The great thing about diving with DSV was that there was no set limit to dive length. We were allowed to remain underwater for as long as our air allowed. Dive times in excess of 90 minutes were the norm. In fact on one particular shallow 'muck'  dive we remained down for 2 hours and ten minutes. Bill returned to the boat after signalling that he was low on air but indicated to those of us who still had air left that we could continue with the dive if we wished to. At no time were we ever rushed to get back onto the boat. This type of diving suits me down to the ground as it means I can approach my underwater photography with a much more relaxed mental approach. A fact that manifested itself in the quality of the images that I was very pleased to have produced.

Although there are not huge shoals of fish on the dive sites around St Vincent the variety and quality of the sightings more than makes up for the lack of quantity. Each evening we sat down and compiled a list of the less common marine life we had seen during the days dives. At the end of 2 weeks we had a 4 page list with 2 columns per page. The majority of these were described in the Humann Identification books as 'Uncommon Caribbean' or occasionally 'Rare Caribbean'. Some of the marine life, Bill informed us has not been officially classified yet.

The reef at all of the dives sites was in pristine condition, with perfect specimens of the Azure Vase Sponges, Elephant Ear Sponges, Barrel Sponges and various colours of Encrusting Sponges being much in evidence.

Among the more interesting sightings on the reef were Frogfish, Seahorses, Brotula, Teardrop Cryptic Crabs, Chain Morays, Viper Moray Eels and more varieties of Blennys, both juvenile and adults than I could count.

During the pure 'muck and sea grass dives' we spotted Flying Gurnards, Spoon Nosed Eels, Gold Spotted Eels, Sharptail Eels, Margintail Congers, Blue and Yellow Throat Pike Blennys, Lettuce Nudibranch, Head Shield Slugs, Mantis Hrimps, Neck Crabs etc etc etc.

Many of the dives sites we visited were combinations of normal reef areas with muck and sea grass areas in the shallows. This meant there was enough variety to satisfy you whatever your particular interest was.

Check out the St Vincent Photo Gallery to see some of the fascinating marine life that we encountered.

Upon request Bill Tewes will organise a dive trip to the famous
Falls of Baleine which are located along the north of the island. This gives divers the opportunity to dive two locations that are not normally visited due to the distances involved. After the second dive of the day, the boat moors at a specially built jetty (the Falls are only easily accessible by boat) from which it is only a short walk to the base of the Falls. The cystal clear freshwater from the hills comes cascading down to form a natural pool in which it is possible and safe to swim. Be warned the water is a little on the chilly side!

Upon returning back on the boat we partook of some nicely chilled Rum (with the emphasis on the Rum) Punch. Making our way back south we stopped off at Wallilibou (the restaurant and location was used to film The Pirates Of The Caribbean) where we revitalised ourselves on a meal of either ribs or fish, both of which were excellent. We arrived back at the dock around 16:30 having enjoyed a wonderful day.

Due to the duration of our daily 2 dives it was not unusual to get back to the dock in the middle of the afternoon. This did not leave a great deal of time for much else apart from a refreshing dip in the Mariners immaculately clean swimming pool and a little sunbathing. After a shower and a change into something dry for a change, it was then usually time to eat. If you wanted a change of scenery from the hotels superb restaurant there are at least 3 other eating places within 50 yards of the hotel. The Ocean Allegro restaurant was one that we frequented regularly during our stay. We found the Lobster Bisque followed by Pasta with Tomato, Basil in a Vodka Cream Sauce particularly to our liking. All washed down with a glass of the local draught beer.

On those evenings when we felt endowed with more energy, we would walk about a mile to another eating establishment called the Surfside Restaurant from which it was possible to relax over a cocktail whilst watching the sunset over St Vincent and Young Island. The pizzas served at this place were to die for.

The only day that we really spent sightseeing was on the last day before our flight home. We visited the St Vincent Botanical Gardens which are a mile or so north of the capital Kingstown. These gardens are the oldest in the western hemisphere and have an offshoot of the original Breadfruit tree that was brought to the island by Captain Bligh. The gardens also have a captive breeding program for the St Vincent parrot which is the only parrot that is indigenous to St Vincent and is an endangered species.

After spending a couple of hours checking out the market and browsing around the shops in Kingstown we returned back to the Hotel for a refreshing dip in the pool.

Our final evening was spent at Surfside watching the sunset over St Vincent whilst we reflected on what had been a perfect vacation. The hotel was excellent, restaurants superb, the dive operation and it's staff were very professional and friendly and as for the diving, see the images in the Photo Gallery and draw your own conclusions.

Would we go back again? Most definitely, we are planning to return in September 2004. How about joining us?

The following images were all taken with a Subal housed Nikon F90x camera with 105mm F2.8D lens and AF/MF 105mm flat port. The strobe used was the Subtronic Alpha Pro Macro on an Ultralight arm. In some cases a Nexus Wet lens diopter was used to gain extra magnification.

Teardrop Cryptic Crab

Chain moray

Margintail Conger

Painted Frogfish

Lettuce Nudibranch