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Dive Review of Admiralty Dive Center/Marriott Frenchman's Reef in
Virgin Islands/St. Thomas, USVI

Admiralty Dive Center/Marriott Frenchman's Reef, Jun, 2010,

by Jeffrey B Renner, WA, US ( 2 reports). Report 5578.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations N/A Food N/A
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 4 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments
We spent four days diving with Admiralty; we were very pleased with our choice, and would have no difficulty recommending their operation to anyone. They were very accomodating, willing to pick us up at our hotel-something neither of the other dive operations we contacted were willing to do. That helped us make our choice, but it also became apparent that Admiralty was the best choice after we began our dives.

The crew members were very safety oriented; the briefings were clear, thorough and to the point. The skipper and dive masters worked to "spoil" the divers and make the entire experience enjoyable and effortless. Unlike some operations that reduce dives to the "lowest common denominator", Admiralty would set up separate dives for inexperienced divers and those with more time underwater. They exhibited great environmental sensitivity, and extensive knowledge of the local marine life and reef ecology. One dive master is taking a leadership role in preserving reef health and dealing with invasive species, such as the Lionfish. It gave our dives that added dimension to get a better understanding and appreciation for what we were seeing.

In a broader sense, the Marriott at Frenchman's reef was a reasonably priced place to stay with attractive grounds and good restaurants. I'd especially recommend Havana Blue. Probably the one negative from this trip would be the taxi drivers. They're pushy and very expensive-even charging for luggage as separate items. Rental cars are a must. Although cars are built with the steering wheels on the left, as in the states, you drive on the left, as in the U.K. We found it easy to get used to. Saint Thomas was fun; my one suggestion would be to take a couple of days on Saint John-a beautiful, charming island with much to recommend it.

Websites Admiralty Dive Center   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 251-500 dives
Where else diving Pacific Northwest, Alaska, British Columbia, Hawaii, Micronesia, Honduras, Grand Cayman.
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas choppy
Water Temp 84-86°F / 29-30°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 40-50 Ft/ 12-15 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Divers are largely free to dive their own computer profiles, but dive masters are there to provide needed guidance, assistance and supervision.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas 1 or 2
Dolphins 1 or 2 Whale Sharks None
Turtles 1 or 2 Whales None
Corals 3 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 3 stars Large Fish N/A
Large Pelagics 3 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter N/A Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's N/A Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments [None]
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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