My wife and I just returned from a five day getaway to Southampton Bermuda. Not knowing much in advance, I took the advice of a fellow diver on scubaboard (Miked) who suggested going with Dive Bermuda located at the Fairmont Southampton beach club as he has been doing for the past thirteen years.
I went out each morning with Dive Bermuda for a two tank boat dive aboard the Narcosis, their 42' Newton dive boat. The staff of Dive Bermuda goes out of their way to make your day as enjoyable and relaxing as possible. Their level of service is over and above what would normally be expected. Kevin greeted me each morning and asked if I had any dive site preferences. All of my gear was brought onboard by their staff. There were fresh towels and ice water on board along with center mounted camera tables and lots of room. There were several other divers on board, but never too many. Some of the divers came from other hotels and from the cruise ships anchored in Hamilton.
The divemasters, Roz, Fin, LuLu, (I'm forgetting the others) were knowledgeable, helpful, and patient for those needing a little extra attention. On the one day that I forgot to bring my fins, Roz dove off the boat and retrieved them out of my bag back in the shop.
The dive locations were very close to the shop which translates to very short boat rides to and from your dive site. The longest I can remember was ten minutes. Each day began with a safety briefing before heading out to the dive site. There were site briefings before each dive along with a weight check before the first divew of each day. Extra clip-on weights were on hand for anyone needing additional weight. Water temp was around 72F -bath tub water in my book. A 3Mil shorty was fine. Visability was about 80+.
After your dive, you are welcome to use the changing rooms, showers, and towels of the Fairmont Southampton Beach Club.
Getting to the shop is easy by bus or taxi. The number 8 bus runs to and from the hotel into Hamilton on a regular basis. The bus will cost you about $3 each way. The hotel runs a courtesy shuttle from the bus stop at Waterlot Inn up to the hotel lobby. You can catch another shuttle down to the beach club all at no cost.
I hope this helps someone that may be heading off to Berrmuda. write me if you need more info.
John (WB2GLP)
I went out each morning with Dive Bermuda for a two tank boat dive aboard the Narcosis, their 42' Newton dive boat. The staff of Dive Bermuda goes out of their way to make your day as enjoyable and relaxing as possible. Their level of service is over and above what would normally be expected. Kevin greeted me each morning and asked if I had any dive site preferences. All of my gear was brought onboard by their staff. There were fresh towels and ice water on board along with center mounted camera tables and lots of room. There were several other divers on board, but never too many. Some of the divers came from other hotels and from the cruise ships anchored in Hamilton.
The divemasters, Roz, Fin, LuLu, (I'm forgetting the others) were knowledgeable, helpful, and patient for those needing a little extra attention. On the one day that I forgot to bring my fins, Roz dove off the boat and retrieved them out of my bag back in the shop.
The dive locations were very close to the shop which translates to very short boat rides to and from your dive site. The longest I can remember was ten minutes. Each day began with a safety briefing before heading out to the dive site. There were site briefings before each dive along with a weight check before the first divew of each day. Extra clip-on weights were on hand for anyone needing additional weight. Water temp was around 72F -bath tub water in my book. A 3Mil shorty was fine. Visability was about 80+.
After your dive, you are welcome to use the changing rooms, showers, and towels of the Fairmont Southampton Beach Club.
Getting to the shop is easy by bus or taxi. The number 8 bus runs to and from the hotel into Hamilton on a regular basis. The bus will cost you about $3 each way. The hotel runs a courtesy shuttle from the bus stop at Waterlot Inn up to the hotel lobby. You can catch another shuttle down to the beach club all at no cost.
I hope this helps someone that may be heading off to Berrmuda. write me if you need more info.
John (WB2GLP)