Best Diving? Pick 2 please: St.Lucia,Antigua,St Maarten,St Croix -Hurrican Affected?

[eastsider88]

Hi,

Leaving for a Southern Caribbean cruise this Sunday from San Juan. I will stop in the following islands but can only probably dive at 2 maybe 3 of these islands as my wife doesn't want to dive.

Please suggest the best 2 o 3 must dive spots. Also a reliable dive shop if you know of one.

Also, given that Hurrican Thomas just passed through - what issues would impact the diving? e.g. I heard St Lucia has great marine life but their roads was were badly damaged.

• St. Lucia
• Barbados
• Antigua
• St. Maarten
• St. Croix

Thanks in advance!

Kevin

 

[Tool Belt]

Sorry, know nothing of the hurricanes. Cane Bay on St Croix absolutely is a must. Also dove Barbados and St Martin, neither was anything much.

 

[stcroixscuba]

Thankfully we (St. Croix) haven't been affected by any storms this year (I'm knocking on wood with one hand while typing with the other). I'm guessing you're on the RCI ship Adventure. St. Lucia and St. Croix are the two best islands for diving on their itinerary. I don't know how St. Lucia's dive operators fared in Tomas which passed over them last week.

As for St. Croix, as you may guess from my screen name here I do know quite a bit about it. I own and operate St. Croix Ultimate Bluewater Adventures (SCUBA). We have two dive custom dive boats including one right by the Pier where the cruise ship docks. You're smart to be looking for dive operators separate from the ship. You'll usually save money and not be herded around.

Our west end dive boat (the one by the Pier) dives the wrecks (there's 5) and some pristine reefs. Our northshore boat dives the wall (it drops 13,200 feet) and reefs (including the 2nd longest barrier reef in the Caribbean).

I'm not sure it's politically correct for me to put a link to our wetsite here but by Googling our name you'll find the site and there's a section all about diving for guest arriving by cruise ship.

Even if you don't choose us, you'll have a great time diving on St. Croix as the diving here is awesome. Have a great cruise!