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Greg Doyle

Registered
Messages
36
Reaction score
19
Location
Kent WA
# of dives
500 - 999
Hi to all,
My GF has earned a trip to BahaMar resort Bahama in April and doesn't dive. I do. A lot.
We're going to add another week to our trip and I'd like to do four tanks a day and perhaps mix in a few night dives.
I know Stuarts Cove is the big operator but of course, I'll end up with an insta-buddy (oh well) and they limit the dives to only 30 minutes per tank. Depending on depth, I can easily get 50-60 minutes on an AL80.
I'll be bringing all of my own gear except of course tanks and weights.
Might any one know of a dive operator that may accommodate a more experienced diver, allow longer dive times and perhaps have other divers with more experience. I may be looking for a unicorn….
I appreciate your comments.
G
 
Probably not what you're thinking, but would your GF up for going on a liveaboard with you? We love to mix land and liveaboard stays on the same trip. The Aquacat would be convenient (assuming you're there Sat-Sat) and is noted for having more for non-divers to do than most, because of the areas they travel and the roomy boat with space for toys. Stuff like kayaking, paddleboarding, kneeboarding, snorkeling, beachgoing and other excursions like the famous pigs. If she likes other water activities and just relaxing, and isn't wed to shopping or other things that can only be done on land, she might love it. Very stable boat, good food and service. You could pack 5 dives a day while she does other stuff. (Or just maybe, skip a few dives and do some stuff with her. :wink: No worries about short dives and finding a good buddy is typically easier on a liveaboard - however you work it out you're unlikely to be dealing with a crappy insta-buddy of the day situation.

Edit - just took a quick look and it appears they are pretty much booked for April, and the rest of the year for that matter. But if interested, you could always ask. Sometimes there are last minute cancellations, or a group books the boat and doesn't fill all the cabins.
 
My experience with Stuart Cove's differs from your expectations, although I dived with them on only one vacation, over 10 years ago so perhaps things have changed.

1- 30 minutes maximum bottom time? I never heard of that and I was not limited in any way.
2- I was not instabuddied with anyone, on a few dives it was just the DM and me on other dives it was just a handful of other divers. We all did our own thing either in buddy pairs or alone within the group led by the DM.

A dive Op won't be popular for very long if they limit dives to 30 minutes that could be over an hour based on NDL limits and gas consumption.
 
Your only other option is Bahama Divers. Even though they're across from Paradise Island, they don't pickup at the cruise port so you have a better chance. Scuba Diving in The Bahamas - Bahama Divers since 1967

Contact them and ask if they'll pick you up - they do as far as Cable Beach afaik.

There's also a shore dive operation working off Paradise Island, sorry IDK the name.
 
From their site: First dive: "Your divemaster leads the dives to 80 feet for 30 minutes, although we are flexible around this for those with computers or if you and your buddies may prefer to stay up on the shallower ledge while others may plan their dive a bit deeper."

I think you are misunderstanding this statement. By PADI tables, 30 minutes at 80 feet would put you at your NDL anyways. However, they provide flexibility for those with computers. They probably do let you dive your tank or set a more standard time limit, like 60 min. I would contact them for clarification.
 
From their site: First dive: "Your divemaster leads the dives to 80 feet for 30 minutes, although we are flexible around this for those with computers or if you and your buddies may prefer to stay up on the shallower ledge while others may plan their dive a bit deeper."

I think you are misunderstanding this statement. By PADI tables, 30 minutes at 80 feet would put you at your NDL anyways. However, they provide flexibility for those with computers. They probably do let you dive your tank or set a more standard time limit, like 60 min. I would contact them for clarification.

Yes, I see your point. I read it wrong and it does look like there's some flexibility. I know Stuart's Cover has an impeccable reputation and I definitely want to book the shark dive with them. It may be too late in the season for that, we'll see.

I sent an email to Bahama Divers, they only allow three tanks a day and the afternoon dive is only 15-20' deep as a wreck dive. Although, they also do some trips where they mix snorkelers and divers, very shallow, but that would help with domestic tranquility!
 
Probably not what you're thinking, but would your GF up for going on a liveaboard with you? We love to mix land and liveaboard stays on the same trip. The Aquacat would be convenient (assuming you're there Sat-Sat) and is noted for having more for non-divers to do than most, because of the areas they travel and the roomy boat with space for toys. Stuff like kayaking, paddleboarding, kneeboarding, snorkeling, beachgoing and other excursions like the famous pigs. If she likes other water activities and just relaxing, and isn't wed to shopping or other things that can only be done on land, she might love it. Very stable boat, good food and service. You could pack 5 dives a day while she does other stuff. (Or just maybe, skip a few dives and do some stuff with her. :wink: No worries about short dives and finding a good buddy is typically easier on a liveaboard - however you work it out you're unlikely to be dealing with a crappy insta-buddy of the day situation.

Edit - just took a quick look and it appears they are pretty much booked for April, and the rest of the year for that matter. But if interested, you could always ask. Sometimes there are last minute cancellations, or a group books the boat and doesn't fill all the cabins.
I'll pass it by her. But, not likely. She does really surprise me sometimes though.
 
I'll pass it by her. But, not likely. She does really surprise me sometimes though.
OK, I tried. Yea, she wasn't buying it. I sold it as "honey, imagine a week aboard a yacht, with private chefs, fine dining, drinks, lounging on the deck, shore excursions, snorkeling, you can even swim with the pigs!"
She said, "is this one of those scuba live aboard things you've talked about? No, that's not going to happen"
Oh well.....
 
Might be a little more than you want to spend but I'm pretty sure they offer diving...:)

Wild Kingdom Yacht Charter - IYC
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/teric/

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