Question about diving at San Souci

**Moebius** · January 24th, 2011, 08:57 AM

I am a certified diver returning to San Souci 3/5 - 3/12. I know diving and all gear is included, but I would prefer to bring my own gear. Is it OK to bring my own gear?

**Brian_Mendy** · January 24th, 2011, 09:28 AM

We went to CSA in November, and actually most people brought their own gear, including us. I am very certain that you can bring your own gear.

**Moebius** · January 24th, 2011, 09:51 AM

Originally Posted by Brian_Mendy

We went to CSA in November, and actually most people brought their own gear, including us. I am very certain that you can bring your own gear.

Thanks for the confirmation. I have 6 dives on my new gear and I'm still getting used to it and working out the kinks.

**AAS** · January 24th, 2011, 10:51 AM

We were at San Souci in August 09 & 10 and both times they stored our gear for us in the dive hut - which was great because we were staying up in the cliffs and it would be quite a walk every day with gear.

**Moebius** · January 25th, 2011, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by AAS

We were at San Souci in August 09 & 10 and both times they stored our gear for us in the dive hut - which was great because we were staying up in the cliffs and it would be quite a walk every day with gear.

We will be staying on the cliffs as well, so this is a great option if I want to do it. I am the paranoid type, especially about my new gear, so I'm glad I have a gear bag that is like a backpack in case I want to lug it back up to our room every day.

Thanks for the info!

**Moebius** · January 25th, 2011, 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by AAS

We were at San Souci in August 09 & 10 and both times they stored our gear for us in the dive hut - which was great because we were staying up in the cliffs and it would be quite a walk every day with gear.

I am assuming that the dive shop there only does air (21%). Is this true? I have been diving Nitrox (32% - 36%) ever since I got certified and feel less fatigued and for some reason less dry mouthed afterward (can't explain it). I also love the longer down times and shorter SITs. Would love to continue diving Nitrox there if they offer it.

**jamaicamecrazy** · January 25th, 2011, 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by AAS

We were at San Souci in August 09 & 10 and both times they stored our gear for us in the dive hut - which was great because we were staying up in the cliffs and it would be quite a walk every day with gear.

Likewise, we brought some of our gear and they stored it. It would have been a drag to haul it up and down between G block and the beach every day!

We brought mask, snorkel, fins, wet suits and regs, but not our BCDs. We figured they are just too bulky and it allowed us one dive bag instead of 2. The BCDs thsy have were just fine, in case you decide to do the same.

**GERRYA** · January 25th, 2011, 08:36 PM

We too brought our own gear, but next time we will only bring our own masks and fins and wrist mount computer. My wife may not bring that much, she liked their masks better than her own.

**Moebius** · January 26th, 2011, 08:25 AM

Originally Posted by jamaicamecrazy

Likewise, we brought some of our gear and they stored it. It would have been a drag to haul it up and down between G block and the beach every day!

We brought mask, snorkel, fins, wet suits and regs, but not our BCDs. We figured they are just too bulky and it allowed us one dive bag instead of 2. The BCDs thsy have were just fine, in case you decide to do the same.

If I hadn't just got all new gear, I would consider not bringing everything, but I need more practice dives in it. I had been renting BCs from the shop I got certified at for a while which has the standard "life jacket" inflation system. My new BC is a back-inflate and I am still getting used to getting in position to dump air. Thanks for the great suggestions. With all this information I feel a lot more comfortable with knowing what to expect.

**Moebius** · January 26th, 2011, 10:38 AM

Is there a place to soak gear in fresh water at CSS? Just wondering since if there's not, I'd have to bring it back to the rook to rinse it.

**AAS** · January 26th, 2011, 11:48 AM

Originally Posted by Moebius

I am assuming that the dive shop there only does air (21%). Is this true? I have been diving Nitrox (32% - 36%) ever since I got certified and feel less fatigued and for some reason less dry mouthed afterward (can't explain it). I also love the longer down times and shorter SITs. Would love to continue diving Nitrox there if they offer it.

Sorry just air...

**Moebius** · January 28th, 2011, 08:14 AM

Originally Posted by AAS

Sorry just air...

That's what I figured. Now that I have a computer, it's not a big deal.

**chefcg1** · January 29th, 2011, 08:08 AM

how is the diving there compared to CSA or CN?

**Moebius** · January 29th, 2011, 10:03 AM

Originally Posted by chefcg1

how is the diving there compared to CSA or CN?

When Amber and I were at CSS in August, I did the Discovery Dive. They took us to a reef offshore from the Au Naturel beach. It was pretty cool for only being about 30 ft. for about 20 or so minutes.

I can't wait to get back in March as a certified diver and see other places!

Chris