Dive Review of
dive St. Vincent/Mariners Hotel in
St. Vincent and the Grenadines

St. Lucia, Caymans, australia, fiji, cozumel, revillajegedos, catalina,
saba, St. Eustastia

Dive Conditions

only restrictions were your air; typical dive was over an hour...  

Bill Tewes, owner / operator of Dive St. Vincent cateres to macro
photographers so there was provision for rinse tanks on each boat  

Overall Rating

    My liveaboard Tahiti trip was canceled due to engine failure. Having
already cleared my schedule, I scrambled to arrange another trip. No simple
task in a weeks time. Either time frame didn't match or flights were full,
leaving me with few options. Reading chapbook 2005, Dive St. Vincent got
generally good reviews. Prompt response to email from the owner / operator
Bill Tewes was very instrumental. When I called the next day he answered
the phone unexpectedly. Assistance with air connections were made,
accomodations / package arranged and surprisingly I pulled this off....
with their help. Very good customer service.

    I have really little exposure to macro photography.... I don't have a
macro lens. Arriving from LA on a redeye in one day, tired but in one piece
things worked out. Accomodations: I stayed at mariners for no particular
reason other than since I was alone the economy plan was in order. The
hotel staff was nice and open internet availability was a plus. The room
had a good view and was comfortable enough. Small drawbacks the the shower
head and tv remote in poor shape were tolerable. The mattress and bedding
were minimal.The adjoining restaurant French Verandah was good even if
expensive. I was here to dive.
    Dive operation: This is not the place for heart pounding big stuff. It
is known as the "Critter Capital".... and for good reason. Bill 
personally leads the 2 tank dive leaving at 9:30, getting back, around
2:00. Dives generally conclude when air is consumed from steel tanks filled
to +/-2400psi. This produced dives of and average 60 mins or more as the
average depth was 35 feet. Bill is very committed, and dedicated to showing
people these tiny discoveries..... some you even need a magnifying glass
for. After 20 plus years he still seems excited. He is also interested in
the photgrapher's experience...... so I received several admonishments
about perfect bouyancy control so as not to " muck " up the muck
dive for others.
I considered myself an above average diver with good bouyancy
control........Bill quickly revised this view. However, he holds no grudge
and just keeps wanting the experience to be the best. His divemasters,
while competant, don't share his enthusiasm or interest. So your experience
is quite different if he is away at a dive show (5 times a year). Oddly I
was alone on the third dive I scheduled most days, which was easily
arranged with prior notice. Bill led this on two occassions, continuing to
discover things I would never have noticed. The boats are well maintained
and staff nice.

    Sea life: sea horses, pipe horse, pipe fish, frog fish(1), batfish,
jawfish, many juveniles (jacknife, spiny lobster, etc.), assorted crabs,
blennies, and gobies.

    Conditions: water was 82, air in the mid 80s, not being in the rainey
season. several decent restaurants within walking distance.
    I give strong recommendations, and with a macro lens, wouldn't hesitate
to return largely due to Bill's expertise. Second only to PNG in small
stuff you'll have a great time, good food and enjoy this true one of a kind
character in the dive industry..... Thanks Bill Tewes 

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