Carol202
Contributor
I just got back from a Carnival cruise to Key West and Nassau out of Jacksonville, FL. The ship didn't offer diving at either location, so I was on my own. I contacted Bahama Divers in Nassau and was told I could make their 1-tank dive in the afternoon. They gave me instructions on how to take a bus or taxi to their shop from the cruise ship. I got off the ship in ample time and opted to take a bus for $1.25 versus $20 for a taxi. On the bus to the shop, I realized I made a rookie mistake, leaving my C-Card and credit card on the ship. No worries; the shop looked up my PADI certification online, and they let me call my hubby back in the US to get my credit card number! Once on board, I found that I was diving with a family of 10 staying at the Atlantis. Half were snorkelers and the other half were beginner divers and they wanted to go to an easy spot. Being in the minority, I knew I had to go along with the plan and made the best of it. I was actually very pleased with the shallow site. They took us to the end of Paradise Island to a site with a sunken landing craft and a natural reef. The dive was briefed as 25-feet for 45 minutes, but when pressed they increased the time to 60 minutes. When we got close to the site, the divemaster told me to go ahead and suit up so I was the first one in the water while he managed the less experienced divers. I was given directions on where to go to see the wreck and the reef, and was more than happy to dive on my own. I like to take photos and I prefer that since I am the most boring person in the world to dive with since I don't like to rush around. I had no problem navigating the site, and although my maximum depth turned out to be only 20 feet, I had a pleasant dive with lots of fish life to keep me entertained for an hour. When I entered the water, a school of pesky seargent majors greeted me, nipping at me for food. As soon as others entered the water they left me alone. Then I was entertained by a stingray, large tilefish, lots of schoolmasters and gray snappers, bridled and goldspot gobies, beaugregories, cowfish, yellowtail damselfish, flamigo tongues, french angelfish, queen angelfish, bicolor damselfish, and many more fishes. Some of my favorites were small, curious nassau groupers that followed me around with puppy-dog eyes. At the end of the dive, the divemaster called me back to the boat with a few taps on his tanks. He was content to let me putter around under the boat while he got the other divers and snorkelers on board. No, this wasn't the best dive of my life; but it sure beat hanging around Nassau, shopping and drinking in the crowded tourist areas. I do want to applaud Bahama Divers for their clear directions on how and when to get to the shop, and their assistance when I left my cards behind. Also, they provided transportation back to the cruise port after my dive. I think they also made a good dive choice for the majority of the divers and snorklers on the boat. Was it right for them to let me dive solo? In 20 feet of water with no current--hell yes!
