6 mos and 25 dives- where next?

[Tronl]

I'm a newbie- just certified earlier this year, but already completely hooked. First dive trip to Curacao, second to Grand Cayman. Also snuck in a couple dives during a work trip to Jakarta.

I like the Caribbean because it's close and warm- looking at Belize and Honduras-Roatan.

Suggestions on where to go, recommended dive resorts?

[BSea]

I don't know where you live, but if you're anywhere close to Houston, you might consider the Flower Gardens. It's considered advanced because of the depth & Current, but dollar for dollar, there isn't much better as far as diving goes. It's more fun if you go with a group, because this is really camping at sea with lots of dives. On a 3 day trip you get 11 dives. It's not like a typical dive vacation. You don't have the resort, or the shopping & interesting places to see, but for pure diving this is it.

[rach]

went to roatan on my honeymoon and it was amazing...there's a thread somewhere in the travel section that gets nitty gritty on where to stay (AKR vs. BIBR), but i had an absolutely fantastic time!

[WV Diver]

Believe me there are so many good places to go. They say Belize is nice and Hawaii also. I think we might be going to Hawaii in 2009, we'll see.

[CaribbeanDiver]

I have been diving in Belize and despite what everyone says, I didnt find it as nice as the Bahamas or Roatan. I stayed at Bay Island Beach Resort twice and can say that the people there are great. the diving is ordinarily spectacular and the Spooky Channel lies off shore in the event you are up to some shore diving.

[Tronl]

We're in DFW area- that's a great suggestion THANKS.

[High Plains Drifter]

My wife and I finished our certification in Belize and absolutely loved it. We stayed on Ambergris Caye at a place called Mata Chica. It's still there, but it appears that the dlve shop that use to operate on its property may be gone. Bummer. If you combine the excellent reef with all the really cool stuff on the mainland (Mayan ruins, Black Howler Monkeys, etc), this would easily be an awesome candidate for you.

[bversteegh]

Since you live close to DFW, Cozumel is an obvious choice. Once the charters start up in the Spring, you can get to Cozumel easily and inexpensively on Funjet or MLT (just look in the travel section of the Sunday paper) - excellent diving and lots of choice for resorts (from cheap to 5 star all-inclusives).

The Bahamas are easy to get to through Ft. Lauterdale - can usually get pretty decent airfare on American. Good pelagic dives (dolphins and Sharks).

My favorite location in the Caribbean is Bonaire - should be similar to Curacao; but more diversity of dive sites. It is just a little harder to get to.

Grand Turk or Salt Caye in the Turks and Caicos is excellent diving; and Provo is easy to get to.

[Tronl]

Thanks for the ideas- we've decided on Roatan. Now we just need to pick the place! Looking at Anthony's as well as CocoView.
Looking forward to future trips to Cozumel, Bonaire, Bahamas, Hawaii, etc. etc. So many places, so little time...

[Athena2c]

We stayed at Fantasy Island Resort in Roatan in May and had a fantastic time. They had great dives masters and AMAZING diving!
It's right next door to Coco View.