| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 04/09/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 48 |
| Copyright: Other |
Destination review by Helen Arnold
Antigua bubbles under as diving destination
Region hopes to boost scuba potential
Visitors flock to Antigua for many reasons but diving has not traditionally been one of them -Êuntil now.The island’s director of tourism Dr Dorne Sowerby said: “Diving in Antigua and Barbuda is one of the best-kept secrets of the Caribbean.
“Everyone has heard of the diving in the Cayman Islands but as a destination, Antigua is comparatively undiscovered by the diving fraternity, so the sites are not crowded.”
Antigua has more known dive sites – over 200 – than any other Caribbean island. And with clean, clear water, comfortable temperatures and a wealth of underwater plant and marine life, diving in Antigua and Barbuda is suitable for beginners and intermediates.
“The reefs tend to be quite shallow, particularly around Antigua,” explained Sowerby.
The problem is that few divers consider Antigua an obvious place to go diving and it has failed to capitalise on its natural assets by actively promoting its attractive dive sites.
At present there are six accredited dive centres on the island but the opening of a new Professional Association of Diving Instructors-accredited dive school in the autumn, the Ultramine Academies, should boost interest.
In addition, two new dive sites should also bolster awareness of the island’s potential.
Hayes and Jarvis is one UK operator which has long been offering diving programmes to Antigua and Barbuda.
Diving product manager Rob Sanday said: “Britons like Antigua and feel safe there; it is the quality of the region that appeals to them. The diving in Antigua is mainly off the south side of the island, with lots of shallow sites and good quality corals.”
Hayes and Jarvis offers a PADI open-water course in Antigua for £290, and three days’ diving with tanks and weights for £113, based on two dives a day. Prices at the Jolly Harbour Villas on a room-only basis for four sharing a two-bedroom villa, with flights start at £469 per person for seven nights in January.
Big blue: the area is rich in sea life and is relatively undiscovered by divers