Wheres a cool Rebreather freindly Caribean place to stay.

reefrat · 20th January 2007, 08:45

I'm currently living in Houston but am thinking about temporarily relocating somewhere Caribean for 6 months or so. I work offshore (Africa) so I can live pretty much anywhere!

Naturally I'll be looking for somewhere that's fun (not boring) with a few good bars and restaurants, beaches, lot's of good diving and since Rebreather's are next on my scuba obsession list RB freindly would be an advantage!

Anyone got any ideas? I've been looking at:
Dominican Republic - don't know anything about the place yet.
Panama - good infrastructure- don't know about the diving.
Playa Del Carmen - been there once..very touristy but a possibility!

Dave IR · 20th January 2007, 10:55

Turks & Caicos - with John Garvin @ O2TechnicalDiving

Fantastic diving in gin clear warm water.

{ LINK } John can probably advise of reasonably priced places to stay, away from the big tourist hotels & there are some very good bars to hang out in.

reefrat · 20th January 2007, 12:02

Hadn't thought of Turks..I'll look into it- Thanx

Johnny Christensen · 20th January 2007, 12:32

Grand Cayman is a pretty good choice. I lived there for 3½ years and it got the things you require.
DiveTech where just getting into rebreathers when I worked for them and now they are very dedicated to CCR. Good diving for those who seek the unusual experiences. Such as deep walls on mixed gas, scooters, breathers etc.
Once in a while there is still some serious freediving events going on, kinda fun to be around.

There are two downsides to the island. Cost of living is somewhat high. And those who are seeking the original caribean lifestyle, may find some parts of the island too structured for their taste.
But if you can live with that, you can have a great time. I enjoyed my time there very much.

**fireman** · 20th January 2007, 14:41

Scuba Vixen lives down there somewhere.

silent running · 20th January 2007, 20:41

Quote: (Originally Posted by Dave IR)

Turks & Caicos - with John Garvin @ O2TechnicalDiving

Fantastic diving in gin clear warm water.

{ LINK } John can probably advise of reasonably priced places to stay, away from the big tourist hotels & there are some very good bars to hang out in.

I'll second the O2 tech/TCI recomendation, I've dived with them and I think the diving is about the best in the Atlantic/Caribbean. I don't know about living there, they are desert islands and the only thing to is dive and fish. There's a casino there too, but you will need all your money for the CCR, so maybe it's best to avoid it..

Protech Belize in Ambergrize is also a nice place to dive from, I dove with them in 03', not sure if they're still around. Lots of bars there and more to do-ruins, rainforest, caves. But the best diving is far off shore at the atolls, which can be as good as TCI, but not something you can do everyday except from a liveaboard.

The other ProTec in Playa del Camen-I don't think they're affilated-looks very appealing. I'm sure I'll get there eventually. They have most everything Belize has and better food. I've been to Cozumel long ago and loved the Mayan food in that part of the country. Also did some cavern dives near Playa-Dos Ojos-and really dug it, beautiful caves with lots of formations. When I finally get around to doing a cave course, that's the place I will go. Not sure what the reef diving is like, probably better than Ambergrize... -Andy

shell-back · 20th January 2007, 22:26

I could see where a committee that was made up of a RBW ambassador team or any member that could travel with a packet of information and a application to be listed as a Rebreather friendly or support facility . With a proper listing and credentials to help advertise and raise the bar of awareness for rebreather travelers.

anyone interested PM me

reefrat · 21st January 2007, 10:56

I sent an email to Protec Playa Del Carmen requesting some info.

I've been there once when I caught the ferry back from diving at Cozumel and it certainly looks like a lively place!!

I'm thinking that I would spend nearly the whole of April, June and August there. Apart from generally running amok I would do my Mod1 in April followed by lot's of diving in April/ June and then Mod2 in August. That's as far as I want to take it at this stage!

The only apartments on the net seem pretty expensive so a lot depends on finding a good fully furnished apartment/ condo close to town at the right price.

**Bobmac** · 21st January 2007, 14:59

Pro Tec in Play are fabulous. They can help steer you in the right direction on lodging too. But, if you're in Playa for three months, think about getting cave trained. The caves locally are fabulous.

