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Review
As a PADI 5 Star Gold Palm IDC Resort, Sail Caribbean Divers is one of the leading dive operators in the British Virgin Islands. The company has two facilities, one at Hodges Creek Marina on the south coast of Tortola and the other across Sir Francis Drake Channel on Cooper Island. The 5 Star Gold Palm IDC status is the highest rank that can be earned by a PADI affiliated dive company and it recognises the company’s excellent quality of training and service.
Sail Caribbean Divers has been operating since 1996. As the name suggests it originally grew out of Sail Caribbean, the first teen sail-training programme of its kind in the Caribbean. Operating since 1979, Sail Caribbean was set up and is still run by Mike Liese, a high school teacher and the director of the Alternative School Program in New York. Nine thousand students have passed through its doors over the years. An integral part of Sail Caribbean is Sail Caribbean Divers, which provides the scuba diving component of the experience.
Sail Caribbean Divers is headed up by Mike and Melisande Rowe, who between them bring 25 years of expertise in the dive industry. Melisande is Dive Director and Master Instructor and Mike is the PADI Course Director. From humble beginnings, the company now employs a minimum of 12 dive professionals, primarily Instructors and depending on the volume of business this can climb to as many as twenty. In addition to dive education for the teenagers participating in the summer sailing programmes, Sail Caribbean Divers is happy to provide guided dives and instruction for walk in/sail in clientele. Their operations are now year-round in the British Virgin Islands and they offer sailing, and watersports adventures as well as diving and instruction.
Melisande, a Texan who has chosen scuba fins over cowboy boots, worked in the United States, Australia and elsewhere the Caribbean before coming the British Virgin Islands. With an undergraduate degree from Texas Christian University and an MBA from Steven F Austin State University, she has developed Sail Caribbean's summer scuba programmes. Mike is a PADI Course Director, an ‘instructor of instructors’, who has certified over 200 dive professionals. He has been in the dive industry since the mid Eighties and uses his expertise and unique sense of humour to make sure that divers under his instruction, adults and teenagers, are engaged by their training and also have fun.
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BVI Diving
The British Virgins Islands have spectacular scenery, as much below the waterline as above. The lucid blues of the sky and sea above are mirrored underwater where there is exceptional clarity, crystal clear water, vibrant colours and an abundance of marine life. For those interested in underwater photography, the BVI are truly magnificent, not just for the colours but because there is virtually no current.
There are around 60 island and cays in the BVI, most of them lining the 18-mile length of the Sir Francis Drake Channel, which has something in the region of 100 BVI divesites in all.
Whilst the BVI are not known for drift dives or walls, the sites offer up fantastic coral gardens, canyons, tunnels, caverns, grottos and wrecks bursting with underwater life. And they are particularly good for divers interested in underwater photography, both because of their colour and variety and because of the fact that there is virtually no current. Although there are a number of sites that are universally popular, Sail Caribbean Divers likes to introduce divers to sites off the beaten track.
Finally, a good deal done towards marine conservation in the BVI. Most of the popular dive sites are maintained by the National Parks Trust working in association with the Ministry of Natural Resources. The Trust has instituted a buoys programme to prevent the corals being damaged by anchors and have installed some 200 buoys since 1991. |
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Dive Sites
RMS Rhone, Salt Island, intermediate - advanced
Probably the most famous dive site is the wreck of the RMS Rhone. Made famous in the movie, The Deep, this 310 foot Royal Mail cargo ship sank during a hurricane in 1867 and the wreck still contains many artefacts such as the cannon, the crow’s nest, and the bowsprit. Marine life around the area includes stingrays, turtles, snappers, gorgonians, soft and stony corals and sponges of every imaginable colour.
The Indians, novice - advanced
A shallow, easy dive with generally calm waters. It offers great snorkelling as well as diving and is full of corals and reef fish. If you venture deeper, the rock 50 feet below the surface attracts all sizes of marine life and if you look carefully you will see a variety of miniature reef creatures amongst the colourful corals. The summertime also brings a mass of Silversides flashing at every turn.
Spy Glass, novice - intermediate
Also a shallow, easy dive just off Norman Island. There are large sea fans and many tube sponges in various colours. Fish life includes damselfishes, wrasses, and tobacco fish.
