Sweet bottom dive shop at Carambola Resort St. Croix? Any opinions?

[rashdecision]

We are cruising to St. Croix in March for a day and I dive but the wife and children do not. We are considering an excersion to Carambola beach resort where they have a dive shop on the beach to dive their wall. I thought a day on the sand with the kids while I dove from the beach would be a nice compromise so I don't abandon the family at each port to dive. Has anyone used this dive group and how is the diving from the beach? Im lost on this one and would greatly appreciate the help! I considered Cane Bay Dive shop but it is over a mile away from the resort and transportation may be an issue and the hope was to be near the kids and wife between dives.

 

[Mayor]

I used S.C.U.B.A and had a great time!

World class scuba diving under the US flag on St Croix Virgin Islands where you can dive the largest living reef of any Caribbean island info on snorkeling hotels beaches watersports car rentals accommodations and scuba diving

 

[rashdecision]

is S.C.U.B.A. near the carambola resort? I was hoping to dive directly from the beach while the wife is with the kids on the beach. I see no reports about "Sweet Bottom Dive Shop". I suspect they are new but hoping someone has the 411 on them. Thanks and I will look into S.C.U.B.A.

 

[mitsuguy]

is S.C.U.B.A. near the carambola resort? I was hoping to dive directly from the beach while the wife is with the kids on the beach. I see no reports about "Sweet Bottom Dive Shop". I suspect they are new but hoping someone has the 411 on them. Thanks and I will look into S.C.U.B.A.

There are no reports about them because they are a brand new operation and do not have a dive boat.

Cane Bay Dive Shop is just a little ways down the road, and also has a dive shop at Carambola. Transportation to/from Cane Bay (which has a nice beach as well) is free from Carambola and the dive at Cane Bay is much nicer than the dive at Carambola. It is typically, though not always, calmer waters a Cane Bay than Davis Bay (Carambola).

Cane Bay Dive Shop also offers excursions from Frederiksted much cheaper than you will get from the cruise ship for something similar... For instance, if you make reservations in advance with Cane Bay, we will pick you (and the fam) up at our store in Frederiksted, bring you to Cane Bay, which is a nice beach (not as nice as Carambola's admittedly, but the diving / snorkeling is better), and they can get snorkeling gear, hang at the beach on our nice chairs (the same ones Carambola has), and eat at one of three restaurants, one on the beach, one across the street from the beach, and one two blocks down the street... Scuba Dive St Croix, Cane Bay Dive Shop,dive St Croix with the best St Croix dive packages

 

[marine9]

I agree, Cane Bay is really the way to go.
We dove with them last year (2009), and
they are very very good people and the
price is right!
I had attempted to get me wife to dive for
years, but Cane Bay talked her into it and
now she loves it!
Enjoy your trip.

 

[rashdecision]

There are no reports about them because they are a brand new operation and do not have a dive boat.

Cane Bay Dive Shop is just a little ways down the road, and also has a dive shop at Carambola. Transportation to/from Cane Bay (which has a nice beach as well) is free from Carambola and the dive at Cane Bay is much nicer than the dive at Carambola. It is typically, though not always, calmer waters a Cane Bay than Davis Bay (Carambola).

Cane Bay Dive Shop also offers excursions from Frederiksted much cheaper than you will get from the cruise ship for something similar... For instance, if you make reservations in advance with Cane Bay, we will pick you (and the fam) up at our store in Frederiksted, bring you to Cane Bay, which is a nice beach (not as nice as Carambola's admittedly, but the diving / snorkeling is better), and they can get snorkeling gear, hang at the beach on our nice chairs (the same ones Carambola has), and eat at one of three restaurants, one on the beach, one across the street from the beach, and one two blocks down the street... Scuba Dive St Croix, Cane Bay Dive Shop,dive St Croix with the best St Croix dive packages

I think the wife is sold on Carambola since it also has the pool and beach but I think I may set up my excursion to dive with Cane Bay in the morning and then possibly an afternoon dive with the wife with Carambola on the beach. She still needs to finish up her 3rd and 4th dive for her open water cert. As long as there is transportation for me back to Carambola, I think it will work out. I will try to contact the Cane Bay Divers directly to inquire. Thanks again for all the help. I am really excited to get wet again. The dive group I use in St. Thomas (Blue Island Divers) strongly recommended Cane Bay as well and had similar comments about the dive conditions.

 

[Doc]

We are cruising to St. Croix in March for a day.... an excersion to Carambola....a dive shop on the beach to dive their wall. Has anyone... how is the diving from the beach?

In general, I like the diving on the North side of the island much better than the deeper stark environment of the S/W side (around the corner from where the cruise ship dock is in Freidrikstadt). The S/W is where you will find well known dives sites such as Armageddon or the 5 closely placed wrecks. Some pix: Nekton pictures by Doc_Adelman - Photobucket

It's an assumption that you are talking about the North side when you make reference to Carambola, as they have a few locations- the one I think you are referring to is called "Cane Bay Dive Shop". I have never shore dived from there, but I have done a boat dive and almost made a shore exit while going so shallow.

That entire zone is a delight. Go find the "Carousel Horse"!

Understand that a cab ride can cost $4 for a local (or when the cruise ship isn't in), but cruise ship visitors can get hit for $45.

For my money, I would stay in Freidrikstadt and dive under the cruise ship pier... if they let you do that while a ship is in port.

You can see many critters that are only normally seen at night... bring a flashlight, go slowly and stay shallower than 45'. If you dive the pier, you can stay near the tourist center and see an amazingly different view of the Caribbean.

Yes, I know... diving under the Cruise Ship Pier... sounded pretty awful to me as well- until I tried it... plus four more times !

 

[rashdecision]

sounds exciting. The Carambola is was referring to was the Carambola resort which has a dive shop assoc with it called Sweet bottom dive shop. My hope is to mix a little family with a little bubble making.

 

[STXsoon]

Sweet Bottoms is brand new. I was just on St croix to see about relocating there and ended up spending alot of time at Carambola. It sounds perfect for what you plan to do. The shore dive is easy and pretty good. The beach is beatuiful and feels like a secluded resort. If you call ahead, you could probably set up your wife's remaining Open Water dives, too.
They have no boat, but teach classes and set people up with either Anchor Dive Center (to the East) or N2 the Blue (to the West) for boats dives. They're good people.
Cane Bay and S.C.U.B.A. are definitely the big dogs down there and might be the way to go for a full-on dive trip, but for what you have in mind I think Sweet Bottoms will suit your needs to a tee.

 

[marine9]

I would stay in Freidrikstadt and dive under the cruise ship pier... if they let you do that while a ship is in port.

Sorry RoatanMan - great idea, but Homeland Security will not allow
diving at the pier while a cruise ship is in port.

But the pier does make for a great dive - day or night!