new diver wants some advice

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Jorielle - 09 Jan 2004 00:15 GMT

Hello,

I am a new diver. I just completed my PADI open water certificate in
September 2003, in Belize while I was traveling there. It was a great
experience. Last month I was traveling in Baja California and wanted to do
some diving in La Paz or nearby, but the weather was windy the few days I
was waiting there and I didn't have a chance.

I want to continue what I have started, and I want to make progress. But I
live in Michigan, and I don't know anyone near me who does scuba (and it is
very cold here now). I have one week of break in the end of Feburary and
I'd like to go somewhere where I can do some diving. Where is a good place
for a beginner like me? While I was in Belize, everyone was telling me
about how cheap Honduras is. Is that a good place? Or some other
guestions? I hope someone here can shed some lights for me...

Thank you very much!

Jo

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Ron T - 09 Jan 2004 22:57 GMT

Honduras (Roatan specifically) is a very good dive destination. A week
at (IMHO) the best divers resort on the island - Cocoview is about $900
all inclusive. Airfare from Miami or Houston is another $500.

There are cheaper places on the island but CCV is the place for divers
who want to dive 24/7.

If you want a cheaper destination, think of south Florida. You could
travel the east coast and dive from Jupiter to Miami. Cheap airfare, off
season rates at hotels and good diving (although water temps will be in
the 60's).

There are good deals in Bonaire too.

Hope that helps.

Ron T

> Hello,
>
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> Jo

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Eric - 10 Jan 2004 00:35 GMT

> Honduras (Roatan specifically) is a very good dive destination. A week
> at (IMHO) the best divers resort on the island - Cocoview is about $900
> all inclusive. Airfare from Miami or Houston is another $500.

I was at CCV last spring. Nothing fancy but an excellent diving
operation - reminded me of slope-side skiiing. The food wasn't very
impressive though - no need to worry about putting on much weight. Although
the fact that half our group had the runs for most of the week also helped
to keep the pounds off :-(.

-Eric

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Robert \ - 10 Jan 2004 04:06 GMT

> > Honduras (Roatan specifically) is a very good dive destination. A week
> > at (IMHO) the best divers resort on the island - Cocoview is about $900
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> the fact that half our group had the runs for most of the week also helped
> to keep the pounds off :-(.

The runs were widespread all over the island, the culprit was a Honduran
Government Approved Cheese/Milk provider.

The menu at CCV has improved dramaticaly with the advent of a new menu and
executive chef.

I ate at all three major resorts recently, the only difference seems to be
that the other resorts arrange the food on the plate for you- at CCV it's
buffet style. Pam still gained "the CocoView 5".

Slopeside skiing? Great analogy!

Doc.

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Jason O'Rourke - 10 Jan 2004 09:48 GMT

>I'd like to go somewhere where I can do some diving. Where is a good place
>for a beginner like me? While I was in Belize, everyone was telling me
>about how cheap Honduras is. Is that a good place? Or some other
>guestions? I hope someone here can shed some lights for me...

I was in Belize this past summer, went to Roatan in 1999. I don't think it's
changed that much, so I can say that I thought Honduras was a much better
diving destination. Belize looked a bit fished out to me, and it wasn't that
much better all the way out at Lighthouse Reef.

I stayed at BIBR on Roatan, which is much much smaller than CCV. I personally
prefer that environment, with less than 30 guests and a dinner that isn't really
a buffer line. At the time they had an excellent instructor who finished the
checkouts for a friend who couldn't survive the cold of Monterey, and later in
the week took her and another friend through AOW and Nitrox.

Flying to Honduras can be a bit of an adventure. My experience with TACA was fine,
but it's definitely easier to get to a place like Cozumel. Alas, this island seems
to have continued to develope to the point where I'm no longer willing to go back,
not when there are so many other places to explore. But generally it too is a
cheap destination, and drift diving is fun.

Signature

Jason O'Rourke www.jor.com

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Greg Mossman - 12 Jan 2004 22:10 GMT

> I stayed at BIBR on Roatan, which is much much smaller than CCV. I personally
> prefer that environment, with less than 30 guests and a dinner that isn't really
> a buffer line. At the time they had an excellent instructor who finished the
> checkouts for a friend who couldn't survive the cold of Monterey, and later in
> the week took her and another friend through AOW and Nitrox.

I've been trying to find out good info about BIBR to no avail and now you
tell me you've been there?

Their website makes it sounds fantastic, too good to be true in my skeptical
view. How was the food, lodging, shore diving, boat arrangements, etc.?
TIA. (If you already posted a report, let me know, but I honestly don't
remember it)

> Flying to Honduras can be a bit of an adventure. My experience with TACA was fine,
> but it's definitely easier to get to a place like Cozumel. Alas, this island seems
> to have continued to develope to the point where I'm no longer willing to go back,
> not when there are so many other places to explore. But generally it too is a
> cheap destination, and drift diving is fun.

Suitable for new divers? I'm thinking of a reunion of sorts, with some of
the people barely certified.

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My Old Tools - 11 Jan 2004 22:09 GMT

Another good spot for beginners is Bonaire. Very easy diving and lots to
see. Can be done very reasonably.

Signature

Ross
www.myoldtools.com

>
> Hello,
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>
> Jo

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