Antiqua...Has anyone been?

[Mindy]

Hi

I hope you don't mind me asking

I am 16, a sports diver and have non diving parents.

Next year I can't go diving much in the UK because I have my GCSE exams but my parents said they would take me on a special holiday to make up for it. :) They have been looking at Antiqua they won't take me to the Red Sea as they feel it is too dangerous politically.

I just wondered if anyone has been and could recommend a good Hotel with a dive club who wouldn't mind a young diver. Mum has been looking at the Virgin Brochure at the Beach club which is attached to the St James club which seems to have a Dive club nearby (Ultramarine) Has anyone been?

When you go to places like this do you take your equipment with you? Not your weights and cyclinder but all the other equipment....BCD, Regs Computer etc...

Thank you

[Alan Ewart]

Hi

I hope you don't mind me asking

I am 16, a sports diver and have non diving parents.

Next year I can't go diving much in the UK because I have my GCSE exams but my parents said they would take me on a special holiday to make up for it. :) They have been looking at Antiqua they won't take me to the Red Sea as they feel it is too dangerous politically.

I just wondered if anyone has been and could recommend a good Hotel with a dive club who wouldn't mind a young diver. Mum has been looking at the Virgin Brochure at the Beach club which is attached to the St James club which seems to have a Dive club nearby (Ultramarine) Has anyone been?

When you go to places like this do you take your equipment with you? Not your weights and cyclinder but all the other equipment....BCD, Regs Computer etc...

Thank you

Hi Mindy,

I went last year. You can read my report here (http://www.bsactravelclub.co.uk/reports/antigua.htm)

I didnt stay at St james club, but the dive operator I used ran out of there. They were pretty good. All their kit seemed new and well maintained so you could rent if you need your luggage allowance for shoes and handbags :D

If you have any questions give me a shout

Alan

PS St James club looked pretty nice

[Mindy]

Thanks Alan...

[JamesP]

Mindy with regards to the Red Sea, have you thought of a livaboard as this would distance you from any conflicts/tensions and in a lot safer enviroment (politically). it is very hard for a rebel to point an gun at you while trying to walk on water.

If in a boat it is a lot more likely they would look over you and the boat you are on.

Egypt is relatively safe, just think would you walk through somewhere like Moss Side or other really bad area in the middle of the night on your own?

this is just my 2p

James

[Alison Boler]

Hi Mindy
You should have a great time in Antigua. My two teenage daughters (16 and 15) dive and we find that in the Caribbean, as in Florida, it is a much more usual thing to find under 20s on the dive boat - so you should find some pals easily enough. In any case, I doubt there will be any problems with the dive operator.
Depending on how much diving you are going to do, you can either take your equipment or rent it. Is size likely to be any sort of issue for you? Probably not. My 15 year old is very slim but she now wears a XS adult bcd, she also always wears a wetsuit. The sea is going to be extremely warm: 30C Unless you feel the cold a lot, you probably won't need a wetsuit although some sort of protection against abrasion and stingy things is a good idea. Lucy (16) generally dives in a big t shirt out there, although a lycra bodysuit would be better. Anyway, if you are likely to want anything extra small in rental gear, it would be a good idea to email the dive centre before setting off to check if they have it.
The other place I would recommend that you have a look at is Grand Cayman. Absolutely safe as houses (in a more American style than Antigua), lots to do for non divers and with totally fantastic diving both from boat and shore. Virgin also go there.

We have trip reports on many places in the Caribbean (including Antigua and Grand Cayman) here

http://www.bsactravelclub.co.uk/reports

Also, in my opinion the Red Sea is still a very safe choice for a holiday but of course your parents are right to be concerned. James is correct in pointing out that a liveaboard would be a good choice from a security point of view but I'm not sure whether it would work for you without a parent diving. I doubt if your parents would have such a great time aboard either as non divers - probably go a bit stir crazy!!!

Anyway, good luck with the GCSEs and have a great holiday. Please ask if there is anymore help we can give.

[Mindy]

Thanks for all your advice I will tell my parents.

I am hoping to do a lot's of diving...I have plans to be a marine biologist so I want to get as much diving experience as I can before I apply to Uni in a couple of years time.

My parents are really good at taking me places with the Bracknell BSAC club and Dad doesn't mind going out on the boats. He helps out as dive crew when there is space on the boat but Mum isn't so keen.

There isn't very many under eighteen's in our club, so it would be great to dive with people around my age.