I have to respectfully disagree, we did our classroom and pool work in NH before we went to Virgin Gorda. The Dive shop here co-ordinated with Dive BVI and we did our certification dives there. They were wonderful. Paperwork was handled for us, and the big advantage is that on each dive after you finish your skills you get to actually dive until you get low on air. At home (we were taking our classes in Feb/Mar) people were doing their cert dives in dry suits and doing the 10-15 minute descend, skills, ascend.

The whole experience was easy and a wonderful time.