COMMENTS FROM SOME OF OUR GUESTS

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Certificate of Excellence Scuba Diving in St. Thomas US Virgin Islands

Scuba Diving in Paradise!

Jennifer P
24 May 2015 | Salt Lake City

My husband and I recently spent our honeymoon at the Ritz Carlton in St. Thomas. This was only our second time diving, and the staff at Patagon was top notch. We did two days of boat dives and saw some incredible sights including gorgeous reef, numerous fish, a shipwreck, as well as eagle rays and a shark. We would highly recommend this dive shop and certainly plan to come back in the future!

Patagon Dive Center @ Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas = Awesome

360Jules
8 July 2014 | Rehoboth Beach

Thank you so much to Kelli and her wonderful staff for such a great experience my first time back diving. Kelli went above and beyond taking her personal time to help both my father and I get re-acclimated to diving and the dive team was incredibly kind and knowledgeable. For sure the place you want to go for first time diving.

Dive was awesome!

Jerry R
7 March 2014 | New Jersey

Stayed at the Ritz and had a young lady (Kelly) offer to show us what Scuba is all about. Before I knew it - we were "hooked" and we signed up for an introductory class. What a great way to spend Valentine's Day with the family. Our instructor Dave was really great. My oldest daughter wants to be a marine biologist so the rest of us just went along for the "support" but we all are glad we took the class and experienced SCUBA DIVING. A very patient teacher with all levels - especially me the one who doesn't listen. Highly recommend. Dave (and even Kelly) were great. Thanks from NJ. Hope you got the photos.

First Time Divers

Alan L
17 August 2013 | Orland Park

This is a letter I sent to Arnoldo at Patagon Divers at the Ritz Carlton, St. Thomas. Just a short note of thanks for the great experience my son, Tyler and I had diving on Aug. 9th. The crew of Captain Elvis, Tyler and especially Phil did a great job preparing and taking 2 novices out in an open dive. My son was very anxious and I fully expected him to turn back after the initial dive but Phil spend a large amount of time calming him down and getting him involved with the dive. We really had a great time and the dive was the highlight of our trip to St. Thomas. Just wanted to let you know what a special group of employees that you have. Best wishes and already planning our next trip to St. Thomas with a dive.

Another Great Dive Experience

Cami612
17 March 2003 | Pennsylvania

We returned to Caneel Bay again for spring break (mom and two college student sons, the younger is a diver). Booked my son's dives with Patagon at Caneel Bay. He had the same dive master this year, Brian, who is wonderful with him. (My son is autistic.) First dive off the boat, with 4 divers total, one snorkeler, and me as bubble watcher. Lance, the dive master for the other divers, is a sweetheart. Captain George was great company. Second dive was a shore dive off Little Caneel Beach. According to my son, both were great dives, with LOTS of marine life, including an up-close encounter with Caneel's friendly resident barracuda (Barry). I can't say enough good things about Patagon and the staff. From what I've seen, having accompanied my son on 5 dives with them, they are great with both novice and experienced divers, never over-book the dives, and their enthusiasm for what they do is infectious. I have accompanied my son on dives in Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, Hawaii and the Outer Banks, and Patagon is head and shoulders above the rest.

Archive...

Harry Beasley
Sunday, 06 May 2012 | Delaware
Good week with Lance and Austin on shore dives off Caneel Bay. Lance loaned me his camera and I got some good shots.

Harry Andrew Rinehart
Tuesday, 20 December 2011
With great appreciation for very special diving adventures that we will remember all of our lives. Can't wait for the next adventure with Arnoldo. Thank you very much! P.S. Thanks for finding the cannon ball!

Matt & Michael Monday
12 December 2011
My dad and first dove together - a turtle came up and said hello. Great diving with Arnoldo and Alicia. Can't wait for the next dives. Congratulations on 20 years!

Colum & Michael Mooney
Monday, 12 December 2011
My son and I had 4 great dives! The crew was very pleasant and knowledgeable. We enjoyed it very much! Can't wait to come back in April.

Mike Levitan
Wednesday, 07 December 2011
As a diver with you since the '70s, I want to congratulate you on 20 years at Patagon Dive Center. I always look forward to seeing and diving with you. All the best, your old friend, Mike Levitan

David Wilson
Sunday, 04 December 2011
Arnoldo: Great to hear from you and congratulations on your upcoming 20 year anniversary! It has always been a pleasure diving with you and your staff. I have logged in quite a few dives and passed my Advance Open Water certification with your staff! My wife and I will be back down again in early February, 2012. As has been the case in the past – as soon as I am on the property at the Ritz, I will make a bee-line to the shop to arrange for some 2-tank dive excursions! Congrats on the 20 years! Please give Gary, Christian, and any others I have “blown bubbles with” my holiday regards too! See you in February!

