Fiesta Americana Dive Shop?

[Divedoggie]

I could only book 2 days with BlueXTSea. I'm staying at the FA, and have been looking into a few different options for the 3 days not with BlueXTSea.
It would be convenient and flexible to dive with the dive shop at FA, but do they run cattle boats? Are prices competitive? etc?

 

[d56nut]

I could only book 2 days with BlueXTSea. I'm staying at the FA, and have been looking into a few different options for the 3 days not with BlueXTSea.
It would be convenient and flexible to dive with the dive shop at FA, but do they run cattle boats? Are prices competitive? etc?

We dove with Dive House at Fiesta Americana 3 times last year and absolutely loved them. Yes, their boats are much bigger than BlueXTSea. We also dove with BlueXTSea last year. Two totally different operations. We love them both. BlueXTSea is wonderful with their small boat and small groups. Dive House is also great. We don't mind the big boats at all. A relaxing ride to the sites...a bit longer of a ride than the small boats. More room to get set up. There really aren't a lot of limits on bottom time. We stayed down til we hit 700 psi. When the first person hit 700 they sent that buddy team up and the rest stayed down. The DM's are great. We had anywhere from 6 to 14 divers each day. If there were more than 8 divers then there was also more than one DM and you are split into groups. Now, if you hate big boats and relaxing rides you need to find a smaller op. You'll love Christi's BlueXTSea...no doubt about it. Her operation is amazing...you'll be spoiled. Dive House just depends on your likes and dislikes. It's nice that they are right there at the hotel. You can come back from your dive, walk 10 feet and you will be in the restuarant for lunch! Whatever you decide...just relax and have fun! Hope this helped some!

 

[RTodd]

I could only book 2 days with BlueXTSea. I'm staying at the FA, and have been looking into a few different options for the 3 days not with BlueXTSea.
It would be convenient and flexible to dive with the dive shop at FA, but do they run cattle boats? Are prices competitive? etc?

Dive House is one of the larger operations on the island. They are far less flexible and specialize in divers happy to do the traditional 80 for 30, 1 hour SI, 60 for 40 profile. There is generally some leeway, but it is nothing compared to what the smaller operations allow. All in what you want.

 

[Divedoggie]

d56nut, RTodd,
Thanks for the input. I may just wait until we get there and see how crowded the FA is and if tons of folks are signing up with Dive House. If so, we may go with Bottomtime divers, if not maybe we'll go with Dive House. I just may need to make a committment to Bottomtime sooner rather than later.

 

[RLarsen]

Deep Blue is often highly recommended. I was impressed by their courtesy and friendly attention to detail. The DMs' my group dove with took us on great dives and treated us like friends. Aldora Divers and Living Underwater are also popular for quality diving.
Rex

 

[5615mike]

I always stay at FA and we dive with Aldora, www.aldora.com. Great operation.

 

[rje634]

Dive House is a large Op but they do group you based on experience and the cattle boats tend to be for the beginners. We dove with them with the advanced boat and had at most 8 divers and as little as 4. When there was 8 divers there was two DMs and they split us into groups of 4. I'd use them again especially if we were staying at the FA, it is very convienent to roll out of bed and walk to the dock!!
If you use them, Eddie is a great DM..

 

[Divedoggie]

Thanks everyone!
Some of you like Dive House, so I will give it a try.
I have 3 days not booked with BlueXTSea so I think that I will use Dive House for the first one. If its not my cup of tea, then I can try for Bottom Time, Aldora, Deep Blue, Living underwater, or one of the others recommended on the board.