Could use some Caribbean destination advice

[UrbanSage]

Hi,

In another life I spent some time as a PADI instructor in Thailand and Spain. And being from Denmark I have an idea about where to go scuba diving in that part of the world.

Then marriage hit me and now I haven't been covered in saltwater since (It's worth it).

Me and the missus are looking at the possibility of taking a week or two to a reasonably priced location in the Caribbean and because I am not familiar with this part of the underwater world I hope someone here can recommend a spot or two.

What I am looking at it the possibility of going to Bonaire for at least a week in mid-May.

It seems to be possible at reasonable prices and the diving is the best around according to the marketing people.

A concern is May being outside the popular season.
Now I don't mind going when the cruise ships aren't around. But will there be a weather reason not to pursue this at the time?

Any concerns, recommendations and ideas are more than welcome!

Thanks
Nick

 

[billsreef]

May is early in the rainy season, basically a few minutes worth of showers every now and then and back to nice and clear. I wouldn't let that stop me Bonaire has excellent shore diving and the reefs are basically long slopes into deep water. Vis isn't quite as clear as other locales, but that is from the currents and plankton in the water, so lots of life. My personal favorite is the Cayman Islands, excellent wall diving, and on Grand Cayman lots to do topside as well.

 

[besl]

I went snorkelling at Kline Bonaire, a small boat ride from Bonaire and it was in my top 2 favorite sites I have been to. The other spot I liked was Roatan - not much of an island, but great snorkeling. Lot of internet sites for you to evaluate weather conditions, but I think you will be fine in May. Most rain falls Oct - Jan, although no gurantees; May may be a little more windy. Checkout: http://www.infobonaire.com/weather.html

 

[snorvich]

Well I certainly recommend Bonaire and if you want to split the time, Curacao, its next door neighbor, for less diving (but still good) and interesting things to do. Also, you might consider St. Vincent for lots of seahorses and frogfish. No real issues with weather in any of these locations.

 

[ackee]

Consider Dominica for its spectacular rain forests and mountain ranges, still practically untouched. Very few tourists, very few residents, lots to do if hiking, fantastic diving, and other self-created outdoors related activities are your preference.
Not much in the way of organized nightlife, though. Only about 70,000 inhabitants, and a few hundred tourists spread over a fairly large island. Bad roads, a small airport (you take the prop plane from San Juan), and few real beaches in the sandy sense of the word. Acess to water is over rocks or pebble beaches.
Big wild parrots, tree size ferns, hundreds of warm, crystal clear rivers, hot-water springs, and some beautiful diving. April is usually the end of the dry season. The rainy season starts light in May, gets heavier in the summer. Rains are short and beautiful in themselves. I would not hesitate to go in May. Did I mention Cheap? Getting there, requiring two planes, is a bit expensive, but you can rent a nice cottage for about $100 a day, a very pleasant room in a nice waterfront tourist hotel for even less. It's not for everone, but it is unique in the Caribbean. I go every chance I get. It is also an extremely safe place.

 

[snorvich]

ackee, I have not been to Dominica, but I have heard similar things from other people. Sounds terrific.

 

[UrbanSage]

Thanks everyone. It really sounds like we will be sure to have a good stay. Even if we have to cope with some rain here and there.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14306962#post14306962 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ackee
Consider Dominica.....

Can you elaborate a bit on the location? I am not overly familiar with the Caribbean. Like can you provide a good city/town to stay with ocean access and scuba diving as a priority?

Thank you, I/we will consider any location mentioned we are just looking for a good place to spend a week and a half or so.
Scuba diving is my priority, my wife would like a beach and an umbrella drink (and to a lesser degree scuba diving).

