2000 Chapbook

Grenada's as lush as Caribbean islands get, with great local food, an extraordinary beach, friendly people, and the most picturesque capitol in the Caribbean. Sadly, diving is only average, with one exception: the biggest wreck in the Caribbean, the Bianca C.,a 592-foot liner that burned in 1962 and was towed offshore to die, lies a mile off the beach. Unfortunately, it's not fertile ground for coral or fish, and the surface current is often strong enough to splay you on the downline, but if this vessel ever grew coral and attracted fish, it would be an unparalleled Caribbean dive.... Grenada is south of Barbados and out of the hurricane belt, though it's pelted by summer rains, which is why it's so lush. A fine way to visit the old Caribbean, get in a little no-hassle reef diving, sit in the sun, and drink rum in the rum houses along a harrowing perimeter road which is about as safe as a Boston turnpike on St. Paddy's Day. Hire a cab preferably the singing cab driver who hangs out at the Ramada....

Dive Grenada/Grand Anse/Eco Tours/Spice Island Dive/Gem Holiday Resort, December 1998, Donald Johnson, Dover DE. Vis: 70- 100. Tried 3 shops. Dive Grenada ranks last: small old boat with no facilities or (even water); advanced divers put with first time beginners, give credit for best excuses. The best on is Grand Anse/Eco Tours. First year owner, David, runs place like he's done it for years letting you know you are important. Boat handles 10 with facilities, rarely 4 divers. Morning and afternoon dive, $35@. Spice Island Dive in business 6 months and good intentions but still new. Diving better than reported in two articles I found (I've dived throughout the Caribbean). Although big animals weren't present, I counted 33 different common fish, with schools of king mackerel, spotted eel snakes, huge lobster and 5-6 foot nurse sharks. Free swimming spotted morays everywhere! No night diving they did not want to do it. Bianca C.is deep and awesome. Its 600-foot length emits a loud creaking sound of metal twisting after 40 years at 130'. Trip to islands north of main island is a must at $75 reminds you of the pinnacles at Cocos. One sad note: on arrival told of diver death on Bianca with Dive Granada, conflicting stories late party night before. (P.O. Box 771, St. George's, Grenada; Telephone 473-444-1092; Fax 473-444-5875)

Scuba Express/True Blue Bay, August 1999, Ellen Adams, Francestown, NH. Vis: 50-70 ft, Water: 84-86 degrees. Restriction: Depth and air. True Blue Bay. Renovations in the works. Russ and Magdalena wonderful hosts, do a great job. Room nice. Full kitchen, living room and king-size bed. Great porch with hammock. No screens. Need bug repellent. Food great. Scuba Express had boat troubles but we missed no dives. 6 divers and one divemaster and captain made for crowded boat. No head but 02 on board and water. Dives all drifts. Derrick was excellent divemaster. Asked that we stay at certain depth and let him know when we were at 1000 psi then 500 psi. Good dives. (Scuba Express Grenada-West Indies; True Blue Inn, Box #308, St. George's, Grenada, West Indies; Tel: (809) 444 2133; e-mail: trueblue@caribsurf.com; http://www.skyviews.com/scuba/index.html)