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Referral Open Water Dives #174092
11/03/2018 07:55 AM
11/03/2018 07:55 AM
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 64
Toronto, ON
B
Bgs Offline OP
Traveler
Bgs  Offline OP
Traveler
B
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 64
Toronto, ON
Hi,

We will have just completed our classroom and pool portion of our dive training. We are looking to do our referral dives this December. We are chartering from Captain’s Compass, so leaving from Nanny Cay, but I suppose that is not a real factor. I am wondering if there is any feedback on Blue Water Divers, or others.

Thanks

BG

BVI Sponsors
Re: Referral Open Water Dives [Re: Bgs] #174103
11/03/2018 09:25 AM
11/03/2018 09:25 AM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,994
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline
Traveler
GeorgeC1  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,994
GA/NC
The nice thing is that in the BVI I am not aware of any bad dive companies. Keith at Blue Water divers will take great care of you. I recommend you meet them at Cooper Island as it gives the non divers lots of things to do. Pick up a ball as boats are leaving about 9 AM the first day of diving. They will show up to pick you up at 10 usually. Knock out two dives and stay overnight on that ball. Stay on the ball and knock out your other two the next morning and you will still have time to go somewhere else for the night. If you want to dive more ask them to leave the gear with you since you will now be certified and can dive off your boat.

Re: Referral Open Water Dives [Re: GeorgeC1] #174116
11/03/2018 10:49 AM
11/03/2018 10:49 AM
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 64
Toronto, ON
B
Bgs Offline OP
Traveler
Bgs  Offline OP
Traveler
B
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 64
Toronto, ON
Okay that sounds like a great plan. Cooper Island was (will it still be) our favourite stop. All four of us will be diving, so we will be together. I like the idea of keeping the gear and doing one set of dives on our own.

Thanks,

Brian

Re: Referral Open Water Dives [Re: Bgs] #174137
11/03/2018 05:00 PM
11/03/2018 05:00 PM
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 886
Louisville, KY
NoelHall Offline
Traveler
NoelHall  Offline
Traveler
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 886
Louisville, KY
I agree, no bad choices that I am aware of. Blue Water Divers is a very good operation, and if Abi is willing to complete your certification, she will wear you out, but you will know you have been thoroughly trained. Sail Caribbean Divers actually has a dive shop on Cooper Island, and they are certainly a well established operation. Of course Casey and Jeff at Dive BVI are also up to the task and operate in the area. Our crew aboard 'AS YOU WISH', a Voyage 48, will be diving during December 8th - 17th. If you see us, give us a shout.


Noel Hall
"It is humbling indeed, to discover my own opinion is only correct less than 50% of the time."

www.noelhall.com
Re: Referral Open Water Dives [Re: Bgs] #174155
11/03/2018 09:47 PM
11/03/2018 09:47 PM
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 64
Toronto, ON
B
Bgs Offline OP
Traveler
Bgs  Offline OP
Traveler
B
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 64
Toronto, ON
Thanks, sounds like there are solid options. Follow up question. Is this something we should book in advance, so we don’t miss out, or wait till we get there or just before so we can let weather, wind, plans be our guide?
(Looking at the week just before Christmas. )

Re: Referral Open Water Dives [Re: Bgs] #174159
11/03/2018 11:35 PM
11/03/2018 11:35 PM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
warren460 Offline
Traveler
warren460  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
I sent you a pm. Yes, book in advance is very prudent.


Warren S/V Scuba Doo
Lagoon 50 (winner of best crewed yacht under 55 feet at the St. Thomas crewed yacht boat show).

https://www.cyabrochure.com/ebn/2307/pdyrX/6642/4///
Re: Referral Open Water Dives [Re: Bgs] #174198
11/04/2018 02:47 PM
11/04/2018 02:47 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,228
Somewhere out there
kneafseym Offline
Traveler
kneafseym  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,228
Somewhere out there
We always told out guests to get the diving done before the trip. The referral dives really aren't that fun due to working on skills. So it that is done prior to the trip you get some real diving done. I would set it up in advance.

I'm guessing that since you are from Toronto, getting the water part done is not an option, buzz down to Florida and finish it.


