If you only had one dive...

[JerseyGuy624]

Heading out on Explorer of the Seas on June 24. We'll be stopping at Bermuda, St. Maarten, San Juan, and St. Thomas.

 

Because I don't want to leave my wife behind on more than one day, I've decided to limit myself to one dive. So, if you could dive on only one of those islands, which would it be?

 

I'm an experienced diver, but usually only get to go diving once a year or so.

 

Jeff

[Bellfree Bat]

I would say either St Thomas or San Juan. I have never dived San Juan but I hear it is pretty good.

[Dive Master]

I would choose Bermuda---fantastic historical wrecks at 70 feet or less--nice and easy wreck diving.St. Thomas also has some decent diving but I love wrecks.

[bruce-r]

I would choose Bermuda---fantastic historical wrecks at 70 feet or less--nice and easy wreck diving.St. Thomas also has some decent diving but I love wrecks.

 

There are some cool wreck dives in St. Thomas too.

 

I'd pick St. Thomas and I'd go with http://www.admiraltydive.com again. Small boat, personal service, nice people, and pick up/ drop off at the ship's pier.

 

Bermuda might be a good choice, but water temp there is likely to be cooler, especially in the winter months

 

I wouldn't expect much from diving St. Maarten. In fact, I wouldn't dive there again.

 

You can only do a poor quality shore dive in San Juan. The good diving in Puerto Rico is a 2 hour drive from San Juan.

[Capt_BJ]

well everyone has an opinion and here's my worthless one:

 

San Juan - no; been there many times and never thought of diving nor did any of my friends suggest it (they were living there). There's good PR diving but it ain't around SJ. Explore the forts, visit the casinos if that's your thing but IMHO the watersports are POOR around SJ.

 

Of the other three, the quality of your dive on any given day will depend on local conditions and the site selected. Note any site can be great today and fair tomorrow.

 

Bermuda is a site less dove than the other two .... not a typical dive destination, but there is good diving to be found. I'd consider it on the trip for the 'seldom get there' factor.

 

I've many dives from both St T and St M and previous comments apply...but I'd choose St M as I've had some very very good experiences here including a fantastic two tank trip off Windstar where we encountered a pod of dolphin on the way back to the ship. Spontaneously several of us grabbed our masks and flipped of the zodiacs which had slowed to see the dol' and taking the hint the boats stopped and we played with the pod for about 20 minutes.

 

Chances of that happening again???? Low, but it makes St M a happy memory for us.

 

also note that there are two destinations on St M

 

Saint Martin - French / North side including Marigot

 

and Sint Maartin - Dutch / South Side (including Phillipsburg the common port for large ships)

 

I've dove both sides (it is nice to have a job that allows you to drive your apartment to the places for a little R&R) and I'll admit the lesser visited French side was where I had the most memorable experience. But even diving Dutch I prefer SM to StT . . . IME StT sites have been "over visited"

 

OPPOSITE VIEW

 

viewing this from a totally different metric however, I find St Thomas the least interesting island to explore by foot and if looking for a time killer I'd dive St T while the wife shops the same shops found in most of the islands.....

 

my two cents

 

have a nice trip

[Gondaue]

Bermuda. Less crowded also.