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Dive Review of Golden Rock Dive Center/Old Gin House in
St. Eustatius

Golden Rock Dive Center/Old Gin House, Feb, 2011,

by Alison Scheflow, FL, US (Sr. Reviewer Sr. Reviewer 8 reports with 3 Helpful votes). Report 5931.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 4 stars Food 4 stars
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 4 stars
Comments Statia has established a very comprehensive marine park around the entire Island. Unlike many so called parks there is actual funding and enforcement to really protect these resources. That fact alone should be enough to get divers to patronize this little gem, but there is so much more.The Goldenrock Dive operation is run by owners & staff who are passionate about diving and extremely concerned about customer service. The first 2 days we dove with another couple on the small boat The third day we added 2 more people so the larger boat was used where many operations would have cramped us on the small vessel. Two days later we were scheduled to dive a wreck of the Charlie Brown and 2 more divers wanted to go. Glenn felt their experience level was incompatible with those on board so he actually turned them away to avoid hindering us. He was able to accommodate them later but very few operators would refuse $ to maximize our experience. Great variety in the diving and some incredible visibility, near 150 ft on a few occasions. The island is small, pop 2700, and dining choices are somewhat limited but very good and reasonable. I cannot get $2 coronas anywhere else.Try to hit a different spot every day you will be pleasantly surprised. Old Gin House was just as advertised clean, quaint and very comfortable. Breakfast is included and is not your usual continental junk,good food cooked to order with fresh ingredients. The staff was outstanding. The service and accommodations exceeded our expectations. I heard that internet service was sporadic but I had problems only 1 day out of 7, not bad for the islands.. All in all a great vacation if you do not require shopping or nightlife. We felt we were genuinely welcome everywhere we wandered. This island gets no publicity due to its small ad budget and it may never get "discovered" That does not mean you can't. You thought this kind of island no longer existed , You were misled. Change your plans. Go to Statia stay at the Old Gin House and be treated like a VIP. Experience great scenery and friendly faces in a crime free environment. Dive with Glenn at Goldenrock and hear how he organized the sinking of one of the largest wrecks/artificial reefs anywhere. Dine at locally owned eateries where fresh and homemade are really fresh and homemade. Take the walk up to the extinct volcano crater & enjoy the views. Watch the activity in the "harbor" with NO CRUISE SHIPS. Spend 7 days in the Caribbean w/o being hustled. Get Renaldo, resident and fisherman & divemaster extraordinaire to catch & cook you and your dive companions a lobster & conch feast dockside on your last night Then get home and fire your travel agent for not sending you there sooner.
Websites Golden Rock Dive Center   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 501-1000 dives
Where else diving 25 islands in Caribbean, Bahamas & Florida
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, windy Seas calm
Water Temp 78-78°F / 26-26°C Wetsuit Thickness 5
Water Visibility 70-150 Ft/ 21-46 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions No strictly enforced limits dive your own profile
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 4 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish 1 stars
Large Pelagics 2 stars

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

Subject Matter 4 stars Boat Facilities 2 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 3 stars Shore Facilities 1 stars
UW Photo Comments dedicated rinse bucket on board but no real onshore facilities that we saw.
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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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