Dave Michelle & Joel Levitan
Saturday, 03 December 2011
Awesome, safe, comfortable diving experience, fun, helpful staff!!!

Bill Hogan
Thursday, 01 December 2011 | NY, NY
A fabulous time for our family reunion! Special handling of a large group of experienced and not experienced divers. We have done this two years in a row and the Patagon Dive Center, and the related dives, were and continue to be a highlight of our trip. Great Job!

Denis Sullivan
Thursday, 01 December 2011
Congratulations to Arnoldo and all the great people at Patagon Dive Center on your 20th Anniversary! I have been diving at Patagon for several years and have logged over 100 dives with the Patagon team. It was Patagon that brought me back into diving after a 30-year+ layoff and guided me from recertification up through Master Scuba Diver. Their knowledge, professionalism, sense of fun and wonder make the exploration of all the dive sites in and around St. Thomas and St. John a pure joy! I always look forward to returning to our place in St. Thomas, the ritual of those daily dives and seeing the friendly faces at Patagon. I would recommend Patagon Dive Center to anyone - novice, returning and advanced divers alike - you won't be disappointed.

Lawrence Kelemen
Wednesday, 30 November 2011
The Patagon Dive Center gave our family a spectacular adventure year after year. Their training made us feel highly competent and comfortable, and it enabled us to easily earn our Open Water and Advanced Open Water PADI certifications on the first try. The dives they guided for our family have consistently been exciting and beautiful adventures, always with the highest safety standards and the most professional and courteous service. They are at your service and do everything conceivable (and then some) to make the client feel like a king. Since being certified in St. Thomas, my family has dived all over the world; but there is still no place we love as much as Patagon.

Anja Zimmerman
Sunday, 27 November 2011 | Charlotte, North Carolina
Hello Arnoldo, Congrats on 20 years of fantastic diving and service at Patagon Dive Center! Our ladies dive group so appreciated the first-class and personalized service you and your staff offered. A special thanks to DM Gary! Everyone was skilled, patient, friendly, professional, and fun. We look forward to many returns! Happy and safe diving to all. Anja Zimmerman, PADI Instructor

David Erickson
Saturday, 26 November 2011
Thank you for a wonderful time. Arnaldo+Alicia are amazing and kind! Thanks again!

The Bond Family
Thursday, 24 November 2011
Fabulous DSD Dive! Thanks for instilling a love of diving to our daughter! Looking forward to more Dives w/Patagon at the Ritz!

Jeanie Caggiano
Thursday, 24 November 2011
We've diving with Arnoldo & Co. for about 4 years now. He helped certify our 12 years old Zoe. And when Elizo is old enough he'll be his turn too. My husband Jammy and I have being on many memorable dives, including a 8 foot reef shark sighting.

Nancy and Peter Brink
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
First, thank you for a wonderful week of diving. It was nice to dive Congo and Carvel Rock. ;) Second, our discussions about evolution and marine ecosystems were fascinating. Thank you again!

Caneel Bay Paul Kaplan
Tuesday, 22 November 2011 | New Jersey
Arnaldo & staff, Awesome as always! Makes coming back to the Ritz worth everything. Maybe next time I will get certified.

Brian & Dianne
Tuesday, 22 November 2011 | South Carolina
Arnoldo and staff were fantastic! Excellent 2 days of diving. Very skilled, professional and fun. Thanks for a "first class" experience.

John J Smith
Monday, 21 November 2011
Arnoldo and his crew are the best. They are the reason I come back to the Ritz! Congratulations on your 20 years! John J Smith Mc Henry, IL Admin

Steve Mullins
Friday, 18 November 2011 | St Thomas
My friends and I had an incredible time diving with Arnaldo, Brian and crew on our recent trip to St Thomas. On our very first dive we had a pair of dolphins join us for a little fun. A once in a lifetime dive. The crew is courteous, knowledgeable and patient (we had one new diver in our group). This was my fourth trip with them and they always make you feel at home. Best wishes to all at Patagon on their 20th anniversary in business this year.

Russ & Fiona Gallegos
Thursday, 17 November 2011 | New Mexico
Arnaldo & staff, We had a great time & the staff was awesome!

