TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Dive Shops & Easy Dive Sites

Im certified, the boss is not. That said, she did an intro dive (mask removal, clearing and all the hard stuff in the Ocean) prior to the reef dive on Bonaire this year. Loved it with no problms.

Then snorkeled Kleine Bonaire where you have an awesome reef to your left, a steady current and mucho deep (hundred) water to your right, no issues.

Looking for an easy, safe, interesting shallow (30 feet or less) dive in preferably calm water with a dedicated to us dive master to keep her/us safe.

Looking for recommendations for Dive Shops and Sites. Staying Simpson Bay Area, Will visit Orient often, so could be anywhere in between

Thanks

Aquamania is the best place to go. They're located right at the Simpson Bay resort. Been diving with them for years.

Agree.

Since she is not a certified diver she would have to do another discover dive with a qualified instructor. Dive Adventures with Aqua Mania at www.stmaarten-activities.com and www.stmaartendive.com offer this. They are located in the Simpson Bay Resort and Marina complex. I have over 280 dives logged with them and can contest to their professional and safely record.

I'm confused, aren't you recommending the same place as the other two posters? Or not?

Lot more useful information on scubamans post. Also one of the "other two posters" offered no information whatsoever.

Just a word of advice and make sure you check with your carrier......dive related accidents that occur with uncertified divers is an exclusion under out of country medical coverage.

I agree there's more info there, just I wasn't sure if he was referring to a different place, as he didn't say he agreed or disagreed with the other recommendation. I have no idea whether there is more than one dive shop at Aqua Mania.

And you commented why? You have a recommendation? I was just agreeing with the recommendation.

I commented because I see a pattern where one poster is consistently picking on another and I think it is unfair.I also recommend Dive adventures at Aqua Mania. Therefore I also agree with wingman and scubaman, without providing any information.

And gee, you make your first and second posts here, both as snarky comments, because you are upset about other people's posts...

I have been following TTOL SXM for a few years but never joined nor posted. You can thank yourself for attracting another poster to TTOL.

Yes. Same place but I wanted to include their web sites and say why I recommend them.

Thanks for the resounding recommendation on dive company.

Now for Dive sites. What would be some suggestions for places to go?????

Im assuming they would redo the intro stuff either in pool or a fairly shallow shore place.

I think she would then be fine if we had to do actual dive off boat.

OK, thanks.

Dive sites are always decided by the dive master on the morning of the dives. As for the discover dive it will start out in a pool or shore to go over safely skills and its an afternoon dive to a shallow site. Usually Creole rock or little bay that has a sunken boat and lots of sea life. Both around 30 ft. For certified divers there are some very good sites like Carib cargo, prostlyte, the maize, tiegland, fish bowl and there is a new one they just sunk a boat by the old bridge site. All are weather and current dependent. Great drift dive on long bay reef. One of my favorites. All range in the 50 to 70 foot depth. Those are all 2 tank morning boat dives at two different sites. Look at the dive site map on the dive adventures link I posted for more detail. Hope that helps. Tell them scubaman sent you. They all know me.

Ok, thanks. Do you usually have a regular buddy or ever have them pair you up?

I'll pair up if my regular buddies aren't diving that day. Yes They will pair you up with someone with your same dive skills.

In the past we went with Dive Safari's based out of the Scuba Shop in simpson bay. (Near the bridge, lagoon side.) We did a refresher course, (we hadn't dived in 5-10 years) and had a great group dive with two dive masters. One DM was certifying 3 divers as rescue divers, and the second DM guided me and my wife about. Great fun and very personal service.

They do their initial checkouts in a pool on property and then hop right into the boat for open water and fun.

Also if you are staying at the SBR, they have great snorkeling right in front of the beach. Swim straight out about 100 yards. You'll know it when you get there. ;-)

A refresher course is great if you are already certified. The "boss" is not. She will need a shallow discover dive to be able to participate.