My go to places for a long weekend of scuba diving are Cozumel and Roatan. Anyone have any other recommendations for cheap flight/lodging/diving out of DFW?

As a diver of 15 years, I dont associate cheap, diving and North America often. My cheapest diving (and top 3 best locations) always lands in SE Asia.

With that said, following for reccs as well.

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SE Asia

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The flights are expensive and long. Yes, the lodging and diving are cheap there. I'm looking for a long weekend trip destination with direct flights preferred.

Hoyt Ag said:

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I dont associate cheap, diving and North America often.

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That was my first thought, as well. Especially good diving (I'm not a fan of the Keys).

If you have a friend that will dive with you, I'd suggest a 2 bedroom condo at Ocean Cabanas on Grand Cayman. Only like $400/nt and you get a full kitchen. We stayed there for a week and would stay again. It's not on Seven Mile Beach and has a rocky coast, so that may be a drawback to some. I don't mind since I'm doing water stuff all morning and night. The affiliated dive shop takes you to the boat every morning.

Cayman was first thought, but I have not been since 2015. Bonaire would probably be another affordable option.

I like Bonaire but not for a weekend trip. It's a little further and the flights aren't as frequent. That said, I need to go back!

Yeah good point. Flights are $750+ from DFW to Bonaire. I booked my January trip to Puerto Galera for $100 more than that on United.

Maybe OP can try Utila, more macro and whale shark potential.

Hoyt Ag said:

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Cayman was first thought, but I have not been since 2015. Bonaire would probably be another affordable option.

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Cayman is not a cheap destination for the most part when you factor in the cost of eating out. There are ways to do it somewhat cheaply if you are willing to cook a lot of meals in your condo. One thing to look at is staying at the Alexander or a VRBO on Cayman Brac and diving with Brac Scuba Shack. Food will still be expensive, but not necessarily to the degree of the restaurants on GC. If you are willing to do trips during hurricane season, Cayman Brac Beach Resort and Little Cayman Beach Resort offer all inclusive packages in August-October that are significantly cheaper than the packages they offer the rest of the year. They will still be more expensive than a cheap trip to Coz, but the quality of the diving is better IMO, and the simplicity of not having to leave the resort to get meals gives you more free time to hang out and relax. When you factor in meals being included and not needing to rent a car or pay for taxis, the price is not that much higher during low season if you get one of the cheap packages.

ETA: Sorry, just saw the long weekend part. Not worth the extra time and travel to do Brac or Little Cayman for a long weekend IMO.

Why not go to the Flower Gardens?

It isn't a good option in the winter, though.

Bonaire for sure!

Really difficult to go to Bonaire for the weekend.

A two night weekend, probably not. But a long weekend could be doable and affordable depending on time of year and flight pricing. But not for everyone for sure!

You realize that Untied and flies there once a week from IAH? And American two, maybe three times a week from Miami?

Bonaire is a great destination, but not for a quick and dirty dive trip.

The Chicken Ranch said:

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You realize that Untied and flies there once a week from IAH? And American two, maybe three times a week from Miami?

Bonaire is a great destination, but not for a quick and dirty dive trip.

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Exactly. And the United flight home is before sunrise so can you even dive the day before and get 24 hours to offload gas? I guess you could do 18 hours if you didn't dive a lot but still. Bonaire is a pain for just 1-2 days of diving.

Yup.

If I could only dive two or three days, I'd just go to the Flower Gardens. It's some of the best diving there is anyway.

If I couldn't do that, I'd go to Cozumel or Fort Lauderdale. Maybe Key Largo.

Have you looked into Belize? Flight is about the same as Cozumel.