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Scuba Forum / General / April 2006advice needed eastern Caribbean
Planning a work/vacation trip this summer: About 10 days on St. Maarten (with some work for my SO each day), then about 10 days elsewhere. Interests: some novice-level diving (me), maybe a resort course (SO), protected snorkelling (with our 5-year old child), birding or other cute animal viewing, amateur astronomy (view to south and lack of artificial lights), naval history, good food, scenery. To be avoided, if possible: golfers, cruise ship effluent (human and otherwise), shopping as usually practiced by cruise ship effluent. Based on a quick skim of a few sources, we're currently leaning toward St. Kitts or St. Vincent for "elsewhere." Any suggestions of which of these, or other islands nearby, fulfills these criteria and are easily accessed from St. Maarten would be appreciated. Prefer moderate price level ($100-150 per night). Mike Forgot: I'll be renting scuba gear, so recommendations of dive shops with equipment in good condition a big plus! Also, I'm fond of noctunal activites. Is night diving good in Caribbean? I've seen amazing video of mantas off Kona, but that will have to wait a year or so... > To be avoided, if possible: golfers, cruise ship effluent (human and > otherwise), shopping as usually practiced by cruise ship effluent. St Maarten is a typical cruise ship slum. There is good diving on Saba. I've been diving with Sea Saba, and they ran two boats - one for those with less experience and one for those who want to go to the more advanced sites. The island is absolutely delightful. It is a 15 minute flight from St Maarten, or there is also a ferry that runs a couple of times a week. > Planning a work/vacation trip this summer: About 10 days on St. > Maarten (with some work for my SO each day), then about 10 days > elsewhere. > > Interests: some novice-level diving (me), maybe a resort course (SO), > protected snorkelling (with our 5-year old child), Compared to the rest of the Caribbean, diving in St Maarten sucks....but still better than New Jersey diving. > Compared to the rest of the Caribbean, diving in St Maarten sucks....but > still better than New Jersey diving. Hmmm... Let's see... Warmer... Better visibility... Less toxic waste... Yeah, better than Jersey... -- "I don't wish to be argumentative, but I disagree with the Islamic belief that I should be killed." >"I don't wish to be argumentative, but I disagree with the Islamic belief >that I should be killed." Infidel!! > Infidel!! How's things treating you since Katrina? Did you finally get the insurance company to agree that the house was a total loss?  SignatureReal Jeeps have Real Rifle Racks... http://www.narcosis-republic.us/real-jeeps I like both St Maartens and St Kitts and visit the area often. Enjoy the diving but the viz can be dodgy and on St Maartens avoiding Cruise Ship divers can be a lot of work (book on shops not in Fredr proper) When my children were young we got a cottage in Nevis. It was great. Diving is excellent. Still go back there a lot. Saba good diving too. But, the hotels are at the top of a small mountain and the diving is at the bottom. A bit of trek, especially with kids, to get to the water every day (most people don't walk it, you need a ride). I'm a raw beginner, so a few easy dives with cruisers isn't a problem, just don't want to do ONLY easy dives with cruisers. I'm not sure why we haven't given Nevis more consideration. What did the children enjoy there? We've been going in circles in planning, and after the work period in St. Maarten, we are currently leaning toward spending a few days on Antigua and then 5-6 days on St. Lucia. Anyone familiar with the Antigua "mini-wall" area described here?: http://www.antiguascuba.com/ Mike |
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