Tmai, Michele, Ife, Bunmi & Elizabeth
Friday, 11 November 2011
So great to be back here at Patagon! Loved being able to take the girls on the DSD. Happy 20th anniversary! Thanks so much to Arnoldo, Alisha and Blake. We had a great time & will be back soon! :)

Joan Campbell
Wednesday, 09 November 2011
First time dive. Arnoldo was awesome! Alicia too! Will be back! 8)

The Howes
Sunday, 06 November 2011 | Saratoga Springs, NY
Lion fish, nurse sharks and sting rays - OH MY! Great first time - felt completely comfortable in Arnoldo's and Allen's care. Thank you - Muchas gracias! Ritz-Carlton Club

The Haines
Friday, 04 November 2011 | Suffield, CT
Great as always! 8 years in the running and still seeing new things. Thanks to the Patagon Dive crew for all the great times over the years.

Joe Fortner
Friday, 04 November 2011 | Indiana
Arnoldo was a great guide! Very friendly, knowledgeable of the area. He made the snorkel trip comfortable. He makes you feel like a friend rather than a guest.

Joey & Fran
Thursday, 03 November 2011
It is always a pleasure diving with Arnoldo!

Gary William MD
Tuesday, 01 November 2011 | So Lake Taho, CA
Arnaldo is the greatest! We have been at the Club since the day it opened and Patagon made all the trips memorable. Stay young and healthy and many more!

Helenka & Ranni
Saturday, 29 October 2011 | Washington, DC
We had so much fun diving! Aaaah!!! I got my certification! :) Great people, great times, great dives and a fabulous time! Lots of love and here's to 20 more years! XOXO

John Goullet
Friday, 28 October 2011 | NY City
This was my 2nd day of diving which was fabulous! My girlfriend Arlin was treated to 1-on-1 instruction by master diver and gentleman Arnaldo - what a great experience! John Goullet

Hotel Jeff Furber
Friday, 28 October 2011 | Boston MA
Eight years of diving with Arnoldo here at the Ritz! Wonderful dive operation and he is a first class person!! Thank you for all the great diving!

Brian & Mindy
Friday, 28 October 2011 | Glenwood Springs CO
Arnoldo is the best! We had two great dives... Dog Rocks and Stragglers. We saw a giant sea turtle, lobster and all sorts of other reef fish. We will come back again soon! Luv, Brian and Mindy

R. Campbell
Tuesday, 25 October 2011
Loved it! First ocean dive & I'll be back! Go Gophers!

Bill Petty
Sunday, 23 October 2011 | Gainesville, FL
Patagon Dive Center is the best! I dive here every year! Best dives, best people, chummy and very enjoyable. I will be coming back. Go Gators! Thank you!

Richard Swalve
Friday, 21 October 2011 | Arizona
Arnoldo, I can't thank you enough! You helped my wife and my mother to take up diving again after 2 years that they gave up diving after a bad diving day in Costa Rica.

John & Deanna Braswell
Friday, 21 October 2011 | Baton Rouge LA
Ten years diving with Arnoldo and his team at Patagon... by far one of the best dive experiences we've had. Personal service, very accommodating, even personal night dives done with Arnoldo. We never miss an opportunity to dive with Patagon! John & Deanna Braswell Baton Rouge LA Allie Heon & family Wednesday, 19 October 2011 RatingRatingRatingRatingRating We all had such a great time! 3 awesome dives, got my certification AND saw some sharks! We will definitely be back next year! Thanks so much!

Christine and Doug Stewart, Houston TX
Saturday, 01 October 2011
Had a great time. Armando was so patient with us, and took some increbile pictures! So glad we dived, we couldn't have asked for a better first experience.

Christopher Rothko
Tuesday, 30 August 2011 | New York
Just had a great experience with Brian Kearney at the St. John dive center. He trained 4 members of our family and gave us great instruction and a lot of confidence. He really takes his teaching seriously-wonderful to work with.

Dr. Ray & Evan Benza
Friday, 19 August 2011
Yet another fantastic aquatic adventure with Lady Grace and the Patagon team. My son Evan has grown up to the scuba outfit here since he was 10 years old (BubbleMaker). And now he is an Advanced Diver as of today! Thanks for all the great memories for my son and I!

RYAN BALSLEY
Wednesday, 17 August 2011 | ST THOMAS
I JUST GOT BACK FROM THE RITZ IN ST THOMAS AND PATAGON WAS OUR BEST EXPERIENCE YET! MY GIRLFRIEND AND I TOOK THE DISCOVER DIVE COURSE AND AS FIRST TIME DIVERS THEY MADE US FEEL EXTREMELY SAFE AND TOOK THE TIME TO SHOW US EVERYTHING WE NEEDED TO KNOW ABOUT OUR DIVING EXPERIENCE.WILL DEFINITELY USE THEM AGAIN!!!!

