Best beginner / weekend-ish places?

[Divalicious]

Hey there

I don't see a thread specifically for this, so all things being equal, where are the best beginner dive destinations from the Continental US?

I know there is Cozumel and maybe Jamaica or the Bahamas or Caymans (prices aren't as good for those last three from Houston), but which ones would be best for true first time open water divers in terms of ease, comfort, low stress, etc.

Main criteria I'm going by:

1) Airfare - convenience (from Houston) + average price > $500 USD, preferably closer to $300!

2) Trip time - Ideally, I'm looking for a trip that could be done in a true weekend or long weekend (F-M).

3) Easy / Pretty diving - the "slow lane" of diving is a-ok for me! I.e., good visibility in blue water, 20-50 ft. reefs, easy entries, nice coral & fish.

So far, it looks like Cozumel may be the best bet, but I just wondered if there were any other favorites out there to watch for good prices?

[Flatliner]

It doesn't really meet your time or price criteria but in my opinion there is no better beginner destination in the world than Bonaire.

[TJDiver]

I've never been diving in Cozumel, but I'm told it's mostly drift diving. That's definitely easy diving if you have some experience dealing with currents. How about the Florida Keys? A lot of shallow reef diving there, with opps to do intermediate and deep reefs and wrecks. I would imagine some good airfare deals could be had from Houston to Miami. We're heading down there in a couple weeks, and going out with Abyss Dive Center. We've never been out with Abyss, but they operate a six-pack boat...no more than six divers at a time, and will go out with as few as two...and, they have rave reviews from both experienced and beginner divers. We're also going out with Silent World...have read good reviews on them, and they also operate smaller boats. I'll post reports on the dive ops we use while there. In the interim, here's their links:

AbyssDive
Dive with Silent World voted #1 dive shop in Florida

[rayaa3]

Cozumel is awesome. The drift diving can be very relaxing, once you get the hang of it. There are a few sites that are more shallow, and have a little less drift. I certainly would consider it an option. However, if you really want to go 'easy' you could look at Cancun. Cancun has a neat reef system called "Manchones" it's off the isle of Mujeres, about 20-25 minutes from the dock (depending on which one you leave from.) I took my daughter there, last spring, for her introductory experience (2 tank discovery dive) - 30ft, hardly any current, and smooth seas. We saw sea fans, hard corals, parrot fish, the normal spread of reef life...though nothing terribly exciting (no ray's, sharks, turles) For a weekend trip it can be quite fun. You should be able to score pretty decent fares from Houston.

Unlike Cozumel, it's not a dive centric destination...most hotels in town have a 'dive shop' but the shops/boats aren't usually on site. They usually tell you to show up at a particular dive shop in the marina (or some will arrange transport for you.).

I recommend mayan aqua divers, run by Ben Mooney, an Aussie that's been running a dive shop/outfit there for a few years. For his price he'll have you picked up at your hotel in a nice AC van, driven to the hotel tha this pier/dive shop works out of, then returned to your hotel afterwards. His boat takes 8 divers out (if I remember correctly) It's a nice operation.

Mayan Aqua Dive offers Cancun Diving, Snorkeling, Cavern Diving, Cozumel Dives&PADI Courses

No matter where you go - talk to the dive shop BEFORE YOU GET ON THE BOAT. Make sure they know where you are at in your training, and what you are comfortable with. The good shops will group you with divers of similar experience, and take you to a site that is appropriate.

Happy diving,

Ray

[georoc01]

Cozumel would definitely be your best bet for a long weekend. Florida is a good option as a plan B.

You can find some good deals down to Belize, but when I was there, the surf at AC was such that I wouldn't recommend it to a newer diver.

If you can increase the budget and can do a week, Bonaire & Roatan are good options from Houston too. Diving is really easy and is a good value outside of the airfare. So when you find the air deal, the rest works really well.

[FoxHound]

right now, fantasy island in roatan has a 2 for 1 offer on if you book before 30 Oct. i'll be there in nov


The iberostar in coz is great, dive shop on site and just outside of the city. very nice and easy going dives if thats what you are looking for.

[dawnvip]

I have been to both Jamaica and the Caymans, as well as St Thomas and St Lucia, and there are lots of easy dive sites, as well as more advanced, at all these places. It all depends on who you dive with, or if you're heading out on your own.

BTW, a weekend dive trip and flying there and back sure doesn't sound like low stress! Aren't you supposed to have 24 hours dive free before flying?

[chinacat46]

Originally Posted by dawnvip

I have been to both Jamaica and the Caymans, as well as St Thomas and St Lucia, and there are lots of easy dive sites, as well as more advanced, at all these places. It all depends on who you dive with, or if you're heading out on your own.

BTW, a weekend dive trip and flying there and back sure doesn't sound like low stress! Aren't you supposed to have 24 hours dive free before flying?

Only 18 hours if doing multiple dives and 12 if doing a single dive.

[georoc01]

Given its a direct 2 hour flight, Doing the 4 day weekend for a couple days of diving Friday-Monday from Houston or Dallas works easily. The flights come down in the morning and return in the afternoon so you can get an afternoon check out dive in on Friday, do two days of boat diving and then fly back Monday afternoon.

Sun Country is one of the charters.

[scubarobin]

I would look at Ft. Lauderdale area or Keys. Fly into Miami or FLL airports, rental car, and go.
You can easily do a Friday-Monday trip there. Reefs and wrecks, both.
look at websites:
http://www.parrotislandscuba.com/
South Florida Diving Headquarters
ScubaFortLauderdale.com - Home of the American Dream II

Key Largo Diving Boats
Florida Keys Scuba Diving with It’s A Dive; Florida Keys scuba diving reefs from Key Largo's Pennekamp Park to Islamorada’s Alligator Light.
Island Ventures Dive Charters Key Largo Florida Keys Scuba Diving

robin