St. Maarten dive report

[mac66]

Was in St. Maarten on the RCI Allure last week and booked a two tank dive through Aqua Mania/Dive Adventures. Their shop is a short walk (10 minutes) from the port.

Interestingly enough there was a group going out at the same time who booked through the two ships in port. There were 12 people on that boat. Our boat have five divers on it. I was off one of the ships but booked it privately.

The seas were pretty rough/high waves and the current was pretty strong but we got in two dives, one was Jib Jab, the other was Gregory.

The DM did a good job of keeping us together in that this was my first certified dive. I enjoyed it and had no problem keeping up with the other divers.

I also got a chance to try out my new/cheap (Neosport ) 3m full wetsuit and booties. When i did my open water classes i froze in the water using a shorty, so i picked up a full wetsuit to use. I will probably only dive on cruises 2-3 times a year so i didnt need an expensive WS. I was very comfortable in it.

 

[Diver below 83]

Was in St. Maarten on the RCI Allure last week and booked a two tank dive through Aqua Mania/Dive Adventures. Their shop is a short walk (10 minutes) from the port.

Interestingly enough there was a group going out at the same time who booked through the two ships in port. There were 12 people on that boat. Our boat have five divers on it. I was off one of the ships but booked it privately.

The seas were pretty rough/high waves and the current was pretty strong but we got in two dives, one was Jib Jab, the other was Gregory.

The DM did a good job of keeping us together in that this was my first certified dive. I enjoyed it and had no problem keeping up with the other divers.

I also got a chance to try out my new/cheap (Neosport ) 3m full wetsuit and booties. When i did my open water classes i froze in the water using a shorty, so i picked up a full wetsuit to use. I will probably only dive on cruises 2-3 times a year so i didnt need an expensive WS. I was very comfortable in it.

Did my dive in December with dive adventure. I was on symphony. We did the fish bowl and I forgot the second sight. The seas were super rough. The second we left the the protection of the island 13 out of 14 of us on the boat got sick. I made it through the first dive but fed the fishes a few times. The second dive I tried to do but just couldn’t stop throwing up in the water.

 

[Snoweman]

How was the sea life? Lots of fish and brilliant coral, or was it (still) devastated from the hurricane?

 

[Diver below 83]

How was the sea life? Lots of fish and brilliant coral, or was it (still) devastated from the hurricane?

We had a good amount of fish and smaller sharks. Couple rays. Coral was ok.

 

[mac66]

The sea was pretty rough. I've sailed on racing sailboats in rough seas but this was the first time i ever felt woozy. I never got sick but was better when i got back in the water after the first dive.

Saw sharks and turtles, some large schools of fish but nothing special.

I also got a chance to try out my SJ6 Legend camera. It's kind of a GoPro clone. It took great video but i had forgotten to change out the SD card in it before diving. The card was almost full so I only got about 20 mins on the card. Rookie mistake, i'll do better next time.