Christmas Time Suggestions

Hello Thorn Treers!

Currently residing in Malta and am soon to have a few weeks off from school, starting sometime in mid-December, and am planning a diving trip, (and possibly to do an advanced course too).

I was iniialy thnking I woud go to Dahab for the break, it is so perfect in so many ways, but have since leared from several experienced divers here in Malta that the water in Egypt is quite cold, even wth a 5 mm suit at that time, so that is a bigger concern, so think it would be better to wait until after March for a dive trip there sometime.

Places like Thailand and Indonesia/Bali are high on my lists too, and it would be a perfect time of year to go, but probably not for this trip as I only have about 3 weeks max off-time and it is a bit far and expensive to fly for uch a short period of time.

I would appreicate some suggestions as to where to go for some diving.

Some of the major criteria I am looking at to plan this trip:
* - Warm waters with good diving conditions in December.
* - Not too far/expensive to travel (fly?) to from Malta.
* - Good value for your money for lodging, food, and a PADI advancced course.

I am wonderng what the southern part of Egypt and/or Sudan might be like?

i am also considering the Canary Islands, or possibly other good areas off the coast of Africa.? I guess one of the drawbacks to ththe aforementioned ese areas is that they do not seem to have mch citlife and/or cultural attractions when not diving that one might find in places like dahab, thaland, or bali. but that is not as high as a priority as it is a general preference for this trip.

To give a bit of background: I am an open water certified diver with not too many dives, but am getting ready to do an Adventure cerfication here in Malta (most likely the deep, wreck, and navigation options) and hope to have several dives done by the time mid-december comes. I also have been snorkling, suriing and swimming in the ocean since I was a kid, so am fairly comforatble in the sea but just not an advancced level diver, yet.

Any suggestions would be most appreciated!

Cheers.

PADI Diving & Snorkelling is very much perfect in Jamaica all year round. While reading your post I notice that the distance may be of concern for you, if not I could fill you in with more details.

Yes, it does seem quite far, and someone did PM me about Roatan, which is close to you but still quite far from me. But, Jamaica still sounds interesting. What do you know about it??

There must be cheap flights to Thailand from where you are. Maybe connecting in Italy or Dubai. Check kayak.com to get an idea about airlines that go. Obviously the Christmas holidays make prices go higher in late December, so maybe cut it short to two weeks if you want a cheaper flight. That's plenty of time to go diving, it's a good time of year for Koh Phi Phi or the Similans.

not making sense to me you dont want thailand for distance but considering jamaica or roatan? I know variety of underwater experience is better in SEAsia. Do Thailand, or Borneo or Philipeans, or Maldives