Shore diving in STJ

[islandmaari]

I just got certified to dive yesterday!! Our trip to STJ leaves next Tuesday. We want to do some off shore dives, but also want to explore some shore diving around the island. Can anyone recommend some good spots to try?

8 days!!!!!

[augie]

Here's a thread that may help you out;

http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... hp?t=16509

Have fun!

[augie]

Are there others in your party that are experienced divers?

The reason I ask, is that despite the waters around St. John being rather placid, beach diving is considered an advanced skill.

There's nothing that difficult about doing it really, but if you're newly certified, and have had no practice doing beach entries and exits, then it's just one more detail to worry about.

If you have experienced divers with you that can help, then this is a moot point, but I'd be wary about diving in unfamiliar waters without a guide/divemaster if everyone involved is brand new to the sport.

[flip-flop]

Haulover is an easy shore dive and you can get quite deep (maybe 30-40 feet) not far from shore.

Many of the other shore dives my husband took required more of a swim against some sometimes strong currents.

[islandmaari]

I am newly certified and my hubby is not too experienced either. My brother in law is experienced, but I don't want us to get into trouble. Do you think Haulover would be easy enough. I think we want it more just to get comfortable in the salt water and check our weights before we go out on a charter.

[augie]

Haulover would probably be among the easiest of places to do this. You would probably be fine, especially if your brother in law is experienced enough to be able to keep a close eye on you guys, not just worry about himself.


It's hard to tell with new divers - some of them are amazingly calm and comfortable in the water from day one (Sea-nile blew me away with how well she did considering her limited dive history the first time we dove together) and some need more time in the water before they're there. My wife was a very nervous newbie - you'd never know that to see her dive now, but everyone advances at their own pace.

As far as getting comfortable before you go on the charter - that's one of the things dive professionals get paid for - to help you get the best dive experience no matter your level of experience.

[Capn Dan and Ruby]

First of all Congratulations!!! You will love it! I agree that going with a charter at first is a great idea. I understand that Six Pack Scuba likes to take people out on a 4 hr. dive to check them out and help them with weights and buoyancy control. We are going out with them this time and it has been 2 yeas since our last dive. So I feel good that they will be there with us. I also like having a professional with me for safety. That being said, you might get a few more dives in by being able to go in on a beach especially if you have an experienced diver with you. I really want to try it some time!

[jimg20]

We are reatively new divers. She just completed 30 dives and I have completed 20. We are now comfortable enough where we are thinking about doing shore dives on our own. We learned about getting bouyancy right while diving with Low Key (not a commercial). They like to work with divers to get it right. One of the things they can do is carry extra weights and share them with you if required.

I don't recommend a shore dive as your first trip after certification. I do, however, recoomend that you have a great time. YOu are going to love it. We'll pass you at the airport next Tuesday.

JIM