Forgive if this is the wrong place - I'm a first time poster.
I'm going to Central America with my girlfriend during late November/early December.
We want to go Scuba Diving for between 5 - 10 days & we're looking for recommendations.
I have my advanced open water diving license but she's a total novice - she went once for an introductory dive - but she's looking for her open water license. I love wreck dives but am honestly not a huge fan of coral reefs (though I'll still do it). I haven't seen much aquatic life but certainly wouldn't mind. Stuff to do besides diving is great (hikes, Spanish lessons, cycling, surfing, etc...).
Places I'm considering:
- Tortuga Islands; Costa Rica
- Roatan; Honduras
- Corn Islands & vicinity; Nicaragua
- Coiba Island; Panama
- Blue Hole; Belize
Roatan is my preferred at the moment since I've heard there's a ton of other activities. Nicaragua is a good fit geographically with our other plans. I've considered starting at the Blue Hole and moving down to Roatan (vice versa is not possible for us); but I'm worried I wouldn't really get to do my rescue diver course. Likewise I've thought about the same thing - starting in Coiba Island in Panama and moving up to Tortuga in C.R. - but the same concern hits me if it'll give me to time to do my Rescue license (&& again going C.R. to Panama isn't feasible).
I've heard all places are amazing - especially Coiba. I've heard Roatan is the least good but has the most 'extra' activities. I really have no info about diving Atlantic Nicaragua - any info is appreciated. I'm open to other places as well. I like mountainous places (often because they're a little cooler) so Roatan seems good. I'm worried that Belize only has that 1 dive and then you've seen all there is to offer. Like everyone I prefer cheaper but don't mind paying more if it's better quality dives. For example the price difference between Honduras and Belize I'm fine with IF indeed Belize is so much nicer.
I've done what's 'supposedly' (re. marketed) as reefs in Dominican Republic(Boca Chica), Philippines (Palawan), and Cuba (Matanzas). I wasn't really impressed with any of it except Palawan. And in Palawan I was more impressed with the wreck diving vs any of the reefs. Maybe I was just unlucky at these places - but I've become interested more in wrecks, cliffs, night dives, and animals etc... But if everyone insists Roatan is one of those places where if I go & I'm not impressed with what I see - I'll never be impressed - then maybe I should give it a shot. But I'd be much more enticed if there were wrecks, cliffs, etc... as well...
Can anyone suggest/recommend/comment on the places mentioned or other places that are possible?
Anyone who can compare two or more of the places mentioned?
Anyone have anything to say about Atlantic Nicaragua?
Anyone can recommend any other places?
Any other comments in general?
All info is appreciated in advance!
I'm going to Central America with my girlfriend during late November/early December.
We want to go Scuba Diving for between 5 - 10 days & we're looking for recommendations.
I have my advanced open water diving license but she's a total novice - she went once for an introductory dive - but she's looking for her open water license. I love wreck dives but am honestly not a huge fan of coral reefs (though I'll still do it). I haven't seen much aquatic life but certainly wouldn't mind. Stuff to do besides diving is great (hikes, Spanish lessons, cycling, surfing, etc...).
Places I'm considering:
- Tortuga Islands; Costa Rica
- Roatan; Honduras
- Corn Islands & vicinity; Nicaragua
- Coiba Island; Panama
- Blue Hole; Belize
Roatan is my preferred at the moment since I've heard there's a ton of other activities. Nicaragua is a good fit geographically with our other plans. I've considered starting at the Blue Hole and moving down to Roatan (vice versa is not possible for us); but I'm worried I wouldn't really get to do my rescue diver course. Likewise I've thought about the same thing - starting in Coiba Island in Panama and moving up to Tortuga in C.R. - but the same concern hits me if it'll give me to time to do my Rescue license (&& again going C.R. to Panama isn't feasible).
I've heard all places are amazing - especially Coiba. I've heard Roatan is the least good but has the most 'extra' activities. I really have no info about diving Atlantic Nicaragua - any info is appreciated. I'm open to other places as well. I like mountainous places (often because they're a little cooler) so Roatan seems good. I'm worried that Belize only has that 1 dive and then you've seen all there is to offer. Like everyone I prefer cheaper but don't mind paying more if it's better quality dives. For example the price difference between Honduras and Belize I'm fine with IF indeed Belize is so much nicer.
I've done what's 'supposedly' (re. marketed) as reefs in Dominican Republic(Boca Chica), Philippines (Palawan), and Cuba (Matanzas). I wasn't really impressed with any of it except Palawan. And in Palawan I was more impressed with the wreck diving vs any of the reefs. Maybe I was just unlucky at these places - but I've become interested more in wrecks, cliffs, night dives, and animals etc... But if everyone insists Roatan is one of those places where if I go & I'm not impressed with what I see - I'll never be impressed - then maybe I should give it a shot. But I'd be much more enticed if there were wrecks, cliffs, etc... as well...
Can anyone suggest/recommend/comment on the places mentioned or other places that are possible?
Anyone who can compare two or more of the places mentioned?
Anyone have anything to say about Atlantic Nicaragua?
Anyone can recommend any other places?
Any other comments in general?
All info is appreciated in advance!