Eastern Caribbean Sites

I am doing the Royal Caribbean to the easter caribbean next June.
Stopping at San Juan, Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas), Phillipsburg (St.
Maarten) and Nassau. I have no knowledge of these areas, and will
probably do all diving through the ship unless someone here has a much
better method. Not sure if I want to dive in San Juan, and the stop in
Nassau is from 1:00 through 7:00 PM.

Trying to figure out logistically where I want to dive and options to
visit the Natural settings since I have never been there.

TIA

Joe English <jenglish@accessusn.net> wrote:

>I am doing the Royal Caribbean to the easter caribbean next June.
>Stopping at San Juan, Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas), Phillipsburg (St.
>Maarten) and Nassau. I have no knowledge of these areas, and will
>probably do all diving through the ship unless someone here has a much
>better method. Not sure if I want to dive in San Juan, and the stop in
>Nassau is from 1:00 through 7:00 PM.
>
>Trying to figure out logistically where I want to dive and options to
>visit the Natural settings since I have never been there.
>
If you have the option, from Nassau I'd want to visit Allen's Cay
which is uninhabited but has an endangered iguana species there. I
know there are trips from Nassau, but I don't know if it is an option
given the time frame.

For St. Thomas, it is recommended by most people that you take a cab
from the dock to Red Hook and take a ferry from there to St. John to
enjoy the beaches and snorkeling. Although diving the Rhone is also
nice.



grandma Rosalie

Joe English wrote:

> I am doing the Royal Caribbean to the easter caribbean next June.
> Stopping at San Juan, Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas), Phillipsburg (St.
> Maarten) and Nassau. I have no knowledge of these areas, and will
> probably do all diving through the ship unless someone here has a much
> better method. Not sure if I want to dive in San Juan, and the stop in
> Nassau is from 1:00 through 7:00 PM.
>
> Trying to figure out logistically where I want to dive and options to
> visit the Natural settings since I have never been there.
>
> TIA
>

All hard docks and no tenders, so that's nice.
Try this site for port info:
http://www.cruisecritic.com/ports/area.cfm?area=8

You don't want to dive San Juan, and you can't get to any decent spots,
dive, and back to the ship in that time span. You can walk around Old
Town (no tax on purchases is nice) and see the Fort easily enough on
your own. Don't bother with the rum factory tour, no one I know thought
it was worth it. El Yunque tour is nice if you'd like to see a rain
forest, but is alot of time on a bus with alot of other people, much
better if you can arrange another way of seeing it because you will have
more opportunity to get off on a trail. Luquillo beach is conveniently
near the entrance to the rain forest (about a 45" drive east from San
Juan) Don't do the snorkel/kayak trip to the Fajardo area, it isn't
worth it.

Nassau, dive for sure. RCCL hooked us up with Nassau Scuba Centre
http://www.nassau-scuba-centre.com/ last year, the guys that booked it
on their own paid 5 bucks less than we did at the time and we all shared
the same van out to the opposite end of the island for the dives. Might
have to watch your time frame here. Nice op overall, had fun. First
dive was to Sea Viking at 80fsw for 40 min. and doing a safety stop is
mandatory or else you won't be doing the second dive, as one person on
our boat soon discovered. SI was 40 min. #2 was to Bahama Mama
wreck/sharks at 53fsw and 50 min. BT. If you have time, which I doubt,
grab a 7 minute cab ride to the huge Atlantis Resort from the ship's
hard dock and take a stroll around the massive resort/casino/aquarium
complex. You have to pay for a real tour, but we saw enough without
doing so.

St. Thomas, 4 years ago, Underwater World. 16 divers in 2 groups and 2
40 minute dives to 74fsw and 60fsw. #1 Buck Island-Snapper Valley, this
must be where they take you to see if you crash into the reef or
something, didn't see much. #2 Andre's Reef (they must have decided we
were ok), dive site better all around for soft corals, sea life and viz.
SI was 35 min. I could have done better on my own since it was an
early arrival, and the ship may be using someone else now. I've taken
the ferry to St. Johns where there was a nice secluded beach, but
there's plenty to do on St. Thomas since it's your first visit. Just the
ride around the island can be an adventure, keep appendages you want to
keep in the vehicle ;)

St. Maarten, everyone told me to skip it or go to Saba. So of course,
last year I dove it anyway since Saba required a short flight over and
there were time constraints. Dive Safaris was the op and this was the
same trip that we went to Nassau. #1 Fish Bowl at 59fsw for 47 min. #2
Maze was 52fsw and 52" BT. It was enjoyable, not as nice as Coz or
Cayman, but I'd dive with the op again. Unfortunately I still had
enough time to spend $$$ on Dutch side for electronics. Easy to catch a
cab/van to the French side for the beach on your own.

