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Dive Shops & Easy Dive Sites #176676
11/29/2018 05:12 AM
11/29/2018 05:12 AM
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,288
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PelicanPirate Offline OP
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Im certified, the boss is not. That said, she did an intro dive (mask removal, clearing and all the hard stuff in the Ocean) prior to the reef dive on Bonaire this year. Loved it with no problms.

Then snorkeled Kleine Bonaire where you have an awesome reef to your left, a steady current and mucho deep (hundred) water to your right, no issues.

Looking for an easy, safe, interesting shallow (30 feet or less) dive in preferably calm water with a dedicated to us dive master to keep her/us safe.

Looking for recommendations for Dive Shops and Sites. Staying Simpson Bay Area, Will visit Orient often, so could be anywhere in between

Thanks

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Re: Dive Shops & Easy Dive Sites [Re: PelicanPirate] #176680
11/29/2018 06:57 AM
11/29/2018 06:57 AM
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 389
East Haven, CT
Wingman Offline
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Aquamania is the best place to go. They're located right at the Simpson Bay resort. Been diving with them for years.

Re: Dive Shops & Easy Dive Sites [Re: Wingman] #176689
11/29/2018 08:26 AM
11/29/2018 08:26 AM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
BillandElaine Offline
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BillandElaine  Offline
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St Maarten
Agree.


Elaine
*********************************
God Bless the broken road....
Re: Dive Shops & Easy Dive Sites [Re: PelicanPirate] #176723
11/29/2018 12:02 PM
11/29/2018 12:02 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,565
Auburn, WA
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Since she is not a certified diver she would have to do another discover dive with a qualified instructor. Dive Adventures with Aqua Mania at www.stmaarten-activities.com and www.stmaartendive.com offer this. They are located in the Simpson Bay Resort and Marina complex. I have over 280 dives logged with them and can contest to their professional and safely record.

Re: Dive Shops & Easy Dive Sites [Re: SXMScubaman] #176739
11/29/2018 01:18 PM
11/29/2018 01:18 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,471
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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I'm confused, aren't you recommending the same place as the other two posters? Or not?


Carol Hill
Re: Dive Shops & Easy Dive Sites [Re: PelicanPirate] #176747
11/29/2018 02:47 PM
11/29/2018 02:47 PM
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motoman Offline
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Lot more useful information on scubamans post. Also one of the "other two posters" offered no information whatsoever.

Re: Dive Shops & Easy Dive Sites [Re: motoman] #176752
11/29/2018 02:59 PM
11/29/2018 02:59 PM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 221
London,Ontario CDN
JMSH Offline
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Just a word of advice and make sure you check with your carrier......dive related accidents that occur with uncertified divers is an exclusion under out of country medical coverage.

Re: Dive Shops & Easy Dive Sites [Re: motoman] #176755
11/29/2018 03:23 PM
11/29/2018 03:23 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,471
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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I agree there's more info there, just I wasn't sure if he was referring to a different place, as he didn't say he agreed or disagreed with the other recommendation. I have no idea whether there is more than one dive shop at Aqua Mania.


Carol Hill
Re: Dive Shops & Easy Dive Sites [Re: motoman] #176758
11/29/2018 03:41 PM
11/29/2018 03:41 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
BillandElaine Offline
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BillandElaine  Offline
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Originally Posted by motoman
Lot more useful information on scubamans post. Also one of the "other two posters" offered no information whatsoever.


And you commented why? You have a recommendation? I was just agreeing with the recommendation.


Elaine
*********************************
God Bless the broken road....
Re: Dive Shops & Easy Dive Sites [Re: PelicanPirate] #176765
11/29/2018 04:35 PM
11/29/2018 04:35 PM
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motoman Offline
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I commented because I see a pattern where one poster is consistently picking on another and I think it is unfair.I also recommend Dive adventures at Aqua Mania. Therefore I also agree with wingman and scubaman, without providing any information.

Re: Dive Shops & Easy Dive Sites [Re: motoman] #176766
11/29/2018 04:37 PM
11/29/2018 04:37 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,471
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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And gee, you make your first and second posts here, both as snarky comments, because you are upset about other people's posts...


