I'm looking for a good Rebreather resort destination...

Terry · 2nd January 2008, 20:38

Planning a dive trip with the wife and a few friends. Can you help recommend a destination, here are the contraints:

Must have O2 nearby and Sorb (or I can send my own Sorb to them)
The resort must have a fairly high 'princess factor' for the women
Must be okay with me on a Rebreather and my friends on OC (all doing recreational profiles)
The resort must have beach diving to approx 100'

Not DiveTech in Grand Cayman - althought it's great, I've been there too many times and the 'princess factor' is not high enough.

any suggestions would be appreciated.

diver1369 · 3rd January 2008, 00:39

Try Pirates Cove in the Dominican Republic, they have all sizes of Rebreather and BO cylingers, sorb, O2, HE, etc. I don't know about beach diving, but there are nice reefs and a wreck or two within a 3 minute boat ride of the beach. They are an Inspo/Evo shop.

There are several nearby 'all inlusive' resorts, (not necessarily 'Princess Factor' destinations, but send Uwe at Pirates Cove an e-mail and he can recommend the nicest resorts nearby.) They will pick you up at your hotel and return you; Pirates Cove has a nice beach bar also, very functional and nicely appointed, but not 'glamorous', per se. Both the nearby Capella Beach and Talanquera are Barcelo resorts - they tend to be pretty nice.

Short flight from Miami, 40 minute ride from the AP to the destination.

good luck,

john

Mullink2 · 3rd January 2008, 17:48

You may want to consider Bonaire for a rebreather destination. I just took a group of four rebreather divers (2 Inspirations and 2 Evolutions) as well as 10 OC divers there and had a wonderful time. We stayed at Den Laman Condos which are pretty upscale but for the Princess Factor, I (and really my Wife) like Harbour Villiage Resort. As far as the O2 and Sorb, Walt Stark of RecTec took really good care of us and provided tanks, O2/Dil fills and sorb. All of the rebreather dives were shore dives and most below 30 meters so depth was not a problem. Hope this helps.

curt · 3rd January 2008, 17:56

Terry,

I don't know if this is of interest to you, but I'm running a trip to Wakatobi (Sulawesi, Indonesia) this year 23 June - 11 July. It has all you asked for, but might not be at the right time or price.

I have a few slots left - US$5595/person.

cheers...

**Gill Envy** · 3rd January 2008, 19:23

Curt, have you been to Wakatobi before? My wife and I have been eyeing it for a while now and would like to hear more first hand reviews. we are very intrigued at the claim that they are successfully paying off the natives not to fish at the dive spots. Any feedback would be appreciated.
g

Quote: (Originally Posted by curt)

Terry,

I don't know if this is of interest to you, but I'm running a trip to Wakatobi (Sulawesi, Indonesia) this year 23 June - 11 July. It has all you asked for, but might not be at the right time or price.

I have a few slots left - US$5595/person.

cheers...

curt · 3rd January 2008, 19:51

Quote: (Originally Posted by Gill Envy)

Curt, have you been to Wakatobi before?

Indeed, I have, and I was very impressed with the operation. I didn't wear shoes for 10 days, enjoyed great food and staff, and the sea life diversity was astonishing. I am really looking forward to my return this year.

Quote:

My wife and I have been eyeing it for a while now and would like to hear more first hand reviews. we are very intrigued at the claim that they are successfully paying off the natives not to fish at the dive spots.

The claim is true. I got a chance to speak to some of the locals, and the partnership is working well for them. Everybody views it as a win/win. The resort is also supplying electricity to the nearest fishing village.

It's hard to come up with anything negative to say about these guys.

cheers...

Terry · 3rd January 2008, 21:13

Thanks guys, Sulawesi - the timing is not right.

But Harbour Village in Bonaire sounds worth looking into.

Terry

**Gill Envy** · 3rd January 2008, 22:52

Thanks Curt!
have you been diving other places in Indonesia that you would recommend, how does the diversity, abundance and overall ocean ecosystem health compare? We did a great trip to Ambon The Underwater Jungle Of Ambon Indonesia - a photoset on Flickr , but it was by no means high end... above water anyway. We can take or leave cushy accommodations as long as the reefs are healthy.
george

Quote: (Originally Posted by curt)

Indeed, I have, and I was very impressed with the operation. I didn't wear shoes for 10 days, enjoyed great food and staff, and the sea life diversity was astonishing. I am really looking forward to my return this year.