Painted Walls, novice - advanced
Just off Dead Chest Island, a remarkable shallow dive at the juncture of to submarine walls, where there are often rays, sharks and turtles. Depth ranges from 15-35 feet with visibility usually fantastic. The walls themselves make for an easy tour along rocks where an abundance of fish and both soft and hard corals grow in a rainbow of colours.
Blonde Rock, advanced
Although booked as a more advanced dive site, the depth range is 10-65 feet and the visibility usually excellent. There are two pinnacles to manoeuvre around as well as a generally fascinating topography. Lobsters abound.
Bronco Billy’s, intermediate - advanced
A site full of canyons and corals to manoeuvre through. This dive site offers a pallet of colours as well as the highlighted arches through which to swim. |
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Dive Courses
Sail Caribbean Divers offer certification levels from beginner experiences to the highest professional rating, all of which are in the hands of their experienced team made up of PADI OWSI and more senior instructors with over 50 years of combined teaching experience. Course fees include full scuba equipment rental (training materials are additional).
Discover Scuba Diver - US$105
Scuba Diver - US$225
Scuba Review - US$100
Open Water Diver - US$450
Adventure Diver - US$225
Advanced Open Water - US$375
Rescue Diver - US$375
Specialities (2-4 dives) - US$75/dive
Referrals - US$75/dive
Dive Master - US$600
Assistant Instructor - US$600
Instructor Specialities - US$125-175
DAN Oxygen Instructor - US$225
Emergency First Responder Instructor - US$225
Open Water Scuba Instructor - US$700
IDC Staff Instructor - US$700
Instructor Development Course US$1195
Dive courses can be completed in full day consecutive terms for those visiting the islands, or they can be scheduled to suit the needs of locals studying during weekends and holidays. All courses are flexible to ensure you are comfortable, and to suit your learning requirements. |
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Guided Tours
Sail Caribbean Divers offer guided diving and Tortola snorkelling services with a knowledgeable dive guide for certified divers. Dive guides deliver thorough pre-dive briefings which include historical points of interest, details of marine life and a complete description of underwater sights and topography.
A weekly schedule of dive sites is available on request from Sail Caribbean Divers. The pick-up locations are at Cooper Island, Norman Island, and Marina Cay. Dive rates include iced fresh water, snacks, all tanks, weights, bcd, regulator, mask, fins, and snorkel as needed. If a diver does not require equipment the same rates apply. Dive guides offer a professional, personalised service. All divers must provide proof of certification, except Discover Scuba Diving (DSD).
2 Tank Dive (8.30 am -12.30 pm) - US$105
1 Tank Dive (2.30 – 4.30 pm) - US$75
1 Night Dive (1 tank, ½ hr before sunset) - US$80
DSD (beach only) - US$40
DSD with 1 Tank Dive (pm) - US$105
6 Tank Dive (3 days) - US$295
8 Tank Dive (4 days) - US$370
10 Tank Dive (5 days) - US$445
12 Tank Dive (5 days) - US$520
15 Tank Dive (5 days) - US$595
Snorkel (am) - US$35
Snorkel (pm) - US$25 |
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Boats
Sail Caribbean Divers have four custom-designed Newton dive boats – two 26’, one 36’ and one 46’. These boats allow them to provide safe diving for both small and large groups with flexible scheduling options. All Sail Caribbean Divers boats are USCG certified and although they are in British waters, they additionally abide by all USCG regulations in addition to the British Virgin Island’s regulations. Boats are also fully equipped with the latest in first aid and oxygen supplies and all staff are highly trained to handle any emergencies. |
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Shop
Sail Caribbean Divers have a great dive centre at Hodges Creek marina. It is a full service repair facility and has a good line of logo apparel, rashguards, diving accessories, books, and education material. |
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Rentals
Dive Gear
If you wish to rent dive equipment, it can be picked up and dropped off (by prior arrangement) at Hodges Creek Marina or Cooper Island. Renters must show proof of certification. In orer to make things simple, the following pre-built dive equipment rental packages are on offer.
