Best island to dive: St. Maarten, Barbados, St. Lucia?

[Swimnut]

I am taking a similar cruise in December. The following ports: St. Thomas, St. Martin, Antigua, St. Lucia and Barbados. I have the same dilemma that you did. I can pick 2 or maybe 3 to dive at - what was your conclusion?

 

[kpdivers]

Out of your list we dove in St Maarten and had 2 great dives. Would recomment Ocean Explorers, they only take 6 out at a time. Ask to do the old Phillipsburg bridge dive. This dive will allow you to explore three sites on one dive. There is a reef, a small wreck and the the old bridge. The caribbean always allows you to feel like a fish in a bowl, but once your on the old bridge, you'll feel like your in an overstocked fish bowl. Everythign and anything will be seen there all in under 55'. Ocean explorers even videos most o fthe dives and at the end you can watch it in the shop, buy then or e-mail them later and they will send it to you...no pressure! Enjoy

 

[Swimnut]

Thanks,
I'm writing that down so I don't forget. I have never been on a cruise before, do they give you choices on what charter you use or do you just take what you get?

 

[Torontonian]

I always book privately, rather than through ship's excursion.

Just to give you an example. Two years ago I inquired with Costa Maya dive shops. One of them gave some price. A few weeks later, they said they just signed a contract with Carnival. They cannot sign me up because I'm a cruiser, and they asked me to sign up thru Carnival. Thru Carnival the price is double. I ended up with a different dive shop, and had good dives. The DM of the second dive was the previous owner of the shop that signed with Carnival.

I've also heard stories of people who signed up with the ship's excursion. They are almost always cattleboats, and a DM leading many people, many of whom are beginners or near beginners. So if that's the kind of dive you like, sign up with the ship. Or else do some research and book privately.