Bermuda diving from cruise ship

[ScubaCruiser]

Going to Bermuda on cruise on May 20th with non-diving wife on Celebrity Zenith. Cruising is the only way I can get to places to dive since wife loves cruising. Need advice on using ship excursion or which operator to use for a morning dive in Hamilton and a morning dive in St George. We'll be a couple of nights in each port. Also, if anyone knows of a calm, clear, shallow beach to teach my wife to snorkel.

Thanks

 

[matt_unique]

I did the same two years ago....I dove with an outfit in Hamilton called Fantasea (http://www.fantasea.bm/) They are located right in Hamilton and I had a good experience with them over several days. They took us out on a small boat with no more than 8 divers when I was there. The cost to book directly through them will be much cheaper than the travel desk on the cruise ship.

As a comical note, the dive guide I had looked EXACTLY like Dave Mustaine from Megadeth...too funny.

--Matt

 

[dandrian]

I dive frequently while on cruises for similar reasons. My wife doesn't dive, but I can leave her on the boat with an open bar tab and she's happy.....anyway, I suggest making your own arrangments prior to arriving in the ports. There is plenty of information on the internet about all the places you are going so it shouldnt be hard to find a private dive outfit. If you go on the cruise tours you waste a lot of time in loading/unloading, busses, etc. I have been places where I have gotten off the boat, taken a taxi to the dive shop, gotten on their boat, and passed the cruise ship on the way to dive just as the scuba tour bus was leaving the docks. It was faster, I got to pick my dive sites, and I got back to the boat sooner, so I could stop my wife's hemoraging bar tab.......................

 

[Dave in PA]

I hope to return to Bermuda on a cruise soon. The best part about Bermuda is that most ships anchor for several days, if you miss the move from one end to the other, you just get a cab and go to the other end of the islands. Bermuda is one place that I would not hesitate for a minute to book my dive directly through the charter instead of the cruise line. For this specific reason. I would ask the dive op where they recommend for a beach, they can give you specific places based on water conditions.

Stay away from the scooters! You will probably notice someone on board with a case of Bermuda Rash! My last trip there had two.

 

[dublindiver]

For diving in Bermuda I can recommend Dive Bermuda

I dive with them every time I'm in Bermuda and have always had excellent dives.

My advise is don't worry about picking a different dive shop for the two stops as the island is small enough that everything is a short taxi trip.

I think I will just miss you in Bermuda as I am there the week before you arrive.

For snorkeling try Tobacco Bay which is a short walk outside of St Georges.
But there is no shortage of good snorkeling, Church Bay is another spot but would be a taxi trip.

The scooters are not too bad as long as you take it slow and remember to drive on the left.

MArk

 

[ScubaCruiser]

Thanks for the advice Matt, dandrian, Dave, and Mark. Never got an e-mail letting me know of responses. Have to check my pref. Think I will take your advice and book my own. Hope to get at least 2 dive trips in and spend the other time with wife. I'll check the web sites for fantasea and Dive Bermuda. Will check out Tobacco Bay for wife to do snorkeling if shallow enough for her.
Thanks again.

James

 

[PaulChristenson]

Excellent operation...
http://www.divebermuda.com/