Grand Bahama Dive Week June 10-17, 2023
Join OTA Diving on Grand Bahama for a week of diving and soaking up the Bahamian vibe with lots of topside activities to celebrate the 3rd annual Dive Week.
Welcome to Grand Bahama!
Welcome to The Bahamas’ “second city” where beautiful beaches and Island life are just the beginning. Venture beyond The Bahamas’ white sands and turquoise waters to discover an island metropolis full of history, culture, and tasty Caribbean flavors.
DAY 1 June 10
Arrive on Grand Bahama Island (via Bahamasair flight UP146- not included in price)
Transfer to Pelican Bay Hotel for check-in Pelican Bay Hotel- Known as the “Happiest Hotel in Grand Bahama”, located in the heart of Grand Bahama Island, sits in a tropical oasis set against colorful Bahamian architecture, towering palms, and the
stunning Bell Channel Bay. It is a true Bahamian treasure close to thrilling dive sites
and Port Lucaya- an outdoor center full of local eateries and craftsman shops within close walking distance to your hotel.
Afternoon at leisure
6pm
Welcome Reception at Bones Bar Terrace- Freshly squeezed cocktails, ice
cold draft beer, freshly baked savory pies and the finest sipping rums from
around the world served at the bar, next to the water, on the water or in the
water
Evening at leisure
Day 2 June 11
Breakfast
8am
Meet in lobby for transfer to Reef Oasis Dive Center at Viva Wyndham (5 minute drive)
Check-in for Customized 2 tank dive
Caves 1 & 2- Two very interesting sites, well worth the visit. Site is comprised of
thick spur and groove coral formations, teeming with life. So many cracks,
nooks, crannies and hiding places for fish that it is almost impossible to see
everything! Both Moorings are set along a sloping drop-off. Starting at 60’
sloping to about 80-90’ at the bottom. In the deepest part of this site, it is
possible to see a sunken chamber. Groupers, Jacks, Remoras, and sharks, from
neighboring Shark alley, are frequent sightings. At both sides of this site, there
are various swim-throughs to explore.
Pretender’s Wreck- This upside-down tug sits at an approachable depth for
divers of all levels of experience. This forty-five-foot vessel, the Pretender, rests
on the sea floor between two heads of coral. Remnants of a yacht are also
strewn about this site as well. Stingrays are often seen gliding along the sandy
bottom
Transfer to host hotel
Afternoon at leisure
6:45pm
Meet in lobby for transfer to Williams Town
Two Dollar Bar, William’s Town - Local rum and beers. This quaint sea view
bar has plenty of parking. Sit indoor for music & the company of the friendly
staff or on the porch for ocean air. Drinks are poured generously and often.
Just to the left is an outdoor conch station. Order fresh conch salad. Locally
owned and operated.
Return to Host Hotel
DAY 3 June 12
Breakfast at leisure
8AM
Meet in lobby for transfer to Reef Oasis Dive Center at Viva Wyndham
Check-in for Customized 2 tank dive
Sea star Wreck – A steel Barge sitting upright on ocean floor. Penetration is
easy through open deck. Approximate length is 200 feet with average depth
is 65 feet. Even though it is a relatively new wreck, you will find an array of
local fish, such as barracuda, amberjack, snappers, groupers and an
occasional turtle or shark! This wreck has been changed a lot due to the past
3 hurricanes: Francis, Jeanne, and Wilma!
Papa Doc Wreck- Once a shrimp boat, this doomed craft was transporting
mercenaries and firearms to Haiti during the revolution in that country. The
wreck’s namesake was the dictator, Papa Doc Duvalier, who was so ruthless
that he inspired an uprising. Divers can still salvage ammunition on the sea
floor and amongst the coral. This wreck rests in pieces along the shallow
reef, with visible engine blocks and machinery still visible at this novice-
accessible dive site.
afternoon/evening at leisure
DAY 4 June 13
Breakfast at leisure
8AM
Meet in lobby for transfer to Reef Oasis Dive Center at Viva Wyndham
Check-in for Customized 2 tank dive
Plate Reef at Blue Hole- Many varieties of hard coral have formed here.
Many plate coral overlap above the surge channels. The blue hole here is
quite large and comes right out of the side of a high-profile coral. Mahogany
and yellow-tail snappers, goatfish, and French grunts are usually seen.