The claim is true. I got a chance to speak to some of the locals, and the partnership is working well for them. Everybody views it as a win/win. The resort is also supplying electricity to the nearest fishing village.

It's hard to come up with anything negative to say about these guys.

cheers...

bgpartri · 4th January 2008, 03:06

Quote: (Originally Posted by curt)

I didn't wear shoes for 10 days

I've always considered that to be one of the indicators of success in life. At one point in my career, I managed to get 67 days barefoot in one year without getting fired from my consulting company. It included a delivery from St. Croix to Bermuda and several weeks in Cayman. Ahhh. The good old days.

I'm failing miserably now. I haven't had a barefoot week for ages.

Bruce

silent running · 4th January 2008, 03:07

Quote: (Originally Posted by curt)

Indeed, I have, and I was very impressed with the operation. I didn't wear shoes for 10 days, enjoyed great food and staff, and the sea life diversity was astonishing. I am really looking forward to my return this year.

The claim is true. I got a chance to speak to some of the locals, and the partnership is working well for them. Everybody views it as a win/win. The resort is also supplying electricity to the nearest fishing village.

It's hard to come up with anything negative to say about these guys.

cheers...

Hi Curt, what is included in the price? I'm guessing that airfare is not, right? And how many CCR divers will you have and will they have a seperate boat? -Andy

2nd January 2008, 20:38	#1 (permalink)
Terry New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other CCR Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Atlanta Posts: 94	I'm looking for a good Rebreather resort destination... Planning a dive trip with the wife and a few friends. Can you help recommend a destination, here are the contraints: Must have O2 nearby and Sorb (or I can send my own Sorb to them) The resort must have a fairly high 'princess factor' for the women Must be okay with me on a Rebreather and my friends on OC (all doing recreational profiles) The resort must have beach diving to approx 100' Not DiveTech in Grand Cayman - althought it's great, I've been there too many times and the 'princess factor' is not high enough. any suggestions would be appreciated.
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3rd January 2008, 00:39	#2 (permalink)
diver1369 RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Maryland, USA Posts: 87	Re: I'm looking for a good Rebreather resort destination... Try Pirates Cove in the Dominican Republic, they have all sizes of Rebreather and BO cylingers, sorb, O2, HE, etc. I don't know about beach diving, but there are nice reefs and a wreck or two within a 3 minute boat ride of the beach. They are an Inspo/Evo shop. There are several nearby 'all inlusive' resorts, (not necessarily 'Princess Factor' destinations, but send Uwe at Pirates Cove an e-mail and he can recommend the nicest resorts nearby.) They will pick you up at your hotel and return you; Pirates Cove has a nice beach bar also, very functional and nicely appointed, but not 'glamorous', per se. Both the nearby Capella Beach and Talanquera are Barcelo resorts - they tend to be pretty nice. Short flight from Miami, 40 minute ride from the AP to the destination. good luck, john Last edited by diver1369 : 3rd January 2008 at 00:40. Reason: stupid spelling error(s)
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3rd January 2008, 17:48	#3 (permalink)
Mullink2 New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Evolution Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 4	Re: I'm looking for a good Rebreather resort destination... You may want to consider Bonaire for a rebreather destination. I just took a group of four rebreather divers (2 Inspirations and 2 Evolutions) as well as 10 OC divers there and had a wonderful time. We stayed at Den Laman Condos which are pretty upscale but for the Princess Factor, I (and really my Wife) like Harbour Villiage Resort. As far as the O2 and Sorb, Walt Stark of RecTec took really good care of us and provided tanks, O2/Dil fills and sorb. All of the rebreather dives were shore dives and most below 30 meters so depth was not a problem. Hope this helps.
(Online)

