Best Scuba Places for Next Cruise

[Laurie S.]

Just got back a few days ago from a Western Caribbean cruise, where I dove at Costa Maya, Roatan, and Grand Cayman. I enjoyed every place, but liked Costa Maya the best.

Over Thanksgiving this year, I'm taking my next cruise and would like to dive at three ports again. The places we're going to are Barbados, St. Maartens, St. Thomas, St. Lucia, Martinique, and Half Moon Cay. It looks like St. Lucia should be one of my choices. What about the other ports, which would you recommend for scuba? I figure it's never too late to start planning! :cool2:

 

[Dave1981]

St. Maarten have a cool shark awareness dive with dive safaris in simpson bay. Otherwise quite mediocre in my experience. At least on the dutch side.
St. Lucia has always been good diving whenever I've been.
St. Thomas apparently has some world class diving right outside the harbour, though I've never done it. Given there's nothing else to do there it's probably a good bet.
Is there even any diving at half moon cay? If there were it would be protected but I think it's just sand.

 

[Laurie S.]

It looks like I'll be diving at St. Lucia, Martinique, and St. Thomas. I've read recently that there scuba diving is being offered at Half Moon Cay, but can't find anything definite on it. I'll play tourist at St. Maartens.

 

[jwc3]

I'm not trying to start an argument, but I would like to encourage you to consider skipping the cruise and traveling directly to your destination. You'll have more time for diving, you'll support the local economy, and you'll reduce pollution. Thanks.

Cruise ship pollution - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cruise ship - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Laurie S.]

Nope, that's not an option for me, I enjoy cruising.

 

[Dave1981]

Cruise ship pollution - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

As an ex cruise ship engineer I would like to point out that this article is almost entirely propoganda. This isn't the thread to discuss though.

I'd be interested to hear how the diving is in Martinique, though will have long forgotten about this thread by the time you get back!

 

[Laurie S.]

I'll be sure to report on all the dives.

 

[BlueIslandBell]

Dave 1981 is correctSt Thomas is the best place to dive, we have world class wreck sites that are fairly unknown. And I must say we are the best dive shop on the island for diving the least visited sites. We pick up at the cruise ship dock and return you there on time, every time. Don't just take my word for it, look us up on other travel review sites. we are also happy to honor dive site requests as long as mother nature cooperates, so check out our dive sites too.

Blue Island Divers
St Thomas

 

[Laurie S.]

I'll see you around December 1st.

 

[gander]

I dove with Blue Island divers (St. Thomas) in November of 2009. They were great and friendly. I would definitely recommend them again and may see them again in December of this year.

I too was on a cruise and the walk to the dive shop is a bit cumbersome (about 2 blocks) and we brought all our own gear (except tanks), however the boat is right in front of the shop.