MargeM

My son, age 12, is getting certified in scuba diving next week.
During the summer we would like to take him to the Caribbean to dive.
What locations do you recommend?
Thanks for your help~

virginia

i would suggest grand cayman or provo. the bvi's have always been known for great diving but much bleaching has taken place there and i'm sure you want his first experience to be top notch.
i see from another post that you were already considering provo for sometime this month. did you already go?
here's a link to a fun scuba site: http://www.scubamom.com/

luvtotravl

I recommend Grand Cayman. Look into the Reef Resort on the East End, it has a great dive shop onsite - Ocean Frontiers. My kids got certified there and they did a wonderful job. My youngest is 12.

MargeM

thanks for the quick replies.

Virginia, yes my husband and I just returned on Saturday from Provo. I fell in love with it! We ended up staying at Ocean Club (which at first did not like but actually it was fine--we had an ocean front unit)
We were considering taking another trip back with our son but did not know if that would be the best location for his first time dive.

virginia

hi marge, i don't dive but travel with my bff and she does. i called her and she says no to provo. excellent diving with amazing clarity and 7000' walls, but the dives avg 75-100' and are too deep for your son. apparently he will be restricted to dives under 40' (not sure that's the exact depth) until he is 15-18. (we're at smidge older than that so she was not sure of the age either) his dive master should know.

in any event she said you should try to find someplace that offers shore dives and recommended akumal, mexico. she stayed at akumal beach resort several years ago and did shore dives and said it was very good. also suggested that he might try to find someone to take him into yal-ku lagoon - also in akumal. i've snorkeled at yal-ku and the water is gin-clear and the fish are huge. akumal has lots of condo's available and is a fun small town with great personality. for info on it look at www.locogrinto.com

neither of us have been on grand cayman but i know the diving there is about walls too, so perhaps not a good choice either. divers who've been on gc may know if shallow dives are offered.
so much for my sage advice. i did not know about depth restrictions though...

provo is my favorite island. we rented a house near turtle cove marina the last 2 times and had a wonderful time. can't wait to go back.

cm318

Many people recommend Bonaire for a first dive experience. From what I understand it is easy(and very good) diving - and much of it can be done from shore.

I went to Grand Cayman for my first dive trip. Diving opens up a whole world of wonderful travel opportunities. Enjoy!

MargeM

Thank you for your suggestions.
I will start doing some research in those locations!