This is the paradox of the Bahamas: countless and deserted islands, wilderness and ultra-civilized places, marked by American culture. And this diversity, underwater, is the same: from Nassau to Grand Bahama, Spots-Evasion offers you, in the same stay, to discover the tiger sharks of Tiger Beach, wrecks that float in crystal clear water, dolphins of the Grand Bahama Bank, or to take another look at shark-feeding.
BIG MAMA IN NASSAU
“November 2011, says Laurent Hervier of Spots of Evasion , I am underwater observing the Big Mama wreck a few kilometers from the dive center on the southwestern part of Nassau Island. The absence of particles gives the impression of evolving in pure fresh water, and about thirty beautiful specimens of Caribbean sharks, gray from 1,50 to 3 meters patrolling in the area, join us on the site of the 'wreck. They let themselves be observed without deviating from their route, and with a visibility of more than 50 meters, I easily see from afar the trajectory of these incredible swimmers. "
A VINGTAINE OF SITES
The island has about twenty sites, gathered mainly throughout the south and west of the island in shallow and very clear waters (exploration dives are limited to 35 meters). Meeting bottlenose dolphins, rays and sharks is a habit here, both when diving and snorkeling. Besides Big Mama, other wrecks await you: "Fish hotel", the Vulcan bomber, or the cargo ship "Tears of Allah" used in James Bond. You can also dive on coral drop offs, or on The Lost Blue Hole, a large hole starting at less than 14 meters, surrounded by corals. And everywhere, visibility often exceeds 40 meters!
ANOTHER LOOK AT THE SHARK FEEDING
Feeding sharks is a specialty of a few highly specialized centers. We like the show or not, but it's a unique experience, 12 meters deep, with about fifty gray sharks. “I didn't want to do this type of diving, explains Laurent Hervier of Spots d'Evasion, but I discovered, beyond the spectacle, that sharks have an 'emotional' relationship with the shark feeder. Most impressive is to see the diver stimulating the lower part of a shark's muzzle (where the Lorenzini capsules are located). The shark is then as if paralyzed, the diver can put it upside down and as soon as it stops, the beast wakes up and leaves. "
MEET THE DOLPHINS ON GRAND BAHAMA
Diving in the Bahamas is also going to meet dolphins, particularly from Grand Bahama. Unexso, an extremely renowned diving center, has set up a program with free but trained dolphins: "observation, training, swimming with them, it's really an essential option, comments Laurent Hervié, because the level of complicity between the dolphin and the man is just amazing. »Dolphin trips are also possible to meet wild dolphins on the Grand Bahama Bank, a sandy shoal with calm and clear waters where you enter the water in PMT to share their games. But the chance of the dives is often enough to take advantage of their presence, as during trips to Tiger Beach.
TIGER BEACH
Another must-see place for diving in the Bahamas, Tiger Beach is a sandy beach particularly popular with tiger sharks but also lemon sharks. Sometimes nurse sharks and more rarely hammers add to the magic of observation. In a few meters of water only, crystalline and perfectly calm, it is then possible to observe them for a long time.
OTHER RICHESSES OF GRAND BAHAMA
Mount Olympus is a small drop off renowned for its rich coral. Caribbean sharks, turtles, moray eels, angel fish, stingrays and large sea bream very often meet on this drop off and mini canyon. The "sugar" wreck was placed at a depth of 7 meters, arrived with a cyclone. It is the habitat of thousands of fish including snappers, barracudas, black groupers, lobsters, rays and nurse sharks. A large turtle inhabits the wreck. The passage of groupers is a mini valley between 12 and 23 meters deep where a multitude of groupers evolve above the corals. Sometimes gray sharks and barracudas are present as well as lionfish and jacks.
GREAT BAHAMA PRACTICAL: THE DIVING CENTER
Comfortably seated in the marina of the Old Bahama Bay Resort, the team led by Sean (one of the best North American specialist tiger sharks), welcomes us in their large house with office, showers. The rapid intervention boat is very well equipped to reach the dive sites.
GREAT BAHAMA PRACTICAL: ACCOMMODATION
Old Bahama Resort 4 *: at the extreme western tip of Gran Bahama, this luxurious establishment located along a beautiful private beach and around its own marina, welcomes sport fishing enthusiasts and lovers of tranquility. On a large park with trees and flowers, beautiful apartments on 1 floor, Bahamian style, are arranged around the pool or beachfront, including 67 junior suites of 50 m² and 6 seafront suites of 120 m² with 2 rooms, 2 bathrooms and a living room dining room.
All are equipped with a balcony or terrace, a beautiful bathroom, DVD and CD rack, fridge and microwave and coffee and tea set, bathrobe. Pool, restaurants, kayak, beach catamaran. Chest paying.
Pelikan Bay Resort 3 * : Directly at the Port Lucayan Marina, along a major canal and zero-rated shopping, the 3 * hotel offers 90 rooms and 96 suites. The non smoking rooms have 1 king size bed or 2 large single beds, balcony, safe, coffee set, fridge, hair dryer. 3 pools, restaurant, snack. The beach and 18 golf holes are at 5 minutes walk.
GREAT BAHAMA: THE MOST
One of the few places in the world where you can see tigers.
Swimming and familiarization with dolphins.
NASSAU PRACTICAL: THE DIVING CENTER
Stuart Cove's: PADI 5 * but also SSI, NAUI, the center counts 15 instructors and 6 boats for 10 to 30 divers. Large class room and photo lab. Sale and rental of all equipment, videos, dives with sharks. You can select on computers as soon as you exit dives the snapshots that interest you and that you want to buy.
Small snack on site, showers.
The diving center organizes shuttles with hotels with its own buses.
NASSAU PRACTICAL: ACCOMMODATION
Orange Hill Beach Innis one of the few hotels with an informal spirit. The bar is famous, the atmosphere is relaxed and conducive to having a good time. Located on the west coast, on a hill overlooking the beach, it offers 2 blocks of 1 floor 30 rooms with air conditioning, TV and bathroom. 16 rooms are around the pool, 2 are sea side. All have fully equipped kitchens. 10 studios with a small kitchenette. Superior category rooms offer mini fridge, toaster, kettle.
Restaurant and bar known for their good atmosphere, swimming pool.
You are at 10 minutes from golf and nightlife restaurants.
Comfort Suites at the entrance to Paradise Island, this hotel offers 229 large comfortable rooms with 1 king size bed (or 2 queens beds on request) 1 small sitting area with a sofa, TV, safe (2 US / jr), hair dryer and Wireless. Pool, garden restaurant for breakfast and lunch.
This is the perfect place to enjoy the waterslide slide, pools, tranquil river course and the beautiful Atlantis beach. All other Paradise Island benefits are paid.
NASSAU: THE MOST
Excellent visibility often superior to 50 meters that gives the impression of flying.
The quality of information from shark specialists really makes us better understand these kings of the sea.
Presence of a francophone monitor.
0 comment
Indeed, Mr. Loridon, it's pretty great to dare to say that… when I developed the kit, in the test phase (at sea) same answer by 75% of the divers…: ”your test is nice but I already know the result ”
to meditate…
Pascal Zénatti