November 21, 2024
Hi all:
- From the DEMA Show in LAS
Thanks to all of you that replied to where do you want to go.
The majority of the responses had the Galapagos as a top spot for me to check out.
Roatan, Thailand and Costa Rica and the Bahamas and the next most votes.
There were a number of you concerned about the cost of trips. Very valid concern.
I’m noticing that the prices of everyplace are going up and maybe a bit of crazy increases.
It appears that going to great diving destinations is not cheap, especially far away places off the beaten path (which has some of the best diving).
I’m attempting to select different destinations on exoticness, accessibility, quality, new places for us, return destinations that are great and of course cost. Some are live-a-boards, which usually offer better diving and in some cases, a better value.
With all of that said, here are a few results that I have come across. These are not final prices, but approximate costs. These would be for 2026.
Galapagos live a board: approx.. $5000
Thailand Live-a-board: approx.. $3000 (add on a week of cultural tour in exotic lodge, $4500 for both)
Roatan, Anthony’s Key: approx.. $2100-2800
Bahamas, San Salvador island, Club Med: (If booked very soon) about $1800 (includes flight MIA-San Salvador
island) This could be a summer of 2025 trip if interested, otherwise 2026. Let me know.
Costa Rica: still working on it, but it may be a Cocos Island live-a-board dive trip.
Future trips I think we should do…
Indonesia…back to Siladon but have it a two resort trip with sister resort Coral Eye.
Fiji: Back to Bequa Lagoon
Philippines: back to Marco Vincent but to their new resort once it opens in a year or so.
Caymans: But maybe to Little Cayman
Let me know if any of the above appeals to you and you WOULD go on one of them if the cost is about what I showed. This does not commit you, but tells me that you WILL go if we can make it happen. Only respond if you would REALLY go to that destination. (please don’t respond if it’s only a wish and you wouldn’t go on it).
I need to know more exact numbers of you who will go on a trip so I can do final, real negotiations.
My assumption is, on a live-a-board, we would take over the entire boat, which is usually, 16-20 divers. This is how I approach them to get the best rate.
Oct. 2, 2024 update
Looking at trips for 2025, we have a few trip dates we are planning on.
May 17-24, 2025: A "why not" trip to CZM. Katie and I have to be in CZM that week, so, why not make an "unofficial" club trip to CZM. Details TBD.
September 28-October 5: CZM. Our annual BIG club trip to CZM
We have our Sri Lanka/Maldives trip March 30 to April 13, 2025 on the books.
Side note - We may have an opening for our Sri Lanka/Maldives trip if you are interested. We could be looking for a single female or a single male or any two people to share a cabin. This would be for both Sri Lanka and Maldives live a board. No separating the trips. For more information, go to the clubs web site, www.uniteddiveclub.com for more information on the trip, or e-mail us.
I will be looking for other trips at the DEMA dive convention in November.
Hi all:
- From the DEMA Show in LAS
Thanks to all of you that replied to where do you want to go.
The majority of the responses had the Galapagos as a top spot for me to check out.
Roatan, Thailand and Costa Rica and the Bahamas and the next most votes.
There were a number of you concerned about the cost of trips. Very valid concern.
I’m noticing that the prices of everyplace are going up and maybe a bit of crazy increases.
It appears that going to great diving destinations is not cheap, especially far away places off the beaten path (which has some of the best diving).
I’m attempting to select different destinations on exoticness, accessibility, quality, new places for us, return destinations that are great and of course cost. Some are live-a-boards, which usually offer better diving and in some cases, a better value.
With all of that said, here are a few results that I have come across. These are not final prices, but approximate costs. These would be for 2026.
Galapagos live a board: approx.. $5000
Thailand Live-a-board: approx.. $3000 (add on a week of cultural tour in exotic lodge, $4500 for both)
Roatan, Anthony’s Key: approx.. $2100-2800
Bahamas, San Salvador island, Club Med: (If booked very soon) about $1800 (includes flight MIA-San Salvador
island) This could be a summer of 2025 trip if interested, otherwise 2026. Let me know.
Costa Rica: still working on it, but it may be a Cocos Island live-a-board dive trip.
Future trips I think we should do…
Indonesia…back to Siladon but have it a two resort trip with sister resort Coral Eye.
Fiji: Back to Bequa Lagoon
Philippines: back to Marco Vincent but to their new resort once it opens in a year or so.
Caymans: But maybe to Little Cayman
Let me know if any of the above appeals to you and you WOULD go on one of them if the cost is about what I showed. This does not commit you, but tells me that you WILL go if we can make it happen. Only respond if you would REALLY go to that destination. (please don’t respond if it’s only a wish and you wouldn’t go on it).
I need to know more exact numbers of you who will go on a trip so I can do final, real negotiations.
My assumption is, on a live-a-board, we would take over the entire boat, which is usually, 16-20 divers. This is how I approach them to get the best rate.
Oct. 2, 2024 update
Looking at trips for 2025, we have a few trip dates we are planning on.
May 17-24, 2025: A "why not" trip to CZM. Katie and I have to be in CZM that week, so, why not make an "unofficial" club trip to CZM. Details TBD.
September 28-October 5: CZM. Our annual BIG club trip to CZM
We have our Sri Lanka/Maldives trip March 30 to April 13, 2025 on the books.
Side note - We may have an opening for our Sri Lanka/Maldives trip if you are interested. We could be looking for a single female or a single male or any two people to share a cabin. This would be for both Sri Lanka and Maldives live a board. No separating the trips. For more information, go to the clubs web site, www.uniteddiveclub.com for more information on the trip, or e-mail us.
I will be looking for other trips at the DEMA dive convention in November.