Atlantis Package - Includes bcd, reg, 2 tanks, weight belt, and tank rack for US$225/week
Explorer Package - Includes 2 tanks, weight belt, and tank rack for US$110/week
All equipment is also available on an a la carte basis at the following rates:
Daily/Weekly
BCD US$11/US$55
Regulator System US$14/US$70
Tank US$11/US$55
Wetsuit US$10/US$40
Weights / Weight Belt US$5/US$20
Mask / Fins / Snorkel US$10/US$35
Camera US$15/US$60
Computer US$15/US$60
Dive Light US$5/US$25
Tank Rack US$5/US$10
Monthly rates are also available.
Power Boat Rentals
For your bareboat charter or land based tourism, Sail Caribbean Divers have boats for rent – namely 15’ and 19’ rigid inflatable boats (RIB). If you are sailing, the deep-V hull and small additional weight will hardly be noticed when towing, although your vessel must be 43’ or longer. These RIBs are also convenient for shallow beach access yet rugged enough for a fun day of watersports and exploring.
There are several features that are worth noting: comfortable seating for passengers, a built in fuel tank, clean and easy operation, storage areas, and a centre console with steering. Both sizes of RIB are equipped with all necessary safety equipment including VHF radio, anchor, chain and rope and swim ladder. A complete briefing with island chart will help make for an exciting voyage.
If you are land-based, perhaps staying in a villa or with friends, you might like to hire a boat for the day or week to tour nearby islands or explore hideaways and secluded coves. Take a picnic lunch and snorkelling gear and make the most of the magical waters around the BVI.
17 foot RIB with 115 hp engine
Rental rates include orientation and all safety equipment, fuel extra. Maximum 5 guests.
Half Day (9 am–12.30 pm or 12.30 pm-4 pm) - US$145
Full Day (9 am-4 pm) - US$195
Preferential terms available for longer rental periods. Reservations should be made early as inventory is limited.
Water Ski Equipment Rental
This is an easy “add on” to your power boat rental. Sail Caribbean Divers have a wide range of watersports toys for rent including water skis, slalom skis, wakeboards, knee boards and inner tubes. Rental includes your choice of ski equipment, tow line with bridle, and 2 USCG approved ski jackets.
Half-Day (9 am–12.30 pm or 12.30 pm-4 pm) - US$15
Full Day (9 am–5 pm) - US$25
1 week - US$125
Fishing Equipment Rental
Spinning and trolling rods can be rented on a weekly and monthly basis. Each package comes with rod and reel, tackle box with lures and leaders, and rod holders.
Weekly
Spinning Rod - US$55
Trolling Rod - US$80
Tackle Box Alone - US$25
Kayak Rental
Rent a kayak for the day or with your yacht charter. Explore coastlines without the hum of an engine. Paddle out to the point with your morning coffee and enjoy the sunrise. Choose from a single, 2-person or clear bottom 2-person kayak (seat backs, paddles and lifejackets included).
½ Day - Full Day - Week - 10-days
Single: US$5 - US$15 - US$110 - US$150
Double: US$10 - US$20 - US$150 - US$200
Double See-Thru: US$15 - US$25 - US$175 - US$250
Floats
Whether you are chartering a yacht or staying in a villa, these 2” thick ‘unsinkable’ floats are a great way of keeping cool on the water. They also work very well as mats to lie about on deck aboard your boat. Boogie boards and snorkel boards are fun for Tortola snorkelling adventures. All items rent for US$25/week. |
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Safety & Medical
As you would expect from a 5 star Gold Palm IDC Resort, the Sail Caribbean team is exceptionally trained and equipped for any emergency that might arise. Sail Caribbean Divers and DefinitiveCaribbean are active supporters of VISAR (Virgin Islands Search and Rescue). Its members are on call to VISAR, and the United States Coastguard should the need ever arise.
Please click on the name if you would like to learn more about VISAR and donate to this worthy charity that exists to save lives and is entirely funded by charitable donations. |
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How to Book
If you wish to make further enquiries or a reservation, please use the WEB LINK or DIRECT EMAIL ENQUIRIES facility at the top of this page to make contact with Sail Caribbean Divers BVI, or if you wish to telephone them, please click on TELEPHONE CONTACT to reveal the number |
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