What should we bring?
Bring a towel, sunscreen and some money for souvenirs/tips. If you want a snack between dives, bring this as well. Drinks are available for free onboard. These include water and fruit juice for before/between dives, or rum punch after the dives. Please do not bring passports, Ipods or other important items which are not waterproof or sealed in a waterproof container. There are no locker facilities available, however, the dive boat has a dry area for storing your bags. A rinse bucket is available onboard for your underwater cameras.
How long does the two tank dive excursion last?
Once you have arrived at the shop, it takes about 30 minutes to get fitted for your equipment, assemble your dive gear and the boat to leave the dock. It takes 7-20 minutes to travel to/from the dive sites, weather dependent. Average dive time is 40-45 minutes, depending on group air consumption. Surface interval between dives is on average 30 minutes. Not to worry - to date, no CDC customers have been delivered late for their afternoon excursion or cruise ship departure.
What is the typical depth of the two tank dives?
The average depth for diving off St. Maarten is between 45-75 feet. Typically the first dive is around 65-70 feet and the second one is approximately 40-45 feet.
How many divers are in a typical group?
We limit our in water groups to 6 certified divers or less per instructor for two tank dives, and 4 students or less per instructor for the Discover Scuba Diving experience or Diving classes. Small groups mean more individual attention for you!
What if my significant other doesn’t dive?
You have a couple of options. The CDC offers Discover Scuba Diving daily. You can arrange to dive alongside your significant other while our professional staff guides them through their first underwater experience. Bring an underwater camera to commemorate the event! If they love the experience and can’t wait to try more, PADI’s Open Water certification can be finished in as short as 3.5 additional days… If he/she wants to take it a bit more slowly, Caribbean Dive College’s sister company offers SNUBA (Surface Nexus Underwater Breathing Apparatus). When pre-arranged, certified divers (on SCUBA) can accompany their friends while they experience the level between snorkeling and SCUBA diving… Or, perhaps they choose to snorkel while you dive? Our companies offer multiple options to this age old dilemma.
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What about children? Is there anything they can do at the Caribbean Dive College?
What about children? Is there anything they can do at the Caribbean Dive College?
Snorkeling has always been a wonderful family vacation past time, so why not come out and snorkel with us from the boat? And if you want to delve deeper, PADI’s Discover Scuba Diving experience is available for ages 10 and up. This makes it another great option the whole family can enjoy together. The next step for the kids would be to become Junior Open Water divers. Contact CDC directly about additional opportunities for your young ones. Note: Children under 12 year of age must be accompanied by an adult.
Do I need to know how to swim to try Discover Scuba Diving?
You need to know how to swim, but you do not have to be an extremely good swimmer. Do realize the DSD experience is considered `moderate exercise`. It is not strenuous, but it’s also not a day of laying on the beach doing nothing.
Should I take a pill for motion sickness before I arrive?
If there is the slightest chance you will feel seasick, we seriously suggest you take a Dramamine or similar pill about one (1) hour before the dives begin. St Maarten is known for its beautiful sea life, but also for its unpredictable sea conditions. Better to be safe than sorry. Pressure point bracelets do not appear to work adequately underwater, and sticky, behind the ear patches have a way of floating off when you least expect it. If you are an anti-pill person, may we suggest investing in crystallized ginger from your local health food store to chew while on the boat between dives.
Will the Staff be offended if we tip them?
Diving is a service related industry (much like eating in a restaurant or playing a round of golf), so it is actually very decent to tip the crew. We regret to inform you that tips should be handed to us in cash, and cannot be put on your credit card.
Do you accept major credit cards or US dollars?
Did you know that St Maarten is a duty free island and since it is half Dutch, half French, you have a variety of options for how to pay for items while visiting us.  Dollars ($), Euros (€), Netherlands Antilles Guilders (Fl/NAF), and credit cards are all widely accepted.
All CDC prices are in US dollars. (Check with us for current exchange rates for Euros and Guilders.) Important to note: If you want to use your American Express card, most places charge an additional 5% for processing fees. Unfortunately, the Caribbean Dive College can not accept Amex.
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