Where to dive on Southern Caribbean Cruise and Tortola

[jolever]

Hi, my boyfriend and I are spending 5 days in British Virgin Islands - tortola and then heading on a southern caribbean RCI cruise in december.

We are both love diving, although he has far more logged dives than me. Which dive operators would you recommend in tortola BVI (we're staying at Pussers Marina Cay) and we want to dive at 1 or 2 ports on our cruise any recommendations of ports and operators would be great:-

St Maarten, Antigua, St Lucia, or Barbados

Please help us!

Jo

 

[diversteve]

Ok, if you're staying at Pussers, you're near but not on Tortola. On Marina Cay you'll want to dive with Dive BVI. They're Pusser's dive operator. And an exceptionally friendly and easy-going group of people to dive with.
http://www.divebvi.com/marina_cay_facility.htm

PM Jeff(vgdiver here) if you have more questions, he's their GM.

If you like wrecks the Rhone is one of the best - as well as being the signature BVI dive. Otherwise the Indians are highly recommended as is Aquarium. Or any of the Dogs (Great, George, West etc.) Aquarium is so close to Virgin Gorda that they might take you to the Baths for lunch/SI if asked. Also ask to go to the Willy T one day for lunch - it's off Norman Island - Believe me the most serious thing about the Willy T is this website: http://www.williamthornton.com/about.html

I wouldn't make the trip over to Tortola to dive with someone else.

Can't help with your other choices except to say that I've heard diving isn't so great in Antigua.

 

[BurBunny]

Wouldn't bother diving from the ship in Antigua or St. Maarten. Good diving to be had, but not accessible from the ship, even independently, with the times you're in port.

St. Lucia is a must, and Barbados can be good.

 

[MaraGirl]

Don't rule out Antigua yet - you've got to check. I know that AntiguaScuba has, in the past, adjusted their start times to accomadate cruise ships that come in past 8am. I happened to be there on one of those days. Their website is www.antiguascuba.com.
If not, then as BurBunny suggested St.Lucia and Barbados.