Dive recommendations for the St. Martin area?

I'll never forget the time I went diving in the Red Sea...low and behold, there
was a group of Texas diviers during their "checkout"...of all places...one of
the true summits of diving...and in the Red Sea no less!

They even brought along their Baptist minister who was going to "instruct" them
on their subsequent tour of the "Holy Land"

Isn't that obscene?

Well, since this person has chosen one of the weakest spots in the world for
their check-out dive...I only hope it doesn't turn them off to diving.

chilly wrote:

> "Tim McDonough" <tmm@sdd.hp.com> wrote in message
> news:fmivlr$ij6$1@epgc964.sdd.hp.com...
> > I'm finally certified! Did my open water diver certification dives this
> past
> > weekend at Octopus Hole, near Hoodsport, WA.
> >
> > In Feb, my wife (certified many years back) and I will be heading to St.
> > Martin. Any recommendations for diving in the area? It is worth a day
> trip
> > over to Saba? Do folks recommend the ferry or by plane? Any dive
> > shops/boats to look for (or to run away from)? Any other general advice?
> >
> > Thanks!
>
> Has your wife been diving regularly? If not, then the two of you are new
> enough divers, that I think you will enjoy the St. Martin dives just fine.
>
> When I look back now, I realize that it wasn't some of the best diving I've
> ever done, but my St. Martin dives were early enough in my dive life that I
> quite enjoyed them. When I went, the visibility was quite clear. The
> owner of the shop did tell us that the best diving is at Saba, but we didn't
> have that kind of time that trip.
>
> Why don't you do a few dives off St. Martin and then decide if you want to
> go over to Saba for the day?
>
> Have fun.

P.S.

I should have mentioned that the people from Texas was a family...the Bass
family...of Ft.Worth...or is it Dallas? One of the wealthiest in Texas. In
fact, the father told me he was writing a book called "Seven Summits" to recount
his ascent of Everest, Kilimanjaro, Mr. McKinley, Aconcaugua as well as Europe's
highest summit in the Caucauses and Australia's 7,000 foot peak. The family had
traveled to the Red Sea via Turkey to swim the Hellespont. Wasn't the legend
that Hector had swum the Hellespont? Separating Asia from Europe?

On their return leg...he was going to see to it that his children would travel
to Zermatt so they could climb the Matterhorn.

chilly wrote:

> "Tim McDonough" <tmm@sdd.hp.com> wrote in message
> news:fmivlr$ij6$1@epgc964.sdd.hp.com...
> > I'm finally certified! Did my open water diver certification dives this
> past
> > weekend at Octopus Hole, near Hoodsport, WA.
> >
> > In Feb, my wife (certified many years back) and I will be heading to St.
> > Martin. Any recommendations for diving in the area? It is worth a day
> trip
> > over to Saba? Do folks recommend the ferry or by plane? Any dive
> > shops/boats to look for (or to run away from)? Any other general advice?
> >
> > Thanks!
>
> Has your wife been diving regularly? If not, then the two of you are new
> enough divers, that I think you will enjoy the St. Martin dives just fine.
>
> When I look back now, I realize that it wasn't some of the best diving I've
> ever done, but my St. Martin dives were early enough in my dive life that I
> quite enjoyed them. When I went, the visibility was quite clear. The
> owner of the shop did tell us that the best diving is at Saba, but we didn't
> have that kind of time that trip.
>
> Why don't you do a few dives off St. Martin and then decide if you want to
> go over to Saba for the day?
>
> Have fun.

P.S.

I should have mentioned that the people from Texas was a family...the Bass
family...of Ft.Worth...or is it Dallas? One of the wealthiest in Texas. In
fact, the father told me he was writing a book called "Seven Summits" to recount
his ascent of Everest, Kilimanjaro, Mr. McKinley, Aconcaugua as well as Europe's
highest summit in the Caucauses and Australia's 7,000 foot peak. The family had
traveled to the Red Sea via Turkey to swim the Hellespont. Wasn't the legend
that Hector had swum the Hellespont? Separating Asia from Europe?

