Tobago/St Lucia dive sites for Newbie

[Joanne Hughes]

I am going to Tobago and St Lucia in July, could anyone recommend a good dive operator and sites for a Newbie. I should have got my PADI OW by the time I go out there. Also, any experience of the Hammerhead shark dive in Tobago and is it for a novice? Any advice would be great

 

[Doc]

I am going to Tobago and St Lucia in July, could anyone recommend a good dive operator and sites for a Newbie. I should have got my PADI OW by the time I go out there. Also, any experience of the Hammerhead shark dive in Tobago and is it for a novice? Any advice would be great

I have been to Tobago several times, but I don't know of a specific shark dive. By any deffinition, the observable habitat of a Hammerhead is deep (80-120') and in the rush of a ripping good current. This is readily available on Tobago.

There is more to a diver's "status" as experienced or newbie than one might imagine. First let me say that you can do Tobago as a 'resort course' diver. In places, it is a veritable "pool" wher you flop in the beautiful blue and they haul you out.

In other places it can be a swirling mass on the surface that looks like whitewater, or maybe quite placidly hiding the currents below. Your DM will know. Are you taking a hard look at entries. No giant strides with hand holds here. Backrolls into the current, negatively buoyant if you can, or an ultra quick descent if not. Otherwise you are seperated from your DM, period. Are you adept at surface signalling skills, and buying a safety sausage is not a skill.

In Tobago, I would advise that you go to one of the many day dive ops right near the airport at Pidgeon Point and- after telling them about your skills and concerns, take a look at their boat. Pick the one you like, but know this- keep Tobago on your list for a return visit once you've sorted yourself out. The Northern towns such as Speyside and Charlottesville is a great training ground for the Galapagos.

 

[Joanne Hughes]

Thanks for your advice, yes I shall look around and go for one of the Pigeon Point dives I think and explain Im new to diving. I love Tobago. I think the Hammerhead dive is around somewhere called the Sisters but dont know much more. I have seen fishing reports on some websites that they are caught regularly a few metres off shore (small ones) in many places but ive never seen any snorkelling - maybe the locals keep it quiet!

 

[MarkUK]

I'd contact World of Watersports. They are based out of the Hilton, but have an office/shop down towards Pigeon Point area. They are a PADI five-star centre and have a decent-sized boat. They would be a good choice for a newbie, and the dives near them are suitable for anyone.

As Doc said, Tobago offers everything from calm, clear waters (south of the island) to swirling vortexs (Speyside), so it should be on your list for a return visit.

The 'hammerhead dive' is The Sisters. This is a good 45-minute boat ride in sometimes rough conditions, and the dive is only suitable for advanced or above, as it is quite deep and there can be some strong currents. The Sisters are a series of pinnacles rising up from the depths on the western side of the island.

Mark

 

[AZLAR]

I was diving in St. Lucia last summer....used "Dive Fair Helen"..good operator, friendly personable. They'll probably take you down the coast to The Pinnacles near Soufriere. enjoy!

 

[1fastcat]

I just returned from St Lucia January 8th. Prior to leaving I contacted via e-mail numerous dive shops, and had selected Dive Fair Helen - They were absolutely the right choice.

We stayed at the Caribbean Jewel in Rodney Bay (great hotel). In the north side of the island, they're are numerous dive ops Frogs, Buddies, Sandals etc. Dive Fair Helen is located in Marigot Bay. I met about a dozen divers during my two weeks on the island, so I got a fairly large sampling of dive experiences.

Note - All of St Lucia requires Dive op supervised dives, no glove, no knife. That makes it critical to choose the right dive op.

Frogs seemed to be the worst - 34 and 41 min bottom times, small boats, and aborted trips to the Pitons.

Buddies comments were "ok, but I wouldn't use them again.

