Barbados- Suggestions for Dive Operators

[UtahGetMe2]

I will be going to Barbados February 26 to March 6 and am interested in getting a few dives in while I'm there, maybe 2-3 days out of the trip with 1-2 dives. I will be staying at Accra beach hotel which is located in Rockley Beach. I am pretty new to diving with only 6 dives under my belt with a maximum depth of 30', but would like to get down to 50-60' this vacation with the first of my dives for the week being an easy "refresher" type dive. I am interested in Carlisle Bay as I've never experienced any wrecks, but would also like to explore a reef or 2.

What would a good dive shop be that is within the vacinity of Accra beach, can cater to a newb like myself with (preferably) smaller size dive groups as I was reading and somebody referred to a large diver operation in Barbados as a cattle herding ship or something like that. I also just got a new BC and would like to figure out how much weight I would need before the dive so a shop with access to a pool would be preferred or I could just do it in my hotel's pool if needed.

Additionally I said I would like an operation that can cater to newbs, however I want a quality, well run operation that can help me out!

Thanks in advance for any information you can provide for me!

 

[RICHinNC]

check your pm's

 

[UtahGetMe2]

Wow Rich thanks for all of the info. I am not sure if you would rather answer through PM, this thread, email, or even phone call, but for now I will put it on here for anyone else that may have similar questions in the future as well as if anyone else has information that they would like to add.

1. Have you ever gone in February-March and if so what should I expect for water temp and do you use a wetsuit? I was thinking that I would just get a rash guard for comfort, and could probably get away with no type of suit.

2. Do either of the dive operations you mentioned (Dive Barbados LTD & High Tide) give resort course certifications? I will be going down there with my girlfriend (who has dove with me before, but is not certified) and two other couples. My girlfriend MAY be interested in a resort course, but I am not sure about the other 4.

3. How does the "turtle tagging" work? How long is the trip? Is it a large boat and would a maximum of 5 "spectators" be welcome? The other members of my trip might be interested in checking it out.

4. I will be staying in the Christ Church/New St. Lawrence Gap according to my friend who goes down there all the time. She says that Carlisle Bay is the closest place to our hotel, which you stated is a shore dive that is roped off to boats. Will dive operations also park outside of the ropes and drop you off?

5. I'd really like to see a nice reef as I have a reef aquarium, but have never had the chance to see nice corals in person (I know that it isn't going to be as crazy as Indonesia or Australia with regards to coral, but anything will be better than Atlantic side of Dominican Republic haha). Another member (Doshill) mentioned that the Cement Plant Maycocks up north is the best reef in Barbados. I will PM him about it, but is everyone in agreement or are there other places that have really nice/healthy reefs?

I have been to Barbados before about 10 years ago and I loved it, but now I will get to go back and really enjoy it! I was only 16 when I went, but now I will get to party, dive and eat cheese cutters without any parental supervision haha! (I hear that the Jolly Roger is no longer on the island though which is a major bummer!)

Thanks again!

 

[Jeeptrick]

Asta is a nice reef at about forty five to sixty five feet, The Boot is sixty to seventy, G-spot same, Old fort is nice at forty to fifty five, max depth in Carlisle Bay is fifty five, Barbados Blue does a resort course in the Hilton pool and a dive in the bay everyday at 2:00 pm. Also takes referals (you do class and pool at home do OW dives here). Water temp in Feb is between 81 and 83 lots of divers go with board shorts and rashguard more with just a 3mm shorty, locals acclimatized to temps might wear a 5mm full wetsuit. Best fish, egg, cheese cutters on the island down the beach at Cuz's

 

[RICHinNC]

****I have not gone during that time period. Usually I go in the Sept time frame. I always wear skins under a 3 mm shortie and havent gotten cold yet. I have seen a number of people dive in just tee shirts and shorts but I like the 3mm.


****I have had to show my C card at both locations so if she is not certified you may have problems. I know John has courses and also does one of those scuba adventure things where you have a couple hours course and then do a shallow dive. Try to find him here on SB.....he is Sculpin.

****You normally leave around 9am or so and go out on a big pontoon boat. You dive with university students and try to find and capture turtles. Once once is caught, it is taken up to the boat where it is measured, tagged and a DNA sample taken. The boat does allow bubble watchers but the number that can go is based on how many divers they have. You would have to check with them on 5. Also, they charge a small fee for bubble watchers as well, or at least they used to.


*****I always rent a car when I go to Barbados as it is such an easy island to drive around on. The only "tricky" part is getting from one side of Bridgetown to the other and back as you dont take the same route going and coming. But it is a great island to drive around on and see all the different beaches and things. I would highly recommend getting a car.....or find a great taxi guy that will meet you whenever...and that isnt hard to do at all.

****There are a number of great reefs there. Also, do your best to dive the PAMIR. It sits in only 60 fsw and you have a lot of bottom time. While I have dove the STAV.... just so I could legally wear the "I dove the STAV" tee shirt....it sits at 132 fsw and you have very little bottom time. Since I live in NC, I can do deep dives on wrecks year round so when on Bim I want tank time.

***Do the Tiami catamaran tour. They pick you up and bring you back home. I like that boat the most as it has some shade and in the afternoon that is nice. I havent heard the pirate boat was gone. Do the Tiami !!

Yell if you have more questions.

 

[UtahGetMe2]

Jeeptrick thanks for recommending some good reefs. Would you say that the ones you listed might be better than the Cement Plant Maycocks reef?

We do not plan to rent a car for the week however we were talking about renting a car for a day or two when we would like to explore the island and then using taxi services that my friend uses all the time when she is down there.

I believe the ladies want to try ziplining somewhere in the middle of the island which seems like it would be fun.

The newbness with show in this next question...

When you say that the PAMIR sits in 60 fsw, does that mean 60' down to where the highest, middle or bottom/(sea floor) point of the wreck lies? And is this a standard description of depth when describing all wrecks?

 

[RICHinNC]

No problem.....60fsw means....60 feet salt water. As for the location of the 60fsw will vary depending on who you talk to. Some will take it to mean to the sandy bottom while others will take it to mean to the top deck of the ship.

I think it is 60fsw to the sandy bottom. Either way, the PAMIR is a great dive as it has a lot of great swim throughs and things to see in the way of sea life. Hit the bottom real gentle as I normally see a nice ray down there chillin.

And I will show my ingnornace.....what is ziplining?

 

[UtahGetMe2]

Thanks for the clarification. Although I am certified to 60' I wasn't sure if the PAMIR would be a good choice because I thought the bottom might be deeper than that.

Ziplining is when you are in a harness that hooks onto a cord that is attached between the tops of two trees and by gravity you "zip" from the higher point to the lower point and can get going pretty fast. Here is a quick example:

YouTube - Arenal Volcano Zip Line, Costa Rica - Half MileZip Line

This is the website of the company if you are interested. They are located in St. Thomas.

http://aerialtrek.com/

 

[Jeeptrick]

I have not been to the cement plant but a woman who has published a book about dive sites in Barbados likes to dive there. Google diving in Barbados and you should find the book. Authors name is Lucy Agace I think.

 

[UtahGetMe2]

I have not been to the cement plant but a woman who has published a book about dive sites in Barbados likes to dive there. Google diving in Barbados and you should find the book. Authors name is Lucy Agace I think.

Thanks for the suggestion.