Next Trip - Where to Go?

[lucidblue]

Just took our first dive trip ever to Cozumel in June. I want to plan another big trip for sometime between late-December and February. Thinking maybe Bonaire or Belize, but looking for a few recommendations and reasons why you think it's the best place. Anywhere in Caribbean/Central America is a possibility.

Also thinking it might be fun to go on a trip through a dive shop so we can meet some new people.

[Illini_Fan]

I was just doing the same type of research for the past few weeks. My target window was more narrow (last week of Dec / first week of Jan). Had seriously considered Bonair, but then my dive buddy (my son) decided he wanted to stay home over new years and hang-out with friends.

Without a buddy, I didn't want to do shore dives, so I looked at the liveaboards and narrowed it down to the Bahamas or Turks & Caicos (see this thread (http://www.scubatoys.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=50).

I decided on the bahamas and to join the group going from singledivers.

[ParrotheadDiver]

Between the two I would choose Bonaire...the best way to see Belize is on a livaboard..Bonaire has great shore diving and IMO better viz than Belize more topside activities but to be fair I have only done Belize on a livaboard

[georoc01]

When I was on a cruise earlier this year, we stopped in Belize and Roatan. I was very impressed with Anthony's Key in Roatan. I am looking to do a full week with them some time in the future.

[frankc420]

Why not go to the US's best kept secret, Flower Gardens!

[bubba105]

I did Anthony's Key with 35 other divers last year. The most organized dive operation I have ever experienced. They run a bunch of large boats but there is zero confusion. I was amazed. 3 dives a day, your name is on a board and if you want to do the next dive you put a mark next to your name. I dove Nitrox the whole week. I would test 3 tanks every morningand they had my nitrox bottle on the boat, set up and ready to go for every dive.

[tx.lakerat]

Roatan would be the place that I'd go! LOVE diving there and good for newbies!

[lucidblue]

I see a lot of suggestions for Roatan here. I've also noticed many articles in the dive magazines about Roatan too. Definitely on my list to research further.

Lakerat, why is it good for newbies?

[DPJ]

I have been to Belize, Costa Rica, Bahamas and the BVI's but Grand Cayman is still my favorite. No matter the time of the year, one side of the Island is calm and usually excellent vis.

[tj gold]

I have been to both. Bonaire had much better vis.(30-40m) the resturants in town are great, weather was perfect in Feb. Belize had biogger critters. Nurse sharks, grouprs turtles etc. Vis was about 20m. Belize was a much friendier town. Locals very nice.