FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions...
St. Vincent offers some of the best diving in Caribbean, and the mainland attracts dedicated recreational divers from around the world, especially divers interested in macro photography.
Getting to St. Vincent... is not as difficult, or expensive to reach as you may have thought. There are now direct flights from Puerto Rico to St. Vincent, or you can connect via Barbados, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua, Martinique or St. Lucia!
If you are traveling from East Coast USA we recommend flying via Barbados or Antigua as both islands have a number of flights to St. Vincent each day, so should you experience a delay with American or Continental airlines, that causes you to miss your original onward flight, you should be able to get to St. Vincent using alternative flights.
PLEASE NOTE: If you are planning to travel over Christmas or Easter holidays, or during Carnival Season (end of Easter until August) you may experience a high volume of travelers throughout the Eastern Caribbean region - make sure that you stick to your luggage allowance, and travel with some toiletries and a change of clothes in your hand luggage. If traveling with a buddy / partner you may want to spilt clothes between cases just in case your bags take a little longer to arrive!
Water temperature and conditions... the diving in St. Vincent is great all year round, especially during the summer months. The sea temperature remains at around 28 degrees celcius and dive conditions are perfect what ever time of the year you may choose to visit!
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Do I need to bring my own equipment? With the restrictions being placed on how much you can carry you may like to know that we include equipment rental within our prices. All of our equipment is very well maintained and is meticulously clean. Should you decide to use our equipment instead of your own and it does not meet your expectations we will give you a complete refund to the value of your dive package.
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Can I learn to dive? Of course! Why not try a PADI Discover Scuba Diving resort course, this is a half day dive experience that can be credited towards PADI Scuba Diver and PADI Open Water certification.
I would like to take a dive package but my partner doesn't dive, what should I do? No problem, you can offer them the following choices;
Option #1. Come and relax in a tropical beach paradise, catch up on your reading whilst I go diving! We can schedule my diving around your sight seeing / shopping schedule if this suits you.
Option #2. I would like to take a diving trip, why not come with me and take a 'Learn to Dive' course, it'll be great fun we'll be on the same boat for most of the time, and once you've completed the course we can dive together for the rest of the holiday!
Option #3. How would you like to spend some time cruising and snorkeling amongst some of the most pristine reefs in the Caribbean with me, you can watch me through the glass bottom boat or float above me whilst I dive!
Hopefully your partner / better half / significant other will be tempted by at least one of these options!
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Money, money, money... the currency used in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$). The EC$ is fixed to the US$ with an exchange rate US$1.00 = EC$2.70
US currency is readily accepted throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines, however you will receive your change in EC$ in most cases. Sterling and Euros can be changed at the banks (which are usually open Monday to Friday between 08.00 and 14.00), and larger hotels. Most banks offer ATM services, however ATMs in St. Vincent can run out of cash during major public holidays such as Christmas, Easter and Carnival when the banks are closed for extended periods).
Most major credit cards (with the exception of AMEX and Discover) are accepted, although you should expect to have between 2% and 5% in transaction fees added to your bill should you choose to pay with your credit card.
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Will my electrical appliance work in St. Vincent? If you are traveling from the UK you won't even need to bring an adapter as most outlets in St. Vincent use the British style three pin plug. The electricity is 220v single phase 50 cycles, which means that if you use product devised for the US market (110v) you should check if they are compatible with the 220v system. Alternatively check with your accommodation provider if they are able to provide a 110v step down adapter. Most of the larger hotels in St. Vincent are used to welcoming North Americans and either provide dual voltage within the rooms as a matter of course, or are able to provide step down transformers on request.
Is the island safe for visitors? St. Vincent is one of the safest islands in the West Indies. The people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines are honest, God fearing folk.
Our advice; please take the same precautions to ensure your safety and the safety or your belongings as you would at home:
- Put your valuable items in a safe place, most hotels offer safety box facilities.
- Don't leave unattended items in plain view. (Temptation can befall the most honest soul!)
- If you plan to take a romantic moonlit stroll or go for an evening swim ask your hotel reception, tour representative or local contact, for advice for the most appropriate location.
Most of the beaches in the touristic areas of St. Vincent are patrolled by members of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines police force, however the island does not yet have a comprehensive Life Guard service.
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What about eating out? St. Vincent has lots of culinary delights to choose from, you just have to know where to look! From super steaks to bargain road side BBQ there is something for everyone regardless of how much you wish to spend on your dining experience.
The Villa / Indian Bay area in the South of the island offers the most choice for visitors.
Restaurants include;
Indian Bay
- Wilkies at the Grandview Hotel, offers superb view of the Grenadines.
- The Grandview Grill, famous for it's Friday Night Jerk, located on Indian Bay. Open air dining with an artistic twist!
Villa Beach
- French Veranda at Mariners Hotel, one of St. Vincents more upscale restaurants, offering lovely views of Young Island.
- Xcape, a local bar for local people, where visitors are locals too! (Hint, service can be slow if the restaurant is busy, so order your food before your drinks!). Great atmosphere, especially on a Friday when there is a live band.
- Beachcombers Restaurant, lovely location, with a selection if international cuisine choices with a Caribbean twist.
- Young Island, take the short ferry ride to Young Island. The price is worth the view and ambiance of the location. Reservations for dinner are recommended.
Blue Lagoon
- Surfside Restaurant located at the Barefoot Marine Center and right out side that dive shop, is a gem of a restaurant providing a relaxing atmosphere and a menu that offers something for everyone at a very fair price. Super views make this one of the best 'sun downer' locations on the island.
Worthy mentions include 'Papa Spoons' a real local rumshop that serves delicious 'ital' (rastafarian vegetarian cooking) alongside creole fish and chicken dishes. Very inexpensive, a real local dining experience. Ron Jons Rum Shop aka The Triangle Pub is run by the one and only Ron Jon, more of a rum shop than a place to eat, it is the place to be at the weekend as even the Prime Minister of St. Vincent take a drink there from time to time!
There are lot's of questions that have yet to appear within this page, so please email info@indigodive.com if there is something that you would like to know!
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