L.S.D. (Land Shark Divers) .. any feedback on shore diving?

[under water]

Hi,
I am thinking about a dive trip to the Bahamas in Feb-March and was wondering if there was anyone on the board that has experience with Land Shark Divers "resort"
The single TripAdvisor review was horrible, but that may have been before they were a SCUBA hotel.
They use Stuarts Cove as their Dive Op and I'm OK with that, just wondering about the rest of the time when we're not with SC.
What is the shore diving at LSD like?
How easy to get to somewhere to eat? Will we need a car?
There doesn't seem to be a picture of the outside of the hotel on their website. Is that an indication that this is really a "dive"

Thanks!

 

[Lightning Fish]

Can anyone comment on Land Shark Divers? I'm interested in a review on them as well.

Bill.

 

[Dantheengineer]

Land Shark diver's is on New Providence, an island 25 miles east west by about 7 north south. If NP is shaped like a Rugby ball, LSD's is roughly central on the north coast at the west end of the tourist strip known as Cable beach. The strip is all within walking distance of LSD's. there are quite a few bars and restaurants up and down this stretch of road known as West Bay St and a lot of local busses called "jitney's" that charge $1 a ride. If you don't mind roughing it i wouldn't bother with a car. Cove's is excellent! The rest of the time you can spend in the nearby casino/Hotels or grab a jitney into town to be harrassed by hawkers etc at the local flee market.
The port is at the eastern end of the north coast. the center and west of the north coast is very shallow to about a mile out when it becomes very deep very quick! (shallow: about 15'. deep: about 1500' in a shear cliff called the drop off!)
The best shore diving is on the western point of the rugby ball called clifton pier. now the Ficus, an oil tanker that "got stuck" is gone, this area is back to what passes for normal around here. Stop at the new public park and walk your gear to the shore (300 yds).

The drop of runs about a mile off the coast, pretty much east west parallel to the north coast then turns south of the west end of the isle. from Clifton pier public park (still not officially open cos they can't get the toilets to work) you've got about a ten minute swim to the drop off. Unless you're a big jessy you can swim to:- The James Bond wrecks, Vulcan Bomber and the Thunderball wrecks (tears of Allah, by any other name): The Cesna from Jaws iii: the DC3 from into the blue: The David Tucker Wreck: if you're really feeling tough the Will Laurie wreck's about 20 min swim. There's enough coral about to just wing it and the drop of walls always impressive.

I'll grab a couple of shots of the front of LSD's and if my IT skills permit, i'll put them here. I'll drop by them and see if i can get a look in a room too. Out of interest though, have you considered Orange Hill?

 

[Lightning Fish]

Hi Dan,

Thanks for the information. If my family were coming then I would consider Orange Hill. If it is just me, I am looking for economical as all I will want to do is dive. LSD might be okay, but their website doesn't exactly scream "stay here!"; although their price looks pretty good. 5 days/4 nights is $565 and includes diving with Stuart Cove's. If Stuart Cove's charges $100 for a two tank dive, for 4 days of diving, that works out to $165 for 4 nights, which is pretty good.

Cheers,
Bill.

 

[Dantheengineer]

Just been down to LSD. The lady who does the deals is out until 1pm so i'll nip back if i get a chance.
I saw a room and grabbed some photo's. Frankly? I'd stay there. It's not your four star sheriton just down the road but i'd say it'd do you for a cheap holiday.

The staff i met seemed knowledgable and friendly. The place has a well worn feel to it but it seems well kept together. No litter or Pot cakes about. A good sign of a well run establishment!

This is the islands. You will see Rats. You will see roaches. You should get used to that, you who'd venture here. That said? i didn't see any. Doesn't mean they're not there, God knows they are at my place?!?!(I even suffer Raccoons!!!)

I can't get the photo's uploaded. PM me an Email and i'll forward them on. They show a shot of the front from the road side. the court yard, open air dinning and pool area and a room.

The room i saw had A nice sized double bed, T.V., wash room/ Toilet that led through to a shared shower cubicle. Only two doors into the Shower so i guess only shared one between two rooms.
The large Basin/Sink and large shower area that could easily be made into one shower per room are in keeping with the Utilitarian style of the place. Obviously these facilities are to wash off Dive Gear. I didn't see places to hang wet gear, i didn't need to to know it'll be there. The place seems pretty much purpose built to accomodate the practicallities of diving.

The lady said there was rooms with their own showers upstairs. For the squemish and the shy.
And perhaps those who enjoy the shower too much?

Hope this helped.
Dan.

 

[Dantheengineer]

Update 07:07:08
As of this date Land Sharks no longer seems to be trading. i'll stop by later in the week and knock on the door!

 

[under water]

Thanks for the update Dan.
We ended up not going to Bahamas, but went to Grand Cayman instead. The new direct flight from Boston was a nice incentive.

 

[Dantheengineer]

Sweet! I’m jealous as hell!
Should our mouths be watering in anticipation of the review?
Or was it too much fun to share?
Dan