Unfortunately, I'm limited to a one-tank afternoon dive. Where to go?

[cicopo]

It's not cost effective to make long boat trips for 1 tank dives especially with less than a full roster of divers. In town shops (generally) use Paradise Reef for new divers completing certification, Resort Course divers & those looking for that 1 tank trip. It's close to town or the marina & a nice dive but not every day. Ops at the southern resorts generally stay in that area. Tres Pelicanos (who have been mentioned) offer a 2 tank trip daily but it's run like a morning trip with a deep dive, surface interval & then the shallow dive. MAYBE if you're renting gear or just bringing a light load you could do their deep dive, get put ashore & taxi back into town so as to get back to your ship on time.

 

[Yukon Jack]

Thanks again cicopo. That sounds like the best plan, and I'll probably book with Tres Pelicanos.

 

[luscioman]

Does the cruise ship offer a 2 tank excursion?

 

[Yukon Jack]

Does the cruise ship offer a 2 tank excursion?

Yes, now that I look at what's on tap, they do. The price and schedule are ok, and it would be the most efficient way to ensure I'd get back to the barge in time for dinner. The cruise line doesn't specify which dive op or boat size, but the ones I've seen in the past are generally cattle boats filled with divers that aren't skilled. So I avoid tend to avoid those.

 

[luscioman]

Goto cruise critic and check around you can find the company. I just did the NFL escape and they use Stuart Coves so you have to dig.

 

[deepsea21]

Second vote for Tres Pelicano's afternoon 2-tank trip. FAST boats and they can most likely see to it you are picked up and dropped off right at your cruise port be it the in-town port or the southern port as they pass both with their courtesy transport heading to and coming from the marina.

Other option that was mentioned and I know of if you are set on only one tank would be Aqua Safari. The Aqua Safari boat leaves the in-town Aqua Safari dock at 2:30PM right beside the in-town cruise pier (if your ship happens to be docking at that pier). If you are docking at the southern pier you could also cab it to the Palace Resort just to the south of town where they pick up at about 2:45PM which their next and last pick-up stop as they are the in-house dive op for the Palace. They'll have you back to the dock by 4:30PM. Would be a shallow dive (40' max probably) usually on Paradise reef just south of the in-town cruise ship pier. Lots of people poo-poo that little reef in the shallows but I happen to really enjoy it. There are all kinds of things to see on that reef and in the surrounding grasses and flats and it's all lit up with bright sun thanks to the shallow water. Deeper and further doesn't always mean better although many seem to think that way.

 

[Yukon Jack]

Thanks everyone for their insights! Tres Pelicaonos it is, and I'm looking forward to a return trip after many too many moons.