Winter coming on. If you don't like winter climbing, what do you do? I took up SCUBA.
I know that 95% of you have no idea where Mt. Christoffel is, but my query is to the 5%, because I know you are out there. I hiked to that summit last week.
I could bring this topic up elsewhere, but I choose to bring it here, so don't hate me.
Best dive sites in the Caribbean? Anyone?
Mt. Christofell
Mt. Christoffel
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Wentzl
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Mt. Christoffel
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Shorter of Breath and One Day Closer . . .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZXKgl8turY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiQJGgZ ... rt_radio=1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZXKgl8turY
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Re: Mt. Christoffel
Yeah I've hiked that. God it was hot and sweaty, but great views.
I thought Bonaire has better shore diving then Curacao. But I hope you dove the fish cleaning beach while you were there. Seeing green turtles fighting over fish was pretty cool.
I thought Bonaire has better shore diving then Curacao. But I hope you dove the fish cleaning beach while you were there. Seeing green turtles fighting over fish was pretty cool.
After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. -Nelson Mandela
Whenever I climb I am followed by a dog called Ego. -Nietzsche
Whenever I climb I am followed by a dog called Ego. -Nietzsche
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wmanke13
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Re: Mt. Christoffel
I won’t say it is the best diving in the Caribbean, only because I don’t have qualifications to make such a statement. But my wife and I went on 4 dives in St. Lucia last month and LOVED it. The two best dive sites in our opinions were “Superman’s Flight” and “Keyhole Pinnacles”, but we dove two shipwrecks as well which were pretty sweet. As a bonus, you can climb one or both of the Pitons, which loom above the dive sites (guide required 
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It doesn't have to be fun to be fun. - Mark Twight
Re: Mt. Christoffel
Define "best dive site". Really depends on your taste and ability.
I don't think St. Lucia comes close to having the best diving; but it is still good and the Pitons are pretty cool. So it still could be among your favorite dive destinations.
For overall variety of dive sites, visibility, reef quality and laid back top side atmosphere, Roatan would be very high on my list. And the Aguila might be one of my favorite wreck dives over there. (Goods quick to 100 ft with some penetration option, but instead of a boring safety stop, you get to slowly ascend along the reef).
If you are comfortable diving with a buddy on your own, the rent-a-truck-and-tank-fills option in Bonair could be great.
Of course the Blue Hole has to come up in a best dive site discussion. But the fun there also begins a little deeper.
Cozumel has pretty awesome visibility and drift diving along the wall; and some good shallower sites (like Palancar wall vs garden). And then there is of course devils throat. Cheap to get there, cheap to dive, and also a bit of a s**t show.
And if you want to man up and do some cave diving, the cenotes on the other side of the channel can be pretty awesome. (I'd be happy to give you the contact of a friend who is a cave instructor there; but don't talk politics with him, cuz he might leave you in one; oh, never mind, you won't travel to Mexico).
I don't think St. Lucia comes close to having the best diving; but it is still good and the Pitons are pretty cool. So it still could be among your favorite dive destinations.
For overall variety of dive sites, visibility, reef quality and laid back top side atmosphere, Roatan would be very high on my list. And the Aguila might be one of my favorite wreck dives over there. (Goods quick to 100 ft with some penetration option, but instead of a boring safety stop, you get to slowly ascend along the reef).
If you are comfortable diving with a buddy on your own, the rent-a-truck-and-tank-fills option in Bonair could be great.
Of course the Blue Hole has to come up in a best dive site discussion. But the fun there also begins a little deeper.
Cozumel has pretty awesome visibility and drift diving along the wall; and some good shallower sites (like Palancar wall vs garden). And then there is of course devils throat. Cheap to get there, cheap to dive, and also a bit of a s**t show.
And if you want to man up and do some cave diving, the cenotes on the other side of the channel can be pretty awesome. (I'd be happy to give you the contact of a friend who is a cave instructor there; but don't talk politics with him, cuz he might leave you in one; oh, never mind, you won't travel to Mexico).
