Your favorite spot in the Caribbean?

[acroporas 0]

Getting ready to plan a trip to the caribbean but I cant make up my mind where to go. So, Which is your Favorite Island?

[Giles 1]

Cayman Islands has kept me here for 5 years ... 3 years of solid diving 4 dives a day plus night diving. I have done every dive site just about, and they all kick ass for their own reasons. Most I have done more times than i can count. And I still think they are great.

 

I liked St Lucia, it was different, but not the best.

 

Barbados kicks ass, but there isnt as much diving to be had as there is on other islands.

 

I have heard that Cuba kicks ass if you go to the right place.

And everyone seems to like Roatan.

[donauw 0]

Grand Turk. Quiet, friendly, great coral/wall minutes from beach.

 

Regards,

[james 0]

If you like shore diving and diving at your own pace then the Caymans or Roatan or Utila are for you.

 

The offshore atolls in Belize are awesome as well, but more boat diving spots. I thought Tobago was awesome! But it's more out of the way and different diving. Also mostly boat diving.

 

HTH

James

[davephdv 0]

I liked Desecho Island off of Puerto Rico.

[cmm1970 1]

I can't help but put a plug in for Bonaire. Pleasant diving...that's how I'd describe this destination. It just doesn't get any easier and if you are into little creepy, crawly macro critters, you won't be disappointed. The only downside is that there is not much else on the island. There are, however, several good places to eat. Cappricio is an Italian resturant and the food is outstanding. Mona Lisa is good also, but don't expect Italian here.

 

I have stayed at Buddy Dive and just loved it. Great staff, good facilities, and a nice dive boat with a convienient dive schedule. My girlfriend and I are headed back there May 27th.

 

Town Pier and Salt Pier are just fantastic dives. I could go on and on.

 

I hope this was helpful.

P.S. Air Jamiaca is much more convenient than American Airlines. The departing flight on American is at something like 6:00 a.m. and the airport requires you to be there at 4:00 a.m. This is just not a good way to end a vacation.

[underexposed 0]

I second Bonaire, if you want to take your time, dive when you want and get lots of oppertunitys for great shots it's the best place I've been. Because it is the home of diving freedom you have lots of time to work on your photo skills. That said I'm off to Cozumel next week...

[underexposed 0]

I also agree on Buddy dive as a place to stay. I feel it's a good middle road destination, not to removed from a town but no cruise ship crowds. Lots of divers!

[blackbird 1]

I've been to Bonaire a couple of times and really enjoyed Capt Don's.

This January a group of us went with Martin Edge to Dominica, we all commented on how prestine the reefs were.

 

The diving was unlimited as in Bonaire with a excellent house reef, as a Caribean destination i will certainly return.

 

A lot more to do on Dominica and don't forget the Whales.

 

www.castlecomfortdivelodge.com

[Kelpfish 15]

Contrary to popular belief, Utila, meaning diving at Utila Lodge or other nearby places offers no shore diving. How Rodales published Utila one of the top 10 shore diving destinations in the world is a mystery. I was just there and there is no beach diving. You can dive under the pilings of the lodge if you like green, shallow water with not much to photograph. But there is no beach diving at Utila Lodge as Rodales printed in a recent edition. 3-dives a day and that's it, all guided and no solo diving allowed.

 

Joe

[manatee19 5]

I agree with most comments, especially those about Belize and the Caymans. Been there many times, always a pleasure to dive those reefs.

 

I would add my $0.02 by plugging in Turks and Caicos, especially if you go liveaboard and especially on the Aggressor. Why?

 

As much diving as your system can take on any given day. Excellent photo opportunities including SHARKS, especially if they can make it to French Cay.

 

Also, Piers, the captain and co-owner of the yacht... I use the word on purpose... is absolutely nuts about photography. He practices the specialty with talent and knows what it means to you and your camera:-)

 

If it works I am including a sample image of one the friends who came and paid a visit last year.

 

Best regards

 

Michel[/img]

[critter 0]

Little Cayman IMHO is the best I have been to. Hard to beat bloody bay wall. I have dove all over the carib and this spot to me is enchanting.

 

Tony

[sjh 0]

Hi William

Having lived throughout the caribbean for the last 12 years,its a tough answer.I agree on posts with regard to the Caymans and Bonaire.

To be honest having just left Belize after being there for one and a half years I was a little dissapointed.

One place to look at is Saba,I have seen everything from frog fish to manta and whales there.The offshore pinnicles are awesome.If you need any information drop me a line.

 

Steve

[Blenny 0]

Bonaire, Cayman Brac, and Roatan get my votes and all for different reasons....Bonaire, ease, access and great macro, andd good variety.

Cayman Brac for great vis and great variety.

Roatan for expecting the unexpected like sharks, octopus...you name it...but had the worst vis of these 3.

I would return to all 3, any time, no problem.

[jdaley 0]

Cayos Cochinos in the Bay Islands, Honduras. Roatan and Utila get all the popularity but Cayos has great walls and top notch macro life. The wife and I enjoyed these islands so much we got married there (between dives of course!).

 

James

[acroporas 0]

Well I ended up deciding on bonaire. Plane leaves sunday from miami. Right now I am in Gainsville waiting out the storm - was hoping to make it to orlando tonight but decided that wouldnt be the best idea.

 

I sure am glad that I didnt go with cayman or anyplace in the northern half of the caribbean. Hey, Giles hope you survive the storm. How bad was the damage, I bet dive conditions are going to be pretty bad this week.

[martys 0]

why hasn't anyone mentioned Cozumel? Yes, technically it's not Caribbean but Mexico, but it's the Caribbean side of Mexico :-) I've been to both the west side of Grand Cayman and Cozumel and while surface activities in Cayman are more pleasent, I experienced better diving in Cozumel. The marine life is more pervasive, the reefs are like carpets of color, especially the southern reefs and the fish life is thick and rich.

[Starbuck 0]

I agree with MartyS - Cozumel reefs, in my opinion are just as good as Cayman. Palancar and the swim throughs are gorgeous.. Reef fish are the biggest specimens I've ever seen. Of course, I just got back from Cozy and those deco stops at Senor Frogs may have fogged my brain a little....)

 

M.

[pirnerak 0]

Been to Bonair 3-4 times, loved it everytime. Last time was5 years ago and the shallows were trashed from a rogue wave. This was sad as they had spectacular soft coral shallows. Still enjoyed dives below 30 feet. Stayed at Carib Inn. Only 8 people on dive boat, walf just 50 yds to dock, 5 min boat trip. They do not control your bottom time. Just stay safe and get back to the boat with 500 psi.

 

Little Cayman was WONDERFUL. Great wall and few divers.

 

Even better was Saba. Little hard to get there but some of the best diving I ever did. The reefs had little damage, lots of fish, and even fewer divers. Was there 11 years ago.

 

ALl the places listed are places we enjoyed because we go to dive, not shop, lay on the beach.