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Topic starter
Hello Everyone!
I desperately want to get my scuba certification! Any ideas whether it would be more cost efficient for me to get certified in FL or should I wait until I get to the islands?
Posted : August 21, 2012 4:26 pm
Why don't you do your pool & course work in FL, and then your 4 open water referal dives in the USVI? Leaves you more days for diving than being in the class room.
Posted : August 21, 2012 5:00 pm
I think it is better here. A lot of shops on STX have really small classes (many times one-on-one) and a more personalized experience. In Florida, you'll probably be in a class with several other people (which, IMO, is not as great). Maybe do your book-work online (padi.com), and then do the dives down here. Also, some shops here don't even use a pool for training--the confined water training is done in the flat shallow water next to shore (much better than nasty chlorine pool, and better for learning saltwater bouyancy).
Posted : August 21, 2012 5:21 pm
Better pm GLantern to find out who not to use!
Posted : August 21, 2012 5:46 pm
Topic starter
OK Thank you for the help!
FYI: Our plans are coming along nicely for the move 🙂
Posted : August 21, 2012 8:09 pm
I strongly recommend N to The Blue. They will arrange for you to do your bookwork on-line prior to arriving, Oops, are you coming to STX?
Posted : August 21, 2012 11:33 pm
Since you are moving not visiting I would suggest doing it all on island.
I would also suggest either Jenny at N2Blue, Mel ( a lady ) at Sweet Bottoms, or Beth at Cane Bay. Don't settle for anyone else.
I have worked with all three and they are all very good.
N2Blue does not have a pool so everything is done by the pier. However the West end is usually the calmest.
Sweet Bottoms i think(?) uses the pool at Carmabola where their shop is, but they may sometimes go to Cane Bay beach if it too rough at their beach. (?)
Cane Bay Dive Shop has a pool on site.
Posted : August 22, 2012 3:13 pm
You can do your PADI open water and advanced open water couse online in one week. Do the confined water dives and open water training dives in a few days. You can bang those out before you arrive in th VI. Then if you want to advance to rescue diver and beyond and you're living there you can take your time. GL
Posted : August 23, 2012 7:46 pm
I did the on-line course before moving to STX. When I got to STX, Jon Kieren at SCUBA took me through Confined Water, Open Water, and Advanced Open Water. Later Jon helped me with a number of specialty certifications. Jon and SCUBA have my highest recommendation. http://www.stcroixscuba.com/about/our-staff/
Edward in Georgia (Republic)
Posted : August 24, 2012 9:52 am
