Canadian_Diver
Contributor
I posted this in another thread... if you have any questions or want more information, please feel free to contact me at my email address listed in the post below.
--------------------------------
I'm going to recommend Isla San Andres, Columbia. I dove there in the spring this year and had an amazing time. The water is 7 different colours, excellent visibility, dives ranging from novice to advanced, the reef is extremely healthy and preserved, and the people on the island are amazing... plus you can buy emerald jewellry there for cheap. I bought my wife two items that were appraised at almost 4x's and 6x's more than what we paid for them.
Every diver that I spoke with has been there on numerous consecutive occassions. Cost of diving is very inexpensive. If you are using your own equipment, a double dive is $55 USD. For 5 double dives, it's $255 USD. Other options available as well. The boat is small and typically holds no more than 14 people, but typically runs with about 8-10. Werner acts as a guide in the water, and they have a fantastic boat captain. It's the only covered boat on the island, and Werner takes you for lunch on your surface interval.
http://www.sanandres.com
http://groups.msn.com/BigJuicesSanAndresIsland/
http://www.karibikdiver.com/ - Werner (aka Wernito) is AWESOME!
http://www.decameron.com/
Right now packages are difficult to find in the USA, as are flights to the island, which is located in the armpit of the Caribbean. The island is very safe, unlike mainland Columbia. The residents are mainly english speaking island folk of creole descent, and are extremely friendly. Located almost 500km off the coast of Columbia, and about 200km off the coast of Nicaragua.
Packages from Canada (the way most American folks go) leave from both Toronto and Montreal and begin in November, and start at about $1,000 CDN all inclusive per person (not including dives) and go to a max of $1,500 CDN per person per week. Even cheaper if you go for 2 weeks. They are available through:
http://www.worldofvacations.com/
http://www.sunquest.ca/
My wife and I are trying to go back again this year, but it might be difficult as we are expecting a new addition to the family in September, my first born child, also I am going on 2 dive trips already this winter, one in November, the other in March. We are definitely going back.
The island is romantic, non-commercialized / tourist-laden, and offers some amazing adventures.
If you want even more information, pictures (underwater and above), or have any questions at all about the island, please feel free to contact me directly @ ehammerfyst@hotmail.com.
--------------------------------
I'm going to recommend Isla San Andres, Columbia. I dove there in the spring this year and had an amazing time. The water is 7 different colours, excellent visibility, dives ranging from novice to advanced, the reef is extremely healthy and preserved, and the people on the island are amazing... plus you can buy emerald jewellry there for cheap. I bought my wife two items that were appraised at almost 4x's and 6x's more than what we paid for them.
Every diver that I spoke with has been there on numerous consecutive occassions. Cost of diving is very inexpensive. If you are using your own equipment, a double dive is $55 USD. For 5 double dives, it's $255 USD. Other options available as well. The boat is small and typically holds no more than 14 people, but typically runs with about 8-10. Werner acts as a guide in the water, and they have a fantastic boat captain. It's the only covered boat on the island, and Werner takes you for lunch on your surface interval.
http://www.sanandres.com
http://groups.msn.com/BigJuicesSanAndresIsland/
http://www.karibikdiver.com/ - Werner (aka Wernito) is AWESOME!
http://www.decameron.com/
Right now packages are difficult to find in the USA, as are flights to the island, which is located in the armpit of the Caribbean. The island is very safe, unlike mainland Columbia. The residents are mainly english speaking island folk of creole descent, and are extremely friendly. Located almost 500km off the coast of Columbia, and about 200km off the coast of Nicaragua.
Packages from Canada (the way most American folks go) leave from both Toronto and Montreal and begin in November, and start at about $1,000 CDN all inclusive per person (not including dives) and go to a max of $1,500 CDN per person per week. Even cheaper if you go for 2 weeks. They are available through:
http://www.worldofvacations.com/
http://www.sunquest.ca/
My wife and I are trying to go back again this year, but it might be difficult as we are expecting a new addition to the family in September, my first born child, also I am going on 2 dive trips already this winter, one in November, the other in March. We are definitely going back.
The island is romantic, non-commercialized / tourist-laden, and offers some amazing adventures.
If you want even more information, pictures (underwater and above), or have any questions at all about the island, please feel free to contact me directly @ ehammerfyst@hotmail.com.
