Bermuda Diving

[Jeff Toorish]

Hi all,

I'm considering a brief diving get away at the beginning of August.

Does anyone know anything about Elbow Beach or Horseshoe Cove in Bermuda? Dive ops there, quality of the dives...things to beware?

There area couple of dive resorts with enticing package deals but I'd love to hear from anyone who has done dives around there.

Jeff

 

[miked]

Hi Jeff,
I've been to Bermuda more than 20 times, and I've really enjoyed the diving there. While it is not as lush as the Caribbean, in terms of either fish life or reef life, there are a great many shallow wrecks, in various conditions, to be explored.
I'm not sure which resorts you have contacted, but the dive op that I am most familiar, and happy with is "Dive Bermuda". (www.bermudascuba.com) They have shops located in Hamilton, at the Hamilton Princess Hotel, and at the Fairmont Southampton. The dive shop at the Fairmont Southampton, is located on the south shore beach of the Hotel, which is approximately 100 yds. away from Horseshoe Bay. It is "the next beach". (I'm not sure if "Horseshoe Bay" is the same as "Horseshoe Cove"). Most of the boat rides from their shop, to a variety of dive sites, are less than 15 minutes in length.
While I've never stayed at Elbow Beach, I have heard good things about that resort. I don't know if they have a dive operation at that location.
In terms of things to be aware of, in addition to the usual "bring your own gear and suit,(lightweight) if possible", keep in mind that there were no rental cars in Bermuda, which leaves your options for transportation: taxi (somewhat expensive), bus (less expensive, but travel is on their schedule) or a rental scooter (not a big help if you have dive gear!). That might be something to factor into your thinking as you decide which Hotel/dive op to book with.

Enjoy your trip,
Mike

 

[BDA]

Hi Jeff,
I'm actually living in Bermuda at the mo and have previously used most of the dive operators here, although I usually go shore diving these days (some of the wrecks within swiming distance).
'Dive Bermuda', based at Fairmont Hamilton Princess charges $150 for a two tank dive this year, whilst Blue Water Divers (operating out of Somerset and Elbow beach) charge $120. As I said though, I regularly dive off Elbow beach where the 'Pollockshields' wreck is a small swim away (that's if you plan to bring your own kit).
If you're loaded with cash, then a dedicated dive boat named Bermuda III has just started a package, which is aimed at luxurious level, personal service, etc.
I'm good friends with John, the dive instructor at Elbow Beach and I did have his email somewhere, if you're interested.
Mike has already mentioned the cost of everything here, so be prepared. Everything is expensive!
You're more than welcome to contact me for any specific Bermuda info (or anyone else for that matter) at bdadiver@gmail.com.
Have a great holiday.
Dan

 

[TM2DIVE]

Hi Dan,
I saw your post on Bermuda and was hoping to pick your brain if I could. I'll be there from 11/10 - 11/17 and had tentatiely planned on diving with Blue Water Divers out of Somerset. Right now all I've got is my airfare booked. Might you have suggestions or thoughts on dive operators, accomodations (anything from a hotel to someone's extra room they'd like to rent for the week), dive sites not to be missed and any other bits of info you might give a first-time visitor.
Thanks!
-Leo

 

[wvjohn]

I'll be there on a cruise on the 25th and doing dives through the cruise - what kind of wetsuits are people wearing at that time of the year?

thanks

John

 

[HNITSUJ]

I was there at end of august and they wore shorties, lycra and 1 mil. That was the dive trip that the boat never showed on.

 

[BDA]

End of October/start of November means that the water temperature is just begining to drop, but a 3mil should be okay. A cruise is definitely the best way to visit, as accomodation is so freaking expensive.

I've emailed a lengthy reply to TM2DIVe regarding his queries and happy to do the same for anyone else planning a visit.

Dan

 

[wreckvalle]

Bermuda diving is all about the shipwrecks. Its a great dive destination. In some spots You can actually swim from a spanish galleon to a paddle wheel steamer while underwater. Check out http://www.aquaexplorers.com/Bermuda_shipwrecks.htm for info on the Shipwrecks of Bermuda. Or pick up the book Bermuda Shipwrecks http://www.aquaexplorers.com/books_capt_berg_Bermuda_Shipwrecks.htm

 

[spectrum]

Hi Jeff,

Lorna and I were in Bermuda and managed to do some diving. First of all it was an extended family trip and thus was not really planned around diving. We were there for Easter week 2005. We did have our gear and hopped to get out for a number of morning trips.

Elbow beach has Blue Water Divers as a dive OP. This site is shore diving only and they have a small limited rental shop down at beach level. The reef out front was nice enough but nothing spectacular. We managed to see enough colorful fish to make it a pleasant day. The shop rented basic dive and snorkeling gear.

We stayed at the Wyndham (formerly and still known on the island as the Sonnesta) Blue water divers also operates from there. This location is pretty much crap for shore diving but they have a boat that runs from there. We got out for one trip and I got to dive the wreck before getting sick on the way to the reef dive. They ran a nice enough trip with a nice briefing and all. BWD has a third location operating out of one of the harbors, I forget the name. After we fared so poorly on the first boat trip (Lorna was sick before the first dive) they had mercy an refunded the balance of the 5 day package we had ambitiously paid for, their offer, true gentlemen.

Personally as a vacation destination I'd rather stay home. There are no rental cars on the island and with the driving being oposite had that's probably just as well for me. They have a nice cab system but they cabbies did say that things get backed up in the summer. Except for in the cities virtually no two places are within walking distance so moving around with dive gear was a PITA. Make sure it's dry or some cabbies will refuse to take you. All in all I felt trapped and fleeced.

If you are partial to boat diving, locate yourself at departure site and conditions cooperate a nice time can probably be had. BTW there is no Notrox on the island.

Pete