Dive Review of
Dive Adventures/Pelican Bay Resort in
St. Maarten/Simpson Bay

Aruba, Bahamas, Bermuda, Cancun, Cayman, Cuba, Florida, Greece, Guadeloupe,
Hawaii, St. Barths, Saba, Turkey, USVI

Dive Conditions

Don't come back on board with less than 500 psi and try to stay out of
decompression.  

Small "cameras only" tub.  Computer in shop available for edit. 
Cyber cafes all over Simpson Bay and Phillipsburg.  Very friendly photo
dive operator.  

Overall Rating

St. Maarten has not received great ratings or numerous reviews.  I would
say - GREAT!  That leaves a fantastic reef unspoiled with little or no
damage for those of us who want virgin diving.  

The colors are as good as anywhere; there is well over 300 species of fish
identified; Saba has lots of large pelagics and the famous pinnacles; St.
Barths is ALIVE with excellent corals; wrecks abound around St. Maarten and
St. Martin (if that's what you want); deep coral valleys, swimthroughs,
tunnels and sandy flats are everywhere; all the folks speak English and
take American dollars; food is excellent and very low cost; casinos are all
over the island and there is a good nightlife.

My favorite dive was Mike's Maze which was groove diving at its best -
narrow alleys through coral which were filled with sponges, fans, rope and
various typical Caribbean hard and soft corals.  Barracuda and bait fish
everywhere inside the Maze.  Enough sunlight from time to time so you
didn't think you were in a cave.  Ledge hanging lobsters (both Spanish and
Caribbean) everywhere.  This is the best 60 minutes in my dive log.

Of the 14 dives, the average bottom time was 61 minutes with an average
depth of 57 feet.  No dive deeper than 90 feet.  DM in the water with
divers who wanted guided critter tours, otherwise buddies were on their own
after first checkout dive.  Dive Adventures' Vinnie is shop manager and
kick-butt operator with an outstanding staff of locals.  Very laid back
operation with no pressures other than choosing the daily dive sites by
group agreement in the morning.

Aqua Mania is an incredible booking agent right at the Pelican Resort. 
Their discounts for multi activities (tours, Saba/St. Barths dive trips and
dinner cruise) were the best on the island.  Thrifty Car Rental had newer
Toyota Corollas for $115 per week.  Lotrie Farm's "Fly Zone" is
the best non-diving activity with 22 transfer stations in the rain forest
trees to test your zip line abilities (save this for last day).  Go to Coz,
Cay and Bonaire - we want St. Maarten for ourselves.  

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