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Dive Review of Wind Dancer in
Grenada

Wind Dancer, Jun, 2009,

by Charlene, CA, USA ( 1 report). Report 4869.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 5 stars Food 5 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 4 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments Overall, a great trip and I would not only recommend the Wind Dancer, but I see myself returning one day. Very good Caribbean diving, healthy reefs, beautiful islands, great crew and outstanding food make a very enjoyable week.

The Wind Dancer originates out of Grenada but most of the diving was done in St Vincent and the Grenadines. We started in Grenada, diving around Isle de Ronde, the first and second day. We moved to Carriacou on the second day to pick up a couple of divers who missed their connections in San Juan. We spent the next three days in St Vincent waters around Young Island and Wallilabou Bay. The islands of St Vincent are gorgeous, absolutely beautiful! The first Pirates of the Caribbean movie was filmed in this area and some of the props are still standing.

The diving was very good. The reefs are very healthy, with plenty of fish life. In Grenada, we had several turtle sightings and a couple of big sleeping nurse sharks on Maybouya’s Reef. The Sisters Cave dive site around Isle de Ronde is an interesting dive. You go into a very large swim through but can “surface” when in it and take a breath of fresh air.

The first two dives in St Vincent were at Critter Corner, kind of mini-muck diving. The site reminded me of an underwater golf course, lots of green grass with sandy patches. Divemasters CNN and Victor found flounder of all sizes, nudibranch, pipe fish, snake and goldentail eels, flying gurnards, and spotted drums for us to see. One of the afternoon dives was at Sub Rock, which was one of my favorite dive sites. Great reef with lots of fish activity, with an underwater rock wall (not really sure how to explain it any other way.) The rock had some corals growing on it and some crevices to explore and find my personal favorite porcupinefish but for the most part was a big rock wall underwater.

We also did a couple of dives where we started on a steep sloping sandy wall looking for flying gurnards, seahorses and other small critters. Once we found these little guys, we headed to the wall to complete the dive. Flying gurnards often “walk” on their ventral fins, kind of funny to watch. I believe these dive sites were Coral Castle and Anchor Reef – by mid week, I was in full vacation mode and not really logging dives.

Divemaster Elsie can find about anything and proved it on Indian Gallow’s site by finding the smallest decorator crab on soft coral and a pregnant seahorse. This was a great late afternoon dive site, not too deep (61 ft) and lots to see. We also found a chain moray, spotted lobster and an arrow crab eating a worm.

The last dive day included my other favorite dive, Stratmann’s wreck - a great little wreck with lots of critters. I found, and stalked a colorful mantis shrimp, very interesting little guy. My dive buddies spent their time watching sailfin blenny dance around and looking at the garden eels. The wreck is covered with soft corals and lots of fish call it home and you could easily spend the dive working your way around it. We also did another wreck called Lireco, where 3 or 4 stingrays call home. It’s a little deeper than Stratmann’s – max depth 66 feet vs 77 feet – and does not have the same soft corals or fish life around the boat.

On the last day you have the option of diving the Bianca C or a reef dive. The Bianca C is a deeper dive, I think up to 120+ feet and is one of the been there, done that dive sites. I wasn’t in the mood and opted for the reef site. Divemaster Joel led us on a very nice long last dive of the trip – finding the only green moray eel of the trip – on Grenada’s Boss reef.

A couple of interesting things to know about diving in these waters – I have never in my life seen so many arrow crabs, spotted drums and spiny sea urchins (the big prickly guys). Arrow crabs by the millions, seriously, and some of these guys are huge! On one dive, we found a hole with 14 juvenile spotted drums. They are everywhere, so much that after a few dives, seeing them is not that big of a deal.

Dive starts with a briefing on the Wind Dancer. Once wet suites are on, you board the tender for the short ride to the dive site. Travel times ranged from 1 to 15 minutes. The divemaster would get in the water to check the current and then divers would do a simultaneous back roll into the water. 23 dives were offered including 3 night dives.

The Wind Dancer has a great crew! These guys work so well together. Running two tenders, with a divemaster and driver on each, keeping our rooms in order and food on the table is not easy, but they make it look like it is. Special thanks to Mark the Engineer who found just the right tool to open the battery compartment on my second – yes second – dive computer to burn through a battery on this trip. Captain Simon and Divemaster/Instructor/Hostess Andrina round out the wonderful diving crew.

Last but not least are Chef Ryan and his assistant Natalie. The food on this boat is unbelievable! It is with out a doubt the best food I have had on a liveaboard.


Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 251-500 dives
Where else diving Cozumel, Cayman, Curacao, Tobago, Fiji, Palau, Yap
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm
Water Temp 81-82°F / 27-28°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 50-100 Ft/ 15-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions First dives included a 45 minute time limit, toward the end of the week 60 minutes was standard. Start safety stop @ 750lbs; return to the boat with 500lbs
Liveaboard? yes Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks 1 or 2 Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 4 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 5 stars Large Fish 2 stars
Large Pelagics 1 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter N/A Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's N/A Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments [None]
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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