Something like Roatan

[Lorenzoid]

Thanks for the replies. Livaboard may be easy but we would enjoy the freedom of doing our own thing at night and not bring in a boat. The Philippines and Bonaire are definitely destinations that I have considered on the short list. My research says Belize may not have really good diving, would be interested in hearing more about it. Isn’t ISIS in the Philippines?

First, let me say I like your idea of what makes a good dive destination. My wife and I prefer those kinds of places, too. West End Roatan is wonderful.

Bonaire has the kind of freedom of West End, Roatan, but the restaurants, etc., are spread out, and while there is indeed a central area, it’s not likely going to be walkable from your lodging unless you make that the priority. It can be busy, especially when cruise ships are in. I think it lacks the charm of West End, although since they paved the “charming” (not to locals, I’m sure) main road in West End, I’m no longer so sure of that.

Caye Caulker or even the busier Ambergris are much more like how I think of West End. However, I agree with your assessment that the best diving in Belize is not out of those places but rather farther out on the atolls, like Turneffe Island Resort. I haven’t been there in a long time, but I loved Caye Slacker.

 

[diversteve]

The Divi Flamingo is just south of Town Pier which is where the cruise ships dock. In fact they will tell you not to swim north to them so you don't become thruster shred.

However I don't think they get a lot of ships in yet - they can only moor 2-3 max. There;s probably a port arrival schedule online somewhere. Kralendijk would be pretty dead when they're gone

The street perpendicular to the Divi is where the bigger food stores are - Van Der Tweel and Warehouse Foods - both an easy walk.

The other dive resorts in "resort row" are almost too far north to walk to town - there's a harbor in the way. I would estimate it at a mile? from the southern ones like Eden Beach/Harbour Village. Then there's an empty stretch - partly filled by Coco Beach Club now - but it's a few hundred yards closer to the water than the road you'd walk on. The next resort is Den Laman(no pool), followed by Sand Dollar condos (runs wide along the wate but no ocean view from their pool) then Buddy Dive. You don't really get into any private villas there till past Habitat which is north of Buddy's. They're also a few blocks nearer the water from the road. Many people who stay in that area either eat at the resorts or drive to downtown

If you were up for a walk, the Plaza Resort is also an option south of town. Google Maps puts it at 4000' from the Divi but it seems farther.

Only thing is the rooms/villas/pool/diveshop are more to the south end and it's a sprawling larger place. We even drove from their tank pickup to their shore dive although now they stage tanks there.

For reference here's some distances.
500' north of the Divi is At Sea - one of the better restaurants. What I call "downtown is about the same. Capriccio is another 500ish' north of AS. It Rains Fishes about a block inland in the same area.. And Bobbe Jans takeout BBQ also.
Karel's Bar, Zee Zicht and a ribs place are near there also - IIRC a little south of the Divi.
The northern dive resorts about a mile+ also.

You can see all this on google maps.

What resort do you ike on Roatan - I might know something similar elsewhere. I've rented Sea Lodge (next to Cocolobo on the south point of HMB) so I know the walk to the West End

 

[Grateful head]

Thanks for the excellent information and ideas. We have stayed at the Seagrape in Roatan and really can’t say enough good things about it. Thing is we have done it twice and just looking to expand our experiences. I will research every recommendation. Bonaire is definitely appealing. How long should a guy plan on a vacation to Puerto Gallerta from the Midwest ? Is ten days enough?

 

[Scandi Divers]

Nice to see some people are giving us some nice reviews. You can check out this slide show on our Scandi divers resort here.

We are in a very safe environment on the Island of Mindoro, you can fly into Manila and from there it's a 2-hour van ride and 1-hour boat ride to get to the resort. You can also check out our reviews on Trip Advisor.
SCANDI DIVERS - UPDATED 2019 Hotel Reviews & Price Comparison (Puerto Galera, Philippines) - TripAdvisor

 

[Blueringocto_73]

Don't hesitate on Scandi Divers. I have been twice and will be there in about 10 days for my third set of dives. The divemasters are top notch. Just hand them your camera and let them document "you" diving. They are very good videographers.

Food is top notch and so are the rooms. The rooms are kept very clean and comfortable by the staff. There is a safe in the room to put your valuables. The view of the ocean is so peaceful and quiet being located a little distance from town.

Diving the Alma Jane shipwreck is fun and easy with a line from the buoy running down to the ship. You won't have any trouble finding your way. Plenty of macro photography within fingertips of your room.

Highly recommended. 5 stars!!!

Nice to see some people are giving us some nice reviews. You can check out this slide show on our Scandi divers resort here.

We are in a very safe environment on the Island of Mindoro, you can fly into Manila and from there it's a 2-hour van ride and 1-hour boat ride to get to the resort. You can also check out our reviews on Trip Advisor.
SCANDI DIVERS - UPDATED 2019 Hotel Reviews & Price Comparison (Puerto Galera, Philippines) - TripAdvisor

 

[diversteve]

We have stayed at the Seagrape in Roatan

I know Seagrape - I walked over there once to look at their shore entry. Also we booked one of their boats to go to Utila but it was too rough that day so they canceled.

If you walked the path behind the resorts b4 you made the turn towards Half Moon resort - the 2 story blue house with all the decks was Sea Lodge.

 

[KathyV]

@Grateful head Fredricksted in St. Croix is an option to consider. It is the smaller, less developed town on the island and if you stay in town and dive with N2theBlue I think that you may find what you are looking for - and you will be able to shore dive the Fredricksted Pier which is fantastic; see link below:
N2theBlue Scuba Diving St. Croix US Virgin Islands

When we went to St. Croix we spent a week on a LOB and then a week at a condo in the hills and we had a car, but local lodgings in Fredricksted are within easy walking distance of shops and restaurants and that might work for you.

But I was there before the hurricane that hit the island a couple of years ago so I don't know the current conditions, perhaps others will be better able to advise you, but Fredricksted does feel like what you are describing.

 

[Grateful head]

dive

thanks KathyV.... never really thought much about St.Croix but I will check in to it.

 

[KathyV]

thanks KathyV.... never really thought much about St.Croix but I will check in to it.

@choiahoy did a great report and video of Fredricksted and the Pier and St. Croix, see the link below. They are fans of Roatan but they really liked St. Croix also; and they visited the island last year, so that was after Hurricane Maria, and it appears that the island is recovering well.

St. Croix 2018 - Trip Report and Video

 

[Grateful head]

of

. KathyV I just read the St Croix thread and watched the video and I can say I am thouroghly interested. Seems pretty awesome, wonder why it doesn’t get same attention as the others.