On their return leg...he was going to see to it that his children would travel
to Zermatt so they could climb the Matterhorn.

chilly wrote:

> "Tim McDonough" <tmm@sdd.hp.com> wrote in message
> news:fmivlr$ij6$1@epgc964.sdd.hp.com...
> > I'm finally certified! Did my open water diver certification dives this
> past
> > weekend at Octopus Hole, near Hoodsport, WA.
> >
> > In Feb, my wife (certified many years back) and I will be heading to St.
> > Martin. Any recommendations for diving in the area? It is worth a day
> trip
> > over to Saba? Do folks recommend the ferry or by plane? Any dive
> > shops/boats to look for (or to run away from)? Any other general advice?
> >
> > Thanks!
>
> Has your wife been diving regularly? If not, then the two of you are new
> enough divers, that I think you will enjoy the St. Martin dives just fine.
>
> When I look back now, I realize that it wasn't some of the best diving I've
> ever done, but my St. Martin dives were early enough in my dive life that I
> quite enjoyed them. When I went, the visibility was quite clear. The
> owner of the shop did tell us that the best diving is at Saba, but we didn't
> have that kind of time that trip.
>
> Why don't you do a few dives off St. Martin and then decide if you want to
> go over to Saba for the day?
>
> Have fun.

P.S.

I should have mentioned that the people from Texas was a family...the Bass
family...of Ft.Worth...or is it Dallas? One of the wealthiest in Texas. In
fact, the father told me he was writing a book called "Seven Summits" to recount
his ascent of Everest, Kilimanjaro, Mr. McKinley, Aconcaugua as well as Europe's
highest summit in the Caucauses and Australia's 7,000 foot peak. The family had
traveled to the Red Sea via Turkey to swim the Hellespont. Wasn't the legend
that Hector had swum the Hellespont? Separating Asia from Europe?

On their return leg...he was going to see to it that his children would travel
to Zermatt so they could climb the Matterhorn.

chilly wrote:

> "Tim McDonough" <tmm@sdd.hp.com> wrote in message
> news:fmivlr$ij6$1@epgc964.sdd.hp.com...
> > I'm finally certified! Did my open water diver certification dives this
> past
> > weekend at Octopus Hole, near Hoodsport, WA.
> >
> > In Feb, my wife (certified many years back) and I will be heading to St.
> > Martin. Any recommendations for diving in the area? It is worth a day
> trip
> > over to Saba? Do folks recommend the ferry or by plane? Any dive
> > shops/boats to look for (or to run away from)? Any other general advice?
> >
> > Thanks!
>
> Has your wife been diving regularly? If not, then the two of you are new
> enough divers, that I think you will enjoy the St. Martin dives just fine.
>
> When I look back now, I realize that it wasn't some of the best diving I've
> ever done, but my St. Martin dives were early enough in my dive life that I
> quite enjoyed them. When I went, the visibility was quite clear. The
> owner of the shop did tell us that the best diving is at Saba, but we didn't
> have that kind of time that trip.
>
> Why don't you do a few dives off St. Martin and then decide if you want to
> go over to Saba for the day?
>
> Have fun.

P.S.

I should have mentioned that the people from Texas was a family...the Bass
family...of Ft.Worth...or is it Dallas? One of the wealthiest in Texas. In
fact, the father told me he was writing a book called "Seven Summits" to recount
his ascent of Everest, Kilimanjaro, Mr. McKinley, Aconcaugua as well as Europe's
highest summit in the Caucauses and Australia's 7,000 foot peak. The family had
traveled to the Red Sea via Turkey to swim the Hellespont. Wasn't the legend
that Hector had swum the Hellespont? Separating Asia from Europe?

