Good reef diving for the lowest cost.

[dkh6070]

Obviously not includintg airfare because that would depend on where you live. The wife and I have gone to Cozumel for fairly cheap staying at the Safari Inn and dove out of their shop both diving for 3 days and hotel for under $500. We love it but have done it twice. We found it less expensive than Key Largo once you add up the cost to include food, tanks air fills, lodging etc. . Airfare was also equal cost. I would like to plan something for early spring. Any suggestions?

[CompuDude]

Depends on what you're looking for. Airfare is a big separator.

Asia offers STUNNING diving and incredibly cheap topside options, it just costs more than usual to get there. I was able to dive in Bali for two weeks for less than a Cozumel trip would have cost, when all the costs are added up for each. Obviously Bali cost a lot more to get there, but it was a lot cheaper than Coz once we arrived, and we lived like kings when we were there.

If you like shore diving and you can find a good deal on airfare, Bonaire can also be a good low price option since the shore diving is (a) spectacular and (b) practically free, but food is costly so you'll need to shop frugally at the market and make your own meals to really do it on a shoestring.

[scubarobin]

Originally Posted by dkh6070

Obviously not includintg airfare because that would depend on where you live. The wife and I have gone to Cozumel for fairly cheap staying at the Safari Inn and dove out of their shop both diving for 3 days and hotel for under $500. We love it but have done it twice. We found it less expensive than Key Largo once you add up the cost to include food, tanks air fills, lodging etc. . Airfare was also equal cost. I would like to plan something for early spring. Any suggestions?

you are not going to find any place as cheap as Cozumel, so if $$ is your main concern, go back there. If you want to do some different diving, see different things, then you need to pay a bit more. Honestly, after diving Cozumel for that reason (budget) for 4+ yrs in a row, we finally branched out and started going other places. We discovered that there are lots of places with better diving that we enjoyed more, too.

where are you flying out from? Atlanta? what is your budget really?

an example:
Roatan, Fantasy Island
Feb 27 - Apr 2... double $1005pp, includes all meals and 3 boat dives per day, unlimited shore
Apr 3 - May 28... double $879pp, includes all meals and 3 boat dives per day, unlimited shore
prices from: Roatan Charter presents Honduras and Belize.: adventure and scuba travel in Central America.
you can get round trip airfare to Roatan from Atlanta, Saturday to Saturday.

or

Bonaire, Golden Reef Inn
Golden Reef Inn Resort--Home


robin

[Flatliner]

Originally Posted by CompuDude

Depends on what you're looking for. Airfare is a big separator.

Asia offers STUNNING diving and incredibly cheap topside options, it just costs more than usual to get there. I was able to dive in Bali for two weeks for less than a Cozumel trip would have cost, when all the costs are added up for each. Obviously Bali cost a lot more to get there, but it was a lot cheaper than Coz once we arrived, and we lived like kings when we were there.

If you like shore diving and you can find a good deal on airfare, Bonaire can also be a good low price option since the shore diving is (a) spectacular and (b) practically free, but food is costly so you'll need to shop frugally at the market and make your own meals to really do it on a shoestring.

CD, Have you previously posted details on this trip? The idea is very interesting to me. I sometimes have frequent flier miles so the airfare might not kill me. I would like more details.

[dawnvip]

I'll agree with CompuDude, if airfare is not a factor then Asia can be a really great deal.

Hubby and I stayed in Khao Lak Thailand, in a beachfront bungalow (sand at our doorstep) for $30 US a night, ate for about $20 a day and dove for about $50 (each) for 2 amazing boat dives per day. Total $150 per day for 2! You can also get cheaper deals on diving if you have your own gear and book multiple days.

Granted, it does take a while to get to Thailand, so we were able to book a whole month off work and tour around quite a bit. We even met some people from the US that said they came to Thailand every year to get all their dental work done as it was cheaper for them to fly, fix and vacation for a week than to get the work done in the US!!!

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by Flatliner

CD, Have you previously posted details on this trip? The idea is very interesting to me. I sometimes have frequent flier miles so the airfare might not kill me. I would like more details.

*hangs head in shame*

My trip report isn't done yet. I haven't finished processing the photos yet...

Thailand is a great option as well, however. My 2008 trip report is posted on this board somewhere in the Thailand forum. I'm dying to go back to Asia... Thailand for the topside stuff (with fantastic diving as an added bonus), or Bali for the diving (with some very cool topside stuff as an added bonus).

[dkh6070]

Thanks, I am flying out of Atlanta. We build up Delta miles and usually get at least 2-3 free flights a year depending on cost. I've never been part of a forum before. It's like the information highway on crack. Thanks for all the suggestions. Just the links alone are extremely helpful in getting a better deal than what I was seeing just by surfing.

[mcr0112]

Diving in Dahab Egypt can be quiet inexpensive. My brother & I dove there last year for one week, room, breakfast. guide for 2, some meals and excursions that were extra. It cost me just under $900. We stayed at Dive Urge which was fanstatic. I saw cheaper places to stay & dive in dahab. Its all shore diving. Delta flies to Cairo then Egyptair to Sharm El Shiek then mini bus. We're headed back in Nov. Staying 3 days Sharm & 3 days Dahab. Toatl 7 nights room, Air (cairo-sharm) diving,transferes will be $1251. Coz is good but Red Sea is awsome!!!!

[Just Dave]

You could give Puerto Morelos a try... About 30 miles from Cozumel, fairly quiet and laid back, and there are some reasonably priced spots to stay.

[Daved]

Bonaire on the cheap. You can fly out of Atlanta--at least you use to. Wannadive hut has good clean rooms and run a decent dive op--and the rum punch party is good fun.
Wannadive Bonaire - shoredive, boatdive, rental, a - welcome @ Wannadive

good diving, good folk, great food