Common Scuba Diving Questions

  • How safe is scuba diving?
    Scuba diving is very safe if done with the proper equipment and under careful supervision. Sail Caribbean is the only teen program with its own year-round dive operation.  Our dive courses are taught by full-time PADI professionals. Our equipment and staff are first-rate and we pride ourselves on our expertise and track record.
  • Is there an advantage to using dive boats versus diving off sailboats?
    Our fleet of custom dive boats enables us to keep bulky, wet scuba gear and noisy compressors off our sailboats. The dive boats rendezvous with the sailing fleet to easily transport you to the best dive locations. During the ride, students prepare their equipment under close supervision, discuss dive knowledge reviews, are briefed on the site where they’ll be diving, and enjoy the ride. Our dive boats provide spacious and stable platforms to ensure easy and safe entry and exit from the water for everyone aboard.  We believe that using dive boats is the very best way to dive.
  • How deep will I dive?
    For Discover Scuba, you start in waist-deep water and progress to a maximum depth of 40 feet. The maximum depth for all divers under age 15 is 70 feet, regardless of certification level. Open Water Divers are trained for dives up to 60 feet; Advanced Open Water to 100 feet. The deepest that any Sail Caribbean student will generally dive is 80-90 feet.
  • How much sailing or diving experience is needed?
    No experience is necessary, but you should be comfortable on the water, have a spirit of adventure, the ability to take on responsibility, and a desire to be challenged.
  • Is your scuba equipment up-to-date?

    Sail Caribbean operates a year-round scuba diving center in the British Virgin Islands, that has earned the Professional Association of Diving Instructors' (PADI's) highest rating, its coveted 5-Star Gold Palm Instructor Development Center designation.  Our equipment is continually maintained and updated to meet our ongoing instructional needs.

  • How does weather affect the number of dives one can make?

    Weather rarely has any impact on our diving in the Caribbean.  Occasionally, it may cause us to move to a more sheltered site, or one with better visibility, but it almost never results in a dive being cancelled.  Our use of custom dive boats makes such flexibility possible.

  • Why isn't eLearning used for Advanced Open Water certification too?

    In comparison, the initial OW course requires beach access plus academics prior to diving, while AOW students can dive at any location and also have the option of completing academics after diving. There is ample study time while the students are with us on the dive boats, so we conduct the AOW knowledge development portion of the course then, after learning which specialties are of interest. AOW certification requires 2 compulsory dives (Deep Diver and U/W Navigator) plus the student's choice of 3 additional specialty dives. We work with students to take the 3 dives that suit their particular interests, whereas eLearning addresses all possible dives (even those of no interest to the student). Our method ensures cost effectiveness and enhances the natural flow of the program.