Flew down to the Nassau, Bahamas for the Thanksgiving holiday, I really think I am going to start a tradition here of going someplace at that time each year to dive, sure beats sitting at home alone.
I did my research on the area and was only able to locate 2 dive operators (if there are any independents they were well hidden), and after chatting with both operations choose Stuart Coves. They had 2 pricing structures pay in advance and pay once you get there (decent savings to pay in advance, so me, being me, that is exactly what I did).
Transportation
Stuart Coves has a fleet of buses that run out to the various hotels on the island to pick up the divers, my hotel was the 8:15 am stop. The buses are probably 30 person vehicles, which can get quite crowded especially when the center jump seats are down (which allows for the extra capacity). There really isnt much of a place to stow gear, it just sort of gets piled up in the front of the bus. However considering not everyone on the bus is a diver (they cater to snorkelers, and others as well), and many of the divers did not have their own gear so it could have been worse. When the dives are done the buses return you to your hotel once they return from picking up the afternoon divers. Overall their transportation system is very good, organized, and efficient.
Registration
Once you arrive at the operation you are directed to the registration center which is in the dive shop, this can be quite chaotic with lots of people checking in. The first day was the worst, but the subsequent 3 days it was easier, mostly just went in to tell them you were there and get your boat assignment.
Dive Shop
They sold mostly small odds and ends, T-shirts (huge selection), snacks, drinks and the like, I did not see any really big ticket items although I didnt ask either so they might have had them elsewhere.
Boats
The boats were great, I was fortunate that none of the boats I was on for the entire 4 days were full, maybe ½ full at best, lots of room to suit up, and move around and a comfortable ride to the dive site. Their procedure was to take your fins off on the current line, hand them up then board the boat. Personally I am a big fan of fin ladders but since that was not an option I followed directions. However on the 2nd day, after I took my fins off I was hanging on the current line and the line came lose (what fun), so I put my fins back on and went to the ladder and did it MY way by hanging on to something on the boat to remove my fins and hand them up.
DMs, and Other staff
Overall wonderful. However on day #1, I was not terribly impressed with the DM on my first dive day, but the remaining 3 days were a huge improvement. The staff is very courteous and helpful (except the first day when there was no help at all).
Dives
For the most part the DM controlled your bottom time. They shot for about a 35 minute on the first dive, with a short surface interval (personally I would have liked longer intervals between dives), then a second shorter dive. I did usually manage to squeeze out a few extra minutes on each of the dives, but always came up with lots of air, enough for at least 25 more minutes if they would have let me. However I have found most operators these days limit your bottom time, it is rare to fine one at a resort type area that lets you have as much time as you can handle. There is always a DM in the water with you as well as a photographer (purchase of photos are optional)
Day 1
Dive #1
Sliding Anchor
101 max , 39 minutes I saw a Mahi Mahi (aka Dolphin fish)
28 minute surface interval
Dive #2
Southwest Reef very shallow reef this was probably my least favorite dive of the trip
20 max, 37 minutes
Day 2
Dive #1
Sea Viking
77 max, 44 minutes
40 minute surface interval
Dive #2
James Bond Wrecks, artificial reefs which were used in 2 of the James Bond Movies, Never say Never and Thunderball wrecks were Tears of Aliah and Balkin Balmer Not sure which was tied to which movie they told us, but I forget and since I have never seen a James Bond movie it really didnt mean much, but they were awesome structures.
42 max, 45 minutes
Day 3
Dive #1
Runway This site consisted of several wrecks, Ray of Hope which was AWESOME and Bahama Mama, Treasure Wreck, an Anchor and a shark cage (which was actually removed the next day). We saw several Caribbean Reef sharks on this dive
75 Max, 41 minutes
41 minute surface interval
Dive #2
Willaurie another wreck and a few other artificial reefs that were placed there
61 max, 39 minutes
Day 4
Dive #1
Tunnel Wall swim throughs
79 max, 41 minutes
35 minute surface interval
Dive #2
Runway this was such a great dive everyone wanted to go back. Our DM was sort of lost I think, and we stumbled upon the shark dive they normally charge $140 for, at least 23 reef sharks were counted!
63 max, 41 minutes
Overall I would give Stuart Coves very high marks, even if they are a cattle operation, but for a cattle operation they were great. I would definitely dive with them again and recommend them to anyone headed to Nassau.