Carol Hill
Re: Dive Shops & Easy Dive Sites [Re: PelicanPirate] #176768
11/29/2018 04:51 PM
11/29/2018 04:51 PM
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motoman Offline
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I have been following TTOL SXM for a few years but never joined nor posted. You can thank yourself for attracting another poster to TTOL.

Re: Dive Shops & Easy Dive Sites [Re: Carol_Hill] #176782
11/29/2018 08:25 PM
11/29/2018 08:25 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,565
Auburn, WA
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Originally Posted by Carol_Hill
I'm confused, aren't you recommending the same place as the other two posters? Or not?

Yes. Same place but I wanted to include their web sites and say why I recommend them.

Re: Dive Shops & Easy Dive Sites [Re: SXMScubaman] #176785
11/29/2018 08:53 PM
11/29/2018 08:53 PM
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Posts: 2,288
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PelicanPirate Offline OP
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Thanks for the resounding recommendation on dive company.

Now for Dive sites. What would be some suggestions for places to go?????

Im assuming they would redo the intro stuff either in pool or a fairly shallow shore place.

I think she would then be fine if we had to do actual dive off boat.

Re: Dive Shops & Easy Dive Sites [Re: SXMScubaman] #176786
11/29/2018 09:09 PM
11/29/2018 09:09 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,471
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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OK, thanks.


Carol Hill
Re: Dive Shops & Easy Dive Sites [Re: PelicanPirate] #176792
11/29/2018 09:39 PM
11/29/2018 09:39 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,565
Auburn, WA
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Dive sites are always decided by the dive master on the morning of the dives. As for the discover dive it will start out in a pool or shore to go over safely skills and its an afternoon dive to a shallow site. Usually Creole rock or little bay that has a sunken boat and lots of sea life. Both around 30 ft. For certified divers there are some very good sites like Carib cargo, prostlyte, the maize, tiegland, fish bowl and there is a new one they just sunk a boat by the old bridge site. All are weather and current dependent. Great drift dive on long bay reef. One of my favorites. All range in the 50 to 70 foot depth. Those are all 2 tank morning boat dives at two different sites. Look at the dive site map on the dive adventures link I posted for more detail. Hope that helps. Tell them scubaman sent you. They all know me.

Re: Dive Shops & Easy Dive Sites [Re: SXMScubaman] #176795
11/29/2018 10:04 PM
11/29/2018 10:04 PM
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PelicanPirate Offline OP
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Ok, thanks. Do you usually have a regular buddy or ever have them pair you up?

Re: Dive Shops & Easy Dive Sites [Re: PelicanPirate] #176809
11/30/2018 12:47 AM
11/30/2018 12:47 AM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,565
Auburn, WA
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I'll pair up if my regular buddies aren't diving that day. Yes They will pair you up with someone with your same dive skills.

Re: Dive Shops & Easy Dive Sites [Re: PelicanPirate] #176845
11/30/2018 11:48 AM
11/30/2018 11:48 AM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 203
Wisconsin
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wabid Offline
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In the past we went with Dive Safari's based out of the Scuba Shop in simpson bay. (Near the bridge, lagoon side.) We did a refresher course, (we hadn't dived in 5-10 years) and had a great group dive with two dive masters. One DM was certifying 3 divers as rescue divers, and the second DM guided me and my wife about. Great fun and very personal service.

They do their initial checkouts in a pool on property and then hop right into the boat for open water and fun.

Also if you are staying at the SBR, they have great snorkeling right in front of the beach. Swim straight out about 100 yards. You'll know it when you get there. ;-)


Never walk onto a job site with empty hands. - Source Unknown
Re: Dive Shops & Easy Dive Sites [Re: PelicanPirate] #176871
11/30/2018 04:44 PM
11/30/2018 04:44 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,565
Auburn, WA
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Auburn, WA
A refresher course is great if you are already certified. The "boss" is not. She will need a shallow discover dive to be able to participate.


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