HOW do y'all decide???

[SCUBAKristey]

Next year I finally get three weeks PAID vacation, and I am going to take FULL advantage of it.
I have already promised a pal of mine who lives on Maui a week there, along with a week with the parents somewhere. However, hubby and I want to take our first dive vacation by ourselves. (He's getting certified in a couple weeks down in Mexico. WOOHOO!!! The we're doing our AOW over a weekend down in San Carlos, Mex. in the spring.)
We are looking at three options, all of which offer GREAT diving. Roatan, Belize and Bonaire. So...how does one go about making up their mind for this??????? EEEEEEEEK!
Any advice on how to pick one? Or just pick one and vow to go to the other places the following year? (I have been reading on all three places and really just don't know!) We're not into night life and partying....just some good diving, decent chow and reading on the beach or snorkeling. (Although someone mentioned cave tubing on Ambergris Cay which sounds like fun. tee hee)

 

[DocVikingo]

Actually, you should visit them all at some time.

Here's some help for picking one now:

1. Bonaire.

The most dedicated shore diving destination of the 3, but has boat diving as well. Best snorkeling of the 3. Best beaches of the 3. Best casinos (Roatan doesn't have any; Ambergris Cay just a small one). Couple of excellent restaurants, like Rendez-Vous, Capriccio Ristorante & Richard's.

2. Ambrgris Cay.

Best nightlife of the 3. Best advanced diving of the 3. Best topside activities of the 3--e.g., cave tubing, zoo, nifty ruins. Poorest shore diving/snorkeling of the 3.

BTW, whomever mentioned cave tubing on Ambergris Cay is mistaken. That is done several hours inland around Caves Branch.

3. Roatan.

Nice beaches but the no see ums (sand lice) often make them uncomfortable to use. Excellent shore diving off of CocoView Resort. Decent boat diving with trips offered to see whale sharks (no guarantees), dive trips to outer islands, dolphin dives.

Helpful?

DocVikingo

 

[Natasha]

Hi ScubaKristey:


I agree with DocV, you should at some point go to all three.
I have been to all three.
I would go back to all three, and have been back to Bonaire.

One reason to pick Bonaire over the the others would be the time of year you plan on going.
Bonaire is known to be out of the "Hurricane Belt."
If you plan on going that time of the year ..which could be summer to late fall, you could run into 'weather' in the other islands.
Traditionally, this is not true for Bonaire at the time of year.
Have fun!
All great choices ..I would add Cozumel to your list.

:sunny:

 

[SCUBAKristey]

And let's not add to the fray with Cozumel there! lol. OK, until I we are more advanced divers, we'll leave Belize off the list, as I want to truly enjoy it rather than owrry about if my skills are adequate enough for the more advanced stuff. (Although by then I do plan on having more than 25 dives under my belt, which is all I have now.)
Since we do travel space available (airline employees) we go during off seasons, which in the Carribbean has ended up being good ole hurricane season for us. (Bummer huh?) Does Bonaire end up being turbulent in the morning too- or just later in the day like the rest of the Carribbean?

 

[Natasha]

Kristey:
As a Travel agent, I have been asked two of the same questions during my career.
#1 How is the weather where we are going?
#2 Will I meet beautiful, single, naked, or topless women on the beach?

LoL
I can't guarentee either.
I can only say, " traditionally" it is not known for hurricanes, during off season.
As for #2 ..since you're female I don't think you care.

PS If you do go with Bonaire, be sure to dive with Toucan Diving.
And stay at the Plaza Resort.
www.plazaresortbonaire.com
Ramon@toucandiving.com
Tell him I sent you.

 

[SCUBAKristey]

As an airline employee, I like to think it's TRAVEL AGENTS who control the weather systems around the world! tee hee...couldn't resist that.