Thanks!
Nick

 

[ackee]

The best diving, and the only dedicated diver cottage/hotels are in the extreme south, in and around Scott's Head, just below the capitol, Roseau. The internet will give you all the details if you search 'Dominica-scuba'. I prefer to rent my own small cottage mid island, and drive where I want, when I want, etc. There is a good diving operation mid-island, in Salisbury, 'Carib Divers'. Much tamer than the fantastic drop-offs and the giant submerged volcanic crater at Scotts Head. The is another at Cabrits, in the north, near Portsmouth that i have had good experiences with. The resorts around Scotts Head are more developed, catering specifically to divers. I dive with them a couple of times when I visit Dominica, but I prefer to stay further north., and do the hour + drive down to Scotts Head. I do more rain forest and wild river exploration than scuba, though I manage to dive every other day, and snorkel somewhere every day. The dedicated scuba resorts around Scotts Head are more package type arrangements, with three or more dives per day. That's fine, if you like that sort of thing, but it does consume virtually the whole trip.
Driving on Dominica can be daunting, with very narrow roads, big holes, boulders, etc. The landscape is more vertical than horizontal. I LOVE it, and will be there in mid April, my 9th trip.

 

[codykville]

I haven't been in a few years but Cozumel had great diving. Didn't like the last trips as well as I did the first few. Only because its a major cruise ship destination now. When I first started going I could afford a whole trip on my summer job. But that was 12 or 14 years ago. My parents went to Dominica and they also said it was great, but they didn't five whike they were there.

 

[jlnune07]

I've been diving for 13 years and most around the caribbean. The only repeat trip ive taken was to Roatan. I've dove both Bonaire and Roatan and both are incredible. I took a naturalist course in Bonaire and has an incredible amount of life. Roatan was my most recent and i can not wait to go back. I'm actually planning a 2 month stay to get my dive master cert. If I can make a recomendation I tip my hat to Roatan. I dove with the same outfit twice and they were incredible. I don't suggest large outfits because they get too crowded. I dove with ocean Connections and they don't take more than 6 ppl on a boat which is fine considering 90% of the sites are a 5 min ride from shore. I stay in email contact with the owner and everyone was great. Incredibledive sites as well which is expected on the second largest barrief reef system. We even dropped everything to go on a whale shark chase after 2 boils were seen off shore You pay per dive, no pre-pay package bullsh*t and its about $30 a dive. When I left last they were in the process of getting 2 new boats.

Well thats my long-winded plug for Roatan but I love diving and I loved Roatan. Aside from diving we had a blast on the island. One of those last undiscovered places if you stay away from west bay, which has an incredible beach to visit. Rented scooters for the day, went to a marine park, did zip line tours over the tree canopy etc. Hope this helped...and good luck wherever you end up!

 

[Sloeber]

I don't think Bonaire has a rainy season. If it does, it is because it actually got rain for once. It is basically a desert island. It certainly isn't a tropical island. I loved the diving there, but don't see me going back.

The two places I will return to are Roatan and Cozumel. Worth the internet search on your part.

Never been to Dominca. I shall google it before my next adventure.

 

[UrbanSage]

Thank you all for your input. It has been of great help!

Looks like we will be departing US on the 9th of May. Then arriving in Antigua the same day, spend the night and fly on to Dominica with arrival on the 10. Then on the 21st head back to Antigua, spend the night then head to US on the 22nd.

That leaves us with 11 nights in Dominica for plenty of scuba diving and other paradise island activities

 

[ackee]

Have fun!. Do as much on your own as possible, on land. Some of the inland trails are spectacular. Most of the trails are rated for levels of fitness needed. When they say 'must be fit', it's similar to Marine Basic. It's a very benign island. The walking is demanding, but almost no bugs, no poison plants or insects, views from high peaks that will make you think you are in Middle Earth. The rivers are wonderful to just float in. Not many tourist conveniences or places to eat. Some coast reserve parks have a small users fee. No big deal. People are courteous, but tend to leave you alone unless you initiate a contact first. A unique place.

 

[zimmyfan]

www.akumal.com

 

[snorvich]

One more thing about Bonaire. Be sure and leave nothing in your car as there is a fair amount of breaking into cars. As such leave your car unlocked so they don't break the windows.

 

[Korrine]

Holy Cow!!! Have a good trip!!

 

[UrbanSage]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14593948#post14593948 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Korrine
Holy Cow!!! Have a good trip!!

Thank you
Getting pretty excited now.
My wife will begin her Open Water certification here soon and she will finish the open water dives in Dominica.
Still a long two months to wait around but with the weather getting better I can keep busy with spring time home projects

Oh, and I have just received 160lbs of sand for the reef. So plenty of busy days ahead!