On their return leg...he was going to see to it that his children would travel
to Zermatt so they could climb the Matterhorn.

chilly wrote:

> "Tim McDonough" <tmm@sdd.hp.com> wrote in message
> news:fmivlr$ij6$1@epgc964.sdd.hp.com...
> > I'm finally certified! Did my open water diver certification dives this
> past
> > weekend at Octopus Hole, near Hoodsport, WA.
> >
> > In Feb, my wife (certified many years back) and I will be heading to St.
> > Martin. Any recommendations for diving in the area? It is worth a day
> trip
> > over to Saba? Do folks recommend the ferry or by plane? Any dive
> > shops/boats to look for (or to run away from)? Any other general advice?
> >
> > Thanks!
>
> Has your wife been diving regularly? If not, then the two of you are new
> enough divers, that I think you will enjoy the St. Martin dives just fine.
>
> When I look back now, I realize that it wasn't some of the best diving I've
> ever done, but my St. Martin dives were early enough in my dive life that I
> quite enjoyed them. When I went, the visibility was quite clear. The
> owner of the shop did tell us that the best diving is at Saba, but we didn't
> have that kind of time that trip.
>
> Why don't you do a few dives off St. Martin and then decide if you want to
> go over to Saba for the day?
>
> Have fun.

P.S.

I should have mentioned that the people from Texas was a family...the Bass
family...of Ft.Worth...or is it Dallas? One of the wealthiest in Texas. In
fact, the father told me he was writing a book called "Seven Summits" to recount
his ascent of Everest, Kilimanjaro, Mr. McKinley, Aconcaugua as well as Europe's
highest summit in the Caucauses and Australia's 7,000 foot peak. The family had
traveled to the Red Sea via Turkey to swim the Hellespont. Wasn't the legend
that Hector had swum the Hellespont? Separating Asia from Europe?

On their return leg...he was going to see to it that his children would travel
to Zermatt so they could climb the Matterhorn.

chilly wrote:

> "Tim McDonough" <tmm@sdd.hp.com> wrote in message
> news:fmivlr$ij6$1@epgc964.sdd.hp.com...
> > I'm finally certified! Did my open water diver certification dives this
> past
> > weekend at Octopus Hole, near Hoodsport, WA.
> >
> > In Feb, my wife (certified many years back) and I will be heading to St.
> > Martin. Any recommendations for diving in the area? It is worth a day
> trip
> > over to Saba? Do folks recommend the ferry or by plane? Any dive
> > shops/boats to look for (or to run away from)? Any other general advice?
> >
> > Thanks!
>
> Has your wife been diving regularly? If not, then the two of you are new
> enough divers, that I think you will enjoy the St. Martin dives just fine.
>
> When I look back now, I realize that it wasn't some of the best diving I've
> ever done, but my St. Martin dives were early enough in my dive life that I
> quite enjoyed them. When I went, the visibility was quite clear. The
> owner of the shop did tell us that the best diving is at Saba, but we didn't
> have that kind of time that trip.
>
> Why don't you do a few dives off St. Martin and then decide if you want to
> go over to Saba for the day?
>
> Have fun.

I agree with chilly. Enjoy yourself in St Martin. I spent a week in Saba
few years back, diving was excellent ,, but a little deep, and the clarity
of the water was so-so. They said it was unusal plankin? in the water? i
enjoyed the dives and saba itself, but as i remember most dives you had to
drop to reef (70-80') shelf(no context, ie no reef).

I think you should save Saba for another time. btw the ferry service can be
quite rough, I remember flying back to St. Martin and seeing 2-3 foot waves
hitting the ferry.

