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Which southern island would you pick to scuba at? Ports in post


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We are going on a southern Caribbean cruise in 2020. Plenty of time to plan. We leave from San Juan. Our ports are Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, St. Lucia and St. Kitts. We have been to St. Lucia and St. Kitts before.

 

We are a family of 4. We have two boys, currently 9 and 8. When we cruise they will be 11 and 10. None of us a scuba certified yet. We plan to do it when our youngest turns 10.

 

We really enjoy snorkeling and island tours. Which port would you pick for our first open water dive? We would hope to plan a dive and then an island tour or beach day. We like to take full advantage of each port.

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I've dove all of these ports, and in large measure you can't go wrong.

 

You will have a unique circumstance, as your kids will be depth limited at that age. That makes my recommendation Aruba. Aruba isn't known as the best diving of all the islands, but it has amazing diving at moderate depths. This way your kids can enjoy diving there without hearing how they are being shunted off to a site only because it's suitable for their age. The most famous dive there is the Antilla wreck, which has tremendous history, is very visible with no penetration necessary, and is in only 50 feet of water. There are nearby reefs and other wrecks, so a two-tank dive there is fun, simple to organize on a day with other activities, and suitable for the whole family.

 

If you contact Jeffrey at Happy Divers Aruba (info@happydiversaruba.com and www.happydiversaruba.com) he's the guy to go to there. He has a boat that is smaller, so he limits dives to 6 divers max. That is so much better than the "cattle boats". He will also include port pick-up and drop off.

 

Harris

Denver, CO

www.divessi.com/pro/64612

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Definitely Bonaire and Curacao would be my top votes. Keep in mind that with PADI certification your 10 year old will be limited to a 40ft max depth until he turns 12 when it increases to 60ft so when booking let the dive op know so that they can accommodate your family.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I'm on the same 2020 cruise sailing in early January. My hubby doesn't dive, but I'm certified. So I'll be keeping eyes/ears open for something I could do with either him snorkeling up top or a place with something that interests him to do on his own while I dive solo.

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  • 4 weeks later...
I've dove all of these ports, and in large measure you can't go wrong.

 

You will have a unique circumstance, as your kids will be depth limited at that age. That makes my recommendation Aruba. Aruba isn't known as the best diving of all the islands, but it has amazing diving at moderate depths. This way your kids can enjoy diving there without hearing how they are being shunted off to a site only because it's suitable for their age. The most famous dive there is the Antilla wreck, which has tremendous history, is very visible with no penetration necessary, and is in only 50 feet of water. There are nearby reefs and other wrecks, so a two-tank dive there is fun, simple to organize on a day with other activities, and suitable for the whole family.

 

If you contact Jeffrey at Happy Divers Aruba (info@happydiversaruba.com and www.happydiversaruba.com) he's the guy to go to there. He has a boat that is smaller, so he limits dives to 6 divers max. That is so much better than the "cattle boats". He will also include port pick-up and drop off.

 

Harris

Denver, CO

www.divessi.com/pro/64612

 

 

 

I disagree. Never Aruba again. Freezing and murky water in January.

Boat dive in Bonaire.

Shore dive in Curaçao. Very easy swim out. Limit 4 people. Photography free.

 

 

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