New Diver: Need help choosing a dive location for first dive!

My DH and I are in the process of becoming Scuba certified for our March 25th cruise on the Carnival Vista. This isn't our first cruise (more like 7th), but it is out first time diving! I'm very overwhelmed on which stop(s) to choose for diving, and I'm hoping you guys can help me! Carnival offers virtually no diving options as excursions.

We are going to Grand Turk, La Romana DR, Aruba, and Curacao. We want to dive at 1-2 locations, and if the whales are still in migration, we'd LOVE to see them.

Any pointers for the beginners?

First.... congrats! Welcome to the addiction.

Second.... Aruba and Curacao might be good for newer divers. (Have not dived either one, but I have done sister island Bonaire many times and it is easiest diving with very clear water, lots of fishlife, like diving in an aquarium).

Grand Turk is wall diving which might be a bit intimidating for a new diver. It is supposed to be fantastic diving though.

Any of those 3...IMHO...would be great for diving.

Alot depends on the dive op, and since you are new, I would guess you are using rental gear. Take your own mask though, nothing worse than doing a dive in a leaking mask. Also, since you are new, you might want to book through your cruise ship...those dive ops will be more experienced with newbies, and will give you more attention for that reason, help you set up gear, change tanks, etc. That is my experience. I would check with them though, and make sure their rental gear is new. Most dive ops that service the cruise ships have new stuff these days, so not really a problem.

I did a discover dive in Aruba before I was certified. Very easy place to dive. Lots of shallower options, had no current, visibility had to be 100 ft...and really cool marine life.

My DH and I are in the process of becoming Scuba certified for our March 25th cruise on the Carnival Vista. This isn't our first cruise (more like 7th), but it is out first time diving! I'm very overwhelmed on which stop(s) to choose for diving, and I'm hoping you guys can help me! Carnival offers virtually no diving options as excursions.

 

We are going to Grand Turk, La Romana DR, Aruba, and Curacao. We want to dive at 1-2 locations, and if the whales are still in migration, we'd LOVE to see them.

 

Any pointers for the beginners?

Please come back here when you get back and let us know which one you picked and how it went.

Grand Turk and Aruba are both solid choices for diving. Good operators there to choose from. You will have a great time. Just make sure to mention your skill level when you sign up and check in.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Of the ports on your list, I've been only to Aruba and Curacao. I'd highly recommend Aruba, and specifically Happy Divers Aruba (http://www.happydiversaruba.com).

Aruba has a lot of really fantastic diving at very moderate depths. You will definitely not feel like you're not getting the full value of your experience, if you limit your depth.

Happy Divers limits to no more than four divers per day, and so you'll definitely not get "lost in the crowd"; and they have a good sized RIB (Zodiac type boat) so your entries and exits from the water are very easy. Jeffrey picks up and returns to the cruise port, so it's all very easy.

In general, I would agree with ABQRobin above that the ship's operator can be a good choice for a newer diver. However, in Aruba, the ships use Red Sail, which has a horrible reputation,a nd is definitely a "cattle boat" operation.

Harris

Denver, CO

Thanks everyone for your responses. We decided on Aruba! I'll come back and let you guys know how it went.

Thanks everyone for your responses. We decided on Aruba! I'll come back and let you guys know how it went.

Say hi to Jeffrey form Harris if you use Happy Divers. :)

Harris

Denver, CO

I can't even begin to tell you how amazing Curacao is for diving - it is simply the best diving experience i have ever had when our Norwegian cruise stopped there in 2014. Aruba is also a superb place to dive with nice easy diving for you guys who have just qualified.

enjoy and welcome to the other 70% of the world ;)

Curacao has amazing diving. scubacao.com is good place to book a dive.

My DH and I are in the process of becoming Scuba certified for our March 25th cruise on the Carnival Vista. This isn't our first cruise (more like 7th), but it is out first time diving! I'm very overwhelmed on which stop(s) to choose for diving, and I'm hoping you guys can help me! Carnival offers virtually no diving options as excursions.

 

We are going to Grand Turk, La Romana DR, Aruba, and Curacao. We want to dive at 1-2 locations, and if the whales are still in migration, we'd LOVE to see them.

 

Any pointers for the beginners?

Friends and I use the Dive Bus in Curacao. (http://www.thedivebus.com) They picked us up and we got to do escorted shore dives.