Than again, the Saba airport is exciting both landing and taking off. Feels
like your on a aircraft carrier.

enjoy your dives

Fred
"Tim McDonough" <tmm@sdd.hp.com> wrote in message
news:fmivlr$ij6$1@epgc964.sdd.hp.com...
> I'm finally certified! Did my open water diver certification dives this
> past
> weekend at Octopus Hole, near Hoodsport, WA.
>
> In Feb, my wife (certified many years back) and I will be heading to St.
> Martin. Any recommendations for diving in the area? It is worth a day
> trip
> over to Saba? Do folks recommend the ferry or by plane? Any dive
> shops/boats to look for (or to run away from)? Any other general advice?
>
> Thanks!
>
> -Tim

I agree with chilly. Enjoy yourself in St Martin. I spent a week in Saba
few years back, diving was excellent ,, but a little deep, and the clarity
of the water was so-so. They said it was unusal plankin? in the water? i
enjoyed the dives and saba itself, but as i remember most dives you had to
drop to reef (70-80') shelf(no context, ie no reef).

I think you should save Saba for another time. btw the ferry service can be
quite rough, I remember flying back to St. Martin and seeing 2-3 foot waves
hitting the ferry.

Than again, the Saba airport is exciting both landing and taking off. Feels
like your on a aircraft carrier.

enjoy your dives

Fred
"Tim McDonough" <tmm@sdd.hp.com> wrote in message
news:fmivlr$ij6$1@epgc964.sdd.hp.com...
> I'm finally certified! Did my open water diver certification dives this
> past
> weekend at Octopus Hole, near Hoodsport, WA.
>
> In Feb, my wife (certified many years back) and I will be heading to St.
> Martin. Any recommendations for diving in the area? It is worth a day
> trip
> over to Saba? Do folks recommend the ferry or by plane? Any dive
> shops/boats to look for (or to run away from)? Any other general advice?
>
> Thanks!
>
> -Tim

I agree with chilly. Enjoy yourself in St Martin. I spent a week in Saba
few years back, diving was excellent ,, but a little deep, and the clarity
of the water was so-so. They said it was unusal plankin? in the water? i
enjoyed the dives and saba itself, but as i remember most dives you had to
drop to reef (70-80') shelf(no context, ie no reef).

I think you should save Saba for another time. btw the ferry service can be
quite rough, I remember flying back to St. Martin and seeing 2-3 foot waves
hitting the ferry.

Than again, the Saba airport is exciting both landing and taking off. Feels
like your on a aircraft carrier.

enjoy your dives

Fred
"Tim McDonough" <tmm@sdd.hp.com> wrote in message
news:fmivlr$ij6$1@epgc964.sdd.hp.com...
> I'm finally certified! Did my open water diver certification dives this
> past
> weekend at Octopus Hole, near Hoodsport, WA.
>
> In Feb, my wife (certified many years back) and I will be heading to St.
> Martin. Any recommendations for diving in the area? It is worth a day
> trip
> over to Saba? Do folks recommend the ferry or by plane? Any dive
> shops/boats to look for (or to run away from)? Any other general advice?
>
> Thanks!
>
> -Tim

I agree with chilly. Enjoy yourself in St Martin. I spent a week in Saba
few years back, diving was excellent ,, but a little deep, and the clarity
of the water was so-so. They said it was unusal plankin? in the water? i
enjoyed the dives and saba itself, but as i remember most dives you had to
drop to reef (70-80') shelf(no context, ie no reef).

I think you should save Saba for another time. btw the ferry service can be
quite rough, I remember flying back to St. Martin and seeing 2-3 foot waves
hitting the ferry.

Than again, the Saba airport is exciting both landing and taking off. Feels
like your on a aircraft carrier.

enjoy your dives

Fred
"Tim McDonough" <tmm@sdd.hp.com> wrote in message
news:fmivlr$ij6$1@epgc964.sdd.hp.com...
> I'm finally certified! Did my open water diver certification dives this
> past
> weekend at Octopus Hole, near Hoodsport, WA.
>
> In Feb, my wife (certified many years back) and I will be heading to St.
> Martin. Any recommendations for diving in the area? It is worth a day
> trip
> over to Saba? Do folks recommend the ferry or by plane? Any dive
> shops/boats to look for (or to run away from)? Any other general advice?
>
> Thanks!
>
> -Tim