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Dive Review of Sharkys & Felipe's diving/Nirvanna Inn & Sol Caribe in
Colombia/San Andres & Providencia

Sharkys & Felipe's diving/Nirvanna Inn & Sol Caribe, Jan, 2004,

by Tracey Bennett, NV, USA . Report 1309 has 1 Helpful vote.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 1 stars Food 1 stars
Service and Attitude 2 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 3 stars Shore Diving 1 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 1 stars
Advanced 1 stars
Comments I'm always looking for a new adventure and thought that San Andres and Providencia might be the "undiscovered diving mecca" that I'd previously read about. Unfortunately, I learned that sometimes there is a reason places are undiscovered.

The Nirvana Inn at San Andres was delapidated and dirty, complete with exposed wires, water damaged ceilings,and chipped paint. We were told the staff did paint and clean our room for hours before our arrival and except for the broken out glass in the bathroom window, it looked much better than the rest of the resort.

The bar had not been in operation for some time and kitchen did not stock sodas, snacks etc. A 15 minute cab ride into town into town easily solved this dilemma. The food was adequate at best although the staff did try hard to work with what was available.

I actually could have seen past the poor accomodations if the diving had been good but I was very disappointed. The time of year could have significantly reduced the visability and been the cause for choppy surgey water but the fish and critter life was extremely sparse. There were beautiful sponges and gorgonians.

We didn't cancel the rest of the trip, thinking that Povidencia must be better. The Sol Caribe was clean and in close proximity to markets and restaurants. They had a bar and laundry service,and the buffet style meals were much better than Nirvana. We lunched at Martin's place which was excellent.

The diving was not good, with very choppy water and low visability. There were huge beautiful barrel sponges and walls lined with tube and vase sponges but hardly any fish at all. Felipe,the owner of Felipe's Place was friendly and accomodating.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 251-500 dives
Where else diving Fiji, Palau, Yap, Honduras, Belize, Costa Rica, Hawaii, Indonesia,
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather rainy, cloudy Seas choppy, surge
Water Temp 0-0°F / -18--18°C Wetsuit Thickness 5
Water Visibility 40-50 Ft/ 12-15 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Both Sharkys dive shop and Felipe's diving required buddies, reccommended max. depth, however allowed you to dive your own profile once the became comfortable with your ability
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

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

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

Subject Matter 1 stars Boat Facilities 1 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 1 stars Shore Facilities 1 stars
UW Photo Comments You're on your own.
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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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