The Complete Diving Guide: The Caribbean (Vol. 1) Dominica, Martinique, St. Lucia, St Vincent & The Grenadines, Grenada, Tobago, Barbados (Paperback)

~ Colleen Ryan (Author), Brian Savage (Illustrator, Photographer)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"At last, the Eastern Caribbean has the dive guide it deserves. "

Volume I covers the Caribbean Islands from Dominica to Tobago. The first book of its kind for the area, The Complete Diving Guide - The Caribbean Volume 1 by Colleen Ryan and Brian Savage is meticulously researched and packed with useful information. The book describes over 240 dive sites and covers 50 extensively, and includes full-color underwater site plans.

All in all, the guide contains everything a diver needs to know to decide which island to dive and where to stay, which operators to dive with, which sites to visit, what to expect to see and even which camera lenses to use to capture on film what you actually see. " -- PADI Undersea Journal - First Quarter 1998

"The Complete Diving Guide - The Caribbean (Volume 1) is exactly what it professes to be. Intended to be the first in a series, it looks at the southern islands of the Eastern Caribbean. Each chapter starts with a short island introduction followed by a very specific description of the dive sites, operators and hotels.

The write-ups of the dive sites are full of interesting personal experiences. The rest of the chapter provides just the sort of information you need, such as which operators have english speaking dive guides and which recognise the depth limitations of BSAC rather than PADI.

Throughout the book's 390 information-packed pages are numerous interesting side panels. One describes the ships that sank in St. Pierre Harbour on Martinique when Mount Pelee erupted in 1902. The resulting dive sites sound so fascinating that I at once booked a trip to the island. Surely this is the acid test of a dive guide?" -- Diver Magazine, October 1998, Brendan O'Brien

"This book on the area is a must for visitors and tour group leaders" -- PADI Undersea Journal - Second Quarter 1998

"Three years ago Colleen Ryan and Brian Savage traded in their highly successful London careers for a life cruising the Caribbean on their yacht. And being keen divers they needed a guide to the area.

Dissatisfied with what they found they decided to write and publish their own. It took two years' hard work, the mastering of a whole new set of skills from marine biology to desktop publishing and some dogged determination. The result is the most accurate, useful and interesting guide to Caribbean diving yet published.

The first volume covers the southern part of the Caribbean from Dominica to Tobago, but does not stretch to Bonaire and Curacao. More than 240 dives are described with detailed graphics for 50 sites and most usefully all the dive operators are listed and evaluated.

The book looks as if it has been produced by a slick publishing house with all the resources in the world. It is hard to believe it was compiled by two amateurs in the saloon of their yacht moored off out-of-the-way Caribbean islands. A remarkable achievement and essential reading for anyone planning a diving trip to the area. The only problem is that you will end up wanting to sell up, buy a boat and spend the next several years checking out the dives in detail." -- Dive International, March 1998, Max James

From an article on diving in the Windward islands:

"This book on the area is a must for visitors and tour group leaders" -- PADI Undersea Journal, Second Quarter 1998

The Complete Diving Guide - The Caribbean (Volume 1) is exactly what it professes to be. Intended to be the first in a series, it looks at the southern islands of the Eastern Caribbean. Each chapter starts with a short island introduction followed by a very specific description of the dive sites, operators and hotels.

The write-ups of the dive sites are full of interesting personal experiences. The rest of the chapter provides just the sort of information you need, such as which operators have English speaking dive guides and which recognise the depth limitations of BSAC rather than PADI.

Throughput the book's 390 information-packed pages are numerous interesting side panels. One describes the ships that sank in St. Pierre Harbour on Martinique when Mount Pelee erupted in 1902. The resulting dive sites sound so fascinating that I at once booked a trip to the island. Surely this is the acid test of a dive guide? -- Diver Magazine, October 1998, Brendan O'Brien

Product Description

The Complete Diving Guides to scuba diving in the Eastern Caribbean, including descriptions of ALL dive sites, dive stores and operators. Island maps show the location of dive sites and stores. Dive sites are illustrated by underwater maps and photographs.

Volume 1 gives you everything you ever need to know about scuba diving on these fantastic Caribbean islands: Dominica, Martinique, St Lucia, St Vincent & Grenadines, Grenada, Tobago & Barbados.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 392 pages
• Publisher: Cruising Guide Publications (June 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0944428428
• ISBN-13: 978-0944428429
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #288,728 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #3 in	Books > Travel > Caribbean > Grenada
  #4 in	Books > Travel > Caribbean > French West Indies

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Completely the BEST Dive Guide!, July 26, 2000

By	DUngls (Caribbean) - See all my reviews

We dive regularly in these areas covered by the Complete Dive Guide Vol 1, a place where information is scarce except for that offered by local operators. We found this guide, especially the Dive Maps and the information on the local Dive shops and their services to be the ABSOLUTE Best available. We recommend everyone who dives these areas grab a copy and keep it close. This guide has given us the ability to dive confidently and know we aren't going to miss anything the area has to offer.

Thanks Brian & Colleen

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars winston reed, March 6, 2002

By	winstonreed (Milford, connecticut United States) - See all my reviews

July 2001 I dove several of the sites reviewed by ms Ryan and Mr Savage
and found their profiles of the dives to be very accurate and
helpful.I hope she and Brian Savage will do a "complete
DG of the Bahamas,I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Reference Guide, February 18, 2008

By	David Ullman "Bowditch" (Long Island, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A very good book. Picked it up to check it out and was impressed at how comprehensive it is in regards to specific dives spots and charter outfits. I thought it was so useful that I am trying to find Volume 2.