St. Thomas vs. St. Maarten SCUBA?

[bweppner]

Hi!

Has anyone done one or both of the SCUBA excursions on the Magic? Any recommendations, observations, etc.? My family and I are sailing on 4/6/02 and I'd love to hear any input!

Thank you!

 

[Scott H]

We have sailed the magic twice on the eastern route. We also dove on both cruises at both islands.

The diving on St Marteen was OK but not great. Not a lot of sea life and the vis was poor both times (40'). ( Better than Racine Quarry, I noted you were from Aurora Il. ) Dive operator is Dive Safaris, good operation just not thrilled with the diving. Maybe it was the time of the year, both trips were in Nov.

St Thomas, first time there we dove with St Thomas Dive Club, a past student of mine was an instructor there and we did a private trip. It was great.

St Thomas last Nov the DCL used Underwater Safaris, very good operation, and the diving and vis were much better. Vis 80+, more critters. My wife and I are kicking ourselves for not taking the job offers they made.

If I were doing the Eastern Cruise Route again I probably skip the diving at St Marteen. It really takes a lot for me to say that. Just not my idea of Caribbean diving, I want better vis and lots of critters.

Hope this helps,

 

[bweppner]

Thank you for the great insight Scott! Yes, your response helped a lot. I don't get to dive very often and I want the same things as you - great visibility and lots of critters. Last question, are these drift dives, more interactive, and does/did Underwater Safaris offer a rental dive camera?

Thanks again!

 

[mlw]

We will be taking our first cruise in October and my husband is a diver. He's wondering which equipment he should bring with him. Any advice? What will the dive conditions be like? Thanks for your help.

Mary from California

 

[Scott H]

They were not drift dives- St Marteen was done mostly on coral heads and St Thomas was a mini wall (60') and a wreck (Navy Barges)

I seem to recall that Underwater Safaris did wrent cameras. I think they might have a web site.

Most operator have BCDs and Regs, Personally I like bringing my own as I know how they were maintained.