There are many good dive shops in St Thomas that would be able to certify you and your family. My family did the PADI Open Water Certification with Dive In at Sapphire Beach two years ago. My daughter and I did our Advanced Open Water with Aqua Action (I did my book work ahead of time on line with PADI so it saved time once I was in St Thomas). I also did my NITROX certification with Aqua Action (out of Secret Harbor). The islands are a great place to get certified and have an enjoyable experience.

And NO, I don't have a financial interest in ANYTHING in the islands as has been asked before. I just like to help answer questions.

Rick & Deb

Hi Rusty, Check out the St. Thomas Dive page of this site. There are a few dive shops listed there; you can check out their websites to get more information.

--Islander

I highly recommend doing the course work online before getting down here. It will definitely make things a lot speedier for you.

www.nightsnorkel.com - this is a link to Homer who is one of the best certified scuba teachers in STT and his small company. He will get your family comfortable and has been doing it for years here.

I too, vote for Homer!
Rusty, I worked with Homer for my certification and I really liked working with him. Yes, I remember how little Aurelia was the first time you came to Rockworks! Unreal, isn't it? :@) Homer can certify here at the same time, she will do great! He is down at Hull Bay, so I know you won't have any problems finding him! (tu)

Just something to think about. With the time you have before you leave, you may want to consider a couple options.

You can do all your bookwork and testing on-line, through PADI E-learning. Then when you get here all you'll have to do is your confined water, and your 4 open water dives.

You can do all you bookwork, testing, and confined water portion through your local dive shop at home. When you to St Thomas, all you'll need to do is your 4 open water dives and then your certified. It doesn't matter what agency you use in the states. You can still finish up here and become certified through the universal referral program.

A piece of advice...Its no fun and it's difficult to read the whole book, answer all the knowledge review questions, and then take a written test while your on vacation. It also cuts into the time you have to go diving once you become certified. Remember you came here for vacation, not to do homework.

I second Blue Island Diver's advise. It is a lot more fun to spend you time diving as a certified diver as opposed to doing your bookwork. You'll have a great time regardless of what dive shop you use.

Here is another link that will list Virgin Island Dive Shops. Dive USVI

Rusty,
Sounds like great advise to me as well! Do the homework before you get here! I have heard good things about Blue Island Divers, Thanx for the great advice!

Aqua Action with Secret Harbor will do you well.

As I'm sitting here reading this, I really wish I learned to Dive. Husband can get pretty claustraphobic, so I never had anyone to do it with. I'm very comfortable in the water, but the though of panicking under water makes me nervous.

Sherri, you know I was going to try at Hull Bay, but backed out.

How nerve wrecking was your first dive? Anybody? I'm talking open water.

My wife is also claustrophobic and got her open water certification. Actually she overcame the feeling as soon as she hit the open water a couple of times and now has a wonderful time diving. Always share your concerns with your instructors and they will help you out. We both did our Open Water at DiveIn and my daughter and I took our advanced classes at Aqua Action. I know the staff at both places would be more than willing to work with your concerns (as I'm sure any other shop down there will). Have a great time.

Connie: I have a tad of claustrophobia and am not a "swimmer". I spoke to my instructor (who was Homer Calloway, now at Hull Bay) and he asked me some questions, told me he thought I would be fine. We were paired with buddies for the class, and he took into consideration the strengths and weaknesses of the learners. The most scary part for me was the "breathing underwater" module. But once I got used to having air and being able to see all around me, I was hooked. By the time we did our first checkout dive, I was doing the skills I never thought I would ever do without a second thought.

IMHO, you have to have confidence and "bond" with your instructor. I have heard horror stories about demanding drill sergeant teachers, mainly from people who dropped out of class. Interview the person who is going to be your teacher and you will be a rescue diver in no time!:@) And have fun!

I think I may try a Discover Scuba class when I'm down there. Am I right to assume that it's just 1 day? If it's not and I can't do it out of fear, or my husband can't, I wouldn't want to waste the money or the time.

The Discover Scuba is a brief taste and I'd be willing to bet you'll be hooked. Set up your class before you go and do it at the start of your vacation. That way if you really enjoy it you can continue to your Open Water and really have a great time in the islands.

The Discover Scuba class is generally just a half day. A classroom session, an in water training session, and then most cases it's followed by a 2 tank dive. The 2 tank dive usually works best for people. During the 1st dive, most people are very nervous and anxious, and spend more time worrying about breathing underwater, then experiencing the new environment they're in. The 2nd tank, most fear is gone, and the beauty of the underwater world can really be enjoyed. Your Discover Scuba dives can even be used towards your training dives with PADI if you decide to become certified. Good Luck and enjoy it!!

Thanks all. It's really on my bucket list. I always wanted to parasail and I did it, but I won't do it again. Pretty scarey up there, but I did it. I'm seriousy going to look into this and at least try :o)

Connie: If you don't try it, you will always wonder...

If you're looking for Scuba Diving Rates this will give you an idea of the going rates.