All Inclusive Resort with Diving - Where the Non-Diver Partner can have fun too???

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scuba-flea

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Location
Kansas City, Missouri
# of dives
100 - 199
My girlfriend and I got certified initially with two weeks at a Sandals resort in Jamaica. We both actually liked it a lot (training and 2 included daily dives) as our introduction to diving. (Though the reef was pretty over fished).

Flash forward 10 years: She can no longer dive as she had a major ear injury. This year I took a 3 week dive trip without her and last year a 2 week dive trip without her. She wants to do something like Sandals again where I can do two morning dives (and maybe afternoon dive) while she sits on the beach. We can both have nights together. She can have afternoons to look around a bit, maybe shop, or do a daily excursion of some sort while I'm diving.

I personally on the trip would like to take Intro to Tech, Tech 40 or something to continue my skills. When I have dove on the last couple of trips with my other dive partner, she refuses to extend her knowledge any. So this would be a great chance away from her to get some training.

So the question is: Any recommended locations where we can both be happy, preferably All-Inclusive?

Thanks

Flea
 
We have run a couple of group trips to the Riviera Maya which have included non-divers. We've used the Catalonia resort in Puerto Aventuras, which is reasonably priced and close to several dive shops (we have gone through Dive Aventuras). Our non-divers have sunned, swum and snorkled, taken bicycles out for an area tour, gone to the Mayan ruins, and enjoyed the disco at night. There are also snorkeling or swimming tours to the cenotes, and ATV excursions into the jungle (although why anybody would want to get on a hot, dusty, noisy vehicle and sit in the group's gasoline fumes completely mystifies me!). There are both technical and cavern/cave instructors available locally -- you can even take the GUE Fundamentals class, although I wouldn't really recommend doing it there, as it's quite a bit more expensive than other locations/instructors.
 
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We stayed at Cozumel Palace back in February and they have a nice spa and do allow you to use resort credits towards dives and spa (you still pay a tax/fee but a lot less than paying direct elsewhere). We are staying at Playacar Palace in Playa del Carmen this month and I will be doing some diving while the DW uses the credit cards on 5th Ave.
 
What you are looking for is a bit difficult because most all-inclusive mega-resorts like Sandals and Beaches are not usually known for their advanced diving programs. But I was thinking that Cobalt Coast on Grand Cayman might work for you.

It is all-inclusive and it does have a small beach (but it is NOT the 7 mile beach) and it is easily accessible to the shopping and amenities of Georgetown and Camana Bay - but not within walking distance. You would need a car or taxi to get to the tourist attractions.

But Grand Cayman has good diving and lots of great attractions and many amenities for both divers and non-divers. Plus DiveTech is the operation that services the resort and you would definitely be able to continue your training with them. You could sign up for the all-inclusive package with 2 boat dives per day plus unlimited shore dives.

And both of you could have a lot of fun in the evenings on Grand Cayman!

Grand Cayman All Inclusive Resort | Cobalt Coast
 
I don't think you're going to find a Sandals level AI resort anywhere in the Caribbean that offers tech diving on-site. Most people going to AI resorts are there to relax and do a little diving - maybe get certified. Beaches, Club Meds, the RIU's etc. only generally offer rec diving.

Curacao is a possibility - But not an AI option - the only one there is Sunscape and they have an Ocean Encounters shop on-site - rec diving. Non- AI there's options. The Marriott in Piscadera Bay has Caribbean Sea Sports on-site. In addition to Intro, they also offer a Discover class as well as all Tech 40 etc. Caribbean Sea Sports Curacao - TecRec Courses It's a pretty nice Marriott also, more upscale than some, nice beach, pool complex and small casino. There's also other nearby dining options/beach bar with live music etc. The hotel is 2 miles from downtown so the famous shopping, good restaurants, some historical stuff etc. are close by. It really is as nice as the pictures show - Curacao Hotels | Marriott Curacao Beach Resort & Emerald Casino | Piscadera Bay

Another option in the same area is Goby Divers at the Veneto resort. Tec Diving They also have a nice beach but it's an older property. Curacao Hotel | Curacao Casino | Resort in Curacao | Veneto - I don't know much about it. Curacao also has a lot of nicer beaches - especially on the west side. Most are dive sites with on-site operators and at a few - like Porto Mari - it shouldn't be hard to find a buddy. So your wife would have the beach while you dive. Curacao also has good restaurants and nightlife.

I thought of Divetech/Cobalt Coast also. The issues I see there are it's in a quiet residential area about 15mins. from Seven Mile Beach, it's not a Sandals level property and the beach is ironshore at the waters edge so not the kind you can wade in on. Divetech certainly has the courses you'd want.

An option could be to stay at a non-AI property and "commute" to Divetech. There's a local bus that runs up SMB often that goes right by it. Dive gear in a duffel bag is probably something they see occasionally. A few of the tourist attractions - Turtle Farm, Dolphin Discovery, Tortuga Rum Cake factory are also in that area so maybe your wife could pick you up once or twice. For normal diving, any of a dozen plus SMB operators will pick you up at any resort along there - except I don't think Divetech does. A list of most dive operations is here: Cayman Islands Tourism Association - Things To Do In Cayman, Cayman Culture,Cayman Islands Watersports
 
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You want tech plus AI Luxury?

