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Dive Review of Vigilant Divers/Carimar Beach Club in
Anguilla/based at Sandy Ground

Vigilant Divers/Carimar Beach Club, Jan, 2013,

by Daniel Spitzer MD, NY, US (Sr. Reviewer Sr. Reviewer 9 reports with 6 Helpful votes). Report 6843.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 5 stars Food N/A
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 3 stars
Comments Anguilla is not a dive destination, but if you are on the island, diving is certainly worthwhile. Vigilant Divers, operated by an ex British commando, is a very professional operation - we reviewed man-overboard procedures, location of emergency equipment, operation of the marine radios etc prior to lifting anchor. Anguillian dives are typically on wrecks sunk for that purpose, in about 80 fsw, with shallower drift dives on surrounding reefs as the second dive. Expect typical northern caribbean coral/fish, BUT keep your eyes open. My Dec 2011 trip included sighting of Atlantic Spade Fish, the largest Horse Eye jack I have ever seen, complete with his own remora, and a Spotted Eagle Ray which turned circles around us. The sunken M/V Commerce is now covered with Orange Cup Coral, as are other of the wrecks - no need to visit Bonaire's Pier for this! December 2012 was actually better - could northern corals actually be rebounding slightly?

Equipment is top notch, and well maintained; the 30 foot boat is roomy and stable, but the number of divers is limited to 4, so there's no 'herd'. This also allows Rob Willsher (owner and divemaster) to keep an eye on any less experienced divers.

Prior visits (I have been visiting Anguilla for 20 years now) have included schools of barracuda and several dolphins, many sting rays and turtles and numerous spotted eagle rays, along with the more typical reef fish (unfortunately now including Lionfish). A good dive can be experienced almost anywhere; having travelled far and wide, I can say that some of my most memorable dives have actually occurred in Anguilla - again, it's all luck, and keeping your eyes open!
Websites Vigilant Divers   Carimar Beach Club

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 251-500 dives
Where else diving widely northern hemisphere
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm, choppy, no currents
Water Temp 80-81°F / 27-27°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 60-100 Ft/ 18-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile ?
Enforced diving restrictions Dive within reason, and within proximity of group.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles None Whales None
Corals 3 stars Tropical Fish 3 stars
Small Critters 3 stars Large Fish N/A
Large Pelagics N/A

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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