Operator recommendations: Antigua, Dominica, Barbados

[BigDaddyGlad]

I've got an 11-day cruise coming up in December with stops in St. Maarten, Antigua, St. Lucia, Barbados, Dominica & St. Kitts . I've got dive shops in some of those which I've used before, but I'm looking for recommendations for Antigua, Dominica and Barbados. I understand the cruise terminals might not be close to the diving sites, so operators would need to be accustomed to dealing with cruise passengers.

Whatcha got?

 

[Wants2divemore]

I like Antigua Scuba School. Here's my brief review from when I dove with them Jan 29, 2023.

Trip Report Thread 'Antigua Scuba School - Antigua'

Feb 5, 2023

I was in Antigua on Jan 29th on a cruise and dove with ASS.

Bottom line: Good experience, would dive with again.

Meeting location: Jolly Harbour (25 minute taxi ride from cruise pier).

Boat: 6 divers max, covered deck area, no restroom.

Briefing: Covered boat safety and dive plan.

Dive sites dove (they have many different ones, decide which ones to dive the day of):
Lobster ledge: Reef dive with lots of marine life, 70’ depth
Coral alley: Reef dive with lots of marine life, 50’ depth

Dives: Group dive of 6 divers with 2 guides. No buddies established, just everyone stayed somewhat...

• Wants2divemore
• Replies: 2
• Forum: Lesser Antilles

• 

 

[jonhall]

Whatcha got?

Not sure that any op in Antigua has transportation included in their package and dive ops aren't near the cruise ships. The closest dive ops from the cruise ship pier are in Jolly Harbor, which is about a 20-25 minute taxi ride (about 6 ½ miles.)

Indigo Divers was good with communication. Even though there is a small office in the marina that doubles as tour sales, Pats does all business through her cell phone, which is how I set all dives up. You meet at the boat which is docked close to a restaurant in the marina. Payment is made on the boat, which takes out a max of 8 divers - usually had 2 DMs on the boat.

Timewise, there shouldn't be a problem getting back to the cruise ship. I actually stayed near Jolly Harbor and there were cruise ship excursions near Jolly Beach (beach days) which were still going on when I returned from diving.

Contact info for Indigo Divers is below:

Indigo Divers – PADI Scuba Shop, Antigua

indigo-divers.com

info@indigo-divers.com
(268) 562-3483 (also WhatsApp)

 

[Wants2divemore]

One other thing is that Antigua doesn't observe daylight savings time. You should check to see if the port times are based on local time so you're not off by an hour.

 

[jmark18]

Barbados Blue will pick you up and return you to the dock. Message Oschelle on their Whats App number

 

[Altamira]

One other thing is that Antigua doesn't observe daylight savings time. You should check to see if the port times are based on local time so you're not off by an hour.

The OP's cruise is in December, so DST is not going to be a factor.