Frequently Asked Questions

If your travel insurance does not cover you for scuba diving, we recommend that you take out scuba diving accident cover.

This is not particularly costly, e.g. annual dive cover with DAN (Divers Alert Network) costs as little as $35US (individual cover) and $55US (family cover) for US residents, $40US (individual cover) and $60US (family cover) for Canadian residents, and $109US (individual cover) for residents of other nations (DAN WORLD).

Before booking diving, please refer to this divers medical questionnaire.

If any of these items apply to you, we must request that you consult with a physician prior to participating in scuba diving.

We are very lucky in Antigua, as we have good conditions for scuba diving all year round. However we do have 2 distinct seasons; the windy winter, and the still summer.

On average, surface conditions (wave height) are better (lower) during the summer months (May – November), allowing us more frequent access to the windward dive sites. However, these months are more prone to algal blooms and sargassum seaweed build up, making visibility more variable.

On average, surface conditions (wave height) are worse (higher) during the winter months (November – May), often limiting our dive site choice. However, the visibility during these months is almost always in excess of 18m/60ft, if not 30m/100ft. Spotted eagle rays (Aetobatus narinari) are far more social during the winter months, and tend to congregate at our shallow, sheltered dive sites (The Pillars of Hercules and Black’s Point).

Some swimming ability is required. You need to have basic swim skills and be able to comfortably maintain yourself in the water. For the PADI Open Water Diver course, your PADI Instructor will assess this by having you:

Swim 200 metres/yards (or 300 metres/yards in mask, fins and snorkel). There is no time limit for this, and you may use any swimming strokes you want.

Float and tread water for 10 minutes, again using any methods you want.

Please find more scuba diving related FAQs at PADI FAQs

The most common negative interaction we have with marine life while scuba diving in Antigua, would be brushing up against some fire coral (Millepora).This can result in a very weak sting, leaving an itchy area on your skin, which does not usually last long. To avoid this, and to protect the coral, we practice good buoyancy, and stay streamlined, keeping our arms close to our body.

Other than this, as long as you don’t tease or harass marine life, nothing will actively try to harm you. We have never had a dangerous incident with any marine life.

Normal beach attire e.g. swimwear, sunglasses, sunscreen lotion, a hat, and a towel. Although water and fruit punch are included and offered on board, feel free to bring any snacks that you may want to eat between dives. If you tend to get motion sickness it is recommended that you take motion sickness pills prior to meeting at the dive shop.

The average journey time is only 15mins, and the maximum journey time is 30mins.

No. But there is a restaurant on site (Island fusion) and if it happens to be closed, there are many options within a 10mins walk.

Unfortunately no, the distance between resorts is just too large. The easiest way to travel to us is by taxi, but the most economical way would be to rent a car.

Yes, it actually is a good idea to eat light before a dive. However it is not recommended to have a full heavy meal before a dive.

No, alcohol consumption is not recommended before scuba diving, and anyone who has consumed alcohol (or taken a narcotic) will not be allowed to board the boat. It is also recommended that you avoid drinking heavily the evening before diving.

Here is some advice from PADI:

After completing a single no-decompression dive, a minimum preflight surface interval of 12 hours is suggested.

For multiple dives per day, or multiple days of diving, a minimum preflight surface interval of 18 hours is suggested.

To err on the side of safety, many divers plan a 24-hour surface interval and spend their time exploring topside attractions.

Here is some advice from PADI:

• Deep Tissue Massage – What? No massage? Relax and breathe. Here’s the good news, according to DAN, “massage has not been confidently associated with…cases of DCS.”

Experts caution against deep tissue massage, but a gentle relaxation massage is probably fine. The two main concerns with deep tissue massage are:
– Increased blood flow might lead to bubble formation
– Muscle soreness that might cause soreness which can lead to misdiagnosis (or delayed diagnosis) of DCS.

• Relaxing in a hot tub – As the body warms up and circulation improves, there is an increased chance of bubble formation. According to DAN:

Since the solubility of gas is inversely related to temperature, tissues will hold less in solution as they warm. Warming tissue with significant loads can promote bubble formation. Since the warming of the superficial tissues precedes the increase in blood flow, such bubbles can become problematic before the circulation can remove them harmlessly.

• Intense Partying – Drinking a lot of alcohol can cause dehydration and delayed diagnosis of DCS. If you want to unwind with a few adult beverages, first drink lots of water, then enjoy in moderation.

The Sailing Academy, where we are located, is a five-minute walk from the centre of town, where you will find a number of restaurants and bars offering various cuisines. It is only a ten-minute walk to the UNESCO world heritage site locally referred to as Nelson’s Dockyard. The stunning beaches Pigeon Beach, and Galleon Beach, as well as the look out – Shirley Heights, which hosts a famous Sunday night bbq and party, are also located nearby.

There is a restaurant on site with us (Island fusion), which has a reputation for some of the best food on the island, friendly staff, and a great atmosphere.

On site accommodation is offered at The Lodge, which is run by The National Sailing Academy