Gale’s Grotto- Sharks and spotted rays are frequently seen here. There is a
coral cavern that passes through the reef for about 100 feet. The cavern is
inhabited by soldier and squirrel fish.
Transfer to host hotel
Afternoon at leisure
6PM
Meet in lobby for short walk to Port Lucaya Marketplace- considered the
jewel of Grand Bahama Island, featuring authentic Bahamian treasures,
including retail shops, restaurants and bars, straw vendors, hair braiders and
artisans.
$2.00 Tuesday at Agave (Optional)- Agave, in Port Lucaya, serving pan- Latin
Fusion Cuisine with the best Mojitos, Sangria and Margaritas! From
Argentine Malbecs, Spanish Riojas to Cuban Themed Mojitos and Mexican
Margaritas, they offer an extensive wine and drink list that easily allows
multiple pairing combinations for every discerning palate.
Return to host hotel
DAY 5 June 14
Breakfast at leisure
8am
Meet in lobby transfer to Reef Oasis Dive Shop at Viva Wyndham
Ben’s Blue Hole- This classic site could be considered our ‘house reef’ as its
right in front of the resort. Mooring is set at about 40-45ft in a coral head,
directly south of the pin you can see a large sunken horseshoe shape in the
sand, this is bens blue hole. The Blue hole is a funnel, or channel for
freshwater to come out into the sea, the water mixing creates an interesting
place for fish to hang out. Often you will find a large green moray eel or
grouper hanging out under the ledge of the blue hole. We also see
loggerhead turtles here regularly. This site is very good for photographers on
a sunny day who like to coral head hop.
Caribbean Reef Shark Encounter -Dive with Caribbean reef sharks and interact with
them in their natural state! The sharks are four to eight feet and at times can be too
numerous to count. The location is near an old Recompression Chamber with coral
reef surrounding it. There are also large green moray eels, groupers, Hogfish and
Angel fish. There is the occasional nurse or hammerhead shark coming around to
find out just what is going on!
Return to Host Hotel
Afternoon at leisure
DAY 6
Breakfast at leisure
8AM
Meet in lobby for transfer to Reef Oasis Dive Center at Viva Wyndham
Shark Alley- The Western side of shark alley. Connects with hydro Lab to the
East and Caves Sites to the south. A very interesting dive with many options
for a tour. Named ‘pretenders wreck’ for the 45’ upside down tugboat hull
holding down the mooring line. Plenty of Grey Caribbean Reef Sharks circling
the area, along with Hugh Groupers, Schooling Jacks and Spade fish, often a
stingray or two. And you never know what else!
Moray Manor- Known for lots of green moray in the '70s, some can still be
seen, as well as sharks. Very good selection of marine life. The coral travels
perpendicular to the shore, growing up to 10 ft. high, with heather coral in
this area.
Return to Host Hotel
Afternoon at leisure
Meet in lobby for transfer to Smith’s Point
6PM
Smith’s Point Fish Fry Experience- A Grand Bahama Favorite; fish fry is an
event not to be missed. Enjoy a traditional cookout with fried snapper,
lobster, potato bread, conch salad and many more Bahamian dishes.
Experience a delicious meal and make new friends as you sip rum punch to
the traditional sounds of Bahamian music.
Return to host hotel
DAY 6 June 15
Breakfast at leisure
10:45 AM
Meet in lobby for transfer to Coral Vita
Coral Vita- Coral Vita creates high-tech coral farms that incorporate
breakthrough methods to restore reefs in the most effective way possible. Coral
Vita’s land-based farms not only supply corals for restoration projects, but also
function as an educational enter for local communities as well as an eco-tourism
attraction
Transfer to Bahamian Brewery
Bahamian Brewery Tour- Walk through the 25-step process from malt to beer!
See the lab quality control, learn about our filtration & kegging process, and
watch our staff bottle your beer. Then become a brew master yourself as you
taste the sensation Sands, in Jimmy's personal tap room. Once you've sipped a
Sands, or two, we'll take you down to the gift shop and the liquor store - and let
you purchase all you want - it's all duty free!
Return to Host Hotel
Afternoon at leisure
DAY 7
Check out and fly home
Meet in lobby for transfer to Grand Bahama International Airport
Check-in for Bahamasair flight UP 142 to Ft Lauderdale International Airport (airfare not included)
Depart Grand Bahama International Airport
Dive Sites and activities subject to change due to weather and local conditions. Some activities like Fish Fry are by charge and inexpensive.
