Where to go?

[newdiver3]

Hey everyone,
My family and I are planning a trip for March. It will be me and my dad who dive and my mom who just needs a nice beach to have a good time. We definately want to go somewhere in the Caribbean. We go to Akumal Mexico every year and that has alot of little things. I really really want to dive with sharks and other big things. Where do you recommend in the Caribbean for this? Thanks!

 

[Alex777]

Grand Cayman is one likely spot. It has lots of big creatures - sting rays, eagle rays, moray eels, nurse sharks, reef sharks, the occasional (very occasional) hammerhead - especially on the North Wall and in the East End. Your mom should have no trouble enjoying herself on Seven Mile Beach while you are off diving.

 

[shakeybrainsurgeon]

Grand Cayman or one of the ABC islands like Aruba or Bonaire --- the weather in March is likely to be better there then in Keys, Bermuda, Bahamas or Virgin Islands. Diving is better in Caymans, beaches excellent in Caymans and Aruba. Both areas are safe, speak English, use American currency, have very friendly populations and tons of excellent dive operators. Both have excellent upscale resorts and more modest places. Grand Cayman was still rebuilding when I was there 10 months ago, so some operators were still not at full strength and there was a lot of construction going on and piles of debris still visible.

Aruba vs Grand Cayman (IMHO) --- Aruba has better airport, easier customs, more direct flights, less traffic by far (and American traffic customs), casinos, better night life and more golf. You can see big creatures in Aruba, but generally need to go south of Palm Beach. However, diving is better in Caymans in terms of wall dives, better visibility, sea life. Caymans IS diving, like Pebble Beach IS golf and Daytona IS NASCAR... in Aruba, it's just another recreational activity, albeit an important one.

 

[dbh]

another option would be Provodencials (Turks & Caicos). They have several nice resorts and you can dive West Caicos & French Cay with either:

http://www.provoturtledivers.com/

http://www.tcidiving.com/


Rays, Caribbean reef Sharks, Big Grouper, Eels. etc.

Dave

 

[Tim Ingersoll]

Second the vote for TCI. Bit expensive but really nice. Meets all of your requirements.