Where is good to dive in July / August?

[tomlake]

I am new to diving, gone on two dives since getting certified, and trying to plan a vacation for this summer. I am looking for somewhere that has good diving during July / August and is affordable to travel to from Seattle, WA, trying to keep it less than $1500 per person including airfair.

 

[DeputyDan]

You need to let folks know what type of vacation you want to do.

One that you do two dives a day and then party.
One that you do nothing but diving - you try to get in 5 or 6 dives a day.
One where you do a mixture of diving and other adventure activities.

Your best bang for the buck will probably be Cozumel, Mexico.
You may need to look at flying into Cancun (to save dollars) and taking the ferry over to Cozumel.

 

[danvolker]

I am new to diving, gone on two dives since getting certified, and trying to plan a vacation for this summer. I am looking for somewhere that has good diving during July / August and is affordable to travel to from Seattle, WA, trying to keep it less than $1500 per person including airfair.

I created an underwater magazine dedicated to showcasing exactly WHY Palm Beach would be perfect for a person or family like yours.... visit South Florida Dive Journal > Home the previous issue, at bottom right on TOC page is best at helping you find the dive sites which most closely match the dives you are dreaming about or imagining at the ideal vacation destination....and how to get to these sites on the diveboats of Palm Beach. Summer is clearest and flatest water for PAlm Beach, and the best time for low rates at our Dive Resorts.

 

[chauncy19]

probably doesn't fit your budget but Bonaire is best place for new divers. Cozumel is a great dive location but current and need to go on a dive boat make it more difficult imho. Curacao also a good spot. I am sure there are others but although Cozumel is reasonable the drift diving makes it more challenging for the new diver imho. otherwise its a great spot.

 

[robint]

You need to let folks know what type of vacation you want to do.

One that you do two dives a day and then party.
One that you do nothing but diving - you try to get in 5 or 6 dives a day.
One where you do a mixture of diving and other adventure activities.

Your best bang for the buck will probably be Cozumel, Mexico.
You may need to look at flying into Cancun (to save dollars) and taking the ferry over to Cozumel.

I agree... but I don't recommend flying into Cancun if it can be avoided. It wastes half a day and can be frustrating, especially for someone new to the area.

For budget travel, you can't beat Cozumel. Check a couple of the online Dive Travel specialists websites, like:
Cozumel Mexico Scuba Diving Vacations Cozumel Scuba Travel Adventures
pkgs for Hotel Cozumel, a decent budget place: Hotel Cozumel & Resort Cozumel, Mexico Scuba Diving Packages without Meals
or
go directly to one of the dive ops to see their packages:
Dive Paradise, Cozumel MX - Dive Packages
Hotel Barracuda is a cheap place downtown with the dive shop in house.

another cheap option:
Cozumel Diving with Aqua Safari
they have hotels downtown

It all depends what you are looking for!

robin

 

[robint]

Looks like we have here exactly what you are looking for:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/invade-cozumel-2012/396102-invade-cozumel-2012-package-deal.html
here on SB, a group trip.

 

[DeputyDan]

I agree on your Cancun comment - but if the OP has a hard budget of $1,500 there may not be a choice.

 

[devanssa]

ok i know you have a tight budget but think about coming to South Africa. the diving is second to none here and with the rand as weak as it is against the dollor you'll find it a lot more affordable than you think

1USD = 8-9ZAR and a cheap hotel room(BnB) goes for about ZAR250pps dive trips including full gear rental are around ZAR250

if your keen, drop me an email (david@freefire.co.za) and i will point you in the right direction.

 

[Walt Stearns]

The Underwater Journal online magazine and website is an excellent resources for finding information on great summer diving destinations. There are 23 issues filled with articles about diving - from great local dives in southeast Florida to the caribbean to more adventurous or exotic locations. It's FREE to download any issue. Enjoy! www.underwaterjournal.com

 

[moneysavr]

As said, Dan V. Florida is great!! man and no passport needed! not sure if Alaska Air gets down that far but think so,I just think Florida is so over looked or may just be a hidden jewel with so many divers having to travel to countries I cant even spell the names and if something goes wrong your just screwed!
I have a major rule on dive trips after so many disappointments early on with foreign travel I now never pay more to fly than my diving this gives me money to spend on more diving or up grade logging,
rent a car start start out as said Palm beach, get to Key Largo,
or even do a 1/2 day ride up to spring country if the winds blow you off the ocean! no way could you not get a mass amount of diving in, see some cool critters! dive some major cool reefs to wrecks! and wow love the warm waters! and last enjoy some south Floridian hospitality as the snow birds will have flown the coop!
see the Florida conch site and post they will help you from shore to boat dives for sure! and you will have money left over