Where to go....

[chester]

I am trying to decide on a trip location. I've been to several different islands but most before I was diving. I've only dove on Aruba and Grand Cayman. I know, I know what a waste... but I'm trying to make up for it! :14:

Here's what I'm looking for....

1. An island/resort with really good diving but also a beautiful, relatively uncrowded, white sand beach (traveling with someone who doesn't dive). Resort should be in the $150-$200 per night range.

2. Relatively easy to get to from the US mainland..

3. I'd also prefer to have a casino nearby the resort.

I plan to go somethime next spring.... My first choice would be Bonaire.. but I understand the beaches aren't that great. Plus, I've already planned a trip (yet another) to Aruba for October - so I hope to skip over to Bonaire for a day or so while I'm there.

Just for context, I've been to the following islands: Tortola, Jost Van Dyke, Dog Islands, Peter Island, Virgin Gorda, St. John, St. Thomas, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, St. Maarten, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Aruba.. and with the excpetion of Aruba, I'd consider returning to any of them if the location/resort is right. Oh, don't get me wrong, I love Aruba and have been several times... in fact, Aruba is the only island where I've actually spent significant time (i.e., more than 2 days) - that's why I want to try a different island.

I've also been to Playa Del Carmen and Cozumel but I'd prefer not to return to Mexico for this trip (maybe another time).

I appreciate any advice you might have.... thanks.

 

[Doc]

Here's what I'm looking for....
1. An island/resort with really good diving but also a beautiful, relatively uncrowded, white sand beach (traveling with someone who doesn't dive). Resort should be in the $150-$200 per night range.

2. Relatively easy to get to from the US mainland..
3. I'd also prefer to have a casino nearby the resort.
My first choice would be Bonaire..

Bonaire has great beaches, just not on the side you'll be staying at or diving from.

Unless they have added another "Cash Removal Machine " (read: Casino), I believe the onliest one is at the Flamingo and it's the perfect crash pad for divers. I never could see spending all that extra $$ for a dive resort when their beach dives aren't all that hot, Flamingo is no exception. Shore dives are everywhere, but the Flamingo http://www.divibonaire.com/ is on the South edge of the town, Krikydink. The "dive resorts" are to the North. Either way, you'll need a car.

I rate Bonaire in the top three island destinations in the Greater Caribbean Basin (from way up by Bermuda and way over dere by da Cozumel).

But hey, You've got quite the list, quoting:

Just for context, I've been to the following islands: Tortola, Jost Van Dyke, Dog Islands, Peter Island, Virgin Gorda, St. John, St. Thomas, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, St. Maarten, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Aruba.. and with the excpetion of Aruba, I'd consider returning to any of them

None of which I would put in the top 5, but man , what a list!

Bonaire is just one of those place by which all other Caribbean destinations are measured. Go. Skip the Casinos... send me your extra money instead!

 

[chester]

Thanks for the info! Just out of curiousity, what would be your top 5?

I've mostly been considering St. John, Turks, or the Bahamas... but they seem relatively expensive (especially Turks)...

Surely, what i am looking for exists - I just need to keep doing research.....

 

[herman]

I just got back from Curacao, it may work for you. We stayed at the Holiday Beach Resort, nice sheltered beach, casino on site and a pretty good restaurant on site. The diving in frount of the resort is not bad, not quite up to Bonaire standards but still pretty good. It's an easy walk to down town where there are a lot of shops and restaurants.There are also some really nice beachs 10 miles or so away from the resort. They charge a small entry fee, less than $2 US but are well worth the cost as they have shade, rest rooms, on site food and dive ops. Really nice snorkle sites and the diving is pretty good as well. The biggest problem I see is finding a dive buddy, there were not too many divers around so bringing your own was important and the dive shop on site did not have a boat...yet they were rebuilding one.
Short trips to Bonaire are also very easy to arrange. Bonaire Excell and Divi Divi air both fly several times a day between the islands.

http://www.caribbeanmag.com/cgi-bin...29604/Curacao/Holiday-Beach-Hotel-and-Casino/

 

[Doc]

Just out of curiousity, what would be your top 5?
I've mostly been considering St. John, Turks, or the Bahamas... but they seem relatively expensive (especially Turks)... Surely, what i am looking for exists - I just need to keep doing research.....

Maybe what you're looking for doesn't exist- depending upon what you really want.

The unfortunate part about diving is that wherever it becomes easier to get to, wherever the rooms are more comodious, wherever the boats are better... the diving deteriorates at a proportionate pace.

Man's impact on the environment with heavy fishing as well as run-off siltation ruins what brought us all there intially.

Add to that your requirements for a Casino and a beach, well you do the math. Some islands have so lost a grip on their future that they allow sand to be pumped for beaches. Homicide for the reef.

My top 5 of the Caribbean? To a large extent, they're un-doable. At times there have been dive ops or live aboards that have served some, but now that has changed.

Many will disagree, many will have their own excellent opinions from a broad experience base. Others will just have opinions from their limited experience.

What of my "top 5" can you can "easily" do? Bonaire; The Outer Islands of the Bahamas (Nekton); Belize (Nekton); Roatan (CoCoView); Tobago (Speyside).

If I were a rich man? The NE islands off of Grenada; Cisne/Swan; Corn Islands; Los Roques.

 

[5615mike]

Turks is tough to beat for your requirements of a "RESORT" and casino with good diving. Provo would be my choice if I were using your criteria. Quite easy to get to from Atlanta I am sure. Connect through Miami.

 

[diveborg]

If you have to have a casino, that would rule out Grand Cayman.

Curacao does sound like a good choice. The Marriot is a very nice property with a white sand beach.