Choose: Key West, Nassau, or Freeport

[Vercingetorix]

I'm going on a cruise in December out of Galveston to Key West, Nassau, and Freeport. The wife wants me with her on two of those ports, so I can dive at one. (Who knows, I may finagle two... )

The question: of those three ports, which would you recommend and why? Be advised, I am a new diver with only one blue water dive two-and-a-half years ago; a shore dive in Catalina. I've not done any diving since August 08. Before going on this trip, I will do a pool session at ScubaToys to review and refresh mask skills, reg skills,don and doff, buoyancy control, etc.

Bottom line: I'm looking for easy dives.

Thanks for your assistance.

[Splitlip]

Originally Posted by Vercingetorix

I'm going on a cruise in December out of Galveston to Key West, Nassau, and Freeport. The wife wants me with her on two of those ports, so I can dive at one. (Who knows, I may finagle two... )

The question: of those three ports, which would you recommend and why? Be advised, I am a new diver with only one blue water dive two-and-a-half years ago; a shore dive in Catalina. I've not done any diving since August 08. Before going on this trip, I will do a pool session at ScubaToys to review and refresh mask skills, reg skills,don and doff, buoyancy control, etc.

Bottom line: I'm looking for easy dives.

Thanks for your assistance.

Freeport is a nasty place. If was gonna skip one port, that would be it. Your wife may be ok there with the straw market crap while you are on the water.

[cgvmer]

Part of it depends on how much time you have in each. If you have a whole day I would suggest picking a local dive shop rather than the shipboard excursions, they are usually less expensive and less crowded, of course ymmv.

[Vercingetorix]

Tim,
Mrs V (Teri) here. Rick asked me to inquire...Who do you recommend as a dive operator in Freeport?

Thanks for telling Rick that Freeport is the one port he should consider skipping. That's the one place where I didn't care if he went diving since I'll probably use that day to hang out at the ship's pool or find a deck chair and read.

[Splitlip]

Originally Posted by Vercingetorix

Tim,
Mrs V (Teri) here. Rick asked me to inquire...Who do you recommend as a dive operator in Freeport?

Thanks for telling Rick that Freeport is the one port he should consider skipping. That's the one place where I didn't care if he went diving since I'll probably use that day to hang out at the ship's pool or find a deck chair and read.

Hi Teri.

Great idea staying on the ship. Get a massage and layout by the pool.

Unfortunately, the only scuba I have done in the Bahamas is from private boats we took from here, so I don't know ANY ops over there.

A buddy of mine who lived there for a while (he dragged me over for a couple days to party, Yuch) always talked about "Dead Man's Reef" as the place he snorkeled. I googled it and they have scuba trips out there.

Sorry I could not be of more help.
Tim

[jet126]

Check these guys out. They have a good reputation.

Dolphin & Diving Activies & More!

[Vercingetorix]

Originally Posted by jet126

Check these guys out. They have a good reputation.

Dolphin & Diving Activies & More!

Thanks. I'm looking at their site now. Do you have experience with them?

[jet126]

Rick -
There are a couple people in my dive club who plan trips over there all the time. I'll email them and see what I can find out.
I do agree with Tim though. Of the 3 ports Freeport is the place you want to spend underwater. Key West is just too darn fun and in Nassau I'd pay the $$ for a day pass to Atlantis. It's beyond ... beyond.
jet

[scubagirlj]

my LDS goes with them on all their bahamas trips

[rednose83]

I haven't dove in Freeport but I'd either dive or stay on the boat if I were you. There's not much else to see/do.