I did my research on the area and was only able to locate 2 dive operators (if there are any independents they were well hidden), and after chatting with both operations choose Stuart Coves. They had 2 pricing structures pay in advance and pay once you get there (decent savings to pay in advance, so me, being me, that is exactly what I did).
Transportation
Stuart Coves has a fleet of buses that run out to the various hotels on the island to pick up the divers, my hotel was the 8:15 am stop. The buses are probably 30 person vehicles, which can get quite crowded especially when the center jump seats are down (which allows for the extra capacity). There really isnt much of a place to stow gear, it just sort of gets piled up in the front of the bus. However considering not everyone on the bus is a diver (they cater to snorkelers, and others as well), and many of the divers did not have their own gear so it could have been worse. When the dives are done the buses return you to your hotel once they return from picking up the afternoon divers. Overall their transportation system is very good, organized, and efficient.
Registration
Once you arrive at the operation you are directed to the registration center which is in the dive shop, this can be quite chaotic with lots of people checking in. The first day was the worst, but the subsequent 3 days it was easier, mostly just went in to tell them you were there and get your boat assignment.
Dive Shop
They sold mostly small odds and ends, T-shirts (huge selection), snacks, drinks and the like, I did not see any really big ticket items although I didnt ask either so they might have had them elsewhere.
Boats
The boats were great, I was fortunate that none of the boats I was on for the entire 4 days were full, maybe ½ full at best, lots of room to suit up, and move around and a comfortable ride to the dive site. Their procedure was to take your fins off on the current line, hand them up then board the boat. Personally I am a big fan of fin ladders but since that was not an option I followed directions. However on the 2nd day, after I took my fins off I was hanging on the current line and the line came lose (what fun), so I put my fins back on and went to the ladder and did it MY way by hanging on to something on the boat to remove my fins and hand them up.
DMs, and Other staff
Overall wonderful. However on day #1, I was not terribly impressed with the DM on my first dive day, but the remaining 3 days were a huge improvement. The staff is very courteous and helpful (except the first day when there was no help at all).
Dives
For the most part the DM controlled your bottom time. They shot for about a 35 minute on the first dive, with a short surface interval (personally I would have liked longer intervals between dives), then a second shorter dive. I did usually manage to squeeze out a few extra minutes on each of the dives, but always came up with lots of air, enough for at least 25 more minutes if they would have let me. However I have found most operators these days limit your bottom time, it is rare to fine one at a resort type area that lets you have as much time as you can handle. There is always a DM in the water with you as well as a photographer (purchase of photos are optional)
Day 1
Dive #1
Sliding Anchor
101 max , 39 minutes I saw a Mahi Mahi (aka Dolphin fish)
28 minute surface interval
Dive #2
Southwest Reef very shallow reef this was probably my least favorite dive of the trip
20 max, 37 minutes
Day 2
Dive #1
Sea Viking
77 max, 44 minutes
40 minute surface interval
Dive #2
James Bond Wrecks, artificial reefs which were used in 2 of the James Bond Movies, Never say Never and Thunderball wrecks were Tears of Aliah and Balkin Balmer Not sure which was tied to which movie they told us, but I forget and since I have never seen a James Bond movie it really didnt mean much, but they were awesome structures.
42 max, 45 minutes
Day 3
Dive #1
Runway This site consisted of several wrecks, Ray of Hope which was AWESOME and Bahama Mama, Treasure Wreck, an Anchor and a shark cage (which was actually removed the next day). We saw several Caribbean Reef sharks on this dive
75 Max, 41 minutes
41 minute surface interval
Dive #2
Willaurie another wreck and a few other artificial reefs that were placed there
61 max, 39 minutes
Day 4
Dive #1
Tunnel Wall swim throughs
79 max, 41 minutes
35 minute surface interval
Dive #2
Runway this was such a great dive everyone wanted to go back. Our DM was sort of lost I think, and we stumbled upon the shark dive they normally charge $140 for, at least 23 reef sharks were counted!
63 max, 41 minutes
Overall I would give Stuart Coves very high marks, even if they are a cattle operation, but for a cattle operation they were great. I would definitely dive with them again and recommend them to anyone headed to Nassau.
