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Dive Review of Blue Water Divers in
Virgin Islands/Tortola

Blue Water Divers, Apr, 2007,

by Brant Cheikes, MA, USA ( 1 report). Report 3354.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 4 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 2 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 2 stars Shore Diving 3 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 2 stars
Comments Diving: Blue Water Divers (BWD) was an ok, but not great, operation. There were 6-8 divers per trip. Boat was adequate, but barely. Some reasonable shade. No head. Drinking water provided, no snacks. Believe it or not, very cheap, watery beer was also available post-dive (but at least it was cold). All of the other divers were relatively new and inexperienced. Dive Masters were capable, and I was more or less allowed to dive on my own (I was alone on each trip) and on my own profile. No emphasis on diving in buddy teams. Diver Masters focused on needs of the inexperienced (seems reasonable). Fish life was rather dull. Dove the RMS Rhone; that was moderately enjoyable, but again, fish life seemed sparse compared to other islands. Tortola is a boaters' paradise, but I think as a result the reefs are overused. Corals appeared washed out. On first day of diving, BWD made special trips to nearby islands to pick up additional divers, which significantly lengthened the dive day (two tank dive lasted from 9a departure to 3:30p return). On second day of diving, BWD spent 90 min between dives, at anchor, doing basic new diver training while other divers waited on the boat. All things considered, I would try a different dive operation just out of a feeling "I can do better than this."

Tortola was an ok destination. Stayed at Sebastian's Seaside Villas. Accommodations were very nice, but office staff wasn't friendly or helpful. Found plenty of very nice places to eat on the island, most, but not all of the restaurant staffs were friendly. Lots of nice beaches, but you really need a 4wd rental car. Really calm waters, nice swimming. Enjoyed the vacation, but doubt we'd go back.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 251-500 dives
Where else diving Throughout the Caribbean, incl. Bonaire, Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, Dominica, Providenciales, Grand Turk
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm
Water Temp 80-82°F / 27-28°C Wetsuit Thickness 0
Water Visibility 50-80 Ft/ 15-24 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Return to boat with >500psi air
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

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

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

Subject Matter 2 stars Boat Facilities 3 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 3 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments Boat had a rinse tank, that's about it
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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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