Bahamas - Do's and Dont's

[Cormorant]

Originally Posted by impi

Sounds good ... any idea of the depth of the plane ... and what's at Thunderball?

One thing about that plane wreck -- the tidal current runs over it very strong. Try to catch it at slack low. Depth to the top of the plane is only a few few below the surface at low, if I recall.

And Thunderball is an amazing grotto lit from big holes in the roof where the sun shines in. Fish galore. However, it's often very crowded with humans at slack low. If you don't mind swimming a feet feet underwater to enter the grotto at slack high, you'll have the place to yourself, and just as many fish.

[GordMay]

About Thunderball Grotto:

➥ Thunderball Grotto: Underwater Cave Diving in the Exuma Bahamas

➥ Out-Island Explorers: Thunderball Grotto

[Dakota450]

Originally Posted by impi

Hi Mark, yeah that does look beautiful. Are there places with activity (such as nice dive sites etc. nearby ... the kids would love a quiet beautiful spot but not for too long)?

Not much to do there but enjoy the solitude. I am not a diver so I can't comment on that. There are some caves on great harbor cay and the reef that protects the lagoon with the beach club had pretty good snorkeling. I'm not sure younger folks would appreciate it. There is really not much in the way of club type atmosphere.

[Katiusha]

Originally Posted by impi

Hi Mark, yeah that does look beautiful. Are there places with activity (such as nice dive sites etc. nearby ... the kids would love a quiet beautiful spot but not for too long)?

Not sure how old your kids are (internet is too horrendous at Lagoon Beach to check your blog), but the highlight of husband's daughter's stay with us was a visit to Atlantis waterpark in Nassau.

As far as waterparks go, this one is a winner for both adults and kids. Tons of very imaginative slides, rivers, etc together with amazing aquariums (where else would you see manta ray feeding), interesting decorations, and, if you're into that sort of thing, casino and entertainment in the evenings.

The catch is that the day pass is expensive (when we were there, it was $110 per child and $1?0 per adult).
BUT, if you stay in the Atlantis marina, the entry to the waterpark for all crew is free. We paid $120 per day for the marina stay including water, electricity, etc and got free water park passes for 4 people for each day. That's a very nice deal!!

Highly recommend it both for kids and adults

[Azul]

Originally Posted by impi

Hi Azul ... this sounds good man ... do you have any idea if the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders will be there during our visit?

Dunno, I just took my own .

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by impi

Ok ... I just took a quick peek at that ... Conception is about 61nm NE of Georgetown ... would you recommend sailing directly there after collecting the kids, and if so what would be your track from there?

I think you said you had 3-4 weeks , so maybe Acklin's if you like being away from the crowd. Havent been there but asked recently and there is a good post on that area and the wonderful snorkeling/hunting.
Of course all the usual stops from Nasau to G'town are wonderful for new guests too .... as mentioned.

[Tia Bu]

Nippers.... Sunday afternoon pig roast..... Just go there. The wiggly wet bikini dancing...

Andros is an island that didn't used to be much plagued by visiting yachtsmen. Spectacular reefs. Been a long time since I've been there, but I'd like to go back.

[impi]

Originally Posted by Azul

Dunno, I just took my own .

I can see why the Dallas Cowboys would win every game

[impi]

Originally Posted by Cormorant

One thing about that plane wreck -- the tidal current runs over it very strong. Try to catch it at slack low. Depth to the top of the plane is only a few few below the surface at low, if I recall.

And Thunderball is an amazing grotto lit from big holes in the roof where the sun shines in. Fish galore. However, it's often very crowded with humans at slack low. If you don't mind swimming a feet feet underwater to enter the grotto at slack high, you'll have the place to yourself, and just as many fish.

Please ignore if a double message appears ... my internet connection not the best

I saw a pic of a DC3 just under water and wondered if it's the same one?
Current ... that is interesting ... is this generally a problem in the Bahamas?

Thunderball sounds great and will certainly be the person to dive deeper to avoid crowds

[impi]

Originally Posted by GordMay

About Thunderball Grotto:

➥ Thunderball Grotto: Underwater Cave Diving in the Exuma Bahamas

➥ Out-Island Explorers: Thunderball Grotto

Wow Gord, thanks for the link ... looks stunning! I wonder how different it would be to the caves we have dived off Norman Island in the BVI's?

[impi]

Originally Posted by Katiusha

Not sure how old your kids are (internet is too horrendous at Lagoon Beach to check your blog), but the highlight of husband's daughter's stay with us was a visit to Atlantis waterpark in Nassau.

As far as waterparks go, this one is a winner for both adults and kids. Tons of very imaginative slides, rivers, etc together with amazing aquariums (where else would you see manta ray feeding), interesting decorations, and, if you're into that sort of thing, casino and entertainment in the evenings.

The catch is that the day pass is expensive (when we were there, it was $110 per child and $1?0 per adult).
BUT, if you stay in the Atlantis marina, the entry to the waterpark for all crew is free. We paid $120 per day for the marina stay including water, electricity, etc and got free water park passes for 4 people for each day. That's a very nice deal!!

Highly recommend it both for kids and adults

Hi Katiusha ... yeah, perhaps we should end our trip with a day of fun ... that would seal it off for the kids and have them one day in advance of the flights back. Thanks for this

[impi]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

I think you said you had 3-4 weeks , so maybe Acklin's if you like being away from the crowd. Havent been there but asked recently and there is a good post on that area and the wonderful snorkeling/hunting.
Of course all the usual stops from Nasau to G'town are wonderful for new guests too .... as mentioned.

I think it would be nice to have a blend ... Ana detests crowds ... I like people and meeting people ... the kids are socialites but also love the outdoors and Terry (my son) has his paddy so would like to do a dive or two with the tanks.

I heard someone speaking of swimming pigs somewhere in the Bahamas ... that would be cool for the kids to see!

[impi]

Originally Posted by Tia Bu

Nippers.... Sunday afternoon pig roast..... Just go there. The wiggly wet bikini dancing...

Andros is an island that didn't used to be much plagued by visiting yachtsmen. Spectacular reefs. Been a long time since I've been there, but I'd like to go back.

Yeah ... that sounds like fun ... Will put that on my list.
We are taking notes from everyone on the forum and doing a bit of research here and there. In the end we wont be able to do it all but we can then place markers on all the places we like and get the best route possible for our stay.
Ana and I will stay a bit longer so there may be things we do not see with the kids that we will check out afterwards.

Thanks for all the comments so far everybody ... we had heard there is not much to the Bahamas but now we are excited

[JusDreaming]

the pigs are at Big Majors Spot, which is good anchorage, and a dingy ride from staniel cay, and Thunder Ball Grotto. There is the "Staniel Divers" dive operation based there and they will take you out to some nice wall and drift dives. And yes there are tidal currents all through the exumas. Not a big deal just anchor accordingly.

[Katiusha]

Originally Posted by impi

Hi Katiusha ... yeah, perhaps we should end our trip with a day of fun ... that would seal it off for the kids and have them one day in advance of the flights back. Thanks for this

After spending time in Atlantis with her we ended up with a problem: she wouldn't visit unless we would stop somewhere comparable to Atlantis

... but she's slowly growing out of that


I would suggest getting to the marina right for 11 am so you could be in the park by 12 - there's a lot of stuff to do there. And don't forget to book the marina a few days in advance (better yet when you get airplane tickets). Restaurants are crazy expensive on Paradise Island, so in the evening we took a taxi to Fish Fry's. It's a local favorite with a bunch of fish shacks together, music, etc.