St Croix for new divers?

[DIN]

My girlfriend and I will be taking a week-long trip this summer - probably to St Criox, but thats not set in stone - and would appreciate some tips.

We're new divers, but plan on diving at least daily, though we're active and will spend the non-diving time with other sports.

Anyone have experience with the Buccaneer or the Divi Carina Bay Resort (we've heard good things about both)? Or all-inclusive - I'd prefer that.

Thanks in advance for all the help -

David

 

[happyrox]

The divi is at the wrong end of the island for diving. Contact http://www.n2blue.com/ Speak with Derick or Anna. They usaually can do packages. Diving is beautiful here and very diverse there are dive sites for any level

 

[colo_diver]

We had a great time with Sue and Dave and Dan and Gary at Scuba Shack. The week we were there they had a new student and everything was wonderful they were patient and had all the time for the student and a leader for the rest of us. Just a very well run shop and a great beach bar right next door

 

[_Bella_]

You can actually dive outside the the reef at Divi. In fact, there is a dive shop at the resort. It used to be run by Anchor Dive but has now been taken over by the folks from Cane Bay dive shop. The diving there is shallow and not particularly spectacular, but is available.

I would suggest you contact several shops and compare. There are a few main popular dive areas on the island and I find that a particular shop will only dive a relatively small area (example: derek, scuba west, and scuba shack only dive the west end, or the christiansted shops only diving the north shore.) If you deal with a couple of different shops you'll have a chance to dive everything from the north shore wall, to the west end wrecks and reefs and pier.
There is a fairly comprehensive list of numbers and info here.

 

[TheRedHead]

I second N2theBlue! Derick and Anne will tailor the diving to you skill level and preferences. Small 6-pack, no diesel fumes. I also like Cane Bay Dive Shop for renting tanks and shore diving. But Bella is right in that if you want to get a complete sample of dive sites, you should try several shops around the island as they seem to specialize.

 

[CobaltDiver]

I agree with N2 the blue. Wonderful for the West end. I recommend Dive Experience in Christiansted. www.divexp.com Michelle, the owner, has been on island for 28 years and is extremely knowledgable. Packages are available, as is nitrox. Just finished an amazing night dive at Eagle Ray. The coral biolumenescence was amazing.