Hi Everyone,
I'm taking my pool and coursework here in Philadelphia, but as my wife is a dive master, I thought it would be more enjoyable to do my open water dives on a trip. Does anyone have any suggestions for US or abroad destinations?
Here are the benefits for coming to south Florida to do your check out dives.
1. No international travel needed. You can even drive and not worry about luggage fees
2. you can drink the water
3. Unless you are completely unlucky you will always have a few dive'able days
4. Your options in S Florida are endless, Jupiter, Palm Beach, Ft Lauderdale, Miami, the Keys (all of them. Beach and boat.
5. If you get completely blown out, drive 4/5 hours north and do your check out dives in the springs (Blue Grotto, etc)
6. 100's of Dive operators to choose from.
7. Your options for accommodations range from 5 star resorts to cheap motels and Airbnb's.
Not that traveling to some Caribbean destination wouldnt be cool, but dang, but paying $75 for a cheese burger in the Cayman's is a tad tough on the budget.
@jadairiii That's quite an exaggeration! Cayman is pricey but I've never paid anything near $75 for a cheeseburger in Cayman! My favorite place for a gourmet cheeseburger and fries is the Czech Inn Grill located in Bodden Town on Grand Cayman and it costs $11 CID, see link below, and there are other, cheaper food options available on GC:
https://www.facebook.com/czechincayman/photos/a.1115779425210980/1115779325210990/?type=3&theater
I was just in Florida less than 2 weeks ago, and you can find some expensive cheeseburgers there, too!
You can also safely drink the water in Cayman and there are usually options for diving on various sides of the islands when there are weather issues. One year we drove all over Florida for 2 weeks in the autumn trying to get at least one dive without any luck due to weather.
There are price ranges for accommodations in Cayman also and loads of quality dive ops. And the OP will probably have luggage fees to Florida because if they only have one week it's a pretty long drive from Philly to Florida! And the sea water is warmer in Cayman than in Florida, especially during the winter and spring months.
@FishTankKid I got an email message recently that you can still book the President's Day Sales for selected 2020 dates at the 3 all-inclusive Clearly Cayman Resorts through March 6, see the link below.
They have resorts on Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac and the all-inclusive packages include food, diving, accommodations, transfers, taxes, and hotel service charges (per person, double occupancy).
If you are looking for a Spring Break/Easter getaway those dates are listed for the Cayman Brac Beach Resort but I don't know if they still have availability.
Presidents' Day Dive Vacation Special