Hotel Atlantis Sabang Beach, Philippines.

Excelent heavy metal program and you could get another younger wife with better ears at reasonable rates.

One of the single best AI Dive Resorts I've ever seen on the planet.
 
Atlantis is indeed beautiful, and from my reading, there is some interesting technical diving there. (And the Tech Asia shop is gorgeous.). But is there much for a non-diver to do, other than read and sleep and use the spa? It's not a beach kind of place, and I don't know what kind of land activities there are.
 
My girlfriend and I got certified initially with two weeks at a Sandals resort in Jamaica. We both actually liked it a lot (training and 2 included daily dives) as our introduction to diving. (Though the reef was pretty over fished).

Flash forward 10 years: She can no longer dive as she had a major ear injury. This year I took a 3 week dive trip without her and last year a 2 week dive trip without her. She wants to do something like Sandals again where I can do two morning dives (and maybe afternoon dive) while she sits on the beach. We can both have nights together. She can have afternoons to look around a bit, maybe shop, or do a daily excursion of some sort while I'm diving.

I personally on the trip would like to take Intro to Tech, Tech 40 or something to continue my skills. When I have dove on the last couple of trips with my other dive partner, she refuses to extend her knowledge any. So this would be a great chance away from her to get some training.

So the question is: Any recommended locations where we can both be happy, preferably All-Inclusive?

Thanks

Flea
Roatan, plenty of places that fit your needs exactly. Roatan is a tropical Gilligan's island looking place. Fantasy Island, Coco View, Anthony's Key would all work and the diving part will be 100% better than Sandals. If you can part with the all inclusive aspect that opens up the West Bay Beach area with nice resorts right on one of beach that shows up on the best beachs list all the time. Infinity Bay resort and Mayan Princess are places that would work for both of you. Staying in West Bay gives you Coconut Divers, Mayan Divers and Bananarama, all very good dive ops. If you want West Bay Beach and all inclusive you can look at Henry Morgan.

Keep in mind Roatan is considered one the top destinations for diver education. Everybody there teaches diving, you can get the full gamet from open water to tech and it's taught well.
 
Roatan, plenty of places that fit your needs exactly. Roatan is a tropical Gilligan's island looking place. Fantasy Island, Coco View, Anthony's Key would all work and the diving part will be 100% better than Sandals. If you can part with the all inclusive aspect that opens up the West Bay Beach area with nice resorts right on one of beach that shows up on the best beachs list all the time. Infinity Bay resort and Mayan Princess are places that would work for both of you. Staying in West Bay gives you Coconut Divers, Mayan Divers and Bananarama, all very good dive ops. If you want West Bay Beach and all inclusive you can look at Henry Morgan. Keep in mind Roatan is considered one the top destinations for diver education. Everybody there teaches diving, you can get the full gamet from open water to tech and it's taught well.

Roatan may fit the bill for the diving expectations but it is not my idea of a great destination for a non-diver that is looking for shopping and excursions and all the diversions of a mega-resort and a location with major tourist attractions.

---------- Post added July 4th, 2015 at 05:36 PM ----------

My girlfriend and I got certified initially with two weeks at a Sandals resort in Jamaica. We both actually liked it a lot (training and 2 included daily dives) as our introduction to diving. (Though the reef was pretty over fished).

Flash forward 10 years: She can no longer dive as she had a major ear injury. This year I took a 3 week dive trip without her and last year a 2 week dive trip without her. She wants to do something like Sandals again where I can do two morning dives (and maybe afternoon dive) while she sits on the beach. We can both have nights together. She can have afternoons to look around a bit, maybe shop, or do a daily excursion of some sort while I'm diving.

I personally on the trip would like to take Intro to Tech, Tech 40 or something to continue my skills. When I have dove on the last couple of trips with my other dive partner, she refuses to extend her knowledge any. So this would be a great chance away from her to get some training.

So the question is: Any recommended locations where we can both be happy, preferably All-Inclusive?

Thanks

Flea

You know, you might take a look at South Florida or the Florida Keys. That is a great destination for both divers and non-divers.
 
Roatan, plenty of places that fit your needs exactly. Roatan is a tropical Gilligan's island looking place. Fantasy Island, Coco View, Anthony's Key would all work and the diving part will be 100% better than Sandals. If you can part with the all inclusive aspect that opens up the West Bay Beach area with nice resorts right on one of beach that shows up on the best beachs list all the time. Infinity Bay resort and Mayan Princess are places that would work for both of you. Staying in West Bay gives you Coconut Divers, Mayan Divers and Bananarama, all very good dive ops. If you want West Bay Beach and all inclusive you can look at Henry Morgan.

Keep in mind Roatan is considered one the top destinations for diver education. Everybody there teaches diving, you can get the full gamet from open water to tech and it's taught well.
Of all the shops mentioned, the only one I'm aware of teaching Tech is Coconut Tree's sister operation in the West End - Go Pro Caribbean. I'm not even going to comment on the disparity between Sandals and Fantasy Island...much. :D PADI Pro | DSAT / TDI Tec Courses | Scuba Diving | Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras | PADI

Roatan may fit the bill for the diving expectations but it is not my idea of a great destination for a non-diver that is looking for shopping and excursions and all the diversions of a mega-resort and a location with major tourist attractions.
Exactly...
 
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