A letter from the Owners

In 1986, we had a chance to open a 300 square foot dive and retail shop in a newly built oceanfront-shopping complex, Wharfside Village. We named the shop Low Key Watersports, after Bob's laid-back view on life and love of the rock band, "The Grateful Dead.” Bob had the diving experience, and Ann Marie had the business experience. At the time, we owned a twenty-four foot outboard that carried six divers and ten sets of scuba gear. Bob remained employed with St. John Watersports, and Ann Marie continued working at Gallows Point Hotel as their Assistant Resort Manager, while working at Low Key on the weekends. Low Key was built through our hard work, effort, and passion for diving and the island of St. John.

It has been one heck of a ride. One of the bonuses of working here in St. John is all of the interesting folks we have met throughout our twenty-two years of service. We have trained everyone from introducing full-time moms to scuba diving, to children as young as age ten, to senior citizens who never dreamed of the sport, to certifying U.S. Senators and a wacky car salesman from Alberta (crazy Canadians). We have had the pleasure of working with the Secret Service when a Vice President visited St. John, taken out a Secretary of the Interior under the Clinton Administration, dove with and (had a few beers with) rock and roll stars, professional athletes, movie actors, and yes, even a few country music stars!

Since then, Low Key has grown from a basic PADI dive shop and two-person operation to a PADI FIVE STAR IDC TRAINING FACILITY. We have trained and certified thousands of novice divers, as well as certifying Advance Open Water students, Rescue divers and Divemasters. Taking students all the way through the PADI Dive Instructor Program—we literally teach the teachers. We currently have two custom thirty-six foot Newton dive boats, a staff of twelve, and a variety of watersports activities as well as a full retail shop. Its come a long way from that little outboard boat, but our passion and low-key style remain the same.

Low Key Watersports is rooted in our love of the ocean and this amazing island we call home, and our desire to share this with visitors to our island. We are avid supporters of our Virgin Islands National Park and support a "no hunting or touching" philosophy on our boats. We created the Dollar A Diver Program in partnership with the Friends of the National Park, whereby the proceeds of this unique program are donated specifically for the installation and maintenance of the mooring systems within our National Park and the conservation and research of our coral reefs.

Low Key Watersports is in the SERVICE INDUSTRY. We pride ourselves in trying to make your vacation, a vacation to remember. Our staff is trained in the latest dive techniques and safety protocols, with a strong emphasis on customer service and satisfaction. We do not take our clients for granted. We realize that you have a choice of dive shops here on St. John, and appreciate your choosing us as your dive and watersports operator. Over the years, we have had the pleasure of working with visitors who have saved up all year long for their St. John dive vacation and pride ourselves on our personalized service and safety within our industry.

We invite you to experience the magic of the underwater world around St. John. Our staff cares about your personal experience and is committed to your dive and watersports vacation, as well as the delicate balance of our oceans and sea life. Whether you are a first time visitor, or have been visiting St. John for years, welcome to our island and to our home. We hope that you love it as much as we do.

Thank you for considering Low Key Watersports. Let us help you make your vacation, one to remember!

Bob & Ann Marie