Where is the best diving on this itinerary?

[MoneyGuy]

We're cruising to these islands in late March and early April: St. Thomas, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Antigua and Barbados. A book I have names St. Thomas as one of the best diving islands in the Caribbean (none of the others) but there may be another activity I want to do there. Which of those islands do other divers recommend? Which outfitters should I use? Should I book direct or through Princess? Any advice appreciated.

[scubadiver888]

Best diving is hard to say. What I think is a good dive you might not. Additionally, who takes you out could make all the difference.

 

Here is what I can tell you...

 

When I drove in St. Thomas the dive company was REALLY organized. We showed up at dock and a nice platform boat took us to the dive centre. The crew unloaded everyone's equipment and tagged it so they knew who's was who's. In the dive centre they gave us a moment to do some shopping and gave us a dive briefing. When we went out to the boat, all the equipment was hooked up to our first tank. When we got to the first dive site the crew helped everyone on with their equipment. Everyone was certified so they let us hit the water and wait on the bottom for the guide. We went to Wye Reef and saw a resident barracuda that was HUGE (i.e. FAT). Second dive they took us to Cartanza, a wreck. It was okay but I'm not really interested in wrecks. After a while I was bored; it was only 45 feet so we were there for 40 minutes. I came up with plenty of air but nitrogen loaded from the previous dive.

 

The diving itself was okay but the dive company made it great.

 

When I dove in Barbados it was okay and the dive company was okay but the viz was fairly poor and we never really saw much. I like seeing wildlife. They took us to 80 feet; most the good life is above this (usually 15 to 40 feet).

 

I didn't dive in St. Kitts but all the guys I dove with on my last cruise said it was like my St. Thomas dive *BUT* the dive was better and the shop included dive computers if you rented the equipment package. They all dove with Pro-Divers (west of Port Zante). They arranged the dive themselves; they didn't book it through the ship.

 

I haven't dove in St. Lucia. I had a chance to but I decided to spend time with my wife when we were in that port. I was told that the viz was MUCH better than any other port on that tour but I did get a lot of details as to what else was so great. I plan on diving St. Lucia this April.

 

I booked through Princess when I went in 2006 and it was really good (this is when I dove St. Thomas). I booked again just a few weeks ago and it was not very good at all. It seemed that all the dive operators Princess picks are given some stupid requirements to qualify as Princess tour. They all seemed to be more worried about liability and less about making it a good dive experience. Even though everyone in our group were certified divers they treated us like it was a first time discovery dive.

 

If you want to dive in St. Kitts you'll have to book it yourself as Princess doesn't offer a dive on that port.I'd recommend Pro-Divers.

 

Do some research on other ports (Google is your friend) and post the companies you find. There is probably someone on here who can tell you if they are good or bad.

 

Additionally, if you a single diver it is harder to get a private booking. You'll need to find a dive buddy and book with them. The private dive operators don't like to force two divers to buddy so they'll expect you to already have a dive buddy.

 

Have a good time on your cruise! We went in March 2006 and it was awesome.

[BurBunny]

I'd rank it St. Lucia, St. Thomas...then the others. St. Kitts is good diving, just logistically more difficult. Barbados is okay, Antigua from the port not worth it (good diving is available, just not logistically accessible from the port).

 

In St. Lucia, I recommend Dive Fair Helen. Find out if that's the ship's operator. Otherwise, if you're with Scuba St. Lucia (the operator from Anse Chastanet) you'll waste a dive with a "check out" shore dive.

 

In St. Thomas I like Blue Island Divers, Chris Sawyer or St. Thomas Dive Club.

 

Enjoy!

[MoneyGuy]

Thanks for the advice so far. I look forward to more so I can make an educated choice. BTW, I'm not a really experienced diver so don't want highly technical/difficult dives. I have my own buddy along with me (my son). I also like wildlife and shipwrecks would be good if available. A friendly shark would also be nice to see.

[Pilot70D]

We just got back this week from our annual Caribbean cruise. We went diving while visiting St. Thomas, Barbados and St. Lucia.

 

In St. Lucia we went diving with Dive Fair Helen and had two of our best dives ever. We rarely make arrangements for our dive excursions through the ship. Most of the time excursions through the ship turn out OK but often there are better dive sites and frequently there are better dive operators available.

 

Dive Fair Helen did a great job and at a reasonable price. If you book on-line via their website the price for a two tank dive including lunch is $88 per person with your own equipment. They were very safety conscious throughout our two dives.

 

The dive boat was not overly crowded. We had between fifteen and twenty divers on a boat that would acommodate thirty or so. They split us into two separate dives, each with its own dive leader. There were two divers undergoing their OW certification dives. These two were also formed into a separate dive with their instructor.

 

The way they worked it no dive site was over populated. They put the student divers in the water first. Then the first group hit the water next but at a different site. We went in the water next and at yet a third site. The same procedure was followed for our second dive. We had lunch after our second dive and it was a very good lunch.

 

After lunch they took us back to to where they picked us up initially which was right by the stern of our cruise ship. In short it was a terrific day of diving. Eventually I will post pictures from our two dives.

 

Here is a link to another post I wrote about their operation: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=678477

 

The only SCUBA operator in the Caribbean that is better in our opinion is The Dive Bus on Curacau. They are a fun group and I would never pass up a chance to go diving with them.

 

Hope this info proves helpful. everyone have a safe and a happy holiday season.

[bruce-r]

 

The only SCUBA operator in the Caribbean that is better in our opinion is The Dive Bus on Curacao. They are a fun group and I would never pass up a chance to go diving with them.

 

Have you been out with Blue XT Sea in Cozumel yet?

