Southern Caribbean - Where to dive with certified 11 yr old

[kenzie]

We will be on Princess in October visiting Fort Lauderdale for 3 days then 10 day cruise - Princess Cays, St Thomas, Grenada, Dominica, Aruba and Bonaire (12-7pm). My daughter can only dive to 12 meters as PADI Certified to this depth at her age, I am Advanced PADI but still not confident to navigate on my own. My husband would snorkle on any diving trips we make. Considering a dive in Fort Lauderdale, any suggestions for dive company. Also on our itinerery we would like to do two other dive trips when on cruise, which islands would be suggested, would you suggest boat or shore dives and can anyone recommend dive companies.

 

We are from the UK and have only dived Egypt previously. Many thanks for any help recieved.

[bruce-r]

BONAIRE is the easy choice. You can shore dive there and stay as shallow as you like. I really wish I could say I've been there so I could make a personal recommendation as who to dive with, but I can't. :(

 

Be sure to check the roll call section for Bonaire. Also, you might want to check out http://www.scubaboard.com

 

St. Thomas is also a good place for your Jr. Open Water diver. I like diving with http://www.admiraltydive.com there or you can do a fairly decent guided shore dive at Coki Beach http://www.cokidive.com Actually, Coki Beach would make a great choice for you as your husband could snorkel or just "chill" on the beach while the two of you did your dive.

[3boyzmom]

Our local dive shop goes to Bonaire every year- I have heard WONDERFUL things about it. DIVE THERE! I've never been there though.

[KJHorton]

Our shop uses Parrot Island Scuba in Pompano, just north of Ft. Lauderdale. Dove with them for 5 days in May and had a great experience.

 

Also, I agree, definitely dive Bonaire.

[w&k]

If you are docking at Roseau, contact Karen at Nature Island Dive. http://www.natureislanddive.com

 

If you are docking at Cabrits (at the north end of the island), contact Helen at Cabrits Dive Center. http://www.cabritsdive.com

 

They are both great operations to work with.

 

We found the diving extremely easy, and incredibly beautiful.

 

Have a great trip!

 

Wendy

 

dive pix

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

 

website

http://www.freewebs.com/wendyandkeith

[kenzie]

Thank you all for your advice, will follow all your leads.

[suzski]

kenzie, just got back from our Destiny cruise where our 11 year did her first recreational dives in St Lucia...I realize you're not going to be at that port, but I'm sure you feel the same pride having your DD able to enjoy scuba at such a young age. Our DD had done her certification dives in a quarry in 50 degree weather in Virginia and was blown away by the warm water dives and the diversity of corals and fish.... It's amazing how little fear she had...I know I was much more nervous about my first dive than she was.

 

Have a great trip!

[kenzie]

Can anyone recommend dive company in Bonaire.

[bruce-r]

Can anyone recommend dive company in Bonaire.

 

I really wish I could......I would ask on either http://www.scubadiving.com/forum/ or http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/greater-caribbean-bermuda/ or http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/cruises-liveaboards-charter-boats/

[Pilot70D]

We have been diving at all of the ports you mentioned including the 'ABC' route (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao) several times. The diving around Bonaire is really good. There are dive sites around Klein Bonaire with plenty of fun things to see while staying within the 12M limitation. Virtually all of the dive operators there are quite good. I would avoid the Dive Inn. When we dove with them it was the typical 'cattle boat' set up. Many, many divers plus many snorklers on the same boat. The only amenity provided was drinking water. The snorklers were treated like second class citizens.

 

Curacao is another place not to be missed. The Dive Bus there is one of the best dive operators anywhere and certainly THE most fun operator. Email Suzy and they will set dives up with the 12M limit in mind. I can't say enough good things about them and their operation. Many others on these boards have echoed the same sentiments.

 

Dominica has some of the most spectacular underwater scenery that we have seen but I can't tell you anything about dive sites at 12 meters or less. All of our dives were deeper dives in the 80-110 foot range. An email to two or three of the dive operators there can help with the 12M issue.

 

Hope this is helpful information. Now go enjoy those next dives wherever they may be.

[marcia014]

If you are docking at Roseau, contact Karen at Nature Island Dive. http://www.natureislanddive.com

 

I would second the recommendation for Nature Island Dive. I went in 11/06 and I was the only diver with divemaster Weefy and the boat's driver. We went to Champagne Reef which is a shallow area to dive or snorkel. One review said "Undersea volcanic gasses seep through the ocean floor at Champagne Reef along the western shore of Dominica producing the most amazing bubbles that percolate up to the surface. It's no wonder the area is named Champagne Reef. Some of the gasses are cold but the occasional hot vent can be found and sea life is plentiful in the nutrient rich waters. the best way to explore this place is by SCUBA diving." Since I was the only diver, I got special attention and never felt anxious or outside my element. If things got too deep or uncomfortable, the divemaster would just take us somewhere else. Highly recommend them!

Marcia

[w&k]

I didn't put Suzy and Mark at The Dive Bus because the OP did not mention Curacao, but they are absolutely #1 tops in our book. http://www.the-dive-bus.com

 

As a matter of fact, I just had to change a cruise a few weeks ago, and Keith only asked one question: "Are we going to Curacao on the new trip?" The answer was "of course".

 

If you go to The Dive Bus website and search on 'cruise ship invasion' or 'serial cruise shippers' you will find us. One word of warning... Suzy takes blackmail photos and posts them on their website - she caught a particularly funny one of us for the February 08 newsletter ;)

 

We're heading back there in February and November next year - can't wait!!!!

 

Wendy

[w&k]

... Nature Island Dive... divemaster Weefy...

 

We had Weefy on our trip as well, and he was great. He took very special care of a lady in our group that was feeling a little bit wobbly, but after a couple of minutes, got her confidence up and had a blast.

 

This spring on our last trip, we were originally supposed to dock at Roseau, but we changed to Cabrits, and Karen recommended Cabrits Dive Center. We found out just a couple of days before we were supposed to leave that we were back in Roseau, but already had things set up and got to meet new friends.

 

A couple of other divers we met on other dives on the trip had booked with Nature Island Dive, and Weefy was still there and dove with them. They had a great time too.

 

It's so awesome to be able to go back time and again and dive with friends!

 

Wendy