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Octopus Diving - St Martin


gsuoumu
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Wife and I are looking into doing the beginner's scuba dive with this company in St Martin. Anyone used them before and can give feedback?

 

One thing that's a concern is that when I emailed he said I'd arrive at 1330 but our ship is scheduled for a 1700 departure with I'd assume a 1630 all aboard. Seems pretty rushed/cramped and I'm paranoid about getting left. Not sure if I'd be comfortable with that.

 

Any feedback would be helpful.

 

Todd

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Wife and I are looking into doing the beginner's scuba dive with this company in St Martin. Anyone used them before and can give feedback?

 

One thing that's a concern is that when I emailed he said I'd arrive at 1330 but our ship is scheduled for a 1700 departure with I'd assume a 1630 all aboard. Seems pretty rushed/cramped and I'm paranoid about getting left. Not sure if I'd be comfortable with that.

 

Any feedback would be helpful.

 

Todd

 

Todd, I've dove with them several times, at both their French Side and Dutch Side locations.

 

 

First, you definitely want to make sure you're talking with the Dutch Side operation (http://www.octopusdivingsxm.com/). The French side is a forty minute drive each way, and often longer as traffic can be bad. On top of that I think the diving is better on the Dutch side.

 

 

The Dutch side office is at Bobby's Marina, which is about a 15 minute walk from the ship, or you can take the water taxi. If you take the water taxi make sure you tell them you are going to Bobby's Marina. Only the smaller water taxi boat goes there. At Bobby's Marina the water taxi docks at Octopus Diving's shop.

 

 

When you say "Beginner's Scuba Dive", I'm assuming you're referring to a Discover Scuba. That requires a brief introductory lecture, then a single dive. It would be nice if you had more time, but there should be sufficient time. Of course you can aid getting things done in a timely manner by arriving early (I'd suggest 12:30) and, if they have provided you with on-line study materials, complete them, as it will make the initial learning phase go more quickly for you.

 

 

Assuming nothing has changed, you'll likely be dealing with Angie at the shop, Tiff as your instructor, and Willem as your boat captain.

 

 

Harris

Denver, CO

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Thanks for your advice. I've been e-mailing Willem from the shop. He did say that we would be on the Dutch side so that's a positive. I was hoping to do a two tank trip but I think that might be pushing things. And since we don't even know if we'll like it, maybe just doing one tank is best so if we don't enjoy it we're not stuck doing it twice. Can always come back.

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Thanks for your advice. I've been e-mailing Willem from the shop. He did say that we would be on the Dutch side so that's a positive. I was hoping to do a two tank trip but I think that might be pushing things. And since we don't even know if we'll like it, maybe just doing one tank is best so if we don't enjoy it we're not stuck doing it twice. Can always come back.

 

Oh, it sounds like I misunderstood. Are you currently certified? If so, you likely would have the time for the two-tank dive. Make sure Willem knows of your time constraint. They don't normally, but can return you directly to the same dock the water taxis use. So again, show up ahead of time, and make sure you take all your belongings with you on the dive boat, so you can return directly to the ship.

 

 

Harris

Denver, CO

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Oh, it sounds like I misunderstood. Are you currently certified? If so, you likely would have the time for the two-tank dive. Make sure Willem knows of your time constraint. They don't normally, but can return you directly to the same dock the water taxis use. So again, show up ahead of time, and make sure you take all your belongings with you on the dive boat, so you can return directly to the ship.

 

 

Harris

Denver, CO

 

No, we're not certified so maybe two tanks is an option. I'm going to speak with the wife tonight and make sure this is something we want to do. Willem has been very responsive and willing to accommodate so far.

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lot's of places will let you do a second dive - or even more - after completing one Discovery dive. The dives are conducted under the same constraints .... escorted with depth limits.

 

If you are talking with the shop I'd just ask if you can have the option of a second dive, if things go well and you have the time. You shouldn't have to 'lock in' now .....

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lot's of places will let you do a second dive - or even more - after completing one Discovery dive. The dives are conducted under the same constraints .... escorted with depth limits.

 

If you are talking with the shop I'd just ask if you can have the option of a second dive, if things go well and you have the time. You shouldn't have to 'lock in' now .....

 

OK, now I understand. You would have plenty of time for a single Discover Scuba, and likely enough time for a second dive.

 

The Discover Scuba is depth limited to 40 feet, and therefore St. Maarten is a good choice. There is worthwhile diving there at those depths. A lot of places you don't get to really see much of interest on a Discover Dive.

 

I think you've chosen a good operator, and a good place for your experience.

 

Harris

Denver, CO

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OK, now I understand. You would have plenty of time for a single Discover Scuba, and likely enough time for a second dive.

 

The Discover Scuba is depth limited to 40 feet, and therefore St. Maarten is a good choice. There is worthwhile diving there at those depths. A lot of places you don't get to really see much of interest on a Discover Dive.

 

I think you've chosen a good operator, and a good place for your experience.

 

Harris

Denver, CO

 

Thanks. I'll work with them to see if they would be willing to let us book just a single DSD with an "option" for a second. But I would understand if they're not willing to do that due to logistics or whatever. If so, we may just settle for a single dive.

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