Scuba/Snorkeling - location suggestions please.

[scubaduderon]

Bonaire

Bonaire

I know it is a bit far, being 50 miles north of the Venezuelan coast, but Bonaire is certainly one of the best places to dive in the world, period. It is a member of the ABC islands, Aruba, Bonaire and Curacau and part of the Dutch Carribean.

The island formed over hundreds of thousands of years of the land rising from the sea. The highest point of the island is covered with ancient coral. The land slopes off gently into the sea, which continues to slope off into the depths. You can practically dive anywhere there is water. There are well over 80 dive sites around the island and it's sister island Klien Bonaire.

Check out 1000 steps or Rappel, 2 of my favorites. Or try out Webbers Joy, named after my friends the Webbers, members of one of the nations largest scuba clubs, the Atlantis Divers teaching out of the Richport YMCA in Lagrange.

A plug for Atlantis Divers: Recreational Scuba certification began in Chicago, started by the early members of Atlantis Divers. They are one of the oldest scuba clubs in existance, forming in the mid 1950's. They run one of the most thorough scuba teaching programs in the country. They also have numerous groups going on trips all over the world.

Hook up with them and you can't go wrong.

Good luck on your trip.

Ron

 

[Illuminati]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8139084#post8139084 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Doubledown
Patrick - that place is highly recommended on the scuba forum and is right next door to the Xpu-Ha Palace (fiance loves the idea of an eco park).

Where would I get certified around here and how quickly can it be done - we are looking to go in mid November.

Here's a list from Yahoo

DJ's Scuba Locker Inc
(708) 442-4388 Web Site Yellow Page Ad More Info 7840 Ogden Av
Lyons, IL Map


Scuba Emporium
(708) 226-1614 Yellow Page Ad 16336 S 104th Ave
Orland Park, IL Map


Capt'n Jack's Scuba
(815) 953-4369 Yellow Page Ad 29050 S Rte 59
Wilmington, IL Map


Scuba Systems
(847) 674-0222 Yellow Page Ad 3919 Oakton
Skokie, IL Map


Lindahl Marine
(630) 759-3300 Yellow Page Ad 1287 Naperville Dr
Romeoville, IL Map


Underseas Scuba Center Inc
(630) 833-8383 Web Site 611 N Addisn Rd
Villa Park, IL Map


Below H20
(630) 820-2531 Web Site More Info 2950 Ogden Av
Aurora, IL Map


D D Dive Shop
(847) 657-3483 1039 Waukegan Rd
Glenview, IL Map


Underseas Scuba Center Inc
(630) 833-8383 Web Site 611 N Addisn Rd
Villa Park, IL Map

 

[AuroraDave]

The classroom & pool parts of Certification can be done in a few weeks. I would check out your local YMCA, jr college and scuba shops.

Some have set schedules, others are more flexible. I got certified @ Below H2O in Naperville/Aurora. You get to choose any week nights for the classroom (3 I think). Then you go to a local pool for the water classes...also wkday evenings availability.

They were very flexible and have a great program. I have several friends all certified there. They will do the paperwork for you that you bring on vacation for final PADI cert. Just make sure your resort or scuba shop will do that.

I'd rather be in the ocean diving than doing classes and frankly there is a lot of reading and learning behind diving. It is important that you really understand the fundamentals so I think a good training program goes a long way. Nothing against the scuba shops in Mexico or whereever, but when you are 100 ft below surface anything can happen.

 

[Doubledown]

On a recommendation I called Scuba Emporium in Orland Park last night. My fiance and I will be going to their 4 evening/4 dive certification class starting in 2 weeks. Full classroom/pool/dive certification takes about 5 weeks (4 x 3hr night pool sessions and a 4 dive Sat/Sun weekend following). We felt that is was more important to learn correctly than quickly - nothing against the dive shops in Mexico, but something that takes 12+ hours in a pool probably shouldn't be learned in 2 hours on vacation.

I am actually pretty excited to learn. It's not inexpensive ($500 each plus cost of mask/snorkel/fins), but I am hopefull that we both enjoy it enough to make scuba a regular requirement for future vacations. We loved the snorkeling in Antigua and I expect that actual diving will be that much more enjoyable.