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Dive Review of Stuart Coves/Nassau Beach Hotel in
Bahamas/Nassau/New Providence

Stuart Coves/Nassau Beach Hotel, May, 2006,

by Arik Olson, NY, USA (Sr. Reviewer Sr. Reviewer 7 reports). Report 2462.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 3 stars Food 3 stars
Service and Attitude 3 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 3 stars Shore Diving 2 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 2 stars
Comments I decided to return to Nassau for a long weekend of diving because it is convenient to get to and inexpensive and has other attractions (beaches, golf) for my non-diving partner. A local friend informed me that Dive Dive Dive had gone out of buisness and Nassau Scuba Center was no longer reliable. Having read the reviews I was prepared to be dissapointed with Stuart Coves.

I was pleasantly surprised with my experience diving with Stuart Coves. The dive sites were decent (nice reefs and walls, many wrecks) and I was placed on a boat with more experienced divers. The boat was 42 feet, well layed out, with 10-14 divers and 4 or 5 staff members. The staff on the boat included a captain, 2 divemasters, a photographer, and a helper.

There was a large emphasis on safety in this operation which on the plus side includes things like O2 on board and a written sign in roll call before leaving dock and after each dive. On the negative side of safety they do suggest resrtictions like 30 minutes bottom time and 100 feet max depth. I noticed that once when the divemaster giving the briefing (intentionally?) neglected to mention the time restriction one of the divers spoke up ("what's the maxiumum bottom time on this dive?") forcing the divemaster to suggest 45 minutes. I understand that because of the large number of inexperienced divers they handle they have to operate this way.

My favorite divesite was Razorback wall which was a well developed and healthy reef a 20 minute boat ride south of the island. I saw some nice Macro stuff on a numer of the shipwrecks. The sea was choppy one day and still the others, there was current on only one dive (during the full moon). In summary I think this is a good place for a beginner or intermediate diver to dive, particularly if they don't mind the emphasis on safety.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 51-100 dives
Where else diving Cozumel, Monterey, Bora Bora, Out Island Bahamas
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, dry Seas calm, choppy, currents, noCurrents
Water Temp 79-82°F / 26-28°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 50-100 Ft/ 15-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions DEPTH: no computer 80 foot max was suggested, with computer they suggested 100 foot max depth
TIME: They did suggest 30 minutes bottom time for deep dives and 45 minutes for shallow dives
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks 1 or 2 Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles 1 or 2 Whales None
Corals 3 stars Tropical Fish 3 stars
Small Critters 2 stars Large Fish 3 stars
Large Pelagics 2 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 4 stars Boat Facilities 4 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities 4 stars
UW Photo Comments They did have a dedicated rinse tank for cameras and explained why
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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