Anyone have a recommendation for a BVI dive company??

[H2OU]

I am heading to the BVI's in February and I wanted to see which dive companies are recommended. Anyone ever dive with Blue Water Divers? Thanks!

 

[diversteve]

Where are you staying in the BVI's?

On Virgin Gorda or Marina Cay I highly recommend Dive BVI.

 

[H2OU]

My parents have their boat down there, so we will be island hopping. I understand that most of the dive companies will meet your at your boat, and Dive BVI is one of those companies. What did you like about Dive BVI?

 

[diversteve]

Both Dive BVI and Blue Water do "Rendezvous diving". Set it up in advance then call them on the VHF and they'll bring tanks/gear out to you, dive with you and then take everything back. http://www.divebvi.com/rendezvous.htm

What I really liked about Dive BVI was their level of service and attention to detail. Plus they're just about the friendliest group of dive people that I've met.

We did a week of diving with them while staying on VG last April. They're literally one of those diveops that mean it when they say you only touch your gear once. Every day our gear was rinsed and stored and put back on the boat in the morning. Masks were defogged, tanks were immediately changed without asking, gear was brought to the back of the boat, refreshments provided.

They were most accommodating also, there was 10 of us, we were generally late every morning, and we changed plans several times, even once from what we'd asked them to setup the prior day. They did all of this without comment. We also had our own boat and dedicated DM's for the week we were there. Including the GM and his wife most of the time. They really made our week divewise, most of my group commented that they'd almost never received as good a level of service. I'd liken it to a liveaboard. VGDiver here is Jeff, their GM.

If you're in the area, the Friday night buffet at Leverick Bay on VG is not to be missed...I'm sure your parents know it, you can anchor there for the evening.

 

[H2OU]

Thank you very much for the recommendation! This will be my first time diving in BVI and I can hardly wait to get down there!

 

[altaskier]

I've been to Virgin Gorda the last two years, and am going again in early April. I've dived with 5 operators on 3 continents and have been quite happy with all of the experiences though some outfits have been better than others. DiveBVI is probably number 1 or 2 on my list; they're very pleasant and very professional, and I will be using them again in April! It's worthwhile to pick your dive days carefully. The HMS Rhone is a must-do wreck dive (80' max) and they only schedule trips there once a week though they sometimes visit it on other days as well.

 

[Scubagal]

We went diving with Blue Water Divers during our trip to Tortola in September 2005. Don't miss diving the RMS Rhone, it was the highlight of our trip. I wrote a trip report if you're interested. There are a lot of pictures, hopefully you're not on dialup.
Tortola and Blue Water Divers Trip Report

 

[H2OU]

Thanks Altaskier and Scubagal for your input! I am going to make it a point to dive the Rhone. I hope that either Blue Water Divers or Dive BVI will be going there. That may determine who we dive with. Great pictures in your review Scubagal! Aren't the BVI's the best!?!

 

[PNW Dive Girl]

I've been diving with Blue Water Divers and they are great. I was going to dive with them in November, but they weren't doing three tanks at that time, so I dove with Dive Tortola. They did a great job too.

 

[DiveMaven]

We booked with UBS divers and had a great time and great service. They only do private charters but 4 divers bring their price to just about everyone else's level (or at least it used to). They'll do whatever location you want to, so you don't have to worry about anyone else's schedule but your own.