My spouse and I want to go diving in January or February. It will be a 9-day trip. We only want ONE layover from Kansas City, MO USA so we can maximize our vacationing time, rather than spending it all traveling! Our primary goal is the best diving we can get for our money.
Although we only go diving once a year, we've had some out-of-this-world experiences (Galapagos, Utila--Bay Islands, Honduras, Belize--diving around Caye Caulker incl. Great Blue Hole, and around Cabo Pulmo and Loreto Bay, Mexico. I think most of these experiences have spoiled us a bit.
The problem with the Baja peninsula diving we did was that it was outrageously expensive and very lackluster! No real variety, just very blah. Also, a two-tank boat dive was $90-$120 EACH. Yikes!!
We are looking at the over-all cost of the trip. Under major consideration is Bonaire. We can do unlimited shore diving for six days for just $120 each!! That's awesome. Flights from Kansas City have only one layover in Houston. Also awesome! BUT plane tickets are $760 each (can't find cheaper unless we spend two days traveling each way with layovers in DC, Aruba, etc etc).
Another place with reasonable SCUBA prices was Roatan/Utila. Roatan is just one layover away from KC.
Are there other suggestions? Who has experience planning a SCUBA trip where the top considerations are over-all trip cost, but still want stellar diving?!
Thanks! I'll check back frequently.