3rd January 2008, 17:56	#4 (permalink)
curt New Member Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Classic Kiss MK 15.X Other CCR Dolphin Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rockville, MD USA Posts: 99	Re: I'm looking for a good Rebreather resort destination... Terry, I don't know if this is of interest to you, but I'm running a trip to Wakatobi (Sulawesi, Indonesia) this year 23 June - 11 July. It has all you asked for, but might not be at the right time or price. I have a few slots left - US$5595/person. cheers... __________________ Curt Harpold US Representative Rebreathers Australia http://rebreathers.com.au/
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3rd January 2008, 19:23	#5 (permalink)
Gill Envy Shearwater Copis Divers Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Evolution Other CCR Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: seattle Posts: 1,347	Re: I'm looking for a good Rebreather resort destination... Curt, have you been to Wakatobi before? My wife and I have been eyeing it for a while now and would like to hear more first hand reviews. we are very intrigued at the claim that they are successfully paying off the natives not to fish at the dive spots. Any feedback would be appreciated. g Quote: (Originally Posted by curt) Terry, I don't know if this is of interest to you, but I'm running a trip to Wakatobi (Sulawesi, Indonesia) this year 23 June - 11 July. It has all you asked for, but might not be at the right time or price. I have a few slots left - US$5595/person. cheers... __________________ Gill Envy ...Because I wasn't born with gills! ><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>
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3rd January 2008, 19:51	#6 (permalink)
curt New Member Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Classic Kiss MK 15.X Other CCR Dolphin Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rockville, MD USA Posts: 99	Re: I'm looking for a good Rebreather resort destination... Quote: (Originally Posted by Gill Envy) Curt, have you been to Wakatobi before? Indeed, I have, and I was very impressed with the operation. I didn't wear shoes for 10 days, enjoyed great food and staff, and the sea life diversity was astonishing. I am really looking forward to my return this year. Quote: My wife and I have been eyeing it for a while now and would like to hear more first hand reviews. we are very intrigued at the claim that they are successfully paying off the natives not to fish at the dive spots. The claim is true. I got a chance to speak to some of the locals, and the partnership is working well for them. Everybody views it as a win/win. The resort is also supplying electricity to the nearest fishing village. It's hard to come up with anything negative to say about these guys. cheers... __________________ Curt Harpold US Representative Rebreathers Australia http://rebreathers.com.au/
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3rd January 2008, 21:13	#7 (permalink)
Terry New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other CCR Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Atlanta Posts: 94	Re: I'm looking for a good Rebreather resort destination... Thanks guys, Sulawesi - the timing is not right. But Harbour Village in Bonaire sounds worth looking into. Terry
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3rd January 2008, 22:52	#8 (permalink)
Gill Envy Shearwater Copis Divers Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Evolution Other CCR Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: seattle Posts: 1,347	Re: I'm looking for a good Rebreather resort destination... Thanks Curt! have you been diving other places in Indonesia that you would recommend, how does the diversity, abundance and overall ocean ecosystem health compare? We did a great trip to Ambon The Underwater Jungle Of Ambon Indonesia - a photoset on Flickr , but it was by no means high end... above water anyway. We can take or leave cushy accommodations as long as the reefs are healthy. george Quote: (Originally Posted by curt) Indeed, I have, and I was very impressed with the operation. I didn't wear shoes for 10 days, enjoyed great food and staff, and the sea life diversity was astonishing. I am really looking forward to my return this year. The claim is true. I got a chance to speak to some of the locals, and the partnership is working well for them. Everybody views it as a win/win. The resort is also supplying electricity to the nearest fishing village. It's hard to come up with anything negative to say about these guys. cheers... __________________ Gill Envy ...Because I wasn't born with gills! ><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>
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4th January 2008, 03:06	#9 (permalink)
bgpartri CEO-Shearwater Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Titan Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 421	Re: I'm looking for a good Rebreather resort destination... Quote: (Originally Posted by curt) I didn't wear shoes for 10 days I've always considered that to be one of the indicators of success in life. At one point in my career, I managed to get 67 days barefoot in one year without getting fired from my consulting company. It included a delivery from St. Croix to Bermuda and several weeks in Cayman. Ahhh. The good old days. I'm failing miserably now. I haven't had a barefoot week for ages. Bruce __________________ http://www.shearwaterresearch.com Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment.
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4th January 2008, 03:07	#10 (permalink)
silent running Mature mouth breather Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: U.S.A. Brooklyn, New York Posts: 1,873	Re: I'm looking for a good Rebreather resort destination... Quote: (Originally Posted by curt) Indeed, I have, and I was very impressed with the operation. I didn't wear shoes for 10 days, enjoyed great food and staff, and the sea life diversity was astonishing. I am really looking forward to my return this year. The claim is true. I got a chance to speak to some of the locals, and the partnership is working well for them. Everybody views it as a win/win. The resort is also supplying electricity to the nearest fishing village. It's hard to come up with anything negative to say about these guys. cheers... Hi Curt, what is included in the price? I'm guessing that airfare is not, right? And how many CCR divers will you have and will they have a seperate boat? -Andy
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