7 weeks to dive, what should I do?

[Wet_Giraffe]

Here is my situation:

I am a medical student in snowy landlocked central Canada. I am halfway through my training and this summer I will have approximately 7 weeks to do whatever I want before entering into the hardest part of my program. So naturally, I want to go SCUBA diving.....lots!

I currently have ~85 dives and my Rescue Certification. I originally was lined up to do a Dive Master Internship, but that fell through with the dive shop, and after reading around this forum realized it may have been a blessing in disguise. I never intend to work as a dive professional, I just want to dive as much as possible in the time that I have for a reasonable price.

So my question is, what would you do if you were in my shoes? Where would you go, what courses if any would you take, and how would you do it without being prohibitively expensive?

 

[MrBigfins]

I would spend at least 4 of those weeks in Cozumel, 1 on blackbeards liveaboard, maybe 2 weeks in bonaire as shore diving is cheaper if you have your own gear and another week in Bimini. You can live and eat cheap in Cozumel, blackbeards is 1k usd for a week of liveaboard diving, lodging will cost a bit more in Bonaire but you save cash on shore diving

 

[scubadada]

Hi @Wet_Giraffe

What is your budget for the 7 weeks?

If all you want to do is dive and relax, I would consider a studio apartment with kitchen rental, prepare most of your own food, rental truck, and shore diving in Bonaire. You could really get to know the island in 6 or 7 weeks. Main problem would be finding a buddy if you are not a solo diver.

I look forward to others suggestions.

 

[Wet_Giraffe]

Thanks for the replies.

My budget is fairly flexible, so is the amount of time (7 weeks is just the absolute maximum). I am really looking for the best value and quality diving to do in that sort of time period. Not looking for fancy accommodations, just a safe bed and a cold beer after a day of diving. Has anyone ever set up a "bulk purchase" of dives with a local shop before?

 

[TMHeimer]

You could do an internet check for long term condo rentals on the Gulf (of Mex.) coast. Unfortunately April usually means prices increase 4 fold on the North Gulf, but you may check out further South in Florida (I think summer is the off season down there due to the heat). Or perhaps South Padre Island, Texas (oil rigs). Curious- where in landlocked central Canada?

 

[Kharon]

Given your time and if you can deal with the travel aggravation, I would opt for Dominica. I woud also suggest Bonaire. If you find a VRBO apartment and elect for an unlimited air package it can be quite inexpensive.

 

[Wet_Giraffe]

You could do an internet check for long term condo rentals on the Gulf (of Mex.) coast. Unfortunately April usually means prices increase 4 fold on the North Gulf, but you may check out further South in Florida (I think summer is the off season down there due to the heat). Or perhaps South Padre Island, Texas (oil rigs). Curious- where in landlocked central Canada?

I'm located in Edmonton Alberta. Specifically, I have all of June and most of July to do something with.

 

[scubadada]

There was a Bonaire air package discussed relatively recently in the Bonaire forum that was quite reasonable. I could not quickly find it, @Trailboss123 might remember it

Edit: I found it DFB or VIPDiving for air package Of course, this requires you have your own cylinders. Maybe they would have a deal with rental cylinders?

 

[dlofting]

If you're in Edmonton head west. Go to the Philippines, Indonesia or Thailand. A lot of people on this board are in the eastern side of North America so will quite rightly recommend Caribbean locations..... you should look westward.

 

[Darnold9999]

+1 go west. The diving in SE Asia is WAY better than the Caribbean and you can pretty much do it on any budget you have and flights are not much more expensive (and may be cheaper). If it were me I would probably go to Bali and use that as a base, but Thailand or the Philippines would also work. Have a look at Air China or China Airlines for really cheap tickets out of Vancouver. Don't know if they codeshare or link to Edmonton with any airlines.