 

OK, back on topic. For St. Thomas I like http://www.admiraltydive.com

[Wspinelli]

I have always heard wonderful things about St thomas, but I have never dove there. Out of the places you listed I have only been diving in Barbados. It was OK but I'll never go back and if it's a port of call, I would probably stay on the ship. But I'm bias, I don't like Barbados.

[scubadiver888]

Thanks for the advice so far. I look forward to more so I can make an educated choice. BTW, I'm not a really experienced diver so don't want highly technical/difficult dives. I have my own buddy along with me (my son). I also like wildlife and shipwrecks would be good if available. A friendly shark would also be nice to see.

 

So far all the dives I have been on have adjusted to the least experienced diver in the group. Generally speaking, unless everyone in the group is advanced open water and shows they have a good amount of experience they tend to stick to 60 feet or shallower and the dives are pretty straight forward.

 

If there is a wreck they leave it up to you as to how much penetration you want to do.

 

I only have a few dozen dives and PADI Open Water. On my last trip half the group was extremely experienced (or at least they talked like they were) and only one other guy admitted to having less experience then me. They made sure all the dives were fun but not beyond our ability.

 

As for sharks... I used to be worried I was going to see a shark (or that the shark was going to see me). On one dive I mentioned this to the dive master. He pointed out that a shark already saw us. Everyone pointed out whenever they saw a shark. Most the time I saw the shark swimming away whenever someone pointed it out. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't have seen it. The sharks actually avoided us ALL the time. Seeing a shark (not on a shark feeding dive) is kind of hard. If you want to see a shark let the dive master know... you still might see one but they should be able to improve the odds.

[w&k]

Moneyguy-

 

The most important thing you have to decide is what kind of diving you want to do. If you are looking for (usually) larger boats, and things geared to the casual diver, and you don't want the hassle of setting up your own arrangements, then by all means book the shore excursion dives. We all do it from time to time, and some of them are very good. However, if you are looking for a custom type of experience, small boats or groups, and are comfortable being off on your own, then book outside. It's your choice.

 

St. Kitts - we have been with Kenneth's Dive Center 3 times so far, and another booked for February. Kenneth is the original diver on the island, and they have a really great team, and know every nook and cranny under the water. They are great folks, and the dive boat is docked right at the side of the cruise ship pier. http://www.kennethsdivecenter.com Coincidentally-we originally dove with these folks as a shorex off the Celebrity Zenith in 2004.

 

Barbados - we have been with John and Mary of Dive Barbados three times, and will be heading back in February. Mary picks you up from just outside the cruise terminal, and they have a small boat and a classic dive shack on the beach... it's beautiful, and John & Mary are a hoot. http://www.divebarbados.net

 

St. Thomas - we went with Blue Island Divers, and it was fine. However, we did a first dive (wreck) that was quite exposed, and a bit rougher than I prefer, being old, slow, fat and lazy. http://www.blueislanddivers.com Next time, we will probably try Admiralty, or maybe a beach dive at Coqui.

 

St. Lucia - we did the shorex with Scuba St. Lucia, and once was plenty. We did skills, and short, time-limit dives. IMHO, just not worth it, especially at that price. Dive Fair Helen gets good reviews, and so does Island Divers at the Ti Kaye resort.

 

Antigua - we tried to DIVE ANTIGUA. We ended up out $80 in cab fare, no dive, and a wasted day. Well, except I won a few dollars at the little casino next to the pier.

 

You can check out more detailed reviews on my webpage.

 

Have a great trip!

 

Wendy

 

dive pix

http://community.webshots.com/user/wendyandkeith

 

website

http://www.freewebs.com/wendyandkeith

 

 

ps Bruce ... done both, but have to give the edge to The Dive Bus - the diving is a hair better (IMHO), the beer is right there ;) , and Suzy and Mark are totally insane fun!

[bruce-r]

ps Bruce ... done both, but have to give the edge to The Dive Bus - the diving is a hair better (IMHO), the beer is right there ;) , and Suzy and Mark are totally insane fun!

 

Then I'll have to try them out. :)

[gmcrow]

We just returned from St. Lucia and highly recommend it. Read our review and see our pics at http://www.cruisedivers.blogspot.com

[MoneyGuy]

We just returned from St. Lucia and highly recommend it. Read our review and see our pics at www.cruisedivers.blogspot.com

 

Good site with good content. Congrats. Because of your favourable review of St. Lucia, I'll consider diving there. Thanks.

[scubamargie]

My vote goes to St. Lucia, only because the other stops are just so-so. We used to love St. Thomas but our last 3 stops there have featured lack-luster diving (low vis, not many fish), and since the snorkeling off St. John there is sooo good it's probably better to save the money and just catch the ferry over to St. John, rent a jeep and head to Leinster Bay. We like diving Barbados ( http://www.divehightide.com/ or http://www.diveprobarbados.com/ ) but here again there is better diving in the Caribbean. St. Kitts has a nice dive shop right near the cruise pier ( http://www.kennethsdivecenter.com/ ). They picked us up at the pier and dropped us off -- beware, they only take cash!! The diving in St. Kitts was OK, not great viz, nice reef. Antigua has very nice diving in wonderfully clear water, but unfortunately the only decent operator is at Nelson's Dockyard (a very expensive taxi ride). Rent a car and as a consolation snorkel Half Moon Bay -- it's beautiful. Just our two-cents worth :)

[MoneyGuy]

Wow, good advice and commentary. We leave on our trip in five weeks.

[MoneyGuy]

Only 1.5 weeks until we leave. It's looking like St. Lucia so far but I'm still looking around.