St. Thomas and St. Kitts Dive reports

[NeurosurgeryNP]

Hello all - We finally went on and returned home from our Caribbean Princess repo cruise and I just wanted to share our thoughts on our dives in these islands, both booked privately. DH is a brand new certified diver as of August (he has done discover tours before) and while I have been certified for 9 nine years, I am very nice having only 11 dives under my belt.

 

We decided on Admiralty Dive Shop after much research and recommendation from this forum and from another forum. We booked the 2 tank AM dive. They met us at the cruise ship pier (Crown Bay) and brought us over to their dock, a short 5 minute ride). After checking c-cards and doing the paperwork, we boarded the boat (a whole 9 of us on board) and headed to our dives. Not only were they very friendly, they were very competent and comforting in knowing that they would give great guidance and stand by to my DH who was a brand new certified diver. Our two dives with them were at amazing sites and sites suited to fit all abilities of those on board. The cost was fantastic - around $95 including equipment, and no cattleboating as with the ship's tour that cost $129 for a 2 tank dive. I highly recommend them - - husband and wife team -Duane and Laura.

 

In St. Kitts, we used Pro Divers, again based on recommendations of this and another forum. Again, they were very professional, and friendly and helpful during the whole process. Again - small numbers - I think 8 or so. 2 beautiful dive sites close to shore - a shallow wreck at 50" and a reef ridge. The owners were Auston and Margot. I highly recommend them as well. Cost again was very reasonable - about $95 for 2 tank dive.

 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask!

[bruce-r]

No questions, just want to say thanks for taking the time to post about your experience.

[conalita]

Thanks Jen and Tim. I will be going to both ports in Jan. I appreciate your input. Do they have a website or contact information?

Thanks,

Connie

[NeurosurgeryNP]

Admiralty Dive Center - http://www.admiraltydive.com/

 

Pro Divers - http://www.prodiversstkitts.com/

[w&k]

I do have a question for you about Admiralty - were your dive sites sheltered or exposed? When we went with Blue Island a few years ago, we got bounced around unmercifully.

 

We dive with Kenneth's Dive Center in St. Kitts, but have heard good things about ProDivers as well. We would have been diving with them this weekend (sniff), but had to change the trip due to DH's cataract surgery.

 

So glad you had a good time!

 

Wendy

[bruce-r]

I do have a question for you about Admiralty - were your dive sites sheltered or exposed? When we went with Blue Island a few years ago, we got bounced around unmercifully.

 

I was lucky my trip with them because the ocean was pretty flat. We went to the W.I.T. Shoal with is a wreck out in the open. The other two sites looked like they'd be fairly sheltered.

[NeurosurgeryNP]

We did two dives near the shore (about 10-15 minute boat trip). While it was a little choppy on top, once you descended, the waters were calm.

[justforus]

What are the scuba opportunities at Willemstad, Curacao; or Roseau, Dominica? We are certified with a good bit of Carribean experience, but not at these ports of call. The "excursions" are real expensive for only a "one tank dive". We sail Nov 17 on the Noordam.

[w&k]

If you are stopping at Curacao, you must go dive with Suzy and Mark at The Dive Bus. http://www.the-dive-bus.com I have a blurb about our next trip on the Grand Princess, if you want to take a look at that. All my DH asks when I book another trip is "Are we going to Curacao?"

 

Do a search of this board, and you will find many fantastic reviews, mine included.

 

If you are going to be in Roseau, Dominica, go with Karen & the gang at Nature Island Dive. http://www.natureislanddive.com/

 

If you are docking at Cabrits, Dominica, go with Helen & the crew at Cabrits Dive Center. http://www.cabritsdive.com/

 

Have a wonderful trip!

 

Wendy

 

dive pix

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

 

website

http://www.freewebs.com/wendyandkeith

 

Grand Princess trip website 09

http://www.freewebs.com/grandprincess-02-27-09/portstours.htm

[justforus]

Wendy,

 

Thanks for your response on dive opps. coming up on our trip.

 

I think these independents give better value than cruise contractees, but we do take on more risk w/o input from more experinced folks.

 

Sam