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[thugmebaby]

Anyone been to the carribbean area that would recommend for diving to view some corals maybe? I am looking to do some snorkling at least but wouldnt mind diving itself

 

[Bullet]

A year ago I was in the Bahamas and went diving. It was very good. I cannot comment on the snorkeling. I would recommend that before you go anywhere go get certified before you go if you plan on diving. Don't be one of those fools that gets on the boat after a 20 minute lesson from a hotel pool and goes down 80 feet. We did snorkel in Grand Cayman a few years ago. That was really nice. If you go there make sure you swim with the sting rays. Florida is nice for diving and snorkeling. We were there a few years ago. Key Largo has a State Park that has some very good snorkeling and the diving is ok too. We also did a catamaran snorkling tour on one of our cruises too. I think it was in St Thomas. It was awhile ago but I do remember it was pretty cool. It really does not matter where you go......it all is so much better than here...as long as you are in the water!

By the way. Don't get your hopes up on seeing a lot of breath taking corals. There are some there but most are brown. Just take your time and stay in one spot for a long time and look for the little things. That will make everything come out and you will enjoy it so much more!

 

[jbrunken]

Anyone ever done any snorkeling in Maui? I'm headed there for 2 weeks next year.

 

[Tank Razed]

I went snorkling in Maui about 15 years ago. I don't remember any of the names of the locations I went to, but I remember that just outside the hotel I was staying at there was a great little reef to snorkle. Sea urchins with spines over a foot long, tons of morays, lots of cowfish, tangs, lobsters, etc.

I'm going to Kauai next winter, but there isn't supposed to be as much coral around that island... I guess I'll survive.

 

[thugmebaby]

We are considering the Bahamas right now.... parents when to Hawaii and like it but I am thinking more towards Bahamas. Thanks Bob

 

[Bullet]

We have been to the Bahamas twice now. Stayed on Paradise Island both times. When we go again we will probably stay on Cable Beach in an all inclusive. Then we can get a day pass to go to Paradise Island to go to all the attractions. Make sure you go to the straw market and if you dive/snorkel...do it with Stuart Cove's! They are a GREAT dive shop!

http://www.stuartcove.com/

 

[Double-J]

Just got back from the Bahamas a couple of months ago, Awesome place went last year as well. I have been diving In Japan, thialand, autralia etc... All before getting into this hobby. I think I got spoiled. I went snorkly in the Bahamas because of the wife who is not certified and to tell you the truth I wans't too impressed, I saw some big brown brains, and some anenomes. Don't get me wrong if it is something new then scuba diving in a pool is a great experience let alone in the Bahamas.

If you are going to stay on Paradise Island I would suggest Atlantis. We are going to make this trip once a year from now on and couldn't imagine staying anywhere else on the island. The place is a small city. I'm sure Bullet will say the same. plus I believe it has the largest Salt water tanks in the world which is neat to walk thru.

 

[Bullet]

I agree...I said that too in my first post that you will not see a whole lot of corals. We stayed at Atlantis the last two time too. We just want to try something different! Plus spending $300 per night on a room is crazy. Very nice though....but I think we can spend our money elsewhere.

Did you do the shark dive tinytool?

 

[thugmebaby]

thanks all tyryig to get all the optio0ns soaked in.


Bob do you know how long the dives are for?

 

[Bullet]

We did two dives. Pretty standard. The first one is deep ~80 feet and the last one is shallow ~40 feet. As far as dive time...that all depends on you and the depth. That is all stuff you learn when you get certified.

 

[Double-J]

True the rooms are expensive, you can find good package deals for everything and the get the american eating plan for a reasonable price. I will say that the place is steered a lot towards children, we took our two kids there and they had a blast. At night they have a couple clubs and a Casino (which is like $25 minimum for a hand of black jack) but they don't have party's down by the beach or anything, which was disapointing. If you don't stay at the Atlantis You should probably take a day to check out everything they have to offer. It's seriously crazy how nice the place is.

 

[Double-J]

Also no Shark Divin for me buddy. At least not intentionally

 

[Double-J]

Tell you what I would do Thugmebaby, Since you and your girl are pretty serious (getting rid of your tank and all) I would take your engangment ring money book a flight for two to Phuket Thialand. I have been all over the world thanks to the Marines and this was by far the best place!!!! They have 5 star hotels, your treated like a king everywhere you go, the waters are crazy clear, white sands. To top it off you don't need much money at all when you get there, I'm serious like 500 baut = $20. I was there for 4 days and spent a grand and lived like a king doing everything you could think of. Also this is why I say use your engagment ring money because they have some of the least expensive diamonds in the world. You can actually go and pick out the setting and they will make it in front of you, This is a type of place you go in and they serve you wine at the door and one person is your "servent" the entire time you are in the jewerly store/factory. A ring in the states that costs 5 grand would only cost a grand there.

 

[thugmebaby]

yeah we are still evaluatiing where to go etc... and yeah already have the ring so umm i guess thats a mute point lol...

 

[tibbs2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9665355#post9665355 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tinytool
Just got back from the Bahamas a couple of months ago, Awesome place went last year as well. I have been diving In Japan, thialand, autralia etc... All before getting into this hobby. I think I got spoiled. I went snorkly in the Bahamas because of the wife who is not certified and to tell you the truth I wans't too impressed, I saw some big brown brains, and some anenomes. Don't get me wrong if it is something new then scuba diving in a pool is a great experience let alone in the Bahamas.

If you are going to stay on Paradise Island I would suggest Atlantis. We are going to make this trip once a year from now on and couldn't imagine staying anywhere else on the island. The place is a small city. I'm sure Bullet will say the same. plus I believe it has the largest Salt water tanks in the world which is neat to walk thru.

Where did you dive at in Japan?

 

[Double-J]

Okinawa (spelling might be jacked) I was there for 4 months, thats where I got certified many moons ago.