Disney St. Thomas, St. Maarten

[Tom The Sailor]

Can't speak for St. Maartin but I can definitely answer questions about St. Thomas (I live there!) If you're brand new to diving, go with the shore excursion that Disney tells you about. Its with Underwater Safari and goes to Shipwreck Cove on Buck Island typically. The wreck is about 35' at its deepest point (there will be snorkelers above you while at the wreck) but I believe they take you a little deeper outside the cove where you might get a chance to see some bigger things.

That being said, if you're not an absolute beginner, definitely check out Blue Water Divers and Admiralty Dive Shop. Both tend to go to more adventurous dive sites and will be much more private. Hope that helps! PM me if you have any more questions.

~Tom~

 

[drrich2]

My wife & I had a very positive experience with Admiralty Dive in St. Thomas. They offer group dive outings, and you also have the option to do a private charter. Depending on your funds & interest, might be worth checking into. They're located in a Holiday Inn, but Duane came & picked us up near where our cruise ship docked (it was on our honeymoon).

Richard.

 

[ontario-diver]

We Just got back from the same cruise. I decided to snorkel with the family since I am the only diver. I was going to dive and did some research, I will give you the rundown. By the way, when we went to get on one of our excursions, the scuba was just before us, we had to meet in one of the restaraunts, there was only one person going diving.
They say St Maartin isn't the best diving due to choppy water. Disney says that the op they use 1 divemaster per 6 divers. 2 ops that are recommended if you want to book on your own are DiveSafaris 599-542-9001 or Aqua Mania 599-544-2640.
They say St Thomas is better diving than St Maartin. If you want to book on your own, they recommend Coki Beach Dive Club 800-474-2654.

Most of the divers enjoyed the dives that disney put on and they were comfortable knowing that the ship would not leave without them should they run into trouble and are late.

If you book on your own and you are late, they WILL leave without you, which almost happened leaving St Thomas---they had the stairs on the lift truck when the guy pulled up about a half hour late.

I decided not to dive and to do the snorkling, we did the Golden Eagle Catamaran in St Maartin and the Doubloon Sail and Snorkel in St Thomas, both excellent.

During our stay at Castaway Cay, Disney's private Island, there is no diving, just snorkling. They have a man made lagoon with sunken goodies for you to look at while snorkling, water was clear, over 100 foot Viz, very relaxing.

Dive trip planned in 3 weeks to Cozumel, thats why I snorkled with disney.

Have Fun---We Did

 

[MarkThomas]

I Just came back from St Maarten and dove with a very nice dive operator, Ocean Explorers, they only take small groups where you take you time, did some cool dives, we went to this place called Samson's Reef, nurse sharks, green eel, lobster, crab, two turtles, they say one of them is called Angelina!

 

[DonWinchester]

Thanks, all. I've gotten some good info and plan to do some more research before signing up. I appreciate your time to help.

Thanks, again.