St Lucia Diving and Vacation

[diveprof]

The DM requirement for shore diving is consistent with their requirement that everyone do a checkout shore dive regardless of cert level or how recently they did their last dive. Scuba St Lucia errs on the side of caution.

They may say the reason is for safety. However, I believe that it is a financial one. I can accept requiring a checkout shore dive at the beginning of your stay (though I'm not sold on the idea that it needs to be for everyone, regardless of cert level or most recent dive). Bonaire dive ops have done this for years. I appreciate that for divers who dive infrequently or who have minimal dives, this is a good thing. They can get their weighting correct, practice skills, get comfortable again before beginning the boat dives. However, I do have a beef with the idea that on any future shore dives a dive master is required. This make me think that this is a $$$ thing.

 

[hobodiver]

I seem to recall reading somewhere that it was a St. Lucia law that required a DM on any dive. If you get the 10 dive package, it's only $30/dive, so it's not bad really. There may also be strong currents occasionally, so they don't want inexperienced divers being swept away.

There is also no re-compression chamber in St. Lucia, although they are supposed to be getting one soon I think.

 

[diveprof]

I seem to recall reading somewhere that it was a St. Lucia law that required a DM on any dive. If you get the 10 dive package, it's only $30/dive, so it's not bad really. There may also be strong currents occasionally, so they don't want inexperienced divers being swept away.

There is also no re-compression chamber in St. Lucia, although they are supposed to be getting one soon I think.

I believe that you are correct about it being a law (heard that also), but that doesn't make it right or inherently more safe. When shore diving, I want to dive when I want to dive. I had ten times more dives than the divemaster leading my group and he was low on air and calling the shore dive after 45 minutes. I did not feel "safer," just annoyed (1600 psi and plenty of computer time left). The dive shop has a set schedule for shore dives (that limits bottom time also). If I want to do a 11pm night dive, why not? Diving in St. Lucia is "handholding" diving and that is my biggest complaint. St. Lucia is one of the most beautiful islands above the waterline and a nice dive spot too. Just wish they would get onboard with the rest of the diving world.

 

[Damselfish]

Yes, I've also heard it's a St. Lucia rule or law too And everything I hear also makes me believe it is misguided. It's prevented me from considering a trip there.

 

[chadbeck]

now I didnt dive with the op you are speaking of but just return from a trip down there. I was on a cruise ship and did some diving with frogs. There was no check out dive with them. They had 8 people in the group they simply looked what everyone in the group had done before and split according to that. There was no time limit set for the dive just based on air all 3 of my dives were over 60mins. The diving did have some currents on supermans flight but the other 2 were very easy dives with some wonderful color and small fish life. They do however check dive boats the "police" or whatever they are came around to all dive boats to collect the $15 fee for diving in the marine pack. All in all I would go back in a second just some really nice diving.

 

[Torontonian]

I also dove St. Lucia, on a cruise ship stop.

Scuba St. Lucia there told me NO exceptions. Everyone needs to do a check out dive, where they make sure you know how to clear your mask, and retrieve regulator. It doesn't matter what cert. level I have, or that I'd have dove in Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, Dominica, and Barbados, before St. Lucia. That checkout dive is your first dive (of two) with them. After that I can go on the boat dive. What then kills the possible arrangement with them, is even if they take my booking (with deposit), they said resort guests are the priority. If that day they get resort guests, then they cannot take me. Good for the resort guests, but bad for anyone else who want to make advanced booking with them.


Dive Fair Helen did not require me to have a check out dive. We went to Superman's Flight for our first dive. It was great.

 

[Pelagicus]

I agree that the mandatory checkout is overkill. They should either believe you or not regarding your dive log or last dive. Besides, you have to sign your life away anyway in order to dive. Furthermore, I consider all the boat dives to be relatively easy and the currents very mild (no tow line required). I'm sure if the currents are strong, they wouldn't even go to that location.

 

[petermichelle]

We just got back from St Lucia and were at Sandals Regency. I would not recommend Sandals for any reason but most particularly not for divers. Very boring diving and bored DMs. We stopped in one day at Marigot Bay and talked to the folks at Dive Fair Helen on Marigot Beach. They looked more our style and things sounded good. Tripadvisor.com reviews are good. I can't vouch for them personally but might be worth checking out. The resort there is definitely not 5 star if that's what you're looking for though.

 

[Eastbayfe]

My wife and I vacationed there some years ago. We stayed at Marigot Bay and enjoyed the beach. We snorkeled there and at the marine park below the Pitons. We hired a small boat which took us to the capital port and on another day a town further south. We had a great time.

 

[Tim Ingersoll]

I was there in 2000 or so and dove with the Anse Chastanet dive op. The mandatory checkout dive was on the reef right in front of the resort and was one of the best dives of the week. We saw a ton of stuff and thoroughly enjoyed the dive. Saw it as an opportunity not a hassle. Makes life a lot easier.