Resort dive ops - "Made me do an orientation (beginner) dive even though I am a rescue diver". "20 people on the boat-crowded diving" "short bottom time (30-40 min range)

Note: If the dive boat leaves from Rodney Bay or Castries, it is almost a 1 1/2 hour trip down to the best diving spots in the south of the island. Dive Fair Helen picks you up at the hote, about a 20 min ride to boat, then 10 to 15 mins to the best dive spots.

Owner of Dive Fair Helen - Andre - is a Marine Researcher, and is constantly reviewing the best dive sites for the weeks based on current conditions, not historical. Difference was that when describing my dive conditions, other diver's were envious of the dive experience. Also, if you happen to be a diver who cares about local marine conditions, impacts on the marine life, as well as a detailed knowledge of local marine life, Andre is a fountain of knowledge.

As for the way he conducts his dive ops - 6 to 12 max divers (resorts had up to 20 divers on a boat), bottom time is determined by your own consumption rate. You do not have to surface when the group air-hog runs out of air. Air Hog goes to surface, boat picks them up, and you never are interuppted. His dive instructors are trained to allow experienced divers to fully enjoy their dives. Other than a deep dive, I averaged 54 mins bottome time with one 62 min. FYI one of the dive instructors, Chris, is a SAC FREAK!. Consistently came up with over 2000 psi after every dive!!

Boats - modern and in excellent condition, 1 medium, two large boats. Very comfortable cruising.

Food - Andre's wife cooks the food every morning. The Fried Chicken, Rice and salads are some of the best dive boat food I have ever experienced.

Equipment - I bring my own equipment, but I did take a look at the rentals offered - all mares, medium range, good condition. You can leave your gear at the dive shop in a secure lock-up.

Also, Andre will arrange for your own private dives based on your requests - I wanted to do a wreck penetration without having several divers moving around - no problem, We did the wreck first drop, while every one else did a drift dive. 56 mins to thoroughly explore the wreck on my own. Andre showed me around the wreck and led me through the penetration once, after that he moved off the wreck, and it was all my own.

Water temp on every dive was 81 surface and 81 bottom (112 feet) except for on thermal that dropped it to 79.

Hope this helps.

 

[csick]

I went to St Lucia to see coral spawning from Anse Chastenet a couple years ago at the end of August. My husband and I were often the only divers and the most was six. The helpful staff would come drag me out of the sand at the end of shore dives at the beginning of the week till I got my legs working. We do four dives a day bacause you don't want to miss a night dive and the shore dive in the afternoon was always so easy. I like to go really slow, use little air, and find/watch everybody in the sand, on the coral, in the water. I would go back here and stay in a "ground" floor room again. Never got seasick here.

 

[yakivet]

I have been to Tobago several times, but I don't know of a specific shark dive. By any deffinition, the observable habitat of a Hammerhead is deep (80-120') and in the rush of a ripping good current. This is readily available on Tobago.

There is more to a diver's "status" as experienced or newbie than one might imagine. First let me say that you can do Tobago as a 'resort course' diver. In places, it is a veritable "pool" wher you flop in the beautiful blue and they haul you out.

In other places it can be a swirling mass on the surface that looks like whitewater, or maybe quite placidly hiding the currents below. Your DM will know. Are you taking a hard look at entries. No giant strides with hand holds here. Backrolls into the current, negatively buoyant if you can, or an ultra quick descent if not. Otherwise you are seperated from your DM, period. Are you adept at surface signalling skills, and buying a safety sausage is not a skill.

In Tobago, I would advise that you go to one of the many day dive ops right near the airport at Pidgeon Point and- after telling them about your skills and concerns, take a look at their boat. Pick the one you like, but know this- keep Tobago on your list for a return visit once you've sorted yourself out. The Northern towns such as Speyside and Charlottesville is a great training ground for the Galapagos.

Hey Doc- We're thinking of making another trip to Speyside. Do you have any info on Guest houses in either Speyside or Charlottesville? Was thinking of taking some of your previous advice and diving with RedMan. Thanks, :42: Ken