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Dive Review of Grand Bahama Scuba/Ocean Reef Resort in
Bahamas/Freeport, Grand Bahama

Grand Bahama Scuba/Ocean Reef Resort: "Deja Vu: Still a great operation", Sep, 2016,

by Calvin Sprik, WI, US (Reviewer Reviewer 3 reports with 2 Helpful votes). Report 9374.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 4 stars Food 2 stars
Service and Attitude 4 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 4 stars
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments We returned to Grand Bahama Scuba after a long break because my now married with family kids were certified with Fred in 1996, and had not seen him since 2000. We combined a wedding with the diving and they chose a return trip to see Fred. Fred and his wife Melinda were invaluable in helping us find appropriate contacts for lodging at Ocean Reef, and the necessary arrangements for a wedding. Above and beyond what was expected!
Now the diving: There is one dive boat which is certainly adequate and since we had only 5 divers there was plenty of room. Fred and Melinda were efficient at having our gear ready to go after the first day. There is Nitrox available right at the dock. The dive shop is small, but packed with great merchandise. While we didn't need it, it looked like Fred could repair most anything in the back workshop. One of our group had only a handful of dives under he belt, and Fred and Melinda were great at getting him over his anxiety early on. None of the dives were strenuous, as we followed a tag line from the back of the boat to the front where the line was attached to the mooring ball. We just followed the line down to the dive site. Melinda is a fantastic photographer, and we received a thumb drive with great photos on it at the end for a few bucks. Fred knows a huge amount about marine life,history of the various wrecks and how they have changed with each hurricane, plus the nuances of living and doing business in the Bahamas. The boat ride to and from the dive sites was slow, unhurried, and gave time for talking and stories, and dive briefing.Since this was a family trip it was perfect for us.
I was pleasantly surprised at the health of the reef, since I had the (mis)understanding that it was pretty bad compared to other destinations. The sharks of course are the main attraction, and although we did not feed then, there were plenty to see up close at Shark Junction. The water was so clear, and the sharks so close that folks at home thought we Photo-shopped the pictures Melinda took. A rash guard was all we needed for diving the warm water.

We stayed right at Ocean Reef, and the room was clean, the restaurant adequate for breakfast, but we bought groceries for noon meals, and also ate out most meals in the evening. Port Lucaya had lots of options,both inexpensive and more upscale. Plenty of shopping too if that is your thing.

I think it would be very difficult to get by with taxis, and we did rent a van from Rick's at the airport since we had 7 in our group. Driving on the other side of the road was a bit hairy the first day, but after that it was kind of fun.
NOTE:
We left there 5 days before Freeport took a direct hit from Hurricane Matthew. I know that right now (November 2016)the Island utilities are still not totally up and running, and the Resort and dive shop sustained a lot of damage. Melinda keeps updating her Facebook page. I would recommend direct contact with them if planning a trip soon. They have been diving, but to what extent I cannot say.
Websites Grand Bahama Scuba   Ocean Reef Resort

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 501-1000 dives
Where else diving Cozumel, Roatan, Caymans, Bonaire, Hawaii, Belize, Aruba
Closest Airport Freeport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm
Water Temp 81-85°F / 27-29°C Wetsuit Thickness
Water Visibility 70-90 Ft/ 21-27 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Deepest dive was about 85 feet on this trip. Fine since I was on Nitrox.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

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

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

Subject Matter 3 stars Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's 3 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments No camera rinse tub on the boat. There is one at the dock.
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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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