Where to go over the winter holidays???

[cougar]

Our daughter just got accepted to vet school (marine mammals are her love and speciality) We have been told this winter holiday will be her last break until she graduates. We want to take her diving again. We were all set for Australia and the Great Barrier but discovered about the best I could do on airfare for the 3 of us surpassed $6,000.00...and that's coach fare (OUCH!)

OK...so what about the Pacific coast of Mexico (we have place to stay there)

Or..someplace in the Caribbean besides Coz (we love it but want to explore) My non-watery hubby needs to be able to find things to do and must have an Internet connection while the daughter and I dive. Opinions about places this time of year would be greatfully accepted. We would be leaving right after xmas and returning about Jan 15th. What do you guys suggest? Aruba, Bonaire, the Caymans..Belize, Costa Rica?? :07:

 

[JC Fedorczyk]

Cougar: Check out Saba. It's a 10 minute hop by plane from St Maarten. GREAT diving and dive ops. USAir has direct flights there (they have a deal with winair) and round trip flights from Charlotte are 730$ Probably be a little bit more for where you are but definitely cheaper then Aus. I'd suggest staying at Juliana's which has dive packages with seasaba . It's a TINY Dutch island. Everyone is laid back and relaxed. Great place to just decompress from regular life. Not a lot to do if you're not there for the diving though. It's about as far from a tourist place as you can get.

 

[getwet2]

I've been to Aruba but not to any of the other places yet. There is lots to do in Aruba if you don't dive, we rented a jeep and just drove everywhere one day, it was great. Lots of shopping and places to eat and drink, the food was great, great weather and beaches and water, casinos up the wazoo, did I mention the weather, beaches and water.

Lots of great dive sites and numerous wrecks also. You definetly won't be bored. Aruba can get a bit pricey though but it all depends on where you stay.

 

[caymaniac]

Our daughter just got accepted to vet school (marine mammals are her love and speciality) We have been told this winter holiday will be her last break until she graduates. We want to take her diving again. We were all set for Australia and the Great Barrier but discovered about the best I could do on airfare for the 3 of us surpassed $6,000.00...and that's coach fare (OUCH!)

Last year I flew to Cairns from Houston, with hotel and air plus some tours it was nearly 2Kea. Have you checked with Trip-n-tour ? There was allot to do for a non-diver in Cairns and Port Douglas, you have several animal parks to choose from, Kurunda village which is attainable with a train ride or the skyrail that takes you over the rainforest, also an Aboriginal culture show. In Port Douglas you can have "breakfast with the birds" and spend some time looking at the kangaroos and crocs.
The tour that we enjoyed most out of Cairns was the "Wait-a-while" tour which starts in the afternoon and continues into the night. On the tour you go into the rainforest and see birds, large curtain fig trees, nettles (that have killed people), reptiles of many different kinds, the Duckbilled Platypus, insects, you use lights at night to shine into the canopy and spot tree kangaroos and a number of marsupials, then on to see large termite mounds. Cairns has many shops and restaurants. Also a number of really large boat shuttles to Port Douglas which is where we went to our arranged Liveaboard. In Port Douglas we went on a river cruise, there is also 4wheel drive tours. The public transportation is easy to use no need to rent a vehicle. There were plenty of beach areas also easy to get to.

Dive Safe,
Caymaniac

 

[parrotheaddiver]

gets my vote. Some of the best diving. Non diving activities??
what does he like to do? They have a golf course on Grand Cayman, and I am sure tons of beach activities and island tours

 

[bubblesdame]

Take a look at Roatan and Utila. Continental fly from Houston to Roatan and then Atlantic from Roatan to Utila round trip from Houston to Utila around $600. My preference is Utila, great diving and great pricing. Look at www.deepblueutila.com they have a school in town and a resort, you can get an all inclusive week for 3 including airfare for $6000 and if you want cheaper then stay in town and dive at their school can get a room with aircon for $25 per night and great diving package. have a great time :dazzler1:

 

[adsadiving]

Cougar: An alternative destination would be South Africa. It offers such a vast diversity of diving, wildlife and scenery, a total holiday experience. Dive sites include Sodwana Bay, Aliwal Shoal, Protea Banks and Gansbaai (for viewing the Great Whites).

Non diving activities can include kayaking, mountain biking, visits to game reserves and many more...
It really depends on what his interests are. As a family you can enjoy visits to Table Mountain, Robben Island and the V&A waterfront while you're in Cape Town. Other places could include the Drakensberg mountains for some hiking/climbing. I did mention Game Reserves. Here you can see the Big Five of Africa - Lion, Buffalo, Leopard, Rhino and Elephant

hope this helps !!

 

[Shaka Doug]

Aloha! Have you given any thought to Hawaii? Great diving and tons of stuff to do when you're not diving too. Maui is one of the favorites!

Aloha and good luck with your vacation plans,

Shaka Doug

 

[wallyaussi]

Hi- I am a travel agent and Aussie Specialist. While winter air fare to OZ is higher than now, $2k pp appears too much unless you are going over Christmas and New Years.I have access to discounted air fares; also have been to Cairns a few times and dived with a couple of liveaboards. The day trips I did were yucky. Besides diving, there is a lot to see and do in OZ- Darwin and Kakadu Natl park are awesome; the Great Ocean Rd from Sydney to Melbourne; Brisbane is neat; etc etc. Also-Fiji might be an alternative destination.- very friendly people; good diving; beaches and nature. email me at wallyaussi@vacation.com

 

[dvrliz1]

DEFINITELY BONAIRE!!! They have great rates on Air Jamaica right now...you can fly from NYC for around $400! R/T Travel must be completed by the 15th of December! email me for where to stay!