20th January 2007, 08:45	#1 (permalink)
reefrat New Member Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Houston Posts: 24	Wheres a cool Rebreather freindly Caribean place to stay. I'm currently living in Houston but am thinking about temporarily relocating somewhere Caribean for 6 months or so. I work offshore (Africa) so I can live pretty much anywhere! Naturally I'll be looking for somewhere that's fun (not boring) with a few good bars and restaurants, beaches, lot's of good diving and since Rebreather's are next on my scuba obsession list RB freindly would be an advantage! Anyone got any ideas? I've been looking at: Dominican Republic - don't know anything about the place yet. Panama - good infrastructure- don't know about the diving. Playa Del Carmen - been there once..very touristy but a possibility!
(Offline)

20th January 2007, 10:55	#2 (permalink)
Dave IR New Member Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: UK, Portsmouth Posts: 47	Re: Wheres a cool Rebreather freindly Caribean place to stay. Turks & Caicos - with John Garvin @ O2TechnicalDiving Fantastic diving in gin clear warm water. { LINK } John can probably advise of reasonably priced places to stay, away from the big tourist hotels & there are some very good bars to hang out in.
(Offline)

20th January 2007, 12:02	#3 (permalink)
reefrat New Member Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Houston Posts: 24	Re: Wheres a cool Rebreather freindly Caribean place to stay. Hadn't thought of Turks..I'll look into it- Thanx
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20th January 2007, 12:32	#4 (permalink)
Johnny Christensen RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Denmark Posts: 307	Re: Wheres a cool Rebreather freindly Caribean place to stay. Grand Cayman is a pretty good choice. I lived there for 3½ years and it got the things you require. DiveTech where just getting into rebreathers when I worked for them and now they are very dedicated to CCR. Good diving for those who seek the unusual experiences. Such as deep walls on mixed gas, scooters, breathers etc. Once in a while there is still some serious freediving events going on, kinda fun to be around. There are two downsides to the island. Cost of living is somewhat high. And those who are seeking the original caribean lifestyle, may find some parts of the island too structured for their taste. But if you can live with that, you can have a great time. I enjoyed my time there very much. __________________ www.johnnychristensen.com Wreckphotography from the cold north
(Offline)

20th January 2007, 14:41	#5 (permalink)
fireman rEvo combat swimmer Current Rebreather/s: rEvo Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: rEvo Other CCR Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: chicago Posts: 549	Re: Wheres a cool Rebreather freindly Caribean place to stay. Scuba Vixen lives down there somewhere.
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20th January 2007, 20:41	#6 (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: Wheres a cool Rebreather freindly Caribean place to stay. Quote: (Originally Posted by Dave IR) Turks & Caicos - with John Garvin @ O2TechnicalDiving Fantastic diving in gin clear warm water. { LINK } John can probably advise of reasonably priced places to stay, away from the big tourist hotels & there are some very good bars to hang out in. I'll second the O2 tech/TCI recomendation, I've dived with them and I think the diving is about the best in the Atlantic/Caribbean. I don't know about living there, they are desert islands and the only thing to is dive and fish. There's a casino there too, but you will need all your money for the CCR, so maybe it's best to avoid it.. Protech Belize in Ambergrize is also a nice place to dive from, I dove with them in 03', not sure if they're still around. Lots of bars there and more to do-ruins, rainforest, caves. But the best diving is far off shore at the atolls, which can be as good as TCI, but not something you can do everyday except from a liveaboard. The other ProTec in Playa del Camen-I don't think they're affilated-looks very appealing. I'm sure I'll get there eventually. They have most everything Belize has and better food. I've been to Cozumel long ago and loved the Mayan food in that part of the country. Also did some cavern dives near Playa-Dos Ojos-and really dug it, beautiful caves with lots of formations. When I finally get around to doing a cave course, that's the place I will go. Not sure what the reef diving is like, probably better than Ambergrize... -Andy
(Offline)

20th January 2007, 22:26	#7 (permalink)
shell-back I do all my own stunts Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Dolphin Ray Azimuth Other SCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Dolphin Ray Azimuth Other SCR Home Build Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: middle of US Posts: 475	Re: Wheres a cool Rebreather freindly Caribean place to stay. I could see where a committee that was made up of a RBW ambassador team or any member that could travel with a packet of information and a application to be listed as a Rebreather friendly or support facility . With a proper listing and credentials to help advertise and raise the bar of awareness for rebreather travelers. anyone interested PM me __________________ The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance -- it is the illusion of knowledge. ----Daniel Boorstin Billy Beal SDITDI IT #3507 RBW FIGJAM commitee member
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21st January 2007, 10:56	#8 (permalink)
reefrat New Member Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Houston Posts: 24	Re: Wheres a cool Rebreather freindly Caribean place to stay. I sent an email to Protec Playa Del Carmen requesting some info. I've been there once when I caught the ferry back from diving at Cozumel and it certainly looks like a lively place!! I'm thinking that I would spend nearly the whole of April, June and August there. Apart from generally running amok I would do my Mod1 in April followed by lot's of diving in April/ June and then Mod2 in August. That's as far as I want to take it at this stage! The only apartments on the net seem pretty expensive so a lot depends on finding a good fully furnished apartment/ condo close to town at the right price.
(Offline)

21st January 2007, 14:59	#9 (permalink)
Bobmac I'm working on it! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 102	Re: Wheres a cool Rebreather freindly Caribean place to stay. Pro Tec in Play are fabulous. They can help steer you in the right direction on lodging too. But, if you're in Playa for three months, think about getting cave trained. The caves locally are fabulous.
(Offline)

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