Where to get cert'ed? Long weekend-DCA to...? Not CZM, GCM, LC, BON

[ReadyDiverOne]

Hi all, so very excited, my adult daughters are going to get certified this summer (they are doing the e-learning now) (I am AOW/Master diver). They are both very comfortable in the water and have done several DSDs (too many, too much $$!). Where should I take them to do their open water dives? Here are my requirements:

• Not CZM, GCM or Little (have been to all three repeatedly and if go there am hooked up)
• Not BON (going with fam in Aug, and yes they could get cert'ed there but why wait?)
• Get-toable from DC area over long weekend (Thurs-Mon) in June (Little is booked btw)
• Very good instructor/outfit, good diving

I am considering:

• Keys--where, which op?
• Belize--Ambergis maybe? Turneffe, Hamanasi, Belizean Dreams? Days might not work though.
• BVI? USVI? Are they ready yet? Was told by Tortola instructor to wait a year.
• What am I missing??

Thanks for your input!

 

[tkaelin]

Bon. Wait.

 

[ReadyDiverOne]

Bon. Wait.

LOL! Too funny.

 

[tkaelin]

Seriously, I can't think of any better place to get certified. Our two kids did theirs in 2009. Fantastic experience.

 

[islanddream]

Jupiter, Florida with Jupiter Dive Center

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

I would go to Bayahibe, it is on the south Caribbean Sea coast of the Dominican Republic. There is reef diving, wall diving, wreck diving ( modern & 1880's wooden) and even cave diving. The dive sites are only 10 to 20 minutes out, most are less than 60 ft. There isn't a lot of bigger stuff, but I seen numerous puffer fish, eels, spotted rays, sting rays, reef fish, etc on every dive. I always dive with John from ScubaFun | Dive Center Bayahibe He has a lot of long term staff and is the most recommended dive shop in Bayahibe here on Scubaboard. Tell John that Steve from Canada sent you.

 

[ReadyDiverOne]

I would go to Bayahibe, it is on the south Caribbean Sea coast of the Dominican Republic. There is reef diving, wall diving, wreck diving ( modern & 1880's wooden) and even cave diving. The dive sites are only 10 to 20 minutes out, most are less than 60 ft. There isn't a lot of bigger stuff, but I seen numerous puffer fish, eels, spotted rays, sting rays, reef fish, etc on every dive. I always dive with John from ScubaFun | Dive Center Bayahibe He has a lot of long term staff and is the most recommended dive shop in Bayahibe here on Scubaboard. Tell John that Steve from Canada sent you.

Great recommendation, many thanks!!

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

Come on up to Seattle. I'll certify them in the Puget Sound!

 

[ReadyDiverOne]

@Ontwreckdiver, re Bayahibe, any suggestions on where to stay? We would need something like a 2-bedroom condo.

@islanddream, thanks, hadn't thought of Jupiter!

 

[ReadyDiverOne]

@wetb4igetinthewater, toooooo funny!!! Drysuit cert is definitely next for me. Dove La Jolla Cove in a 7mm, 57 degrees, froze my you now what off!!