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Wentzl
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Re: Mt. Christoffel
Only 3 scuba divers on a mountain climber site? Well, I misjudged the audience. Come on Capt. CO, I know you have an opinion.
wmanke13, St Lucia is high on the list, thanks for chiming in.
mtnkub, "best" was left ambiguous because I wanted new ideas not defined by my experience.
trotter, Bonaire and the self serve shore dives were amazing
wmanke13, St Lucia is high on the list, thanks for chiming in.
mtnkub, "best" was left ambiguous because I wanted new ideas not defined by my experience.
trotter, Bonaire and the self serve shore dives were amazing
Shorter of Breath and One Day Closer . . .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZXKgl8turY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiQJGgZ ... rt_radio=1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZXKgl8turY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiQJGgZ ... rt_radio=1
Re: Mt. Christoffel
I am hesitant to share my opinion nowadays 
Give me a call and I’ll tell you my favorites Wentzl!
Give me a call and I’ll tell you my favorites Wentzl!
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Scott P
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Re: Mt. Christoffel
Or maybe some didn’t answer because a lot of the best dive sites are in countries more dangerous than Mexico (including one that gas been mentioned) and we know how you feel about that.Wentzl wrote: ↑Tue Nov 12, 2024 8:14 pm Only 3 scuba divers on a mountain climber site? Well, I misjudged the audience. Come on Capt. CO, I know you have an opinion.
wmanke13, St Lucia is high on the list, thanks for chiming in.
mtnkub, "best" was left ambiguous because I wanted new ideas not defined by my experience.
trotter, Bonaire and the self serve shore dives were amazing
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I'm old, slow and fat. Unfortunately, those are my good qualities.
Re: Mt. Christoffel
For actual recommendations
Bonaire has best shore diving, curacao and aruba are still pretty decent.
Grand cayman has great diving.
Puerto rico was fair diving, Fajardo and Culebra were definitely better then off San Juan.
Belize has great diving, especially blue hole is cool for a dive or two.
Cozumel has great wall diving
Bimini and New providence in the bahamas have great shark diving. Do the hammerhead shark dives if you get a chance.
The rosario islands and off Taganga in colombia is good diving.
Key west was fair diving.
Bonaire has best shore diving, curacao and aruba are still pretty decent.
Grand cayman has great diving.
Puerto rico was fair diving, Fajardo and Culebra were definitely better then off San Juan.
Belize has great diving, especially blue hole is cool for a dive or two.
Cozumel has great wall diving
Bimini and New providence in the bahamas have great shark diving. Do the hammerhead shark dives if you get a chance.
The rosario islands and off Taganga in colombia is good diving.
Key west was fair diving.
After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. -Nelson Mandela
Whenever I climb I am followed by a dog called Ego. -Nietzsche
Whenever I climb I am followed by a dog called Ego. -Nietzsche
Re: Mt. Christoffel
I made actual recommendations! And I am sticking with Roatan for best overall in the Caribbean. Also sticking with my assessment that "good diving" being in the eye of the beholder.
For instance, Cabo Pulmo (not in the Caribbean) is on the murky side (if visibility is you main point), but has fantastic sea life, including sharks, rays, and sea lions. And do you get a kick out of wrecks? Reefs? Big things or small? Nice light or the thrill of the deep? Or is this particular dive site even within your ability or comfort level?
(Nonetheless, pointing out the murder rate in specific locales might also be valuable information for some; and OP has previously voiced this a specific concern elsewhere. Me, surprised about Saint Kitts. That one has been on my list for a while)
For instance, Cabo Pulmo (not in the Caribbean) is on the murky side (if visibility is you main point), but has fantastic sea life, including sharks, rays, and sea lions. And do you get a kick out of wrecks? Reefs? Big things or small? Nice light or the thrill of the deep? Or is this particular dive site even within your ability or comfort level?
(Nonetheless, pointing out the murder rate in specific locales might also be valuable information for some; and OP has previously voiced this a specific concern elsewhere. Me, surprised about Saint Kitts. That one has been on my list for a while)
