All Inclusive options in the Lesser Antilles

[CDNScubaMoose]

A group that I have travelled with before is starting to plan for our get away next February/March and in the past we have always tried to go to a different island although there has been a couple we have doubled up on. Ideally we would like to go to one of the islands that of the Lesser Antilles since we haven't travelled to this part before. Past trips have included: Curacao, Bonaire, Roatan, Belize, Cozumel, Cuba, San Andres and the Bahama's. One of the key things for our group is the resort is all inclusive as we have a bunch of non-divers that travel with us. The list of preferred options are:

1) All-inclusive (basically a must have for us)
2) Decent resort - a high 3 star but ideally a 4 star
3) A fairly direct flight from either Detroit or Toronto (ideally only one flight)
4) Good diving (this is must have)
5) Relatively affordable - in the $1500-$2000 CDN (at current exchange rates that is $1200 - $1600 USD) per week with flight included.
6) If possible - unlimited shore diving (ok - I admit it, this request is more for me)

Any suggestions?

 

[jefsan]

It looks like you have allready hit all the what I would term mass market places that do "all-inclusive" type holidays. Might want to give Puerto Rico a look or Antigua. Both would fit the bill for all inclusive but diving wise I do not know. Quite honestly if you want really good diving I would avoid any all inclusive (our course with the exception of Roatan and Belize which do have some good ones that cater to divers.) Looks like you have not been to Cayman yet. This is a good bet but you may have trouble price wise with your budget.

If you want to go a bit off the beaten track and can live without the all inclusive aspect then take a look at Dominica, Montserrat, Statia or Saba. All have good diving and if you rent a couple of houses you should be able to do it on your budget I would think

Good luck

 

[Rhone Man]

You may also want to look into Dominican Republic. Cheap as chips, and some good all-inclusive deals going there (but stick to the south coast for your diving).

 

[CDNScubaMoose]

Thanks for those ideas ... Puerto Rico was on our radar although I wasn't sure what the diving was like, Antigua was a new one (will definitely have to check out those options), Domincan Republic had been considered in the past but we've always overlooked it - maybe time to look into that one again. I should have mentioned that the price range we were looking at doesn't have to include diving as we are used to having to pay extra for a diving package on top of the all-inclusive price.

I know the all-inclusive is a sticking point but with the group being 20+ people and only 50% divers we have to pick something that will allow everyone to enjoy themselves. Even the divers range from 2 dives in a week to more then 20 dives in a week.

Thanks for the ideas.

 

[dvrliz1]

Hey,

I would actually look at Divi Flamingo here on Bonaire. You can work with them, and they can come up with packages for you which would include meals. They have 2 great restaurants on site, 3 bars, a casino, beach area, a couple of pools, spa, camera shop, gift shop, etc. Try them, there is a great possibility it would work for you.

Liz

 

[BiancaC]

Hey Moose,
try Grenada, lot's to do for non divers and Grenada Resort : True Blue Bay Resort the perfect place to have your Caribbean adventure vacation can do you a deal on the "all inclusive" . Flight would be direct out of Miami.
Please let me know, if you'd like more info.
Best, Peter

 

[phelana]

I have lived and or worked in Antigua for 22 years. The diving is ok. The all inclusives are wonderful but pricey although there is one moderately to low end property with a VERY good dive master on site. Email me please or call 1 800 219 0118.

Ann Phelan

Follow your Antigua Bliss
Caribbean Wind & Sun Vacations--Your Caribbean Travel Specialist

 

[Clyderyde]

Moose,

I've got one good suggestion and one that I'm trying out in a couple of weeks.
We're hitting Antigua in May (reputed to have just OK diving but good beaches and sailing)

A sure thing for most of your needs is Sunset Waters in Curacao. (I've been twice)
I think you can get diving and flight packages around $1500.

The diving is excellent, it easy enough for beginners and it also has good photo subjects and dives to keep experienced divers happy. Make sure you go to Watumula (both drive down for a topside look and make the dive. It is the best on the island.

