Climbing + SCUBA trip suggestions

Looking for a great spot to do both activities in the same week without having to move too far.  Would like salt water but no hard requirements provided the water is clear and there are things to see.  Would prefer sport with good climbs ranging from 5.8 up to low 12s.  Bonus if I don't need a passport but willing to look at Central America once the covid is over.

Cayman Brac ... can do both in the same day. Need a passport though.

Cuba is another option.

Otherwise in the USA SoCal. diving and then drive to JT / Idyllwild. Not sport climbing but sporty climbing.

Puerto Rico

if you like bouldering, Aruba 

Allen Sanderson wrote: Cayman Brac ... can do both in the same day. Need a passport though.

Cuba is another option.

Otherwise in the USA SoCal. diving and then drive to JT / Idyllwild. Not sport climbing but sporty climbing.

I will second Caymac Brac. The diving there is amazing. The climbing is decent - I would not go there just for climbing, but if you want to have amazing scuba with some climbing on the side that's what I would do.

Any specific reason why not you don’t want to obtain/renew your passport ? Thailand was/is a very good place to scuba dive (or become certified if you have enough time) and climb the same day, or every day ! Another thumbs up for world class diving off Cayman Brac.

​www.climbcaymanbrac.com​​​
Also has links to dive operations.

Eric Berghorn wrote: Any specific reason why not you don’t want to obtain/renew your passport ? Thailand was/is a very good place to scuba dive (or become certified if you have enough time) and climb the same day, or every day ! Another thumbs up for world class diving off Cayman Brac.

Probably because most countries aren't accepting American tourists because of the pandemic...

Thailand

Its opening up for tourism August 1 and its a little far, but Thailand has great SCUBA, Sport Climbs right off the beach and lost of Deep Water Solo opportunities. Thailand is also relatively cheap and they like tourists. I have never been, but its on my next international vacation list.  

Possible bonus, if you are into that kind of thing:  You can't mention Thailand without mentioning lady boys!   

Good topic.  Cayman Brac is now on my list.  GF likes warm water

if you like trad and deep cold water and playing with large octopi, Vancouver is a great trip

Thanks fellas!  Holy cow Cayman Brac is top of the list!

I have a valid passport but with so many places not allowing Americans in I think it would be better if you don't need one.  I've been to Grand Cayman and the diving was the best I've ever done but didn't climb back then.

Thailand is on the list for many other reasons (def not lady boys) but that is a few years away for me.

Blakevan wrote: Thanks fellas!  Holy cow Cayman Brac is top of the list!

I have a valid passport but with so many places not allowing Americans in I think it would be better if you don't need one.  I've been to Grand Cayman and the diving was the best I've ever done but didn't climb back then.

The Dept. of Tourism's current plan is to allow tourists into the islands September 1st, subject to the Covid sitiuation.

Domestically, Can easily combine wreck diving, great trad or top-rope (no chalk!), and booty score all within a 1/2 hour along same road on the north shore of MN    

Along the lines of Thailand, the west coast of Borneo has awesome wall drift diving with 100+’ vis, with 4th class jungle-Alpine peaks. (Think Teewinot on the equator) Only trick is the approaches involve 5.14X bus rides with chemically  “enhanced” drivers on a death wish, and real life head hunters are about 10 “klicks” over the ridge.  Make sure your affairs are in order.

Unless our incompetent government gets covid under control, which is unlikely;
I personally wouldn’t make travel plans outside of the USA any time soon.
Best
Ez

Hard to find a place that is good for both. Climbing you want cool mountains. SCUBA you want warm shoreline. I've climbed in warm places with mediocre rock. It's okay, but not worth a long trip. I've SCUBA dove in cold water. It's okay, but I'd rather not force myself into a 7mm wetsuit and get cold.

I'd focus on good SCUBA conditions and if there's some climbing, then it's a bonus. 

Mark Pilate wrote: Domestically, Can easily combine wreck diving, great trad or top-rope (no chalk!), and booty score all within a 1/2 hour along same road on the north shore of MN    

Along the lines of Thailand, the west coast of Borneo has awesome wall drift diving with 100+’ vis, with 4th class jungle-Alpine peaks. (Think Teewinot on the equator) Only trick is the approaches involve 5.14X bus rides with chemically  “enhanced” drivers on a death wish, and real life head hunters are about 10 “klicks” over the ridge.  Make sure your affairs are in order.

There's always a bus ride in the 3rd world isn't there.  :D

How far is “moving too far”? IMO, southern California is the best diving I’ve ever done. I’m partial to kelp forrest. Finding good sport climbing around there is a little more challenging.

Lake Tahoe is an option, has both diving (not a diver, no idea how good it is) and good climbing.

Doesn't diving in So Cal require a thick wet suit or even dry suit?  I remember a friend saying something about that at Catalina island to hang with the seals.  

Blakevan wrote: Doesn't diving in So Cal require a thick wet suit or even dry suit?  I remember a friend saying something about that at Catalina island to hang with the seals.  

Yeah, it’s not warm. I never used a drysuit, but used to routinely dive in a thick wetsuit. But the views, fish, seals etc are absolutely amazing. It’s like swimming through an underwater Redwood forest.  The abundant cover hides a lot of really cool wildlife. 

Just to throw another one in the mix for post-Covid times: Taiwan. More specifically, this place: https://www.mountainproject.com/area/106594934/long-dong-dragon-cave

It has a few hundred sport and trad routes right by the ocean, with easily accessible snorkeling and diving only a few feet away. We would usually climb a few routes in the morning and spend the afternoon in the water. Healthy reef with plenty of fish and a few surprises like sea snakes, stingrays, and such. There is more diving in other parts of the island too.

If you are up for an adventure you would never forget... Lions head for spectacular limestone climbing in a gorgeous setting, tobermory for fantastic cold water wreck diving. You need to be an advanced diver to really appreciate all that the park has to offer though!