Defy the Typical Caribbean Vacation

When you think of the Caribbean, the first things to come to mind are probably the sunny skies, warm tropical breezes and white sandy beaches; but Doris Pfister of Orlando, Fla., thinks you'd be even more impressed by what you don't see.

"The Caribbean is an underwater paradise with a kaleidoscope of color," she says. "There are huge coral reefs, bright tropical fish and turtles swimming around, sea fans, sponges, lobsters, shrimp, rays and fspectacular shipwrecks. Every time I dive a reef in the Caribbean, I feel like I'm in one of the undersea scenes in 'Finding Nemo,' only it's real."

As a dive travel specialist with Longwood, Fla.'s Caradonna Dive Adventures, a company with 20 years of experience in selling dive travel to the world's top scuba diving destinations, Pfister gets to relive her past adventures on a daily basis while explaining to customers what they can see at the various locales, and helping them plan their trips.

This time of year, she gets lots of questions about the 3 B's of the Caribbean -- Barbados, Bermuda and the Bahamas. Here's what she tells dive enthusiasts:  

Bahamas
This island is perhaps best known for the famous shipwrecks used in several James Bond movies. While there are diving spots suitable for all skill levels, the more discerning divers will want to visit the outer islands.

Bermuda
This island is known for its shallow shipwrecks and plentiful sea creatures. The hotels tend to be more formal and fancy. It is a very popular destination for British travelers.  

Barbados
This island has a nice combination of reefs and wrecks suitable for all skill levels. Barbados is often referred to as "the little critters destination." Divers will find lots of frogfish, sea horses and reef squid here. The best diving locations are mostly on the West side of the island.

Once you decide which island to visit, Pfister recommends you book a travel package instead of trying to piece together the trip on your own. "The best thing about going with a package is that you'll get great discounts, plus the ability to tap into the expertise of people who have been on the trips before and can tell you exactly what to expect," says Pfister, who adds that instruction can be added on to the packages for those who have never been on a dive before but want to give it a try.

Here are some examples of packages being offered through Caradonna Dive Adventures right now:

Bahamas
* 5 nights oceanfront accommodations at the Abaco Beach Resort & Boat Harbour, the premier Bahamas resort destination in the Out Islands.
* 3 days 2-tank boat dives with Above & Below Abaco or replace with a 1 day "Learn to Dive" course
* Hotel taxes and service charges
* Non diver discount available
* From $1,129 per person based on double occupancy (discount airfare available)
* Valid through March 31, 2008 (lower rates available after March 31, 2008)
* Click here for more information about this trip.

Bermuda
* 5 nights accommodations at Elbow Beach in Bermuda,  a resort with 235 luxurious hotel rooms and suites, 7 stylish restaurants and access to tennis, golf, kayaking and scuba diving and world class conference facilities.
* 3 Days of 2 tank dives or replace with a 1/2 day "Resort Course"
* Round-trip transfers
* Hotel taxes and service charges
* Non diver discount available
* From $1,279 per person based on double occupancy (discount airfare available)
* Valid from May 1 - October 31, 2008
* Click here for more information about this trip.

Barbados
* 7 nights 1 bedroom apartment accommodations (includes 2 free nights) nestled in the heart of Sunset Crest, St. James with fully equipped kitchenettes, dining areas, living areas, private patios, cable TV, free wireless internet
* 5 days 2-tank boat diving with Hightide Watersports or replace with a full day "Learn to Dive" course
* Round-trip airfare from Miami (call for other departure cities)
* $300 airfare credit (already included in price)
* Full breakfast daily
* Round-trip transfers
* $25 voucher for dinner at Oistins Fish Fry
* Buy 1 get 2nd at half price on participating ground excursions
* $100 gift card (valid only for travel September 1 - 30)
* Hotel taxes and service charges
* Non-diver discount available
* From $799 per person based on double occupancy (airfare included)
* Valid for travel September 1 - 30, 2008 (add $160 for travel May 1 - July 15, 2008). Must book by April 1, 2008.
* Click here for more information about this trip.

"Some days I can't believe I'm getting paid to do this because I'm having so much fun," says Pfister.

To plan your spring or summer trip to one of the 3 B's, or some other diving destination, log on to www.caradonna.com.

* Photo by Bill Harrigan

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