Wanted: Destination suggestions for extended diving & learning

[Doctor Rig]

My summer got away from me and I’m not diving yet. I dived years ago, so I’ve yet to get refreshed/recertified.... that will come soon.

After I’m confident of my abilities, basic skills and equipment again, I’d like to go diving somewhere much warmer than Michigan (this winter). My thoughts on such a trip is to have some fun, get lots of diverse dive time in, with the objective to become a (current) competent recreational diver. Learning is my motivation, so some additional instruction will likely go along with this.

I’ve got the time in the next 3 to 5 months to do this, so I’m thinking about an extended trip, maybe 2 to 4 weeks, but I’ve yet to figure out where best to go. It’s just going to be me, so I’d like this trip cost to be on the frugal side, especially on the non-dive expenses. Any ideas? I’d love to hear any and all suggestions you might have! Thanks in advance for any and all replies!

 

[Pedro Burrito]

I dived with Downbelow in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia a few years ago. The Course Director there, Richard Swann, is exceptional and he has built a solid team of instructors. They host large groups of students in tents for extended periods of time. They also have a bunkhouse in town for inexpensive lodging.

Downbelow Marine Wildlife Adventures - The Borneo Adventure Specialist

 

[diversteve]

Consider Roatan. Flights are a little more than other Carib destinations but everything else can be done cheaply. Dives are mostly boat dives at around 10/$300-350. The West End is totally walkable - we did all week. Lots of dive training operations, cheap food, cheap small apts. - often with full kitchens.

Two small markets in town, 2-3 US sized supermarkets on the south side. Cabs are cheap and the drivers will wait for you while you shop if asked. My whole ride costs for the week - including 3 south side trips - under $100. A cab from the airport one of few fixed costs at $25 - we shared a van for $10/ride since there were 8 of us.

Downside - it's humid and there's lots of bugs. I recommend bring enough Deep Woods Off to cover the time you're there.

In the winter sometimes storms shut down diving - the larger operators move boats south and shutttle you over - the panga-based just shut down.

We used/liked Coconut Tree Divers. They also have GoPro Caribbean on-site should you wish to pursue DM training. If yoiu do, they have a nuice house with pool they rent rooms to DM tainees for the duration.

There's also two hostels in the West End. I walked by Chillies daily - it looked decent. Native Sons is owned by the same family and has a nice boat.

Food is everything from the daily food trucks - nice fruit, produce, fresh fish kept on ice to one of the best restaurants in Honduras - Oooloonthoo. Located there because their world class chef likes it there.

Most of my lunches were >$10. Some dinners not much more. A thick steak at Argentinian Grille inc. alcohol around $25. 4 of us were stuffed once at Rotisserie Chicken for $22 including tip.Liked Tong's Thai also.

 

[KathyV]

My summer got away from me and I’m not diving yet. I dived years ago, so I’ve yet to get refreshed/recertified.... that will come soon.

After I’m confident of my abilities, basic skills and equipment again, I’d like to go diving somewhere much warmer than Michigan (this winter). My thoughts on such a trip is to have some fun, get lots of diverse dive time in, with the objective to become a (current) competent recreational diver. Learning is my motivation, so some additional instruction will likely go along with this.

I’ve got the time in the next 3 to 5 months to do this, so I’m thinking about an extended trip, maybe 2 to 4 weeks, but I’ve yet to figure out where best to go. It’s just going to be me, so I’d like this trip cost to be on the frugal side, especially on the non-dive expenses. Any ideas? I’d love to hear any and all suggestions you might have! Thanks in advance for any and all replies!

When are your planning to travel, before the end of this year or early next year? Prices are cheap now but will go up from Christmas to Easter - but that is a nice time to get away from Michigan!

Shore diving is the most frugal option, but probably not the best choice when you are new(ish) and traveling solo. Can you give us a ballpark budget and tell us if the price includes airfare?

Have you looked into the Scubaboard Surge 2019 in Curacao? They will pair you up with a roommate if desired to help save money and there are 2-week options, and you would be traveling with a nice group of scuba board members, see the link below:
ScubaBoard Surge 2019 Curacao Package Deal

 

[pf778c]

I'm heading to Utila in Honduras to get my certifications, which, like Roatan, is one of the Bay Islands. Utila Dive Center, the shop I'm diving with, offers 7 nights standard hotel room, 4 dives per day, 2 night dives, breakfast and dinner, Utila airport/ferry transfers to hotel and dive center, welcome cocktail, all taxes and reef fees for $1,200. The entire island has pretty much become dedicated to diving, with many dive shops, and almost all include accommodations, i.e. 10 tanks for $250 including 5 nights accommodation at Paradise Divers. Might be worth looking into, plus the island is known for their whale sharks.

