Where to go in August with a new diver, non-divers, and a baby?

[Redfoot]

I am partial, but Turks & Caicos would do the trick as well- I only add that in as an option with GC.

There are some very nice family friendly all inclusive options (Beaches (diving included), Blue Haven & Alexandra) or AirBnB, or resorts of all class and price range. Lots of fun topside activities or non-diving water activities. Beautiful (voted 2018 #1 on Tripadvisor) beach that is public and family friendly.

T & C is my happy place, I have only been there as a snorkeler, but it is a world class dive destination. Some research on here will show that the boat rides can be longer than other places, but there is great snorkeling from shore that I did.

Non stop fights from some cities, and easily within your 12 hour travel time.

August should be safe for weather, I know September is their MAIN hurricane season with August and Ocotber as the shoulder seasons.

Good luck!

 

[FezUSA]

Biased, but Roatan ticks many of those boxes. West End works for our family (we started going when our youngest of 5 kids was only 5). The reef surrounds the island and West End or West Bay have a lot of different dive sites within 5 minute boat rides. West End also has snorkel from the beach over the reef for those not diving. Boat taxis are a few dollars, you can get taxi service to the Gumbalimba Park for zip lining, and other cool land stuff.

 

[KathyV]

I am partial, but Turks & Caicos would do the trick as well- I only add that in as an option with GC.

There are some very nice family friendly all inclusive options (Beaches (diving included), Blue Haven & Alexandra) or AirBnB, or resorts of all class and price range. Lots of fun topside activities or non-diving water activities. Beautiful (voted 2018 #1 on Tripadvisor) beach that is public and family friendly.

T & C is my happy place, I have only been there as a snorkeler, but it is a world class dive destination. Some research on here will show that the boat rides can be longer than other places, but there is great snorkeling from shore that I did.

Non stop fights from some cities, and easily within your 12 hour travel time.

August should be safe for weather, I know September is their MAIN hurricane season with August and Ocotber as the shoulder seasons.

Good luck!

Provo in the T&Cs is a lovely destination for both divers and non-divers. I think that Grace Bay Beach is such a beautiful beach, and even nicer than Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman. My only concern is that there are long boat rides to get out to the best reefs - so you can spend most of your day out on the water - and that may not be the best thing to do if you are traveling with family and non-divers.

 

[esteban mesen]

Roatan, Honduras is beginner friendly, or My beautiful Costa Rica

 

[KathyV]

Biased, but Roatan ticks many of those boxes. West End works for our family (we started going when our youngest of 5 kids was only 5). The reef surrounds the island and West End or West Bay have a lot of different dive sites within 5 minute boat rides. West End also has snorkel from the beach over the reef for those not diving. Boat taxis are a few dollars, you can get taxi service to the Gumbalimba Park for zip lining, and other cool land stuff.

I would agree except for the comments by @drrich2 reminding us that "young children can get sick so fast" made me think about things in a different way. It might be best to pick a place that is easy to travel to from the US and that has first world pediatric healthcare available and I don't think that Roatan would fit that description.

Travel medicine issues are a genuine concern when visiting Roatan. You have to be aware of food and water precautions for Typhoid, E.coli, and Salmonella-type diseases. There are also mosquito-borne diseases like malaria and dengue. Roatan is lovely, the diving is great and it is not expensive, but it might not be the best destination for an infant; just my opinion.

 

[chillyinCanada]

I would agree except for the comments by @drrich2 reminding us that "young children can get sick so fast" made me think about things in a different way. It might be best to pick a place that is easy to travel to from the US and that has first world pediatric healthcare available and I don't think that Roatan would fit that description.

Travel medicine issues are a genuine concern when visiting Roatan. You have to be aware of food and water precautions for Typhoid, E.coli, and Salmonella-type diseases. There are also mosquito-borne diseases like malaria and dengue. Roatan is lovely, the diving is great and it is not expensive, but it might not be the best destination for an infant; just my opinion.

I know people who take their families to Roatan, as well as those who've been a number of times on their own but won't take their children there. I'm with the latter group.

 

[scubadada]

Provo in the T&Cs is a lovely destination for both divers and non-divers. I think that Grace Bay Beach is such a beautiful beach, and even nicer than Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman. My only concern is that there are long boat rides to get out to the best reefs - so you can spend most of your day out on the water - and that may not be the best thing to do if you are traveling with family and non-divers.

The dive sites of West Caicos and French Cay are a long ride. Even leaving early, return is mid-afternoon to get in two dives. My next visit to Provideciales will be on one of the liveaboards. The diving is good, reliable encounters with Reef Sharks

 

[caydiver]

The Galapagos are out for a number of your boxes but would have to say the diving is off the charts incredible. Obviously a big fan of Cayman but as you are giving some pretty wide parameters on the travel front I would add Australia (especially the northern GBR) and Indian Ocean sites into the mix.

 

[anchochile]

Thanks, all. Sounds like the Caribbean is our best option. Hurricane season still makes me nervous - not safety-wise, since forecasting has gotten quite good, but the logistics and costs of cancelling or interrupting a trip should we get unlucky with the weather. Sounds like some research on trip insurance is needed.

As a few folks mentioned, diseases and access to health care are both factors. For example, a six-month-old is too young to take malaria prophylaxis, which rules out Roatan, at least. Sounds like my next step is researching the various Caribbean options to see which have decent health care and less risks of the diseases of most concern (malaria, measles, etc).

 

[-JD-]

Hi @anchochile

With all of your requirements, I'd strongly consider Grand Cayman

+whatever we are up to now ...

1st world all the way. Not adventure travel, but everybody should feel relaxed and comfortable.

Beach, snorkel, submarine, gardens (Queen Elizabeth II Royal Botanic Park), shopping, etc. Get a car and tour the island - as long as all of your drivers can de-program themselves to drive on the left. Even if you only stay in the west end, the whole island is easily day-trippable. If you are there at the right time of the moon, the Bio-Luminescent Bay is pretty magical - the kind of thing you might want to bring the kid back for in 8 years or so. Macabuca for sunset drinks and dinner. Lots to do!