wall@fortune.UUCP (Jim Wall) (07/18/84)
Let's start a dive spot comparison survey. Rather than someone
who scuba'd in one place saying it was great (without ever going
to some of the world's finer spots to compare it against); let's
try for some meaningful comparisons. I'll start:
U.S. : Monteray over San Diego and Santa Barbara (any islands
are not included here).
World: Cozumel Mexico over Martinique.
The world ones are the goodies, leading up to .... the best scuba
diving in the world, decided by popular vote. Any other takers out
there? Anyone tried Aruba? Bonaire? Truk Lagoon? And the
number one contender: Great Barrier Reef?
-Jim
!fortune!wallwheatley@inuxg.UUCP (Steven Wheatley) (07/24/84)
Been to bonaire, cayman, and the swamps of indiana...ignoring the latter for the moment, i much prefer cayman. bonaire has little to offer besides diving, and although there are beautiful reefs, very well preserved, the fish seemed small. the land is virtually a desert, and is ok if you like cactus and lizards. also, although shore diving is very possible, most boat owners encourage boat diving. turns out thats how most of the diving is done. cayman, has much more to offer above land. underwater, the coral is not as well preserved, but the fish are much larger. lots more to do, more civilized, in all, i would go back to cayman much quicker than to bonaire. also, in bonaire, if you have not been under in six months, or so, the want you to take a "check out" dive before going on a boat, even if you have a valid c card. easily defeated by saying you have just returned from the quarries of indiana, but a strange rule indeed. more info, if anyone cares...let me know steve wheatley inuxg!wheatley
jah@brunix.UUCP (Jim Hendler) (07/24/84)
I cast a vote for Cozumel > Cayman for novice-intermediate divers; Cayman > Cozumel for advanced divers/photographic expeditions. Cozumel is spectacular (particularly the reefs near Palancar) and should not be missed. Evrything is grandiose and colorful, large queen angels, small coral caves, etc. Cayman, on the other hand, is less spectacular, but more "comsistent" (for lack of a better word). Tube worms and Xmas trees abound, Flamingo tongues and shells all over the bottom, parrot fish galore. At this point I'll pick Cayman every time, particularly an orgranization there called "South Cove" (formerly "Casa Bertmar") which is one of the best dive resorts I've found anywhere. (parenthetical footnote, A friend of mine who's dived around the world, filmed with the Cousteau team, done commercial and research diving, etc. picked Casa Bertmar for his honeymoon. His rational was based on a cost-"diving goodness" basis, and Cayman won "hands down.") Jamaica is a fine place to go on vacation, but you can leave your dive gear at home. Bring your skin gear (mask, fins, snorkel, bc) but don't waste the money on the diving. -j hendler naui 6622