Bermuda Diving

Any good dive companies and what wrecks, reefs do you suggest.

What is the average charge for a 2 tank dive?

Going in June. Bbrrhhhh

Any good dive companies and what wrecks, reefs do you suggest.

What is the average charge for a 2 tank dive?

Going in June. Bbrrhhhh

I was there in September, and it was kind of interesting.

The diving is good. Since Bermuda is surrounded by shallow reefs, there are shipwrecks to dive all around.

I generally avoid booking dives through the ship, and avoid the dive operators that contract with the cruise line. Therefore I did everything I could to pre-book dives with Blue Water Divers, which is the next closest dive center to the port.

Well, Blue Water cancelled the first two of the three days we were there. Both Days Fantasea Diving went out, and conditions were certainly tolerable. The first day I decided not to dive, the second I dove with Fantasea, since they were the only operator going. (www.fantasea.bm).

It was a good-sized group on the boat, since they had the cruise ship divers from the Norwegian Ship (I was on Celebrity). However, the sites lend themselves to this type of dive, and their boat is well designed. Depths are about 40 feet, and visibility was quite good. The down side if you're a more experienced diver is they simply do 40 minute dives, so you'll come up with a lot of air. Again, this is common enough with a cruise ship's excursion. Their price for a two-tank dive is $169.00, but that includes gear rental. I had my own, so they discounted it to $131.75. Again this was as a walk-up. The Celebrity ship did not have an organized excursion with them that day, so they charged me their price. They were clear that, had the ship I was on had an excursion that day I would have had to go through the ship.

The next day, I finally dove with Blue Water Divers. I was hopeful to get a better experience. Alas, we were moored next to the boat from Fantasea at both of our dive sites, and Blue Water also dove by time, not by air consumption. In other words exactly the same. Their price for a two-tank dive Was $160.00, and that also was with my own gear. If you take the bus there it's only a few dollars, but a hassle. Taking a taxi is about $25.00 each way.

So, if I were headed back to Bermuda, I'd pre-book with Fantasea, thus avoiding the issue about being forced into using the ship's excursion. Also, as much as I like to dive, I think one day of diving there is sufficient. The fact that Fantasea is right at the ship is a huge plus, and my experience was that you gain nothing by going with the other operators.

I suspect to dive Bermuda properly you'd want to take a land trip there, and arrange to dive with a shop that's geared toward a more serious approach.

Harris

Denver, CO

Thanks.

Yes, you are right. I won't be happy with a 40 min dive at that cost.

But, I love to dive.

Always Book privately in Cozumel and last dive 1.5 hours on nitrox.

Should I bring my big dive light for the wreck, or just my small one?

Since the water will be cool in June, I won't mind so much about a 40 min dive.

I bring all my own gear.

Thanks.

I'll book with them.

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Oh yeah, I'm on the Anthem. Does it dock at the same place as Celebrity?

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Oh yeah, I'm on the Anthem. Does it dock at the same place as Celebrity?

 

 

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Yes, all the ships dock at the Royal Navy Dockyards.

The wrecks don't really require lights. Most are remnants of ships that crashed on the reef. Since they were shallow wrecks, storms over the years have broken them up completely. You see as much interesting cargo as ship itself.

There is a deliberately sunken former ferry boat, "The Seaventure". It's only been down a few years, so no real growth yet, and it can be thoroughly penetrated without light, since it was opened up for diving before being scuttled. So your small light should be more than good.

Harris

Denver, CO