girlonthego

Have any of you done the Helmet diving in Bermuda? Was it worth it and how deep was it? Also, has anyone done any great snorkel boat tours in Bermuda?

And lastly, the scooters.... How old do you have to be to drive single? Has it gotten more dangerous to drive these in the last few years. We will be at the Fairmont Southampton, and would head away from town and traffic. We have two teens and one is a licensed driver and one will be 15. Both are dying to try the scooters.

cmcfong

Hi girlonthego. I am a scuba diver and have been diving with Blue Water Divers near Somerset Bridge for years. They often take snorkelers on their dives. I do think they run a good operation.
You must be 16 to operate a cycle. I highly recommend Elbow Beach Cycle Rentals (even though you will be at Fairmont) because of their very thorough safety orientation. I have had a good experience with Oleander as well. Wheels and Smatts, not so good. After thirty plus years of riding, I still let them give me a full safety orientation and no one does it better than Mrs. Thomas at Elbow Beach Cycles.

girlonthego

Thanks. My 15 year old will be disappointed that she can't ride and her 16 year old sister can. LOL
I think we will skip diving boats. My DH will be too tempted to dive and he had a heart attack only 6 months ago. That is something I need for him to wait for.
We love the beach at Elbow and so visiting there and renting mopeds might be a perfect combo.
Have you ever done the Helmet diving?

girlonthego

Oh and what are the best beaches for snorkeling off the beach. Thanks!

cmcfong

I have never done the helmet diving. I can certainly appreciate why you would not want your husband doing it yet. I am glad he is recovering, but that is waaaay too soon to start diving.
I love to snorkel at Church Bay which is not too far from the Fairmont. It gets crowded, but it is nice. Tobacco Bay when the cruise ships are not in port in St. George's is also nice.

Have a wonderful time. It is going to be such fun!

girlonthego

We will plan to hit those two snorkel spots! Thanks. I think we went to church bay once before?
Yes he is recovering quite well. He is only 48 and was in great health so it was quite a shock in the first place. Taking all the medicine is a grind, but I am just so happy he is doing so well. He is an adventurous person and so being on a dive boat and not being able to go diving would be torture! We are just going to snorkel this year only, maybe next year for the diving
I am just so grateful to you for posting the special at the Fairmont here. Because of the economy, we were not planning on any big trips this year. Having the deal, made a trip possible. Besides, my DH loves Bermuda. So far, it is the only island he is eager to go back to.

cmcfong

I am so glad you were able to jump on the deal, girlonthego. You and DH deserve a special holiday. Last June I took a 15 year old and a 17 year old to Bermuda and they loved it! I hope your girls will as well. It is another world.

I hope his recovery continues and this is the start of a very happy chapter of life.

txgirlinbda

Just one little response - I'm a nurse here on the island and I deal with way too many tourist (and locals!) scooter accidents. Please think long and hard about putting your teenager on a scooter, especially if she's never ridden before. Here is not the place to try it for the first time.

girlonthego

thanks txgirlinbda. I will heed your warning. Last time we were on the island for a business trip, several adults ran into walls or bumped into things in a not so good way.
I rode on the back of DH's bike.

My teen that is 16 drives a car alone, but I know that the scooters are different. We may try them on a back road and see or maybe we will skip it. I am not one to be too daring with the kids.