Have fun planning it, you have alot of time.

"greatviz" <greatviz@netscapeNOTSPAM.net> wrote in message
news:2V0%c.16933$uN5.3385@tornado.tampabay.rr.com. ..
>
>
>>
> Nassau, dive for sure. RCCL hooked us up with Nassau Scuba Centre
> http://www.nassau-scuba-centre.com/ last year, the guys that booked it
> on their own paid 5 bucks less than we did at the time and we all shared
> the same van out to the opposite end of the island for the dives. Might
> have to watch your time frame here. Nice op overall, had fun. First
> dive was to Sea Viking at 80fsw for 40 min. and doing a safety stop is
> mandatory or else you won't be doing the second dive, as one person on
> our boat soon discovered. SI was 40 min. #2 was to Bahama Mama
> wreck/sharks at 53fsw and 50 min. BT. If you have time, which I doubt,
> grab a 7 minute cab ride to the huge Atlantis Resort from the ship's
> hard dock and take a stroll around the massive resort/casino/aquarium
> complex. You have to pay for a real tour, but we saw enough without
> doing so.

You were lucky. There were only two people diving when we went and they
took us out with the snorkellers. Never got below 12'. It was a lovely
site but I could have snorkled it for considerably less. On the other hand,
I was left with plenty of time to run around Nassau town.

>
> St. Thomas, 4 years ago, Underwater World. 16 divers in 2 groups and 2
> 40 minute dives to 74fsw and 60fsw. #1 Buck Island-Snapper Valley, this
> must be where they take you to see if you crash into the reef or
> something, didn't see much. #2 Andre's Reef (they must have decided we
> were ok), dive site better all around for soft corals, sea life and viz.
> SI was 35 min. I could have done better on my own since it was an
> early arrival, and the ship may be using someone else now. I've taken
> the ferry to St. Johns where there was a nice secluded beach, but
> there's plenty to do on St. Thomas since it's your first visit. Just the
> ride around the island can be an adventure, keep appendages you want to
> keep in the vehicle ;)

I chose not to dive at St. Thomas and I'm very glad of that. Took the tour
bus around the island. While they took us to all the usual tourist traps,
we still saw a fair amount of the island beauty and when we returned to
port, 4 of us got the tour guy to take us over to Megan's Bay for a couple
of hours of swimming and sunning. He picked us up at the appointed time and
took us back to the dock. We still had time left over to do some shopping.
It was a wonderful day.

>
> St. Maarten, everyone told me to skip it or go to Saba. So of course,
> last year I dove it anyway since Saba required a short flight over and
> there were time constraints. Dive Safaris was the op and this was the
> same trip that we went to Nassau. #1 Fish Bowl at 59fsw for 47 min. #2
> Maze was 52fsw and 52" BT. It was enjoyable, not as nice as Coz or
> Cayman, but I'd dive with the op again. Unfortunately I still had
> enough time to spend $$$ on Dutch side for electronics. Easy to catch a
> cab/van to the French side for the beach on your own.

The dives were not too far from shore and weren't all that. We were left
with lots of time to wander all about the front streets and have a drink at
one of the small beachfront hotels. I regretted that I'd gone diving there
instead of taking the time to go over to the French side.

>
> Have fun planning it, you have alot of time.


>

Rosalie B. <gmbeasley@mindspring.com> wrote in message news:<auloj0583p0rk95umh5ie2j585gu9vcm0m@4ax.com>. ..
> Joe English <jenglish@accessusn.net> wrote:
>
> >I am doing the Royal Caribbean to the easter caribbean next June.
> >Stopping at San Juan, Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas), Phillipsburg (St.
> >Maarten) and Nassau. I have no knowledge of these areas, and will
> >probably do all diving through the ship unless someone here has a much
> >better method. Not sure if I want to dive in San Juan, and the stop in
> >Nassau is from 1:00 through 7:00 PM.
> >
> >Trying to figure out logistically where I want to dive and options to
> >visit the Natural settings since I have never been there.
> >
> If you have the option, from Nassau I'd want to visit Allen's Cay
> which is uninhabited but has an endangered iguana species there. I
> know there are trips from Nassau, but I don't know if it is an option
> given the time frame.

