Rusty Diver Goes to Grand Bahama Alone - Recommendations/Advice?

[Deeps]

Hi there. I got my OW and AOW qualification 7 years ago and have only rarely dived since (having spent the morning on this excellent forum, I am asking myself the same question, "why?").

I'm going to be in the Bahamas for a wedding in a couple of weeks (8/28 - 9/05) ... I'm travelling alone (from London, single) and, after the wedding (at Atlantis, Paradise Island), I'm going over to Grand Bahama to stay at the Our Lucaya for 4 days, before flying back to the UK. I'd love to do some diving whilst I'm there (at the very least, to justify the expense of going such a long way out there for a short period).

I'd be really grateful if anyone out there could give me a little help:

(1) Is there a particular operator you would recommend for a 30 year-old, ring-rusty diver? For sure, I'll have to do a "rusty diver" mini-course (I wouldn't be happy diving again otherwise). Will it be a problem if I am out there on my own? I qualified with my brother and have never been diving without "my own buddy".

(2) Are there any "must-do" dives?

(3) Any recommended places to go out in Lucaya, where the single, young (-ish) man will find a warm welcome (quasi-serious suggestions only ...)?

Many thanks for your time - I appreciate it.

Deeps

 

[blawler1]

The Port Lucaya Market Place across the street from Our Lucaya is the social center Lucaya. There is an outdoor band stand and has nightly live entertainment. There are plenty of bars in the marketplace. All in all, the PLM is a very happening place in the summer with numerous coeds making the trip over from Florida and Labor Day weekend should be packed. There is also a casino over in the International Bazaar in Freeport, but the PLM is the most fun on the island.

As for diving, I have only dove with Caribbean Divers and Xanadu.

Caribbean divers is a good small operator in the Lucaya area and Xanadu is a larger operator in the Freeport area (about 10 miles east) I have heard a lot of good comments about Grand Bahama Scuba which is also towards the Freeport area. I have also heard a number of mixed comments about UNEXSO (mostly over controlling and expensive), however, they are very convenient to Our Lucaya.

Whom ever you choose to dive with, do a shark dive. They have both feeding dives and swim alongs with the reef sharks. It is awesome. The diving in GB is really good and the water should be very warm

 

[Tim Ingersoll]

blawler1 once bubbled...
Whom ever you choose to dive with, do a shark dive. They have both feeding dives and swim alongs with the reef sharks. It is awesome.

Good advice.

 

[grumpygrouper]

Hi

I stayed a Our Lucaya for a conference last year and my wife and I dove with Sunn Odyssey Divers. Husband and wife team with no more than 3-4 divers per trip. We were impressed with the service and the friendliness. Only time diving in the Bahamas.

Happy and Safe Diving

Ron

 

[Deeps]

Thanks to all of you who replied.

Deepak

 

[Tavi]

I would recomend Grand Bahama Scuba. They are great with newbies, pro's and everything in between!
Do a search and you'll find my old trip reports.
My Avatar pic was taken at Shark Junction.
Check out the website and drop Fred an e-mail.

I'm looking forward to returning there this fall

Good luck, and Enjoy!!

 

[Beach Bum k10]

For the sake of your safety and the dive buddy you will pair up, please take a refresher class before you go. If possible redo the OW or AOW class. You will be surprise how much you have forgotten since you learn to dive 7 years ago.

Good luck and dive safe.

Deeps once bubbled...
Hi there. I got my OW and AOW qualification 7 years ago and have only rarely dived since (having spent the morning on this excellent forum, I am asking myself the same question, "why?").

I'm going to be in the Bahamas for a wedding in a couple of weeks (8/28 - 9/05) ... I'm travelling alone (from London, single) and, after the wedding (at Atlantis, Paradise Island), I'm going over to Grand Bahama to stay at the Our Lucaya for 4 days, before flying back to the UK. I'd love to do some diving whilst I'm there (at the very least, to justify the expense of going such a long way out there for a short period).

I'd be really grateful if anyone out there could give me a little help:

(1) Is there a particular operator you would recommend for a 30 year-old, ring-rusty diver? For sure, I'll have to do a "rusty diver" mini-course (I wouldn't be happy diving again otherwise). Will it be a problem if I am out there on my own? I qualified with my brother and have never been diving without "my own buddy".

(2) Are there any "must-do" dives?

(3) Any recommended places to go out in Lucaya, where the single, young (-ish) man will find a warm welcome (quasi-serious suggestions only ...)?

Many thanks for your time - I appreciate it.

Deeps

 

[Deeps]

Thanks Tavi & Beach Bum - I will certainly be taking the longest refresher course available. It no longer surprises me how much I can forget in one week, let alone 7 years!

Deepak