scuba?

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums.php?referrerid=35922

lots of scuba info and a very active forum to ask questions 🙂

I'm actually taking a course stateside to make sure I really do like to scuba before heading to St.Croix.

The most common course is the PADI one. http://www.padi.com/ some places use a more intensive and comprehensive course, but the PADI seems to be the most common and known.

Figure $350+/- for decent lessons to get you started, and then about $1000+/- for good quality equipment.

Allot of the items you would want to buy are best bought in person to confirm fit/etc.

I love how when your right about to ask a question, someone in the world asks it for you!
I love this place! I wanted to get certified and I was wondering if it would be more cost effective to learn in the states or in STT. How long do lessons take ? I will be coming about a week before school starts, is that enough time? Anyone selling cheap equipment? Any jobs that offer it as a perk for free!!!! I'll ask the scuba forum too! Thanks for the info!
Elise

Hello,

Darrell - which island are you moving to; so we can give suggestions for dive operators.

Elise - I would say contact some places around you and find out how much they want for lessons so you compare. Since you are attending the university - UVI used to offer intro. scuba as a class. You might contact someone in Marine Science, I believe Steve Prosterman is who taught it, and see if it will be offering it in Spring. (340) 693-1380 is the Marine Science Center.

There was someone selling his equipment that posted on the board a few days ago.

--Islander

using cheap scuba gear? Im sure you meant inexpensive,and there are some bargins on it .Its usually better to rent some while getting certified and check out some different types and manufacturers gear(you instructor can guide you)and pick it according to the type of diving you are planning to do(cold water,warm water,wreck,cavern tech,ect)Getting certified in the states is a little cheaper but not near as enjoyable as in the clear warm waters of the caribbean. My experience is a good rig will cost around $1500 new if you dont go too crazy on all the bells and whistles. Be careful about used gear and have someone who knows about it check it out before you buy.Alot of used gear is just plain out of date and worthless,not worth risking your life on to save a few bucks.I agree padi is the most reconized certification worldwide. As far as schools,if your on the east side ,Chris Sawyer Dive center,I did my original certification with their instructor "Zan" and he was very good. If your closer to Havensight,Try Waterworld Outfitters at the cruise ship mall,I did my Advanced and my Rescue Diving with them and the instructor was Steve,also recommended.
good luck

And another good place is Coki Beach Dive Club on STT 340-775-4220 Pete and Laura own it and they give the locals a GREAT deal! Get this...for $60 they give you a quick lesson and take you down to about 40 feet on a great reef dive, feed the fish right out of your hands, etc. Then, when you come back up, if you liked it and want to be certified, they will do all of the classwork and dives, including using their equipment, to get you open water certified for....TA-DAA!! Only $139!! Wait! It gets better! If you did the dive for $60, they apply that towards the certification!!!!!! Call them, you will be pleased.

Islander, I am moving to St. Croix.

Thanks to all for the input.

when do you plan on making this move?

Mid January.

Darrell and Joshy2,

You have chosen wisely! Some divers think St. Croix has the best diving in the world. Back in the 60s when tourism was taking off, the island was promoted as one of the best diving locations anywhere. Here is an article, if you haven’t seen it already:

http://www.villadawn.com/st_croix/scuba/miami_herald.htm

Here is the USVI phonebook, where you can type in scuba:

www.viphonebook.com

St. Croix Ultimate Bluewater Adventures (SCUBA) and the Cane Bay Dive Shop are two of the major diving businesses here. They both have websites.