Need some advice on the Bahamas

[hercdiver]

Starting to plan a trip to the Bahamas. Diving will be #1 on my priority list; but I would also like to do other things. Any suggestions on which island is best? Would like to keep the cost down, as much as can possibly be done, and yet still enjoy myself. Any help would be great.

 

[Vtdiver2]

Starting to plan a trip to the Bahamas. Diving will be #1 on my priority list; but I would also like to do other things. Any suggestions on which island is best? Would like to keep the cost down, as much as can possibly be done, and yet still enjoy myself. Any help would be great.

Flying into Nassau can be fairly cheap. Check JetBlue, great airline with good prices. As for lodging, what are you looking for, a motel or a resort? I can get you the name of the places I have stayed but they aren't resorts. If you want to stay at a resort, check out Travelzoo.com and do a search of the Bahamas. I've seen air and lodging specials that were fairly cheap on there.
Have you considered a liveaboard? Blackbeard's cruises out of Nassau and Freeport, as well as Miami and sails the Bahamas. Last one I did I dove, fished, freedove for conch and lobster, kayaked and had an awesome time. By timing it between flights, I stayed in Nassau for 3 days so I got beachtime and bar hopping as well.
C-Dawg

 

[bikefox]

I was in Grand Bahama last March and things were still a mess from the hurricane. The International Market was only open when cruise ships were in port and many of the large hotels and casinos were closed. Not much to do but dive. That was six month ago so maybe things are back to normal.

 

[moneysavr]

If you like a cheap fight,GrandBahama and stay at any hotel reort in the PortLucaya area Nice area and on the water,rooms can be had for $75.00 USA to $2000 and this is a villa with chef at ;
www.ourlucaya.com
they have rooms from $200 too,Bell chanel inn has a dive shop,Xanadu,UNEXO not my pick,and several more
see the GrandBahama web site
fly for RT $150
or boat out of Ft.lauderdale $99
same weather as WP beach at time of year
Brad

 

[WOODMAN]

A lot depends on your needs. If you are mainly looking for diving, then a liveaboard would be the most cost effective way to accumulate the most bottom time (and they often go to areas that simply cannot be reached by land-based operators). Some of these guys operate from south florida, and motor across to the Bahamas, and this would save you the cost of flying in to the islands. Not all of these people make much of a landfall in the Bahamas, however, and if you were looking for island activities, this might not be your cup of tea. The Blackbeard people will be operating all three of their classes of liveaboards from Nassau soon, however, and if you can get to there you can soak up some of that Nassau ambience along with the dive trip. (I love those little buses they have which go just about everywhere and cost so little to ride. Beats a taxi all hollow, IMHO.) If you want to reach the outer islands, your choices narrow and the cost starts going up. It all depends on what you want (and the size of your pocketbook). Good luck.:happywave

 

[hercdiver]

I would rather spend more on the diving and sites than on a place to stay. A simple and clean motel would be perfect. Any help on them would be great. I will also look into the liveaboards. Thanks for all your help.

 

[Vtdiver2]

I would rather spend more on the diving and sites than on a place to stay. A simple and clean motel would be perfect. Any help on them would be great. I will also look into the liveaboards. Thanks for all your help.

I've stayed at the Nassau Harbor Club & Marina, and at the Towne Hotel. While the first one was nicer, it was also more expensive. It's also where Blackbeard's Cat Ppalu is docked, so when I did this liveaboard, it was convenient. The Towne Hotel is in downtown Nassau, right around the corner from the Pirate Museum, and close to buses, shopping etc. It was very reasonable (even during their High season it was under $70/night) and had a great breakfast.
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C-Dawg

 

[Dive_Girl PNW]

For less touristy - more diving, I always recommend catching an island hopper to Bimini and dive with Bimini Undersea. Sites in Bimini are consistantly rated high by divers for big animals, healthy reefs, abundant sea life and more.

I could also be a little biased in this regard. Bimini is one of my favorite places to dive.

 

[hercdiver]

Thanks for all the input.