Grand Bahamas Diving

[ScubyDoo]

Hey Fellow Bubble Blowers:

I'll be heading to Freeport, Grand Bahamas in May, and thought I'd pick everyones brains who has dove this area before. Ive done some research on the web, and it appears that everyone highly recommends diving "Theos Wreck". Ive studied the wreck a little and it does look like a good dive. There are some other wrecks which I dont know much about like the "Mama Rose". All I know of her is that she was sunk in a storm in about 60 fsw, while carrying pots and pans. Dont know much else. I know there are three reefs at varying depths which run all along the south side of the island, which Im sure I'll dive some of them. I'll be staying at Ocean Reef Yacht Club, and probably diving out of Grand Bahama Scuba since they operate out of the Yacht Club. Has anyone ever had experience with this outfit before. I've exchanged limited email with them and they seem very nice. What about the shark encounter at Shark Junction? Do they still do that since the shark attack a year or so ago? Not sure I want to do it anyway, but curious if they still do it. Since I wont be diving all the time, can anyone recommend any good restaraunts or beaches? Looking foward to responses. Thanks.

 

[blawler1]

I know there are a lot of divers who don't rate the Bahamas that high, but my fiance and I love GB. The water is nice (over 100' vis on our last two trips, most recent this July). The reefs are Ok, but the sharks are what set GB apart. At many of the dive sites around the feeding areas, you are guaranteed sharks on every dive. (major rush to have a dozen or so reef sharks swimming around) Also, GB (UNEXSO) offers the only dolphin around, but it is very expensive.

As for the Theo, its a good wreck dive and there is now another wreck, the Sea Starr II, that we dove this summer, that I liked even better than the Theo. Its in a little swallower water (90') and close in to Lucaya.

As for GB Scuba, I have no personal experience with them, but alot of posters think very highly of them.

As far as your location, I believe the condos are located just outside of Freeport near Xanadu and the Casino/Bazaar area. I'm not sure if it is on the bus line, but you can cab it into the Bazaar (Shopping/Dining/Casino/nightlife) or over to Lucaya Marketplace(Shopping/Dining/outdoor live entertainment every evening) (I don't know if you're single or not, but this place is teaming with US coeds in the Spring and Summers months, and looks like a girls gone wild video on the weekends)

 

[Titletowndiver]

We are in the process of planning our first trip to the Bahamas and I'm wondering if you have any suggestions on where to stay. We are thinking Nassau because I've heard that it is the cheapest (this will be our 2nd vac this year so money is definitely a concern;-0 )

Thanks in advance for any thoughts or comments!

 

[DocVikingo]

Bimini will be less costly, but has much less topside activity than New Providence (Nassau). See what Bill & Nowdla can do for you http://www.biminiundersea.com/ .

Best regards.

DocVikingo

 

[DivePartner1]

I did some diving with UNEXSO over the holidays and found that they ran a decent operation: not stellar but decent. I stayed away from the expensive gimmick dives such as the shark and dophin dives but found the reefs and wrecks to be OK. The reefs aren't plush but do have life, particualry spotted eels and sharks.

If you dive the sucken LST (they called it a ferry) check out the engine of the truck--an octopus lives there. Also, if you go to Shark Junction and don't move, the sharks will come in to check you out even if you're not at a feeding--we did this several times in a week.

Caveats: A lot of divers show up from local resorts who rarely dive, so you may wish to choose a buddy carefully and stay away from the flailing herd. Because of the poor skills of these divers,
they won't go out in waves over 3 feet. Also, the heads on the boat don't work and one boat broke down the week I was there so they shifted us to a snorkeling cat--not ideal as the tanks rolled around a bit.

 

[Natasha]

I was in Grand Bahama May of 98. So it was a while ago, but it was enjoyable diving.
Like DivePartner1 said it is OK diving. Not World Class, but there is sea life to see, and Theo's is an OK wreck.
While the dolphin and shark feeding dives are expensive, IMHO it is the best reason to dive there. These dives are not offered everywhere, so it is worth it to do while you're there.
We used UNEXSO which I found to be OK. Nothing to rave about, but they were safe and had good instructors.
The boats were big but overcrowed while we were there.
Zorbas was a wonderful Greek restaurant in the Lucaya Square. Try it!

PS I have never dove in Nassau but I have stayed there several times.

 

[Tavi]

ScubyDoo once bubbled...
Hey Fellow Bubble Blowers,
What about the shark encounter at Shark Junction? Do they still do that since the shark attack a year or so ago? Not sure I want to do it anyway, but curious if they still do it. Since I wont be diving all the time.......

Hi Scubydoo,

GBS dives Shark Junction often. I've been there 10 times.
The shark attack last year was in shallow, murky, water. (conditions that many attacks occur in). The conditions at Shark junction aren't like this at all (usually 100+ ft vis). Usually we enter the water, descend, line up on the bottom. It looks like we're waiting for the feeder to come down (the way UNEXSO does their dives). The sharks swim around until they realise they're not getting fed. Then we spend the rest of the dive checking out the pretty fish and the coralheads.

My avatar pic was shot there last November

Also with GBS there is no outrageous price for it being a "Shark dive"

And what do you mean you won't be diving all the time??
Each time we go we spend more time diving and less time checking out the rest of the island.

PS: try the "Awesome Fries" at "The Pub " in Port Lucaya

 

[kalvyn]

Titletowndiver once bubbled...
We are in the process of planning our first trip to the Bahamas and I'm wondering if you have any suggestions on where to stay. We are thinking Nassau because I've heard that it is the cheapest (this will be our 2nd vac this year so money is definitely a concern;-0 )

Thanks in advance for any thoughts or comments!

My wife and I dove in NPI, Bahamas last Summer. We stayed at Dive Dive Dive, and had an excellent time. Check out:

http://www.divedivedive.com/main.htm

for pricing information.

Once caveat is that their place is quite a ways from Nassau (or anything town-like, for that matter), so if you want to sightsee on your own time, you'll want to rent a car. My wife and I just went into town with the shop's van (they have a shuttle to pick up divers from other resorts), and as long as you don't mind being on someone elses schedule it works OK.

Here's some pictures we took on the trip:

http://www.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=67b0de21b30d6d42c471

One last thing about the shop... they have a deal where if you're staying and diving with them, you can dive the two afternoon dives for FREE, if there is room on the boat. We took advantage of this, and got in 10 dives over three days.

Jimmie

 

[sirmarkus]

dont miss the sharks! I have been to the south ocean beach on Nassua. Great wall that seems bottomless good dive shops like Stuarts cove is next door.

 

[zaf88]

if you can, stay at our lucaya. really great hotel and spa and is right across the street from a dive shop. i did the shark dive and the dolphin dive and both were unbelievable. higly recomend it. i wish i was into underwater photography at the time, bring a camera! poeple kindof look down at gb diving but imho it is fabulous and was some of the most unique dives ive done in the carribean.