$1000 or $2000 9 day trip - Where to go?

[Clifonef]

If you had $1000 to spend on diving, leave on Friday after 5 PM, return 2nd Sunday, where would you go?  Start MSP, own equipment, by yourself, can't stay with friends.  What if it was $2000?  What is the most you would spend for this time frame?  Where would you go?

[tullibee]

I've done several week-long Coz trips for around $1000 - $1250.  Have seen Belize deals for under $2K.  Also did Grand Bahama on the cheap one year (but Mom covered the air and condo costs so that helped out!).  For a unique cold water experience, you could think about Puget Sound - did a Quadra Island BC trip several years ago that had fabulous dives.  airfare hasn't been a bargain since my first trip, but could still do it for under $2K.  Iceland might be another interesting possibility, and I bet there are more Carib choices too.  Or maybe the Flower Garden Banks by Texas.

[osgoor]

For that amount of money and time you can't beat Cozumel. It's better than Belize IMO.

Have fun!

[jasondbaker]

I would look at Florida, the Keys or Cozumel if I had a $1k budget. I would look at a less expensive Caribbean liveaboard with a $2k budget.  The biggest factor might be the cost of airfare. 

[tpscuba]

For 2000.00 I would do the Nautlus Explore Out of Vancouver BC well worth it and I would go the end of Aug through Sept. I have done the trip twice and for what you see and get it puts the warm water to shame  check out nautlusexplorer.com

[DiveCaptDean]

How about Bonaire at the end of april this year for 1660.00....we have a couple spots left... :

[dd_diver]

Either way Roatan.  You can get there quickly from MSP, and get lots of diving in.

[NorthlandDivers]

We have a trip to Roatan this May for only $1549 including air, diving, meals, room based on double occupancy.