26 replies to this topic

[Scubatooth]

Add one other location for Puerto Rico

EWR - BQN -- this newark new jersey to Aquadilla Puerto Rico -- which is the west end of the island and to me is the more relaxed and beautiful side of the island and the diving is very good, but then im alittle biased.

Others to consider

Bermuda via Jetblue from JFK

honolulu via continental from EWR

mmm thats all i can think of right now half asleep.

[finGrabber]

does South African Airways still have a nonstop from JFK to Johannesburg?

that is the location of the Sardine runs!

[Scubatooth]

does South African Airways still have a nonstop from JFK to Johannesburg?

that is the location of the Sardine runs!

Oh man i would be screaming whY if I took that again (LAX to MNL is 7308 miles 15-18 hours depending on direction and techstops) and my syatic nerve start hurting just thinking of it.

They still do but its on a very limited schedule, plus thats a very long flight (probably one of the longest possible at approaching 16+ hours and 7968 miles according to SAA) and depending on the flight you will have a tech stop for fuel in Dakar


Looking up SAA fligh 204 as it Goes JFK to JNB(8147 miles), Then also they go IAD to JNB(8138 miles) SAA flight 208

I think theres only a couple of other possibilities longer then this but they also involved Tech-Stops (Fuel only passengers dont get off the plane) or stops to pick up more passengers but are technically non-stop.

- LHR - SYD going west; its has stops at JFK and LAX on Qantas (39 hours total) arrives 3 days later 13414 miles
- LHR - SYD going East via BKK (thats 27 hours total including the stop in BKK) arrives 2 days later 10573 miles


does that help

[larisa]

Thanks, but.... i can't even imagine my sister's reaction to an idea of a 16 hours on a plane.
Would be fun to suggest to just see her expression....

I think we narrowed it down to Puerto Rico or US Virgin islands.

[DiverBabs]

Thanks, but.... i can't even imagine my sister's reaction to an idea of a 16 hours on a plane.
Would be fun to suggest to just see her expression....

I think we narrowed it down to Puerto Rico or US Virgin islands.

I might have missed if you mentioned your dates or not.... but I did just see that AA offers direct flights from JFK to Providenciales, Turks and Caicos (3.5 hour flight)

Provo has great diving and we rented an awesome house there last July. It's perfect if traveling with kids. Things are within walking distance, the house is wonderfully furnished and it has a pool. Great snorkeling too.

I have no interest (i.e. ownership in the home) I actually found it searching the internet one night. We were all very pleased. Let me know if you want more info on it.

[larisa]

Thanks - very kind of you to offer!
i am waiting to hear from my sister once she talks to the travel agent on wed.

Thanks, but.... i can't even imagine my sister's reaction to an idea of a 16 hours on a plane.
Would be fun to suggest to just see her expression....

I think we narrowed it down to Puerto Rico or US Virgin islands.

I might have missed if you mentioned your dates or not.... but I did just see that AA offers direct flights from JFK to Providenciales, Turks and Caicos (3.5 hour flight)

Provo has great diving and we rented an awesome house there last July. It's perfect if traveling with kids. Things are within walking distance, the house is wonderfully furnished and it has a pool. Great snorkeling too.

I have no interest (i.e. ownership in the home) I actually found it searching the internet one night. We were all very pleased. Let me know if you want more info on it.

[WreckWench]

Thanks, but.... i can't even imagine my sister's reaction to an idea of a 16 hours on a plane.
Would be fun to suggest to just see her expression....

I think we narrowed it down to Puerto Rico or US Virgin islands.

We have serveral awesome dive ops if they stay in Puerto Rico thanks to ScubaTooth but not sure if anyone has dove recently in the Virgin Islands? I dove there a long time ago but that was over 10 years ago so it not very relevant anymore.

[CaptSaaz]

American flies direct JFK to St Thomas if you want the US Virgin Islands. From there you can even take a ferry for day trips to St John or the BVI's (British Virgin Islands).

[Hipshot]

[quote name='larisa' date='Jan 14 2008, 01:51 PM' post='205343']
I've only dove in Florida Keys one time and it was disappointing - visibility was not great. I've been "spoiled" by tropical paradises.


We all have US passports.

-----------------------

How about a trip to the Florida Keys.


Short, as flights go ... one plane to Miami and then a lovely drive down to whichever key you pick ... but I doubt that the airport part of traveling in the plane is the problem....
Diving is known and it would make it easier for a landbased vacation with other things to do... you don't mention that the kids/sister have passports, and thus no passports to get.
[/quote]
[/quote]

As one who has gone to Islamorada annually for ten years, I can tell you that visibility can vary, depending on when the last storm took place. However, the Keys are the third largest barrier reef in the world (behind the Great Barrier Reef and Belize) and offer some great diving. True, it doesn't have the "snob appeal" of some of the exotic ports of call, but then again, I won't hold air conditioning and potable water against a place.

Rick

[larisa]

Hi, Rick.

I visit South Florida quite a bit - my parents are "snowbirds". I would very much like to dive there again. Who do you usually go with? Do you stay in a particular place? Is there a better time of year - visibility wise?

Thanks.
Larisa

[/quote]

As one who has gone to Islamorada annually for ten years, I can tell you that visibility can vary, depending on when the last storm took place. However, the Keys are the third largest barrier reef in the world (behind the Great Barrier Reef and Belize) and offer some great diving. True, it doesn't have the "snob appeal" of some of the exotic ports of call, but then again, I won't hold air conditioning and potable water against a place.

Rick



[/quote]

[scubaski]

Thanks, but.... i can't even imagine my sister's reaction to an idea of a 16 hours on a plane.
Would be fun to suggest to just see her expression....

I think we narrowed it down to Puerto Rico or US Virgin islands.

Hi Larisa,

I mentioned Aruba very early on. Non stop from NYC sub 4 hours. When you return back to NYC, you do need passport but US Customs and Immigation are on island in Aruba (great posting for these inspectors) so getting back home as easy as going down. My questions to you would be how much of a vacation should this be geared for your sisters children, what are thier ages and do they enjoy beach activities. Hands down Aruba has more kid stuff to do. How about husbands or male SO are they travelling also ? Golf, casinoes, sports books all easy rental car drive or taxi drive from your accomadations.
Good luck in your travells.
Stan

[larisa]

THANK YOU ALL!
Appreciate all your help and advice. My sister changed her mind and not coming with me... Sad - I was looking forward to spending time with my niece and nephew...

But... now I can go back to my original plan of explorer liveaboard on Turks&Caicos! April 26 sailing!

Thanks, but.... i can't even imagine my sister's reaction to an idea of a 16 hours on a plane.
Would be fun to suggest to just see her expression....

I think we narrowed it down to Puerto Rico or US Virgin islands.

Hi Larisa,

I mentioned Aruba very early on. Non stop from NYC sub 4 hours. When you return back to NYC, you do need passport but US Customs and Immigation are on island in Aruba (great posting for these inspectors) so getting back home as easy as going down. My questions to you would be how much of a vacation should this be geared for your sisters children, what are thier ages and do they enjoy beach activities. Hands down Aruba has more kid stuff to do. How about husbands or male SO are they travelling also ? Golf, casinoes, sports books all easy rental car drive or taxi drive from your accomadations.
Good luck in your travells.
Stan