If you love to snorkel and swim, but are curious about scuba diving, then the Discover Scuba Dive is not to be missed! There is nothing more exciting than your first few breaths underwater! No prior experience or training is required to experience the underwater beauty of St Croix. A certified diver can even join a discover diver if they would like to dive together!
This half-day adventure begins at our dive shop at either 9:00 AM or 1:30 PM where you meet our Diving Instructor, go over the basics of diving, watch a short educational video, and then off to the waters to practice a few basic scuba skills! This is all completed in the shallow waters of the Frederiksted Pier just steps from our dive shop. Once you’re ready, we will take you on a guided underwater tour of the pier. Friends or family members who are certified divers can sign up to join a discover diver for the same price as a 1-tank pier dive. As you kick through the water, you’ll follow along the pillars of the Pier which are surrounded by tons of coral and brightly colored sponges. A great variety of Caribbean sea life make their home at the Pier including Arrow Crabs, Moray Eels, Lobsters, Octopuses and even Seahorses! Average depth of the Pier dive is 25 feet. It’s one of the best shore dives in the world and you can experience it all without being a scuba certified diver! Just remember to bring your bathing suit and a towel.
Prerequisites: Advance reservations are required. Participants must be at least 10 years old, and class size is limited to four divers per instructor. If certified divers sign up to accompany discover divers, they will also count toward this four diver maximum. Keep in mind that you will want to be in reasonable good physical health and feel comfortable swimming in open water.
Cost: $80 per person and includes all diving equipment.
If you want to make it a full day of adventure, you can complete the classroom session and Pier dive in the morning, take a break for lunch, and then head out on our afternoon 1-tank boat dive to a beautiful reef site. Maximum depth allowed is 40 feet. The cost is $170 per person for this adventure and includes all diving rental equipment! Lunch is not included but we highly recommend Polly’s at the Pier one block away from the dive shop.
*Required Medical Review Prior to Diving
Before arrival, you will need to review the questions below very carefully. If you do have any “YES” answers, you will need to get a signed physician’s release in order to dive. If you have all “NO” answers, then no further action is required on your part.
- Do you currently have an ear infection?
- Do you have a history of ear disease, hearing loss or problems with balance?
- Do you have a history of ear or sinus surgery?
- Are you currently suffering from a cold, congestion, sinusitis or bronchitis?
- Do you have a history of respiratory problems, severe attacks of hayfever or allergies, or lung disease?
- Have you had a collapsed lung (pneumothorax) or history of chest surgery?
- Do you have active asthma or history of emphysema or tuberculosis?
- Are you currently taking medication that carries a warning about any impairment of your physical or mental abilities?
- Do you have behavioral health, mental or psychological problems or a nervous system disorder?
- Are you or could you be pregnant?
- Do you have a history of colostomy?
- Do you have a history of heart disease or heart attack, heart surgery or blood vessel surgery?
- Do you have a history of high blood pressure, angina, or take medication to control blood pressure?
- Are you over 45 and have a family history of heart attack or stroke?
- Do you have a history of bleeding or other blood disorders?
- Do you have a history of diabetes?
- Do you have a history of seizures, blackouts or fainting, convulsions or epilepsy or take medications to prevent them?
- Do you have a history of back, arm or leg problems following an injury, fracture or surgery?
- Do you have a history of fear of closed or open spaces or panic attacks (claustrophobia or agoraphobia)?
Did you answer “NO” to all of them? If so, you’re all set! If not, that’s okay, but you will need to have your physician complete a PADI Medical Statement and remember to bring it with you. Please contact us if you have any questions about this.