Brian Carney
Wednesday, 10 August 2011 | Ireland
Myself and my girlfriend took a PADI course at Caneel Bay.Instructor was Brian Kearney (small world !!!!!).We had a great time. Can't speak highly enough of Brian and how enjoyable he made the learning part. My girlfriend is French and Brian delivered in 2 languages. The diving was sensational, 3 dolphins (2 adults and a baby) swam past us on our last dive. Thanks to Brian and Captain Lance, we are now converted !!!

Fisher, Cindy, Ellis Walter
Tuesday, 09 August 2011
My wife and I honeymooned here when it was Grand Palazzo, 18 years ago. I did my first dive with Patagon and Arnoldo and it will always be my first and best experience. What a great place to return to time and again and the staff is always so special. We look forward to the next trip!

Brittany Darby
Friday, 29 July 2011 | PA
Had an awesome week diving at Caneel Bay. It is such an experience and it is easy to learn and do! The staff was very nice and helpful with everything. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Thanks everyone!

Kate Russell, Texas
Friday, 29 July 2011
That was an incredible dive! Makes me want to be a marine biologist even more! Thank you for showing me all the cool creatures! I can't wait to get certified!

Scott Olsen
Thursday, 28 July 2011 | CONUS
Just finished a week at Patagon, Caneel Bay with our two nieces rcv'ing their OW practical training and 5 dives. The instruction and attention they received was superb. The dives excellent with full knowledge of the dive sites and what they offered. Brian, Lance, Clay & Rob were terrific. If the St. Thomas crew is as good as these guys, I highly recommend diving with them.

Dana & Jonathon, LA
Thursday, 21 July 2011
What an amazing time. Loved every minute of our dive with Rinaldo. Patagon Dive Center rocks!

Alejandro Carrillo
Wednesday, 20 July 2011
Thanks for the amazing dives!

Craig Smtih
Wednesday, 20 July 2011
Thanks to Arnoldo, Gary and the whole team. The dives were incredible, the attention and service were the best. We hope to return very soon. Thanks!

Flavia Smith
Wednesday, 20 July 2011
A wonderful and unforgettable experience!

Kenni Palmer
Thursday, 30 June 2011
Hello, I would like to thank you greatly for the WONDERFUL experiences I had diving with the Patagon Dive Center last week. I dove with Wolfgang and Chip, five tanks total, and really had such a great time. They were both so accommodating to my skill level and sense of adventure, as well as very professional as I earned my Advanced Open Water certification. Also, Anna and the newer woman from Canada (I am so sorry - I forget her name!) we just as wonderful and helpful! I will forever recommend Patagon, and truly hope to be able to dive with them again!!! Thank you for your outstanding service...

Harry Beasely
Sunday, 08 May 2011
Spent last week at Caneel Bay and went out two days plus night dive with Patagon staff. Lance and Clay did a fine job - good customer focus. Sorry I missed saying Hi to Arnaldo - and congrats to him on wedding of his daughter. I passed on my comments to Caneel Bay management.

Harry Beasley Paul Kinneberg
Saturday, 23 April 2011
Brian Thanks again. I really enjoyed meeting you and diving with you. I learned a tremendous amount from you and had a great time doing so. Good luck in all you do. I’ll keep in touch and let you know when I’ve dived on the WWII German submarine off of Morehead City. Best Regards, Paul Kinneberg...

Donald L. Dudrow, Jr.
Wednesday, 29 July 2009
Yesterday, 7/26/09 I had an unforgettable experience. While in St. Thomas I went for a spontaneous Sunday afternoon dive. While diving with two other divers at 40-50' depth off of St. John, USVI (The Ledges) we saw a school of fish being followed by a 14' bottlenose dolphin about 50' away. We finned toward the dolphin. The dolphin turned when he sensed we were nearby and swam toward us with a "smile" on his face. He swam over, below, around and rolled and turned around us while we floated in amazement. He was playing with us, or wanting us to play with him. At one point he was within 2-3' o...

Tracey & John Stewart, NY NY
Sunday, 21 December 2008
Hi Arnoldo, I just wanted to thank you again for EVERYTHING!!!!!!!! Meeting you was the highlight of our trip. I can without exaggeration say that if it wasn't for you, Jon would not have ever had a wife that was willing to scuba with him and now he has one that can't wait to go again. I wanted to send you some photos of what we returned home to. Quite a disparity in weather conditions but not in joy. Love, Tracey and Jon Stewart (The Daily Show)

Buzz Aldrin
Tuesday, 05 August 2008
To Capt. Arnoldo, thanks for sharing visits to the undersea world. Best Wishes, Buzz Aldrin

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