Bahamas December 14-18

[moosicman]

Ok, boys and girls, I need some advising, tips, and suggestions on a trip we have planned to the Bahamas. We are going on a cruise Dec. 14th-18th and will be in Nassau, Great Stirrup Cay, Grand Bahama Island. I think I'll be in port at every location in time to dive. I DO NOT want to dive with the cruise operator. I will not have a partner diving with me (my wife doesn't dive) and I would like small dive groups, no cattle boats. Oh, yeah and I want to see some big sharks. LOL Any suggestions? What is the water temp like there during the Dec. months. Anyone have any links to Bahama dive trip planning info? Thanks bunches!

[Vlane]

If you really want to see sharks Stuart's Cove has a shark dive that they do. I've done other dives with them that were good, but they are the typical cattle operation though that makes finding a buddy easy. Only advice I can really offer you, your best bet may just be to try google.

[diversteve]

There are three options on Nassau. Bahama Divers, Stuart Cove's or Paradise Charters.

If you get off the boat and through customs quickly - you might be able to get to Bahama Divers before their morning boat leaves at 8:30. They're at the base of the bridge to Paradise Island so fairly close by cab. Bahama Divers Home Page - M-W-Sa the Lost Blue Hole Dive is the Shark dive.

Cove's is on the south side of the island (the cruise port is on the north) so it's a 45min+ shuttle ride to their boats - they pickup near the cruise dock. Details are on this page: Stuart Cove's Cruise Ships Shark Cage Diving Bahamas Stuart Cove's Aqua Adventures - Cruise Ships
The Shark dives:
Stuart Cove's Shark Adventure Bahamas Shark Feeder Adventure Outline - Shark Adventure - notice it's a 1PM departure.

The third (newest) option is Paradise Dive Charters - I don't know anything about them. Paradise Dive Charters

Great Stirrup Cay is the NCL Private island so the the only diveop there is one affiliated with it. So at least there, you'll be diving with the cruise op.

Diving info for the Bahamas: Bahamas Diving Association: Official Dive Association for the Islands of The Bahamas

[moosicman]

Many thanks, Diversteve!!

[moosicman]

Have you seen any other sharks around at Stuart Cove other than Car. Reefs?

[Vlane]

The dives I did with Stuarts Cove were a wall dive at about 90' and a reef dive at maybe 30-35'. Didn't see any sharks the first dive but did manage to see on twice on the second dive. Not sure how common it is, but it was definitely pretty cool.

[bobby_hirst]

I went on the Shark Dive last December with SC and it was amazing! Definitely a must!