Recent Grenada Experience?

[divesergeant]

Hi All,

We're considering Grenada for a late winter / spring '09 trip.

Does anyone have any recent experience there?

We're looking for a dive operation like Neptune's Divers, Ocean Frontiers or Divetech on Grand Cayman. (Aquanauts advertise here, are they good? The boat looks decent which is a plus. Mrs DS doesn't like backrolls!)

For lodging, either an efficiency apartment or motel/hotel with kitchenette are wanted so we can do some meals in.

Also, any tips on getting there and transport rental once there would be great.

Many thanks,
DS

 

[jaymal]

I dove in Grenada last October. Very different and relaxing compared to my native California waters. I dove with Dive Grenada. They are on the Grand Anse Beach. Good outfit. You do however have to wade through the small surf to the boat and you exit via backrolls. Not sure but all the dive outfits here might do that. Aquanauts I think loads from a dock and they do have "free" nitrox.

I stayed at the Siesta Hotel. It is off the Grand Anse beach by about 100 yards. Nice and clean. Reasonably priced and they do have apartment style rooms with a kitchen. The big grocery store is located nearby too.

If you dive with Aquanauts it is probably much easier to stay at the True Blue Resort. It is a bit of a ways from Grand Anse Beach to Aquanauts and if you don't have a St. George's Student pass the taxis can be expensive (there are the regular buses but I wouldn't haul my dive gear in those--no room. I do not know what style rooms True Blue has but I bet they are very nice. I know their restaurant was a little on the expensive side.

Hope this helps!

 

[divesergeant]

Many thanks, Jaymal,

We're narrowing things down to Dive Grenanda I think. We've come to terms with doing backrolls!

It looks like Grand Anse area is closer to dive sites for shorter boat rides, although we're boaters and a good boat ride is fun in itself.

We hadn't looked at the Siesta Hotel but will add it to our 'possibilities' list.

Thanks again,
DS

 

[BiancaC]

Hi DS,
congratulations to your decision to visit Grenada.
True Blue is a great resort for divers, all rooms with kitchenette and some other restaurants in walking distance. You can "roll" from your room onto the dive boat.
We ( Aquanauts) have a shop on Grand Anse too. We provide free transfer (5-10min) from all the hotels to our marina, the most convienient way to start your day. Especcially in winter the beach can be very rough.
Siesta, Blue Horizons and Grand View are other good options if you want to stay near Grand Anse beach. As of November there is a direct flight from Miami with AA.
If you have any ore questions, just ask.
Best regards,
Peter

 

[jaymal]

Hey BiancaC,

Do you do transfers from St. George's University to Aquanauts?

Is it possible to do 3 or 4 dives a day rather than 2 a day?

How often do you run dives to the Bianca C?

What size tanks would be available for a dive on Bianca C?

Thanks!

Jeremy

 

[BiancaC]

Hi Jeremy,
SGU busses pass almost at the True Blue resort. Regular schedule provides 2 morning dives and one afternoon. For group charters we can arrange more.
Bianca C usually twice a week, depends always on demand. Been there today, was phantastic: Three large eagle rays, schools of jacks and barracudas, vis 100ft.
We use 80cuft tanks, our guides always carry extra ponies on advanced dives. These are also available to divers that use a lot of air.
Best, Peter

 

[divesergeant]

Hi Pater,

Thanks for the insight. We do like the looks of your boats. Backrolls aren't really any problem, (more like a family chuckle about past backrolls we've done!) but your boats seems to have more shade available. It looks like there'd be a longer boat ride to the main dives. How long? Also, are there closer dives you get to that others don't, like Ocean frontiers on Grand Cayman where they dive the more remote East End?

How far is it really to get into town for groceries and other shopping? Are there reliable buses? We usually rent a Jeep wherever we go, but if we don't need to, we can skip that expense and just get one for a day or two of sightseeing.

Thanks again,
DS

 

[BiancaC]

Hi Sarge,
for us, the boats make the difference between being "transported" and a vacation.
I've seen enough "headbangers"with backrolls.
Anyway, all divesites in Grenada are close, the best being the wrecks and shark reef on the Atlantic side right in our "backyard". But understand, the wrecks are only "good weather dives".
Boatrides vary between 5 to 15 minutes to the main divesites, only the so called "marine park"
takes about 35 minutes.
You don't really go to "town" for shopping. There is a minimarket in True Blue and a big supermarket on Grand Anse. Busses run cheap and crazy. For a little extra they drop you right at the resort. There is a small car rental at True Blue (Indigo) otherwise I recommend Grenada Car & Jeep rental Sanvics -. Having a car is nice to get to some of the nice restaurants like Aquarium or Beach house for dinner and explore the beauty of the island after diving.
Best, Peter

 

[divesergeant]

Hi Pete,

Yes, headbangers are bad. They tend to mess up your whole day, not to mention your equilibrium!

All in all, it sounds like your True Blue Bay location is kind of what we're used to. As stated earler, we often dive East End Grand Cayman. That is away from the major town area, but isn't an isolated outpost, either.

I don't know how many of our fellow divers we can get to tag along on this trip. We'll be poling our 'usual suspects' to see how many are interested. It could be just the Mrs and I, or we could have half a dozen or more.

Thanks again for the info,
DS

 

[BiancaC]

Hi Sarge,
if you get a group together, even better - you'll get your own boat then.
You can book easy through our US reservations ofice: Beth@aquanautsgrenada.com
She can do air, hotel and diving. Please let me know, if I can be of any more assistance.
Best, Peter