Diving at Cruise Ship Ports

[Scuba_GD]

I'm a brand new certified diver in the Philly area, and am looking forward to my first reef diving on our cruise in Dec. Our cruise goes to:

St. Thomas, USVI
Dominica
Barbados
St. Lucia, WI
Antigua
St Kitts, WI

Since I'm new and to get more experience, I'm more focused on easy dives than spectacular dives. Would like both of course. Shallower dives (<60 ft) are preferred, since I also use allot of air.

Diving with a cruise ship excursion sounds like a poor option from what I've heard so far -- More costly, large groups, and less attention. I've already heard about Coki Beach Dive Club in St. Thomas for shore diving that sounds just right. What about the other ports? What dive sites and local dive shops do you suggest?

thanks!!

 

[diversteve]

Coki Beach is good, just stay between the beach and the Coral World inflow pipes.

We made the mistake of going (way) past there then when the current picked up that afternoon we had to swim to shore and crawl up a small cliff to the back of the Coral World parking lot. No way we were getting back in the water.

Some of the better stuff to see is just offshore to the right of the beach anyway, there's some decent coral and a lot of fish in the area always since the snorkelers feed them. About 40' as I recall.

 

[Torontonian]

Another diver just asked about almost the same ports you are going. There's some info already there.

In St. Thomas, Coki Beach, you have the option to do boat diving, or shore diving. I had good boat diving experience there with the owner/captain Peter. Both times I was the only diver, so it was like a private dive trip. You can email him and ask do to easy dives.

After that if you still like to do more diving, the shore diving is very easy there. Both times were were there the beach was calm. My wife and friends did a discovery scuba there and liked it. Everyone then also snorkled there.

In Dominica, we went with Aldives. The Champagne Reef is a unique shallow dive, where you'll see bubbles from the sea floor. Sounds like this could fit your bill.

In Antigua the better diving is in the south, but the waves are bigger there, so they are probably not for beginners. There are other dive ops that would do the northwest, more shallow/calmer dives.

In Barbados, a very good well-known wreck is the Stav, is also a deeper dive -- so maybe not for beginner. But you could ask to go to two shallow dives.

In St. Lucia, ask to go to near the pitons. Cruise ships don't go by the pitons, and the best way to see is from sea/boat, so find an op that will go near the pitons for the dives, so you also get to see the unique scenery.

My guess is you're sailing from San Juan and go to St. Thomas first. Coki Beach will be a very good start of not very challenging, yet good diving. After diving, you can ask the driver to take you to Paradise Point (pay a little extra if necessary) and enjoy the beautiful view for .5-1 hr. You can take the sky tram down.

 

[Scuba_GD]

Torontonian,

Many Thanks for the advice!! And pointing me to the other thread!!

 

[LarryHinDC]

For Dominica, you can contact Dive Dominica (http://www.castlecomfortdivelodge.com/). I believe they pick people up near the cruise ships, but ask them for current information. I used them 5 years ago and was pleased with the op and with the dive sites. Not much in the way of big things to see but loads of small stuff.

 

[petergrannum]

West Side Scuba Centre
you can contact me at peterg@sunbeach.net as I own a dive shop there Barabdos

 

[Maui Bound]

I just returned from St Thomas. You might want to consider Admiralty Dive Center. They pick up at the cruise ship dock and will do less advanced dives because of the range of divers. I dove with them for four days. They are a class outfit and will tailor the dives to the experience of the group. They make it easy. You can get the morning dives in and then still have time to enjoy town.

 

[skiandscubamom]

I don't know if you are still monitoring this thread, but I was in St. Kitts 2 years ago, and based on opinions of others at the time, I went with Kenneth's Dive Shop. It was my first trip after getting certified and he took very good care of me.

 

[wreckchick]

If you're coming in on a ship that ports at Crown Bay, Admiralty is probably a good bet but if you're coming into the WICO/Havensight dock, I'll go ahead at suggest... US!! (you saw that coming, right?) We pick up by van at WICO and will certainly be sure to tailor your dives to your experience level. You can check out the website in my sig and let me know if you have any questions!

One other thing, this time of year some ships operate on local time and some on Miami time so be careful to make sure you know local times when you're booking your diving.

Good luck to you and enjoy your cruise!

Rachel

 

[TerryC]

Hi There new diver
In St Kitts have a look at St.Kitts Dive Operators, Pro Divers Inc.
If you need a buddy, pm me, i am always up for a days diving!
No worries about air, we always have plenty, however no refunds for what you bring back

Your right, you always pay more when taking the cruise ship excursions!!!

Welcome to the underwater world.

For St Kitts Dive Videos check out httpwww.youtube.comusertcjvideo - only 1 video at the moment, but more to come soon

T