St. Thomas - not just the diving, but moving there!

[grouchyturtle]

St. Thomas is on the short list of places that I'd really like to run away to...especially after talking to a charter captain, who confirmed that you can actually make a living walking the beach and asking people, "Are you for Scuba?" Just like the movie.

I'm looking for any kind of advice on what it would take to a boat bum on a US flagged vessel to move down there.
Cost of living, any anchoring requirements/restrictions, or marina costs, etc.

Also, does anyone know what would it take to start up a 6 pack charter (not necessarily diving...but maybe that too)?
What are the requirements?

I'm a USCG 50 ton master, with a 34' cat. The boat already meets all USCG requirements for a UPV.
Changing insurance is no problem, but what are the USVI's requirements?

If you could at least point me in the right direction that would much appreciated.

 

[Rhone Man]

St. Thomas is on the short list of places that I'd really like to run away to...especially after talking to a charter captain, who confirmed that you can actually make a living walking the beach and asking people, "Are you for Scuba?" Just like the movie.

You can make a living, albeit not a hugely lucrative one

Seriously though, the USVI is a nice enough place to live, although if I had my choice, I'd live on St John rather than St Thomas. St Thomas is just a lot busier, and (frankly) has more crime.

Rather than starting your own new dive business, I'd suggest buying one of the existing ones. They seem to change ownership on a reasonably frequent basis. That way you have existing staff, goodwill and equipment in hand, not to mention all the relevant licences and permits.

If you are serious, travel down, take a look around and see what you think. Caribbean lifestyle is not for everyone (especially come hurricane season), but if you like it, then there is nothing else quite like it.

 

[grouchyturtle]

Really! You're the first one who's said that. I have a friend who lived in St. Thomas for a few years, and loved it. Out of everyplace I've mentioned, and out of all the USVIs, he said St. Thomas is where I need to go. I also met another captain a few months back, who told me St. Thomas is the best choice if you're going to try to do day charters. Also St. Thomas has the best hurricane hole...but maybe I'd chicken out and run South for the season.

Crime! Ehh...I caught someone trying to steal my dinghy right here just last night. Can't be any worse than here. In Miami they'd steal a used diaper if it wasn't bolted down.

Buy a business? There's a large misconception that people with boats are rich. Most of us just used to have money. Besides, I'm not interested in running a shop or managing employees. I just want to charter my own boat. Not even 100% sure if I'll do diving yet, if I do I'll prob rent tanks from one of the shops. I'm not looking to make a lucrative living, just enough so I can continue living like a pirate...while somewhere nicer than where I am now.

 

[DeputyDan]

You may want to send a PM to Bratface.
She is a registered nurse who is currently living there.

 

[Rhone Man]

There are actually quite a few St Thomians on the board (and few from St Croix, not sure about St John). But many of them either work for or own dive shops, so they may be less encouraging (who wants more competition)?

I hope you do make the move, grunzster, and I wish you all the very best of luck. If you make it up to the BVIs at any point, drop me a PM.

 

[grouchyturtle]

Then I guess I'll have to do everything except diving, so I don't compete. Then maybe they'll help. Hmmm...or maybe one of them is hiring a captain?

I also know a newbie to St. Croix, who I'm going to shoot a message to.

I'm sure I'll make it your way eventually. The rough plan is to make someplace down there home base. Hopefully someplace where it won't be too much of a PITA for me to charter...and where I won't go too broke. And then cruise around to all the other islands.

 

[DebbyDiver]

You shouldn't go too broke if you're off the grid, living on your boat. The WAPA bills are killing us on land!

Looking forward to seeing you again, Chris!

 

[grouchyturtle]

Well...I was going to send a message on fb, but since you're here. What made you pick St. Croix over St Thomas or another island? Was it for obvious reasons, or did you already have it in mind?

As you can see, I'm getting mixed reviews. I also met another liveaboard, who worked as a delivery captain all over the Caribbean, and her vote was for St Croix too. She said St. Thomas is too commercialized and touristy. But if I'm going to try chartering, that is kind of what I need...unless this whole photography thing actually takes off. :laughing:

 

[DebbyDiver]

It's because my significant other had already lived here for 35 years and doesn't want to leave his awesome job for a few more years. As you know, we met here on ScubaBoard and after nearly a year of visiting back and forth, I changed my life plans from retiring ten years early and moving to Key Largo, to retiring ten years early and moving to the Caribbean. I believe I made the correct decision.

He originally moved from NYC to Puerto Rico in the late seventies, but ended up on STX within about a year. He's had a great life fishing, teaching diving, running dive shops, captaining dive boats and the high speed inter-island ferry, and has been a tug captain for about 25 years. STT is WAY too crowded for him (it's like Miami but with horrific roads) and STJ likely didn't offer the opportunities he needed. The benefit of it being a US territory made it easier than moving to the BVIs. He also believes the diving here is far superior.

I prefer it because it's an English speaking island (more or less...many people's Crucian accents are very difficult for me to understand) and it's a lot easier to drive around, it's much less crowded, and there isn't that much tourism compared to all the cruise ships that dock at STT. We get a few a month in season at most. The small town life is great for us and we have many friends who we socialize with frequently. The restaurants are fantastic and you can find live music somewhere any night of the week. Many residents are artists and/or musicians (Tom is both).

There are people making it in the charter business here, some with more than one boat, mostly sailing to Buck Island for a day of snorkeling and picknicking, or sunset cruises, or weddings.

The dive business is pretty much covered. I strongly considered paying up my instructor insurance and decided that there was just too much competition. However, you may be able to secure a job driving a dive shop's boat. Or the ferry from the Christiansted boardwalk to Hotel on the Cay. We just beach dive or kayak dive as the reefs and wall are so close to shore.

Life is great for us, but it isn't for everyone. Come on down for a visit, you're always welcome.

 

[Bratface]

I sent you a PM. Living on St John would be difficult. Not enough work chartering. STT has lots of visitors and lots of cruise ships. Plenty of people like to get on a private boat and go around St John, snorkel, eat lunch, drink rum and sometimes get naked (can't do that on most commercial charters). Some want to go fishing. You wouldn't necessarily have to take them diving. There are some places to tie up at Benner Bay, some at Sapphire Marina (more expensive, but more tourist at the resort). I live on the Northside away from the crowd. Anyhow, sounds like you know how to make your dreams come true. Check out my PM and let me know what info would help the most.