St. Thomas (USVI) diving
Kelly Cunningham Random Deviate
>>I would appreciate any of the following information/opinion about diving
>>in St. Thomas (US Virgin Islands), especially for experienced divers:
>>
>>1. Dive operator(s) you can recommend (reason(s)?)
>>2. Dive operator(s) you think I should avoid (reason(s)?)
>>3. Specific dive site(s) you found most enjoyable/interesting
>
>Can anyone answer these same questions for beginning divers?
Yes.
>Are there
>any great snorkeling spots?
>
Lots.
>I am planning on also visiting Puerto Rico - does anyone know of any
>good diving spots there?
>
Never been under water there. PR isn't far from USVI so...
<<SPECULATION MODE ON>>
...I suspect they
are similar.
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Send an e-mail address that I can reply to if you are so inclined.
I can't figure out how to send you a message; Andrew (?) has a strange address.
>Thanks!
Anytime.
>
>Kathy
KC
Robert F. Ling
>>good diving spots there?
>
>Never been under water there. PR isn't far from USVI so...
>
><<SPECULATION MODE ON>>
> ...I suspect they
>are similar.
><<SPECULATION MODE OFF>>
The speculation is probably off target, judging from what I've read about
USVI diving and my last "dive trip" to PR, in 1988. That was the ONLY trip
we've ever taken in which two suitcases full of dive gears were not untilized
during the entire trip, not because they were temporarily lost, but because
we couldn't find a suitable dive shop within about 100 miles of San Juan|
We found a small dive operation in the island of Vieques (ferry from Fajardo)
and did enjoy snorkeling on a beach where the reef rose from about 30 ft. to
1-2 ft. from the surface.
Here's an interesting item from Fodor's Caribbean (A Complete Guide ...,
1990), listed under the heading "surfing beaches" (there's no heading of
"diving" in the Puerto Rico chapter):
"Caution for snorkelers and scuba divers: Puerto Rico's coral reef waters
and mangrove areas can be dangerous to novices. Unless you're an expert,
or have an experienced guide, avoid unsupervised areas, and stick to the
water-sport centers of major hotels."
I am still wondering where the scuba areas are, in PR. :-(
-- Bob.
Douglas Eder
I just returned from a long weekend on St. Thomas. I'm a divemaster
used to dealing with students and other divers who classify themselves
as less experienced. On this particular trip, my dive buddy was my
14-year-old daughter. Therefore, my most recent view of St. Thomas
is from the perspective of the novice/intermediate salt water diver.
We dove with Joe Vogel Dive Company. Joe married a girl with whom I went
to college. Joe is a former Navy frogman; he's been diving St. Thomas
since 1960. He's a dinosaur---a lovable, disciplined dinosaur with the
most organized, safe, controlled dive briefings I have ever encountered.
He dives Coki Beach with most folks...shore diving. Joe really enjoys
students and novices but he does have his own way of doing things.
I recommend not arguing; he has reasons for doing things his way.
He uses fairly old style Navy harnesses; you'll be diving with
antiques that most dive shops have on their walls for ornamentation.
His equipment is meticulously maintained and his safety methods
are simple but effective. My daughter took both her first ocean
dive and her first night dive with Joe. I've been diving almost as
long as Joe has and I have never felt so safe diving with a group,
one which included my daughter. Joe even provides a warm shower
after the dive is over...which also manages to prevent YOU from
getting salt and sand in HIS nice, clean van! I found Joe Vogel
disciplined, thorough, careful. Oh yes, a Coki Beach dive probably
maxes out at about 60 feet. There can be one tricky current but
otherwise the place is tame. Good reef, octopus, tarpon, stingrays.
More adventurous divers will probably opt for a boat dive and Joe
Vogel Dive Company doesn't do that. But Joe did have a lot to do with
training Chris Sawyer. When I wanted boat diving arrangements, Joe
simply referred me to him.
Joe Vogel has sold his company and he will be out of his old business by
April, I guess. His old company will modernize and expand its
offerings. That's good, of course, but a unique flavor to St. Thomas
diving will pass when Joe leaves.
---Doug
Monica M. Cain
would have to encourage you to concentrate your dives on the SOUTH and WEST
sides of the island. Diving on the Atlantic side is not as rewarding as the
water tends to be murky. There are places around Patillas and private boat
owners who will take you out. A dive shop that can help you is SCUBA CENTRO in
the suburban San Juan area. They plan excursions. There is also a dive club at
the Roosevelt Roads Naval Station. You can contact the Morale, Welfare and
Recreation (MWR) office for the names and phone numbers of the officers. Even
if you are civilian I am certain they will help you. Enjoy your diving.
Monica M. Cain
do have to take a ferry, then a publico (public transporation van) and walk
quite a ways to the beach. If you are a hearty soul, the experience in
incredible and unforgettable. Harry Hauck, at the Fort Buchanan dive shop on
post working with the Outdoor Recreation department there, or any of his staff
might be able to point you in the right direction. I certified under his
instruction and would encourage you to contact his office in lieu of missing
out on diving the area. The phone numbers are available from the Ft Buchanan
post operator which is listed in the directory.