RCCL leaves barely enough time to dive their own tour in Nassau, I
don't believe there'll be enough time for such a side trip.

The South side of Nassau (Stuart Cove's, Dive Dive Dive, etc.) is about
an hour ride (provided by the dive shop) each way from the town of
Nassau. If you know how to book in advance and work out a suitable
dive schudule between 1 and 7 pm, it's doable. Since you're new
there, diving the dives scheduled by the ship is not that bad, and
will give you the piece of mind not to be left behind in case
something goes awry in the dive schedule.

>
> For St. Thomas, it is recommended by most people that you take a cab
> from the dock to Red Hook and take a ferry from there to St. John to
> enjoy the beaches and snorkeling.

Why not scuba diving? St. John offers better dives than St. Thomas,
and there are shops right off the Red Hook Ferry (about 30 minute ride).


> Although diving the Rhone is also nice.
>
>
>
> grandma Rosalie

The wreck of the Rhone is in BVI, nowhere CLOSE to St. John to be able
to make the trip.

Been there. Done all of the above.

-- Bob.

Large_Nassau_Grouper@Yahoo.com (Reef Fish) wrote:

>Rosalie B. <gmbeasley@mindspring.com> wrote in message news:<auloj0583p0rk95umh5ie2j585gu9vcm0m@4ax.com>. ..
>> Joe English <jenglish@accessusn.net> wrote:
>>
>> >I am doing the Royal Caribbean to the easter caribbean next June.
>> >Stopping at San Juan, Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas), Phillipsburg (St.
>> >Maarten) and Nassau. I have no knowledge of these areas, and will
>> >probably do all diving through the ship unless someone here has a much
>> >better method. Not sure if I want to dive in San Juan, and the stop in
>> >Nassau is from 1:00 through 7:00 PM.
>> >
>> >Trying to figure out logistically where I want to dive and options to
>> >visit the Natural settings since I have never been there.
>> >
>> If you have the option, from Nassau I'd want to visit Allen's Cay
>> which is uninhabited but has an endangered iguana species there. I
>> know there are trips from Nassau, but I don't know if it is an option
>> given the time frame.

That's what I was afraid of. Also I have heard that it is difficult
to fight your way through the crowds at the dock in Nassau to do
something on your own.
>
>RCCL leaves barely enough time to dive their own tour in Nassau, I
>don't believe there'll be enough time for such a side trip.
>
>The South side of Nassau (Stuart Cove's, Dive Dive Dive, etc.) is about
>an hour ride (provided by the dive shop) each way from the town of
>Nassau. If you know how to book in advance and work out a suitable
>dive schudule between 1 and 7 pm, it's doable. Since you're new
>there, diving the dives scheduled by the ship is not that bad, and
>will give you the piece of mind not to be left behind in case
>something goes awry in the dive schedule.
>>
>> For St. Thomas, it is recommended by most people that you take a cab
>> from the dock to Red Hook and take a ferry from there to St. John to
>> enjoy the beaches and snorkeling.
>
>Why not scuba diving? St. John offers better dives than St. Thomas,
>and there are shops right off the Red Hook Ferry (about 30 minute ride).
>
There were when I was there, but it's been awhile. So yes, diving is
good.

>> Although diving the Rhone is also nice.
>
>The wreck of the Rhone is in BVI, nowhere CLOSE to St. John to be able
>to make the trip.
>
>Been there. Done all of the above.

I am somewhat geographically challenged WRT the Virgin Islands - We
did the Rhone from a chartered sailboat early in the morning before
leaving the late afternoon of the next day. We went to Red Hook and
flew home and it didn't seem that far to me - it was a sailboat and
most power boats I think would be faster and so maybe possible.

