Need help from scuba divers...
 

Almost time to plan our group trip for next year - 4 divers, 2 nondivers. Trying to find a place with a nice mix for everyone. Everyone likes Cayman - divers love the dives, nondivers like the snorkeling and shopping. We've mentioned the sister islands, but nothing to do but dive.

Is there any other island with comparable diving? We've done Belize already, not huge fans. Been to Cabo and Cozumel, no Mexico this time. I found a 3-bedroom condo on St. Thomas that compares to the one we love on Cayman, but I haven't heard too much about the diving there - any good? I tried looking into Roatan, but airfare was astronomical (for May 2007). Trying to stay in the range of $400 a night for lodging (3 bedrooms).

Any help or suggestions would be great!

Try the Turks and Caicos -- especially Providenciales.

I'm *really* looking forward to diving in St. Croix this Christmas! There are lots of condos to choose from on the island. HTH!

My 2 suggestions:
I second Turks and Caicos
and I'll add St. John, Virgin Islands

If you have tried Cayman but based yourself on Seven Mile Beach, you might want to give some consideration to the East End of the island... are really a different type of destination entirely, yet still in easy reach of everything... plus the diving is totally different.

Take a look at Anthony's Key Resort om Roatan, Honduras.

If you are a diver you will be in heaven and the resort has a very comfortable boat that goes out twice a day for 90 minutes a trip to some excellent snorkel spots. Roatan is in the Bay Islands and has the ends of the second largest barrier reef in the work after Australia. The cabins on the "Key" #48 thru 52 are ideally situated and the A/C works great. It is all inclusive to a point-up to three dive trips a day if you want, 2 snorkel trips, and 3 good, not great, meals a day. Bar drinks are not included. A week ib the Dec.-May time period is about $1800/person. You can fly nob-stop 5 days a week from Newark, NJ or 6 days a week via Miami but it makes 2 short stops on the way so total time from Miami is ~3 1/2 houts. The non-stop from Newark is ~4 3/4 hours. We are returning for our third visit in 5 years next March.It is very well maintained and the island is interesting to hire a guide/driver for 4 -5 hrs.and see some heavy Central American vegetation. I think diving compares to Cayman and the snorkeling since the hurricanes of the past few years is far better around Roatan. Just another option.