Shark and Dolphin diving / Bahamas

[Dantheengineer]

And Riding Rock on San Salvador. They get allot of black tips and Great Hammerheads.

If you go to coves try to get to the Ray Of Hope wreck, i was out there today coz we got chased off the Autec buoy by the USN. lots (15ish) of ridge backs: Carib reef. (and a sodding great big Loggerhead)

(chased off=asked very politely by the barge Capt on CH16 whilst a Defence Force cutter bore down on us deck gun uncovered!)
Out side of dolphin encounters on Blue Lagoon Island and Atlantis that i don't think will appeal, there's often a small pod of bottle nosed's just off clifton pier. But it's hit and miss at best and they dont hang around for long.

I just cant get enuff of that sharky stuff!
good luck!

 

[tnsean615]

Whatever you do don't support the slave trade and captivity till death, of dolphin with your money.You need to watch the documentary called The Cove. See the horror for yourself,I will never give another dollar to any sea park that keeps orcas,or dolphin captive. Its a shame what they have done making wild animals perform tricks for food,they have enslaved all their animals.

 

[divebunny13]

Small Hope offers a shark dive (using a chumball method, very unintrusive) and we regularly see sharks on dives.

We get wild dolphins at our dock that will tolerate snorkelers for a bit. This is more common in the summer.

 

[k374]

I was interested in doing the Dolphin dive with UNEXSO because the description made it seem that these dives are out in the open ocean somewhere but looks like it is with captive dolphins..in that case, no thanks! Don't want to support that kind of activity.

 

[Bigmac1]

I have been on a number of liveaboards in the bahamas over the past 10-12 years and have done dives with sharks in a number of places near Bimini and Grand Bahama. As far as scuba and dolphins, I have found that the dolphins do not care to be around scuba divers in the wild but they love it when you jump in with your fins and snorkel and mimic and swim with them. The last few times we were on the Avalon (Lostislandvoyages.com) Ray has a favorite spot north of Grand Bahama where there were numerous pods that interacted with us. We also did the same thing off Bimini near "the strip".

 

[diveincanada]

Two years ago we did the shark feed dive with Stuart Coves. I would highly recommend this dive. We had a blast and would do it again in heartbeat, if I wasn't stuck in Kansas.

how is stuart coves party wise ?

 

[tndiver1]

iving is great with Stuart Coves and I have doner their shark dives several times, awesome and Stuart is a great guy! Good service and the employees are young and great folks. I reccomend Jim Abernethy for real shark diving and dolphin experiences. All sharks are wild as with the dolphin. Please read below and you can go to Jim's website for more info. I have a trip coming uo!



Join us for a Tiger Shark Trip to Tiger Beach and the outer reefs along the Little Bahamas Banks. The cost of the trip is 2805.00 USD and includes diving for Tiger, Great Hammerhead, Lemon and Caribbean Reef Sharks for 5 days. We will spend 7 nights aboard the M/V Shear Water with all food, beverages, tanks, weights and air fills included. Nitrox is available for $100.00 if you want it, but you wont need it. It is not a cruise ship but an adventure vessel. The boat will depart and return to West Palm Beach, Florida where there are hassle free flights available in and out. The airport is 20 minutes to the boat. This trip is planned for underwater photographers and experienced divers who have an interest in sharks and close - up action. There will be no cage and you will be underwater with several large sharks that are baited to provide the safest interaction you might ever experience. This trip provides some of the most exciting, extreme, and rewarding diving you might ever do. I can guarantee that you will return with a new appreciation of sharks and if you are a photographer you will return with great images.
We will spend some time taking images of Tiger Sharks and Lemon sharks topside with cameras trying to get bite shots as the sharks chase after bait on the surface, as well as a chance to swim with dolphins.
Tiger Beach is located about 25 miles north of Grand Bahamas Island is near the western side of the Little Bahamas Banks. The M/V Shear Water is owned and operated by Jim Abernethy. Jim and his professional crew have been diving the Bahamain waters for the past 15 years and taking divers on these adventures for almost as many years. Jim and his crew are some of the most skilled and experienced shark operators in the world and have an excellent record for getting All food and drink is provided along with snacks throughout the day. divers close up with sharks. If you are serious in participating please contact Steven Anderson – (615)335-1494 or thecreech@cs.com.

Not included :
*Liquor – No alcoholic beverages provided other than wine with dinner
*Additional fees for Bahamas taxes – $ 110.00 US per person, payable by cash or credit card.
* A fuel surcharge will be added and determined at the time of the trip
*Crew gratuities – 15% of charter price is standard
Trip dates - 9/25 - 10/1 , 2010

 

[bkotheimer]

Can anyone provide a ballpark figure for a week onboard the M/V Shearwater? Their website says that price may vary, which doesn't help AT ALL.

Thanks!
bk

 

[tndiver1]

A ballpark cost is around 3200.00 after paying for the trip and Bahamas entrance fees, fuel Charges, and a tip. Well worth the money! Most exciting diving you might ever do! I have a trip coming up in September, with a few spaces left. I was able to get nearly 1200 images on the last trip. Jim is the best at what he does and very passionate about the sharks along with being very safe! The crew is outstanding and good food is always served! You can dive all day if you want as the depths are usually only 15' at most of the sites. The Shear Water is not a luxury boat but is comfortable and we are there to dive with sharks and dolphins. You can read my story at DivingInDepth.com and my trip info is listed above!

 

[Sharkphoto]

I know I am replying to a very old post, but I wanted to point out that there are some open ocean/ non captive dolphin encounters out there, but they are also quickly disappearing due to regulation, cost, economy etc. So do them while you still have the opportunities.
I have been chartering for my groups on the Dolphin Dream boat out of West Palm Beach for years. You go out for a week on the open waters of the Bahamas and every day, all day you swim with dolphins. It is hard work, but very rewarding and 100% authentic.

Another do it while you can experience is diving with Tiger Sharks on Tiger Beach in the Bahamas. The same boat and crew take you out in the winter months, bait for sharks, and you use scuba to watch the feeding. You have to be a pretty experienced diver to do this safely, but the photos and thrills are addictive. There is one or more other boats that do this, but I have been on them and this boat is the most comfortable and the crew is the most knowledgeable. Not to sound like a commercial, but I have some spaces left on my charter for January 2011.
Shark Diving on a Live Aboard Dive Boat the Bahamas - Cage less encounters with Tiger and Great Hammerhead Sharks If you click the link for the Vessel you will go to the Dolphin Dream website and you can look at their info on the dolphin charters.

Live it up.