We did a dive off the Reef Bay side of St. John which was very nice,
but most of the sites I know are in the BVI.

grandma Rosalie

On Tue, 07 Sep 2004 00:48:18 GMT, Rosalie B.
<gmbeasley@mindspring.com> wrote:

>>>
>>> For St. Thomas, it is recommended by most people that you take a cab
>>> from the dock to Red Hook and take a ferry from there to St. John to
>>> enjoy the beaches and snorkeling.
>>
>>Why not scuba diving? St. John offers better dives than St. Thomas,
>>and there are shops right off the Red Hook Ferry (about 30 minute ride).
>>
>There were when I was there, but it's been awhile. So yes, diving is
>good.
>
Try the south side of St. Thomas and dive with Blue Island Divers
http://www.blueislanddivers.com/divesite.htm. I've dived both sides
of the island and have found many more interesting sites on the south
side. I have also found Blue Island Divers to be my favorite dive
operation, and I've dived with 6 operations on St. Thomas and 1 on St.
John. Great people, lots of good sites and a new boat. And I'm going
to be diving with them again in early October. Come join me.

Carl Roessler once said to me that the "Eastern" Caribbean was the weak part
of the Caribbean to dive. Subsequently, I did visit many of these areas and
he has been proven to be right.

Robert Dickson wrote:

> On Tue, 07 Sep 2004 00:48:18 GMT, Rosalie B.
> <gmbeasley@mindspring.com> wrote:
>
> >>>
> >>> For St. Thomas, it is recommended by most people that you take a cab
> >>> from the dock to Red Hook and take a ferry from there to St. John to
> >>> enjoy the beaches and snorkeling.
> >>
> >>Why not scuba diving? St. John offers better dives than St. Thomas,
> >>and there are shops right off the Red Hook Ferry (about 30 minute ride).
> >>
> >There were when I was there, but it's been awhile. So yes, diving is
> >good.
> >
> Try the south side of St. Thomas and dive with Blue Island Divers
> http://www.blueislanddivers.com/divesite.htm. I've dived both sides
> of the island and have found many more interesting sites on the south
> side. I have also found Blue Island Divers to be my favorite dive
> operation, and I've dived with 6 operations on St. Thomas and 1 on St.
> John. Great people, lots of good sites and a new boat. And I'm going
> to be diving with them again in early October. Come join me.

"Daniel Kessler" <dkessler@pop.cybernex.net> wrote in message
news:413DBE35.6655DEC6@pop.cybernex.net...
> Carl Roessler once said to me that the "Eastern" Caribbean was the weak
part
> of the Caribbean to dive. Subsequently, I did visit many of these areas
and
> he has been proven to be right.

I once believed what Carl Roessler said to me. Never will again though. And
I think you know what I'm talking about.

I can't speak for any place in the Caribbean; my step-daughter lives
on STT and we take advantage of the free lodging and the chance to
visit her. The sites may be the best in the world, but they are
worlds better than the quarries in Pennsylvania.

On Tue, 07 Sep 2004 13:56:41 GMT, Daniel Kessler
<dkessler@pop.cybernex.net> wrote:

>Carl Roessler once said to me that the "Eastern" Caribbean was the weak part
>of the Caribbean to dive. Subsequently, I did visit many of these areas and
>he has been proven to be right.
>
>Robert Dickson wrote:
>
>> On Tue, 07 Sep 2004 00:48:18 GMT, Rosalie B.
>> <gmbeasley@mindspring.com> wrote:
>>
>> >>>
>> >>> For St. Thomas, it is recommended by most people that you take a cab
>> >>> from the dock to Red Hook and take a ferry from there to St. John to
>> >>> enjoy the beaches and snorkeling.
>> >>
>> >>Why not scuba diving? St. John offers better dives than St. Thomas,
>> >>and there are shops right off the Red Hook Ferry (about 30 minute ride).
>> >>
>> >There were when I was there, but it's been awhile. So yes, diving is
>> >good.
>> >
>> Try the south side of St. Thomas and dive with Blue Island Divers
>> http://www.blueislanddivers.com/divesite.htm. I've dived both sides
>> of the island and have found many more interesting sites on the south
>> side. I have also found Blue Island Divers to be my favorite dive
>> operation, and I've dived with 6 operations on St. Thomas and 1 on St.
>> John. Great people, lots of good sites and a new boat. And I'm going
>> to be diving with them again in early October. Come join me.