May - diving. Recommendations please!

[Swiftier]

We have two weeks off in May and no plans as yet. Looking to go somewhere with a chilled atmosphere, will be diving but want somewhere we can have a few options for non-diving days and some evening options (bars and restaurants).

Budget around £1k pp for flights and accommodation. But could spend more for the right thing.

Any ideas very welcome! Would prefer not to go to Europe unless someone has an amazing diving recommendation, and if possible access by direct flights. We’ll be doing a long haul trip for a few weeks later in the year so somewhere that doesn’t involve a really long journey would be ideal.

We don’t want an AI, more looking for a B&B or apartment in a nice area we can explore in the evenings.

Maybe I’m asking too much 😂

We’ve been diving in Mexico (maybe too far 10 hours), Jamaica, Grenada, Turkey (rubbish diving though) and the most obvious Egypt (both Sharm which is still off limits and Hurghada 5.5 hours).
Any of those of interest? I have non diving DH and DD so we always go places with lots of non-diving activities.
Bermuda is on our list for next year - best wreck diving, direct BA flights only 6 hours from London.
Doing Bahamas this year but that’s still 8 hours.
Is your budget excluding the dive costs?

Thanks for the ideas 😁

We’d ruled out Egypt on the assumption that it’s mostly big resorts along the Red Sea and not that easy to explore the more cultural side of Egypt from there - are we wrong?

Based on what you’ve said about the diving will rule out Turkey!

What area would you recommend in Mexico? We would be up for a longer journey as long as it’s a direct flight. Had originally thought Bali as accommodation and diving is fairly cheap but it’s 17 hours or so minimum as there’s no direct flight.

Also considering Seychelles - it’s a longer flight but it’s direct and BA return is £500.

Budget is £1k each just for flights and accomodation but we can be flexible - it’s not our ‘main’ holiday for this year so just can’t go crazy! Probably will stay in a simple B&B or apartment.

Seychelles isn’t longer than Bali obvs! Just longish.

I know you said not Europe but I've had some amazing diving in Malta/Gozo.
A friend has been to the Azores, and stayed in an Airbnb.

Thank you @furrycushion great ideas and definitely up our street - we were in the Azores last year (not for diving but it was amazing!) and Malta not too long ago so probably looking for somewhere else 😁

For your money I’d suggest Mexico, you’d fly into Cancun (lots of scheduled and charter flights from UK) and stay somewhere on the stretch south, Riviera Maya.If you’re wanting diving most days then base yourself on Cozumel, almost like Red Sea, lots of drift diving and Cozumel is very geared to divers. It’s a very short ferry ride from mainland, folk do daytrips for diving as well.
If you want lots of other things to do, I’d suggest Akumal which is a small town about hours drive from Cancun. Famous for its turtles and lots of dive outfits.
You can also dive the cenotes. Not my thing as I dive for the willdlife but some folk rate cenotes as fabulous. Very different, diving in the dark underground rivers and caverns with a torch.
Heaps to do in Riviera Maya, jungle trips, zip lining, big eco parks like Xcaret and Xel Ha, very easy to get around on local bus, the Collectivo (v cheap) or taxis. There’s only one main road running south from Cancun.
Lots of small hotels, air bnb, rental houses as well as big resorts.
Safe if you take usual precautions.
If you consider the likes of Seychelles, check if May is before the winter trade winds, visibility poor during this time.

Thank you @Doryandnemo for all the info! Am definitely going to research Riviera Maya. Wasnt on my radar but it sounds great.

Ive heard that diving with seals in Farne Islands or Scilly Isles are good.
Lanzarote has an under water museaum/statues
Iceland you can dive between continents

Ive been diving near Sipidan Malaysia, Philippines, Jamaica, Fuerventura, Cuba
I love that you will never know what you will see !

Mexico I only snorkelled in the sea, but plenty of fish
The Cenotes are fresh water, so the water is cooler

All diving subject to weather

Im currently looking at Gran Canaria