dman320

Going to stay at the Wyndham in Nassau Bahamas at the end of March.<BR>Is it worth it to bring my own snorkeling gear?<BR><BR>Any suggestions on where I should go snorkeling other than off the beach?<BR><BR>Also, any updated info on the status of Wyndham Hotel as I ve heard some pretty negative reviews regarding its renovations.<BR><BR>Thanks<BR>D.

rstrisik

I too am going to the Wyndham, in April, despite the varying reviews. Actually, for every bad one I've found a good one as well. I called the hotel and spoke to the manager who I felt was pretty honest with me concerning the renovations. They aren't going as fast as hoped due to the economy but they are underway. The pool area is almost completed and they're doing one floor at a time. If you get a renovated room- great, otherwise, the rooms are spacious but a little older. One positive from most reviewers has been the quality of the food. Even if you don't find the Wyndham restaurants to your liking, you've got the Radisson on one side and Nassau Beach on the other with more options. Johnny Canoes seems to get pretty good reviews from everyone. As far as snorkeling, we're bringing our own gear(masks/snorkel) just for hygiene reasons and so as to not rely on using their equipment. please post your experience once you return.

ppmundy

Last July my son and I stayed at the Nassau Beach Hotel next door to the Marriott which is now the Wyndham. We did not bring our own snorkeling equipment and wished we had because the sports shop seemed to close just about the time I wanted to rent their equipment. You really need to take a boat out to Stuart's Cove to get a really good snorkeling experience. I actually did not snorkel while we were there because of other activities planned. By the way, we ate breakfast every morning at Johnny Canoe's which is right next to the Nassau Beach Hotel. The food was very reasonable and good and the service was great. We had dinner a couple of times in the Marriott restaurants and that food was good too. Don't know what it's like now that it's a Wyndham. The pool at the Marriott/Wyndham is really pretty and there seemed to be a lot of activity going on in the afternoon, games and such. I liked the pool at the Nassau Beach Hotel better even though it's small because there weren't many people there. The two hotels were sister properties but may not be now. Be sure and take a jitney (local bus that costs $1 each way) into Nassau to go shopping at the straw market and the duty-free shops. And if you can, take a bus or cab across the bridge to Paradise Island to see Atlantis. It's breathtaking! Have a good time.<BR>pm

dman320

Thanks for the info!<BR>I will definitely let you know how my trip went when I get back 4/1/03<BR><BR>Looking forward to a good time.<BR><BR>

Robert

Try a reputable dive op. Many places to snorkel around New Providence. If you're hearty enough, rent a boat and snorkel on your own. Bahama Divers and others in Nassau are reputable. Here's some great snorkeling sites: Barracuda Shoals is 20 feet, three distinct reefs in a triangular formation. I scuba's this site for a reef survey but a few snorkelers hung above me on the surface. Red and blue fan and hard corals, with colorful sponges, and many barracuda, snapper, grunt and grouper. Defiinately snorkel Cannonball Reef, where the James Bond film was made. About 6 to 20 feet depth with Nassau Grouper congregations, coney and neat French and Grey Angelfish. Groups of parrotfish seen as well, with huge stands of elkhorn coral which probably made the hollywood film makers decide to film several Bond movies there. Ask a dive op if they'll take you to the LTC Barge, which is a WWII landing craft used to take freight from Nassau to Exuma.In the 50's, the barge took on water in a storm and sunk just off New Providence by Athol Island. Lies in 20 feet of water, with the wheelhouse only 3 feet below the surface. Great snorkeling here, but watch out because the ship is encrusted with fire coral...don't touch. Sponges and sea fans of all colors also there. Also off Athol Island by Nassau is Angelfish Reef, in 20 feet of water, heavily populated by my favorite fish, the bright yellow and black Rock Beauty and other angelfish like French and Grey. The fish are friendly and follow you around. Stingrays also will be seen here. Just NE of Paradise Island is the Fish Hotel...hit this too! In an overcast sky, I did a reef fish survey and the thousands of blue-stripped and french grunt literally lit up the dim light with their bright yellow color. Many purple, blue and green sea fans here as well. I could go on forever; people don't know about these places. Contact a dive op and name these sites specifically, if their going to them that day, don't miss the exursion. And bring an underwater camera, or ask the dive op if they make videos of your snorkeling experience. I left out about a dozen more sites, but not enough space. Hope this helps. Robert