Mike
Re: Referral Open Water Dives [Re: Bgs] #174204
11/04/2018 03:37 PM
11/04/2018 03:37 PM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
warren460 Offline
Traveler
warren460  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
Over the years We have had several guests, do the referral dives with blue water divers. Without exception, they all enjoyed it. Much better dives than here


Warren S/V Scuba Doo
Lagoon 50 (winner of best crewed yacht under 55 feet at the St. Thomas crewed yacht boat show).

https://www.cyabrochure.com/ebn/2307/pdyrX/6642/4///
Re: Referral Open Water Dives [Re: Bgs] #174230
11/04/2018 11:30 PM
11/04/2018 11:30 PM
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 793
Redmond, WA
MrEZgoin Offline
Traveler
MrEZgoin  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 793
Redmond, WA
We did this some years ago with Sail Caribbean Divers, dove with them a whole bunch since them and have always had a good experience. I don't know if Dale is still around, but he was great!


M4000 "Lio Kai"
Re: Referral Open Water Dives [Re: Bgs] #174308
11/05/2018 02:58 PM
11/05/2018 02:58 PM
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 121
Virgin Gorda, BVI
DiveBVI Offline
Traveler
DiveBVI  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 121
Virgin Gorda, BVI
I would definitely recommend booking ahead of your trip. Spaces fill quickly during the December time periods, and we wouldn't want you to miss out on some great BVI diving. Most of the dive sites here are shallow, less than 60 ft, so you'll get to see a lot of great things during your Checkout dives. Please be sure to bring a copy of your Training Records, dive logs, and Medical Statement with you to help the process go smoother. We have some fantastic dive ops here, and they'll all take good care of you!

Jeff


Dive BVI

"Setting the standard of BVI diving since 1975"
2 great locations - Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour & Scrub Island Resort
Visit us on the web: http://www.divebvi.com
Re: Referral Open Water Dives [Re: DiveBVI] #174552
11/08/2018 02:49 PM
11/08/2018 02:49 PM
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 51
K
knitsoftwear Offline
Traveler
knitsoftwear  Offline
Traveler
K
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 51
You guys did our check out dives 10? years ago. Everything was flawless and the dives were wonderful.

If anyone is concerned about the checkout dives be just the skills that is not true. We did the skills checkout and the had a (an albeit) shorter) dive till we were low on air.

Certainly better than cold weather/water dives up north

Re: Referral Open Water Dives [Re: Bgs] #174597
11/08/2018 09:30 PM
11/08/2018 09:30 PM
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 793
Redmond, WA
MrEZgoin Offline
Traveler
MrEZgoin  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 793
Redmond, WA
Our checkout dive was at the HMS Rhone, not a bad way to start a diving career.


M4000 "Lio Kai"
Re: Referral Open Water Dives [Re: Bgs] #174872
11/11/2018 10:38 AM
11/11/2018 10:38 AM
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 288
J
jimnjudy Offline
Traveler
jimnjudy  Offline
Traveler
J
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 288
As an instructor for a number of agencies I can tell you there has always been a concern about new divers getting "certified" in southern waters. NAUI used to insist that if a Canadian diver did his open water portion of the training in southern waters that the diver had to do one cold water dive to get his/her certification. This could apply to Bgs as being in Toronto and only 4 hours away from Tobermory..an area that has 25 shipwrecks with 8 sq. miles...Bgs might just want to explore one or more of those pristine wrecks..BUT..the water seldom gets above 65 and deeper down is in the 40's. Diving in water that cold needs special training. And yes, I've heard the story a hundred times.." Oh, I'll never dive in cold water!"
For a first open water experience warm water is certainly much better for a new diver because in open water the new diver has a lot to take in BUT we ( the instructor community) recommend a new diver at some point after open water checkout get at least one checkout in cold water.
I have been on cold water wrecks a lot and because they are in cold water they are almost totally intact and covered only with Zebra mussels as opposed to warm water wrecks in salt water which, after not too long a period, are almost unrecognizable because of the coral growth. AND a bonus..no chance of seeing sharks in cold freshwater....yet.


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