Discover Snorkeling and Discover Scuba Diving

[jandn]

We are first time cruisers who want to try both snorkeling and scuba diving in St. Thomas, the first port we are scheduled to visit in November. We are looking for suggestions on doing both and how to do it? Should we book the cruise ship excursions or private operators? What private operators would be good for cruise ship passengers who have never been snorkeling or scuba diving?

[Leo Jay]

We are first time cruisers who want to try both snorkeling and scuba diving in St. Thomas, the first port we are scheduled to visit in November. We are looking for suggestions on doing both and how to do it? Should we book the cruise ship excursions or private operators? What private operators would be good for cruise ship passengers who have never been snorkeling or scuba diving?

 

The only real benefit of booking through the cruiselines (not that it's an insignificant one) is that in the event that traffic onshore is terrible, or there's some other mishap that prevents you from getting back to the ship on time, you know it won't sail off without you!

 

If the time frame of the excursion is such that you think there may be a chance you end up cutting it close getting back to the ship on time, you might want book through the cruiseline. Otherwise, people book on their own all the time and you can save a bit of money this way.

[bruce-r]

Go to Coki Beach and snorkel there for free if you have your own gear, or rent it there from http://www.cokidive.com who also does a very good job with Discover Scuba dives. It will be considerably less expensive than the ship's excursion and if you reserve you discover scuba dives with them, they will provide transportation from the pier to Coki Beach. You can easily walk next door to Coral World to catch a taxi back to the ship. This can all be done on your own without worrying if you can make it back to the ship in time.