Dive Shops?

My wife and I got certified with N2 the Blue. They did a very good job.

You can't go wrong with any of the local dive shops. They have their own styles, and their prices are different, but each is good. SCUBA and Dive Experience operate out of Christiansted and do boat-based diving on the north shore and long reef. SCUBA operates a second boat out of Fredericksted on the west end to do west end dives. Cane Bay Dive Shop is based (obviously) in Cane Bay and does some boat dives, but classes are shore based, so you get geared up at the shop, walk across the street to the beach, walk down to the surf and swim out (200 yards) to the wall. N2 the Blue is based in Fredericksted and does boat-based dives on the west end. Sweet Bottom Dive Shop is on the beach at the Carambola Resort and is shore-based, swimming out about 100 yards to the wall at Davis Bay. Since you're doing e-learning for your modules and knowledge reviews, you should be able to do the necessary pool work and skill dives in as little as two full days and spend the rest of your vacation diving as a certified diver. Welcome to diving; it's an awesome past time.

SCUBA: http://www.stcroixscuba.com/

Dive Experience: www.divexp.com/

N2 the Blue: www.n2theblue.com

Cane Bay Dive Shop: www.canebayscuba.com/

Sweet Bottom Dive Shop: http://sweetbottomdive.com/

i like cane bay dive shop on north shore. ask for mel and greg they are really fun people and are very good too .

I got certified at SCUBA and have done 34 dives this year with "The friendliest dive shop on Earth." 🙂

http://www.stcroixscuba.com/

Don't know your age or physical ability, but I got certified at N2 the Blue and they were very patient with an older woman with bad knees.

The biggest differences are the BOATS.
Some are better than others.
Some are harder than others to get in/out of, especially if you have physical issues.

Neil's point is well taken.

When returning to the boat at the end of the dive, I suggest taking off the gear and handing it up to the captain. Climbing the ladder will be much easier.

I'm sure you'll enjoy your confined water dive and be eager to go into the open water. PADI dive instructors are excellent. 🙂

When taking off gear for the captain to lift, make sure to tip well enough to cover the captain's chiropractic visits.

I can dive, but, because of age and orthopedic problems, I cannot carry my own equipment or get onto a boat while wearing it. If you have any such concerns make sure your dive master is aware and willing to assist you.

I am currently doing my coursework on line and will be doing my initial dives on STX in January. I would appreciate everyone's thoughts on the dive shops on island to associate with for the confined and open water dives. Thanks!!!!

I'll plug SCUBA only cuz I met Molly and Ed recently and they seem like very cool people running a very classy, customer-service oriented operation (seriously, they personally take phone calls from clients on holidays), have been on STX forever, and seem to know everyone and everything related to diving here.

No personal experience though; I'm a sailor and prefer to stay ON TOP of the water.

IT

I'll 2nd SCUBA. Though I don't dive I've been on 4 snorkel trips with them and the guide I had 3/4 times was Simeon (sp?) and he was great. Every time I took my guests who had 0 experience, they had a blast. Usually they just hold on to the
Life ring and he tows them around and points out the cool stuff. I don't know if other outfits do this but after the last snorkel session you get back on board and they have a pineapple cut up to enjoy while you motor back to sandcastles. Gets the sea taste out of your mouth 🙂

Our kids did an intro dive with N2 the Blue last Fri. and loved it so much they went on a boat dive with them on Sun.

Love, love, love the people at SCUBA!! Had a blast with them even just "bubble watching" while my husband dove. I had to cancel my plans to dive last minute because of a horrible ear infection, but instead of just saying "So sorry you can't go!, they let me snorkel along the surface while they dove and then let me use my prepaid dive balance for store merchandise. Bottom line, I got to see everything they did (just from a distance) and got new snorkeling equipment instead of just losing my money. They didn't have to do that and I was extremely grateful the money paid up front wasn't a total loss!!

Enjoy your diving, whoever you decide to go with!!

N2 the Blue .......