Blue Ribbon Dive Resort

We only stayed one night at Blue Ribbon to catch up with an old friend, but it turned into a better visit than we expected. Gary took us through pool practice and the dive at a pace that suited us. As a beginner, I appreciated how patient he was and how often he checked that we felt safe, comfortable, and were enjoying ourselves. They also suggested a delicious restaurant nearby, a really thoughtful touch. And Mushka, their sweet, well-behaved dog, came along on the boat and made the day memorable. I'd recommend it to anyone after a good diving experience.

The meals were a pleasant surprise: we had breakfast and lunch on a few days, and everything was tasty, generously portioned, and fairly priced. The restaurant staff were lovely. I didn't stay overnight, though I wish I had, because this seems like a great place for divers. We did two-tank dives over three days with Jeff, a great instructor and crew. The tanks were full, the equipment was looked after and a little worn but worked properly, and the dives were absolutely worth it.

The ocean-view room was worth the extra cost for us. Its balcony gave us a nice place to sit and made the small room feel less cramped. Inside, though, the room was smaller than the photos suggested, with very hard beds, lumpy pillows, threadbare towels, and weak water pressure. We did have hot water for about 90% of our showers. The staff helped carry our bags up and down the stairs, and there's a fresh-water dispenser for bottles. If you need something, just ask and they'll help. The diving was a real highlight. Dang got us certified for our AOW and was a great guide; Jeff was relaxed and kept a good pace. We saw coral and macro life, including lots of nudibranchs, three octopuses on one dive, and a turtle. The guides could spot tiny things we couldn't even make out with a magnifying glass. Towels and coffee on dives, plus hot chocolate on the night dive, were a big bonus. Food was good. We ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner five times and had no major complaints. A few choices occasionally ran out, which seems understandable at a small place, and I was impressed by how much variety the cook made each day. The stay was mostly fine, without much that was outstanding or truly bad. I'd call it 3.5 stars if that were an option.

I came for diving, not a staycation, and the room was basic but had what I needed. The resort staff were friendly and helpful, and the shop team was top notch. Dang is an amazing instructor: he gave my Deep Specialty and Nitrox certifications real attention and took the time to get the details right. They don't push extra courses or gear, so be clear about what you're hoping to do. The diving itself was next level. Hope to see you soon!