The shore diving is very good. While not quite as easy as Bonaire, it is similar (I recommend boat diving mostly and shore diving at the resort, but if you want to drive and dive you certainly can do it on Curacao). The resort reef is beautiful and I've seen folks do nothing but the resort reef all week. It has a nice protected lagoon for easy entry/exit and also has very good snorkeling.
Shore diving is included and unlimited if you book a full week of boat dives.
The onsite operator is very good (sunset divers), and has been featured in some of the major magazines and undercurrent. Nitrox is available.

There are many topside activities. The resort is beside Santa Marta Bay and this bay offers at least a three hour round trip in a kayak. There is a great view of Mt Christoffel from the bay and a flock of pink flamingos that live up there. There are also ruins from an old plantation and dikes from the old Salinas. If you paddle, you should grab one of the sea kayaks and go up into the bay.
Downtown Willemstad is worth the trip. It has shopping, smoky casinos, the famous floating draw bridge, and some night life. This is a 30 minute ride from the resort. The resort runs a free shuttle once a day, but it is easy to drive on Curacao and I like to rent a car and look around. There are many good beaches on the island. I didn't mention the beach at Sunset Waters resort, it's very nice. there is a nude beach if you're into that sort of thing, but it is out of the way and won't bother you if it you're not.

The one area that needs to be discussed is the resort. I like the place, but I don't think you would really call it a three star resort. It is all inclusive meals and local alcohol. The food is pretty good, not gourmet but you won't go hungry. The drinks are good as long as you don't expect top shelf. The staff is very helpful and friendly.

However, the resort facilities are older. This places hay-day was in the 60s when it used to dock small cruise ships. The rooms are kept clean, but don't expect granite counter tops. The interiors are basic old hotel rooms. The linens are fine, and again the place is clean, just old and well lived in. If you go to Tripadvisor you will see the broad diversity of comments, those that can relax love the place. If you're uptight and get upset over chipped concrete or a ceiling tile that is stained then yes the place is a dump.

To me it is a great place to bring a dive group. Relaxed and fun.

Make sure if you book here, that you get in the main building. I think these are called superior ocean views. Or go for the Jr suites. The basic ocean views are OK, but not nearly as nice. No Balcony and a longer walk to everything. The garden views are small and look out over a dirt parking lot. These rooms are not used very often. Make sure that you do not book these basic rooms unless you just can't afford anything else. Folks that stay in these usually aren't that happy with them.

Sorry for the book,
If you want photos send me a private message.

Clyderyde

 

[Dive Shop Barbados]

You might want to try Barbados, we have a few all inclusives but non with a dive shop on location, we have 2 close to our location.

Island Inn Hotel: Island Inn Hotel
The Dive Shop is on the beach they are across the road.

Amaryllis Beach Resort Amaryllis Beach Resort Barbados
5 minutes drive from the Dive Shop

All the best
Haroon - The Dive Shop Barbados

 

[DiverDebbie]

hey, have you made any decisions yet? I'm curious what you decide on, as we're always on the lookout for destinations where we can combine an AI resort, (for an affordable price), great beach, not too incredibly tedious to get to, AND some decent diving all rolled into one. I'll tell you, that is no easy feat. You usually have to sacrifice a few things for others.
For AI beach vacations with diving (as opposed to a true diving only vacation, with maybe a beach or anything else to do), an option we've done is Jamaica. It has some average to very nice AI resorts, for a decent price, nice beaches, great food and culture, and with a nice easy direct flight from Toronto. But the sacrifice would be on the diving... although you say you want "good" ...not "great". Many divers absolutely hate Jamaica around here, but we enjoyed it for a combo trip. Sure, you wouldn't find it as good as some of the places you've been. But I see Cuba on your list, and you're considering the DR, neither on which are known for great diving either, especially around the resort areas like Varadero or Punta Cana.
Another option could be Turks and Caicos. It has some great diving (but not from shore on Provo) and is an easy flight from your side of the country. There are only 2 AI resorts though. 1 is average and adult only (Club Med), and the other is family all the way and usually quite pricey (Beaches).
Anything else I can think of you've either done or doesn't fit the AI requirement and/or budget and/or direct flight.
It's a tough one. Some of the places known for great diving, but can be expensive, having no AI resorts, may have lousy or no beaches, and/or little else to do, and/or can be a long milk run to get to (especially from this side of the world)