Planning 1st trip to Bahamas

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bhubb

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Hello,

Looking at planning a trip somewhere to the Bahamas. I was looking for ideas on somewhere to go that wasn't overly commercialized but catered to nondivers as well. I will be the only diver of the 2 people going. Would like to maybe do 2 dives every other day, not strictly diving everyday. We were looking at San Salvador but doesn't seem to be too much to do other than dive and relax. Not looking for a huge night life scene but something to do would be great since we plan on being there for 8-10 days.

Thanks
 
I had good luck with a small dive op in Freeport. Caribbean Divers, they're based at the Bell Channel Inn. The owners name was Percy. Good op, not crowded, did what they could to accommodate our requests and were reasonably priced. You can stay at the nicer locations in and around Port Lucaya and they'll pick you up since the BCI is a bit like indoor camping. Lots to do in the port. Restaurants, shopping, pools, beach, etc...

Good luck!
 
are you wanting "out island" or the more visited islands of Nassau or Grand Bahama?


sounds like you like the smaller island atmosphere if you looked at San Salvador.


Not much to do in "activities" that aren't beach/water related in most of the islands. If you want something a bit more active than that, have you considered some place like Marsh Harbor in Abacos?


note most of the smaller islands you can't get direct "big name airline" service from the states. You'll have to change planes to a smaller commuter type service either in south Florida or Nassau/etc.
 
are you wanting "out island" or the more visited islands of Nassau or Grand Bahama?


sounds like you like the smaller island atmosphere if you looked at San Salvador.


Not much to do in "activities" that aren't beach/water related in most of the islands. If you want something a bit more active than that, have you considered some place like Marsh Harbor in Abacos?


note most of the smaller islands you can't get direct "big name airline" service from the states. You'll have to change planes to a smaller commuter type service either in south Florida or Nassau/etc.

Not looking for super active but we are wanting a little activity other than sitting on the beach relaxing.. I would like to avoid places like Nassau.. Have been looking at places like the out islands and would rather sacrifice activities for overcrowding. But a place with shopping (not cruise ship shopping places like Cozumel) and good restaurants. I prefer blending in with the locals over the 5 star, all inclusive atmosphere. I am not familiar with Marsh Harbor, I will look into that

---------- Post added at 01:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:57 PM ----------

I had good luck with a small dive op in Freeport. Caribbean Divers, they're based at the Bell Channel Inn. The owners name was Percy. Good op, not crowded, did what they could to accommodate our requests and were reasonably priced. You can stay at the nicer locations in and around Port Lucaya and they'll pick you up since the BCI is a bit like indoor camping. Lots to do in the port. Restaurants, shopping, pools, beach, etc...

Good luck!

This sounds like something we would like. I appreciate your input
 
Have you thought about doing a live aboard at all? Lost Island Voyages is a family owned and operated 65 foot liveaboard ketch rigged sailboat. They take out 12 passengers in 6 private cabins on week long charters mostly out of Nassau, Bahamas. Since it is a very limited number of people, it is easier for them to customize the trip around whoever is on board. So if one of you isn't a diver, but loves snorkeling, beach combing, island excursions, etc. etc, it is easy for them to work with whoever's on board. Also on liveaboards, the dive profile starts deep, but the last couple dives of every day are usually GREAT snorkeling sites also if your guest would enjoy that..

Bahamas Scuba Diving | Liveaboard Diving | aboard Lost Island Voyages to check them out.
 
Have you thought about doing a live aboard at all? Lost Island Voyages is a family owned and operated 65 foot liveaboard ketch rigged sailboat. They take out 12 passengers in 6 private cabins on week long charters mostly out of Nassau, Bahamas. Since it is a very limited number of people, it is easier for them to customize the trip around whoever is on board. So if one of you isn't a diver, but loves snorkeling, beach combing, island excursions, etc. etc, it is easy for them to work with whoever's on board. Also on liveaboards, the dive profile starts deep, but the last couple dives of every day are usually GREAT snorkeling sites also if your guest would enjoy that..

Bahamas Scuba Diving | Liveaboard Diving | aboard Lost Island Voyages to check them out.



Interesting... You have 14 posts over a one year period and about every one of them includes "try Lost Island Voyages" and a link to their website.


If you want to push the dive operation you work for, you'll get much more respect if you're up front with your posts and disclose you are associated with them .......


Screenshot of search.

lost-island-voyages-parrott.jpg
 
Bhubb,
You might have a look at this RumCay | Bahamas Resort though it doesn't look ideal for your requirements.

Frankly though, you seem to be describing Turks Caicos, Providenciales. Are you dead set on Bahamas? TCI used to be one after all. Just a though.

(Stylish Mike. Very Stylish.)
 
I've been to Nassau and Freeport 3 times each, though I didn't do any diving in Nassau. Stuarts Cove seems to be considered the premier dive op in Nassau, but it's 45 minutes away.
Freeport is more relaxed, does have a little bit of a nightlife down in Port Lucaya, and generally seems (much!) slower paced.
I dove with Grand Bahama Scuba twice there, and had dives each time - even took my daughters there to get certified. On plus about Fred & Melinda @ GBS was that they came by and picked me up on our first trip (I had a car the second time), and they let my wife ride along on the boat so she could watch - I'd definitely go back there again with no reservations.

KevinL
 
I agree with Dan, Provo sounds like what you're describing. There's excellent diving both just 10mins. off shore or farther out at West Caicos or French Cay - several operators run out there - it's about a 45min. boat ride. French Cay is some of the best diving I've done in the past decade - IMO better than anything we did in the Bahamas - that list includes Bimini, Orange Cay and Cay Sal. Better than Exuma also according to my buddy. If you're a couple, there's a Sandals.

Grace Bay on Provo has been named the Best Beach in the World or something similar. I can see why. http://www.gracebay.com/

There's watersports, shopping, good restaurants, a few nightclubs and one smallish casino. It's also really expensive there but probably no worse than some of the Bahamas. If you don't want the hustle/bustle of Nassau, it would make a good alternative to Freeport. Fairly easy to get to also thru Charlotte on USAirways.
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/peregrine/

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