Fiji
You will be diving with a company called Subsurface Fiji.
Im dad to 6 kids -4 are certified divers One is repeat DSDer (can dive but won't study the books)
We dive there regularly and only ONCE have I been concerned enough to can a dive for safety reasons.
So you get great diving AND a tropical holiday

Fiji is definitely on my list of destinations! Love the photo!

 

[RJP]

Why do you say this?

Obscure (apparently) roulette reference... once the ball has dropped onto the wheel, you're no longer able to place bets. Meaning no more answers are needed.

 

[DivemasterDennis]

Key Largo is a great spot for shallow diving consistent with the limits on Junior divers, and there is a lot to see. Bonaire is certainly a good choice ads well, provided you stay close to the kids. Close in diving on Maui is also appropriate for your group. Have a great time.
DivemasterDennis