Dive trips with non-diving spouse

[BubblesMcCoy]

I'm starting to plan/scheme my diving trips for next year and need some suggestions on places to go (CONUS or Carrib). The hitch is that my wife is not a diver (next time I'll ask to see a c-card before proposing) and I need a place that has stuff that she'll enjoy topside while I'm diving. She's really understanding, but I want her to be able to enjoy the trip as much as I will.

I've been looking at Key West or the Bahamas, but I'm pretty open to anything with beaches. I've also thought about a liveaboard but have never been on one personally and am not sure how enjoyable it would be for a non-diver.

Any and all suggestions would be most appreciated.

[setesh]

I have the same problem, I'll be keeping an eye on this thread! Her solution is to pay for one of her friends to go along to keep her company, and that gets expensive really quick.

[Miked]

Same situation here.
Thankfully, my SO is an angel in that she knows how I love to dive, and supports me doing it-WWW that I am.
Also, she is an independent person, who loves to do "her own thing" (shop, hang ut at the pool or beach,etc. while I dive.
That said, we have found the following places to be good ,and safe, for such a trip:
Bermuda, Aruba, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, New Providence(Nassau-but avoid the city of Nassau at night)

[ReefHound]

I'm in the same boat and it definitely isn't a liveaboard. I think she would go stir crazy on one.

We like going to Florida and Cozumel. Plenty of beaches, restaurants, shops, and other topside attractions. It allows me to dive in the morning, put the dive gear away and out of sight, and then spend the afternoon or evening with her. Works great for us since she is not a morning person anyway and barely misses me being away. Try not to talk much about your diving so she doesn't feel like she's a tagalong on your dive trip, but rather it's a vacation for you both where you sneak off for some diving.

[BubblesMcCoy]

Good tips. Where in Florida have you all enjoyed?

[thor]

We went to Aruba when my wife was pregnant, and she had a great time, having turned into a temporary non-diver, which can sometimes be worse. There is a good night-life, shops, restaurants, etc.

[deepstop]

We've gone to Cozumel (Occidental Grand) 3 times now. Blue XT Sea Diving pick me up at the dock at 8:30 and drop me off around 12:30 in plenty of time for lunch. She reads a book on the beach while I'm gone and we have the rest of the day together.

[Sailfish]

Originally Posted by BubblesMcCoy

I'm starting to plan/scheme my diving trips for next year and need some suggestions on places to go (CONUS or Carrib). The hitch is that my wife is not a diver (next time I'll ask to see a c-card before proposing) and I need a place that has stuff that she'll enjoy topside while I'm diving. She's really understanding, but I want her to be able to enjoy the trip as much as I will.

I've been looking at Key West or the Bahamas, but I'm pretty open to anything with beaches. I've also thought about a liveaboard but have never been on one personally and am not sure how enjoyable it would be for a non-diver.

Any and all suggestions would be most appreciated.

You may want to try a scuba cruise. It's not something that will appeal to people who want to dive a lot, but it's a nice compromise.

Good luck.

[russp]

I posted this question a while back and got some great advice. Does anyone know how to search for old postings?

[acamato]

Take a look at Bermuda. It is a short flight from the east coast. Most dives are in the 40-60' range. There is plenty to do topside for your wife.