Bechi

 

[DogDiver]

Load up your car and drive 1600 miles south on I-75 until it ends in the Florida Keys. Lots of great diving and you don’t need a passport.

 

[drrich2]

I'd like more info. You're certified over 10 years, planning to do some sort of refresher course, and you don't list your dive count or prior dive experiences. As for 2 to 4 weeks, would you rather do 10 dives/week for 4 weeks, or take 2 weeks for a long round trip & a 7 to 10 day live-aboard with over 20 dives in some jaw-dropping dive destination?

Other questions:

1.) Are you comfortable traveling well outside the U.S.? Not just culturally, but how long can you stand to sit on a plane? I ask because some might suggest a Red Sea live-aboard, the Philippines, etc...
2.) Do you like places where most everybody speaks English and you can walk around town after dark with little care (long as you're not drunk, looking for drugs or hitting on local women), or do you prefer foreign/exotic 'edge of civilization' adventure?
3.) Do you mainly want colorful coral reef diving, or is seeing big animals a big deal?
4.) How many dives/day do you want to do? Be mindful your ears are only going to hold out so long. I love to wring a lot of diving out of a trip, but even with Claritin, Flonase, 24-hour Sedafed and Ibuprofen, after 25 - 28 or so in a week, I find it may be time for a break.

Airfare is a big part of trip cost and doesn't vary much with length of stay. If you want high-dive frequency in a budget destination with water warm through winter and early spring, my first thoughts are live-aboard, or shore diving Bonaire or Curacao, or the boat/shore mix of CocoView Resort in Roatan (or the boat diving of Turquoise Bay Resort in Roatan, a popular budget trip option I've seen offered in my region). You could pack a lot of diving in at Cozumel, which I did the 1st week of September.

If you want to do Bonaire cheap, consider the Dive Hut (my 2012 trip report), but in my experience, a house reef invites house reef night dives, so you may find you get fewer dives in.

Richard.

 

[KathyV]

I'd like more info. You're certified over 10 years, planning to do some sort of refresher course, and you don't list your dive count or prior dive experiences. As for 2 to 4 weeks, would you rather do 10 dives/week for 4 weeks, or take 2 weeks for a long round trip & a 7 to 10 day live-aboard with over 20 dives in some jaw-dropping dive destination?

Other questions:

1.) Are you comfortable traveling well outside the U.S.? Not just culturally, but how long can you stand to sit on a plane? I ask because some might suggest a Red Sea live-aboard, the Philippines, etc...
2.) Do you like places where most everybody speaks English and you can walk around town after dark with little care (long as you're not drunk, looking for drugs or hitting on local women), or do you prefer foreign/exotic 'edge of civilization' adventure?
3.) Do you mainly want colorful coral reef diving, or is seeing big animals a big deal?
4.) How many dives/day do you want to do? Be mindful your ears are only going to hold out so long. I love to wring a lot of diving out of a trip, but even with Claritin, Flonase, 24-hour Sedafed and Ibuprofen, after 25 - 28 or so in a week, I find it may be time for a break.

Airfare is a big part of trip cost and doesn't vary much with length of stay. If you want high-dive frequency in a budget destination with water warm through winter and early spring, my first thoughts are live-aboard, or shore diving Bonaire or Curacao, or the boat/shore mix of CocoView Resort in Roatan (or the boat diving of Turquoise Bay Resort in Roatan, a popular budget trip option I've seen offered in my region). You could pack a lot of diving in at Cozumel, which I did the 1st week of September.

If you want to do Bonaire cheap, consider the Dive Hut (my 2012 trip report), but in my experience, a house reef invites house reef night dives, so you may find you get fewer dives in.

Richard.

All good questions, Richard!

Here's another one, @Doctor Rig what is your preferred water temperature? That can make a big difference in destination recommendations.

 

[D_Fresh]

Philippines! Most people speak English, the diving is quite affordable, nice climate, good food, Great people. Flights here at around $1,200~1,400 round trip from California, add on whatever it takes from Michigan to California.

(BTW, I am from AZ, but living in Manila)

 

[Doctor Rig]

Good suggestions and questions so far. Thanks!

I’ve been certified three separate times, the first when I was a teenager a long time ago. Despite my certifications, my dive experience is not very diverse with less than maybe 30 to 40 dives. Right now I’m not eliminating any suggestions, just listening to comments to see what experienced people suggest, and hoping I hear many more great ideas to consider!