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Dive Review of Aquanauts Grenada/True Blue Bay Resort in
Grenada

Aquanauts Grenada/True Blue Bay Resort, Apr, 2012,

by David Wolf, ID, US ( 2 reports). Report 6589.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 5 stars Food 5 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments I found Aquanauts to be a well run, safe and responsive dive operation. Large spacious boats that were never crowded. Always two and sometimes three divemasters on each trip. Tank fills were generous. Leave your fins home, they have plenty. It was evident that they met requests from some divers to have a divemaster essentially with them. Most days we picked up divers and an additional divemaster at a second location but it didn't have much impact as it was on the way to most dive sites. Most of the diving was done on the west side of the SW tip of the island where the soft corals were great and visibility better. Numerous small wrecks were explored. Dive sites to the south had a bit less visibility and more current (Bianca C) but no real problem to deal with. Bruce, Paul, Chris and Jesse were great at finding all sorts of stuff that I just never seem to see. The staff quickly learned everyone's names and skill levels.

Dive operation stressed safety. Dive briefings used a sort of "flashcard" to highlight aspects of each dive and describe what to expect and see. Entry was by giant stride off the back. There was a roll call as soon as everyone was on-board and immediately after every dive. Lead divemaster always used a reel and float. After the first day I didn't have to touch my gear. The crew rinsed and stored gear bags and set up tanks every morning. The wetsuit I left hanging to dry every day was put in the locked gear room each day for me.

An afternoon dive was offered daily but in the 9 days I was there I don't think it ever went out. Seems like most everyone was satisfied with the morning 2 tank and then went off to explore Grenada (there seemed to be a number of non-diving spouses) or relaxed at the pool. Also the morning dive trip usually didn't get back until about 30 minutes brfore the afternoon dive was scheduled.

True Blue Bay Resort is a very nice hotel. Large rooms. Mine had a full kitchen, king sized bed and walk-in shower. The dive shop is on the lower level of the hotel just steps away from the rooms. There were several nice pools. Contrary to one report I read, hotel and restaurant staff were extremely attentive and helpful. They already knew my name at check in. The restaurant had a good menu and was reasonably priced. They didn't gouge you on beer prices like many resorts do. The included full breakfast had made to order omlettes, fresh fruit, cereals, etc. Internet access was available in the lobby for those of us who don't feel the need to carry laptops everywhere. For snacks etc. there is a pharmacy/store just up the road towards the highway that has a good selection and was cheaper than the supermarket in town. For a change of scenery and restaurant, walk out towards the highway and drop down to Da Big Fish restaurant. Good food and prices. There is another restaurant next to the pharmacy but I didn't try it.

To get from True Blue into St. Georges you either have to take a taxi or walk out to the main highway and get a bus. If you don't mind a little 20 minute walk, there is a great price difference. I think the taxi was something like $20US. The busses were $1US. The thing you need to know is that the "busses" are actually oversize mini-vans with the route number on the windshield. But don't expect a bus like you'd see in the US. Just stand by the road and look like a tourist and one will be by to check and see if you need a ride (usually by honking at you) within a minute or so. Most tourists seem to default to taxis rather than try the busses but they are easy and numerous. The bus terminal in St. Georges is a site to be seen, structured chaos.

I limited my island touring to an afternoon in St. Georges and a day at the Grand Etang National Park. You can walk around St. Georges and see most everything in an afternoon. Grand Etang can be crowded on cruise ship day but consider taking the walk around the lake, none of the cruise ship folks do. BEWARE, the trail is VERY muddy. Use the busses to go to Grand Etang rather than a tour operator. It's cheaper (you can do the whole day for $10US) and you'll simply love, and be glad you survived, the bus ride up to the park from the bus terminal. Don't waste any time looking for the monkeys around the lake, they hang out in the tree next to the snack shop.
Websites Aquanauts Grenada   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 51-100 dives
Where else diving [Unspecified]
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm
Water Temp 80-84°F / 27-29°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 50-70 Ft/ 15-21 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile ?
Enforced diving restrictions Dive plan discussed in advance with time and depth targets. Given a lot of flexibility within that. Experienced divers with reels allowed to dive on their own.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks 1 or 2 Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 4 stars Tropical Fish 3 stars
Small Critters 3 stars Large Fish 1 stars
Large Pelagics 1 stars

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

Subject Matter 4 stars Boat Facilities 5 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities 5 stars
UW Photo Comments There weren't many UWPs at the time but boats all had large tables and separate rinse tanks for cameras.
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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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