Tortola vs Antigua vs. St Thomas

[DivingNole]

Hi everyone,
Going to search the forum, but figured I would also ask the question to see if anyone has recent experiences. I'll be on a cruise ship that docks in St Thomas (8am-6 pm), Tortola (7am- 2:30 pm), and Antigua (8 am- 6pm). Unfortunately, this is a vacation with a little diving instead of a diving vacation I'm planning diving in at least one of the ports, along with another diver who is a novice. I was also thinking I wouldn't mind a beach/tour day in one of the ports on a non-cruise ship excursion. Any advice in which of the ports would be the better highlights for diving? I plan on finding a shop to book directly with instead of the cruise line's as I know that is usually the better way to go. So I'm open to suggestions about dive shops too.

For frame of reference, I've done quite a bit of Caribbean diving so I know what or what not to expect (Bequia, liveaboard in the Bahamas, Roatan, Cozumel, and going on the Caribbean Explorer II next month). My friend is a newbie who's only dove in Roatan and Cozumel. Thanks so much in advance!

 

[drrich2]

From what I've read, Antigua is not one of the top dive destinations, so I'd mark it off that list. I'm not familiar with Tortola.

St. Thomas is a popular dive (and shopping) island. I've dove twice with Admiralty Dive during cruise ship stops; there are also other reputable op.s for private excursions (which is how I booked).

My 2 dives with Admiralty in Nov. 2012 were to Armando's Paradise and Navy Barges, and both were 50 something minutes (close to 1 hour) with 80 cf aluminum tanks. I don't think either was over 50 feet deep. Had a good time.

Richard.

 

[motorref]

I'm headed there as well, and was told that Dive BVI (Dive BVI >> British Virgin Islands Scuba Diving, It's What we do!) was a good outfit; I emailed them and it doesn't fit my schedule, but they do am dives going to the Rhone.

KevinL

 

[PACKRMAN]

I recommend Blue Island Divers in St Thomas. It is who I use everytime we are there.
The diving in Antigua is good but it is a LONG cab ride to get there. I used Indigo Divers. Add $30.00 each way to the dive.
Sorry can't help with Tortola.

 

[petsin]

I did dive in Antigua with Indigo divers as well. Nice but nothing really remarkable. And the boat ride (40min) plus the taxi ride (20min) makes it a long morning trip, though you have plenty of time according to your ship schedule. In Tortola I took the ship operator to dive the Rhone... very nice two tank dive, good operation but expensive! ($159). Never been in St Thomas (yet).