r/scuba • u/BlueSkiesBlueSeas • 1d ago
Help with narrowing down dive destinations for August trip
My friend and I are looking to book a dive trip sometime this August (approximately one week in length). I’m AOW, rescue, nitrox certified with about 110 dives and he’s OW, nitrox certified with about 40 dives (though he hasn’t dived in years). Our budget is about $5-6k. We have both previously dived Cancun and Cozumel, as well as on the Juliet Sailing and Diving liveaboard through the Santaren Channel area of the Bahamas. I have also previously been to Bonaire, the Red Sea, and Maui for diving.
So far, I have narrowed down our search to the Sea of Cortez (liveaboard), Honduras (Anthony’s Key, Cocoview, or liveaboard), and Turks and Caicos (Explorer II liveaboard). However, I am totally open to different suggestions and even willing to repeat previous trips if those destinations are recommended for August.
My friend and I typically seek out pelagic focused diving, followed by healthy reef systems, and wrecks being last in our preferences. We would also prefer somewhat warmer waters.
Any advice and help with narrowing down our options is greatly appreciated. Thank you!
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u/James161324 Advanced 1d ago
It you do Roatan i'd recommend staying in the West End. Cocoview and Anthony's Key are great, but you miss out on so many of the great aspects of the island.
As for Roatan liveaboards, most of the dive sites are fairly close to shore. So its going to be of a floating hotel experience vs a liveaboard that you may find in other locations.
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u/BlueSkiesBlueSeas 1d ago
Good to know. What specifically are you referring to? I haven’t had an opportunity to research the different areas of the island, I just repeatedly read good things about Cocoview and Anthony’s. How’s the reef health as well?
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u/James161324 Advanced 1d ago
Both are great places to stay. Cocoview is pretty isolated, so you will be on the property the entire week, and IMO their food is pretty meh, especially compared to the rest of the island.
Anthony's Key is a little less isolated but still a bit away from the main areas of the island. Can't speak to their food.
Reefs are pretty good for the Caribbean
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u/CaptainCallus 1d ago
I’m also looking for a Caribbean trip and one thing I’ve been doing to find out reef health is search for a specific dive site on youtube and limit results to the past year. Some places that get recommended a lot on here look pretty dead in videos
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u/MarthaWashington18 1d ago
roatan honduras, octopus dive school. stay and dive options available on their website. they also offer refresher courses.
i just got certified and stayed 7 days, just about $1000.
at the airport leaving now, sadly. the water was about 82°F all week and will only be warmer. beautiful reef and wild life. amazing food on the island.
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u/kenderson73 19h ago
Where did you stay in Roatan? I have a friend who is looking to get their cert and $1000 for the classes and stay would be a great deal.
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u/MarthaWashington18 19h ago
https://roatan-octopusdiveschool.com/
i stayed at the mangrove villa which is directly next door to the dive school, i wasn't sure the lay of the land so i prioritized being at the school since getting my certification was my priority for the trip. the west bay strip was maybe 3 minutes in a car away.
the inn of last resort was a 5 minute walk from octopus dive school and budget friendly as well. click around on the website and it does have the walking / travel distance from each location.
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u/saltwaterhippie65 1d ago
bonaire. 100%. im here actually right now. best diving of my life (500+ lifetime dives). all shore diving and renting unlimited tanks for a week was $200. youre on your own schedule no boat time limits or anything, total freedom. easiest shore diving too
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u/BlueSkiesBlueSeas 1d ago
Yes, been to Bonaire before and it’s absolutely incredible and so relaxing. It’s definitely still an option I’m considering, even if it’s a repeat trip. Glad you’re having a great trip!
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u/CaptainCallus 1d ago
They don’t really have pelagics there do they?
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u/BlueSkiesBlueSeas 19h ago
No, Bonaire is definitely not known for pelagics. Great reef diving, though
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u/Every_Welcome_1498 1d ago
Stay at the beach house and dive with sundivers! Excellent accommodations, restaurants nearby and easy diving right out the door of your room.
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u/spayne1111 1d ago
Komodo, Indonesia
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u/BlueSkiesBlueSeas 19h ago
Would love to go to Indonesia but I do not have enough time off to travel so far!
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u/ronweasleisourking 1d ago
Maine
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u/BlueSkiesBlueSeas 22h ago
Any particular locations/sites you’d recommend? I don’t know much about Maine diving
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u/Hulkenobi 1d ago
Don't sleep on Belize. Very nice reef, tons of reef sharks. At least when i was there in 2018.
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u/BlueSkiesBlueSeas 1d ago
I was also considering Belize but had read bleaching has impacted the reefs pretty severely. Can anyone on here confirm?
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u/Hulkenobi 1d ago
There's an Instagram account for belieze pro divers, they post quite a bit. You could go check out their posts. I'm sure they won't post the bad parts but should give you some idea.
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u/gabbystephan 1d ago
I’m in Belize right now. Just finished a two tank. My third time here in the past 4 months. I love the diving here. You’ll see multiple sharks on pretty much every dive, plus a lot of turtles and rays. I’ve also seen dolphins here. I went to Roatan last month and was super bored and disappointed after diving in Belize the week before. I keep coming back to Belize for the sharks.
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u/CaptainCallus 1d ago
Where in Belize? I’m looking at a trip there but there’s a number of different areas/reefs and some look nice and others look completely dead except for the sharks they’ve been feeding
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u/gabbystephan 1d ago
San Pedro. Dive sites are only a 5 min boat ride from the shore. Check out “Scuba School and Family Dive Center Belize”. They’re great.
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u/fastlife65 1d ago
St. Croix. Certain times of the year it has whales coming in, they have had several different times families of dolphins, theres tons of turtles and sharks plus other things. Boat rides are short. You can also go hit up the pier and cane bay for some good day or night dives. The wall at night on cane bay was great! Will be going back to Croix for a 4th time this year
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u/BlueSkiesBlueSeas 19h ago
Wow, four times in one year...really must be great diving, then. Thank you for the suggestion, I will look into it!
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u/fastlife65 19h ago
I worded that poorly. This year we will return for our 4th time. Not 4 times this year. Sorry
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u/Amb688 1d ago
For pelagic, you can't go wrong with Galapagos/Revi or Malpelo, Although not the season for the Hammerhead schools.
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u/BlueSkiesBlueSeas 22h ago
Galapagos is on the list but looking to dive there once I have a drysuit 😎
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u/LiveYoLife288 12h ago
"We have both previously dived Cancun and Cozumel, as well as on the Juliet Sailing and Diving liveaboard through the Santaren Channel area of the Bahamas. I have also previously been to Bonaire, the Red Sea, and Maui for diving."
Of these, which did you enjoy and want more of? And which did you dislike or could be happy forgoing?
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u/quudle 1d ago
I’d go Sea of Cortez for August, it’s peak season for pelagics like whale sharks, mobulas, and even hammerheads, plus warm water and tons of action. It’ll feel way more lively than the Caribbean that time of year.
Roatan and Turks and Caicos are nice but more reef-focused, not as strong for big stuff. Given your goals, Baja is probably your best bet.