Hello!!

I am new to this board, and could really use your advice and help!! :0

I am planning a 10-11 day trip to the Bahamas for my husband and I in either March or April.

First - we LOVE snorkeling, are new divers, and also just LOVE marine life. So, I am basing most of our trip around getting to the best snorkeling and diving the Bahamas has to offer, with big marine life encounters.

Second - OK, here is the itinerary I am thinking of:

1) New York to Atlantis Resort. 3-4 days there.

2) Nassau to Long Island (Cape Santa Maria Resort?). 3 days there.

3) Long Island to Andros Island (Ti Amo Resort). 3-4 days there.

Third: What do you think of this itinerary? Too much or too little time on any of the islands?

We want to see Atlantis, but know there is great shark diving on New Providence Island as well, so that is why I am alotting enough time there.

Am I missing out on an island?

Lastly, there is a chance we may only be able to take a week off work - if so, which of the three islands should I cut out? Or, is doable in a week?

I know I have a lot of questions, but there are a lot of answers the guide books aren't providing me with.

Thank you SO much for your help and advice!!

Happy Holidays!!

Wow! Interesting itinery but sometimes with traveling, "Less is More." But, to save much time, you can get a dive operation to pick you up and deliver you back to the Atlantis. I'm sure you've heard of Stuart's Cove, and their shark rodeo dive, but it is on South Ocean. You could also go with Bahama Divers; they will pick you up and return, and take you to the Lost Blue Hole dive, which was discovered when they filmed the James Bond movies. My wife and I dove with a Dive Master down into the Lost Blue Hole, which is about 40 feet underwater. Around the rim are scattered coral patch reefs, with Barracuda, Sargeant Majors, Atlantic Spadefish, Brown Chromis, southern stingrays and nurse sharks hang out. They take you down into the Blue Hole, and about 40+ Caribbean Reef Sharks passed us as we descended, some quite close. You go down to a ledge about 30 feet down into the Blue Hole, which is several hundred feet deep, and regroup. Then you swim across the Blue Hole, which is at least 100 feet wide to the other side, and ascend back up to the rim. The Reef Sharks you disturb, and which exited the Blue Hole can be seen above, at the surface. You see sharks in their natural state with the Lost Blue Hole dive, and Bahama Divers specializes in it. Plus, they shoot a video of you during the dive. For artificial feeding and seeing sharks up close, Stuart's Cove offers a shark feed. If you love marine life, you must dive Thunderball and Cannonball reefs, in only 20 feet of water. It is often taken after the Lost Blue Hole dive as the shallower dive. Several James Bond movies were filmed here as well; the Hollywood producers had to return to them. Both reefs are right together, and huge coral stands begin at 6 feet and slope down to 20 feet. Numbers of Nassau Groupers, Angelfish, parrotfish, wrasse and colorful sponges and coral are dense in this area. You can snorkel here, too. On Long Island, there are a half dozen excellent dive sites in the northern part, but Cape Santa Maria Resort has a dive op they work with. We haven't been there yet, but want to. In fact, we sent for a free video of Santa Maria, and get the impression it is a place to really relax ("bring a book place&quot. Can't help you much with Andros; haven't been there, yet. Hope this helps. Robert

Hi!!

I'm so sorry I am so late getting back to you!

Thank you SO much for your help - the diving sounds UNBELIEVABLE!!

We are so excited.

I think you are correct about "less is more" - we are thinking of possibly taking Andros out, and sticking with two islands. I don't want to waste our precious days traveling.

If anyone has anymore info. that would be great!!

You might want to think about Harbour Island instead of Long Island. There are several nice places to stay and there are 2 dive operations on island and some amazing dive sites in the area.

You can fly or take a ferry from Nassau and that way you are not spending a whole day traveling.

Have a great time.

What places on Harbour island would compare to CSM and it's beach for under 300 a night?? Thanks in advance.
jb

Sorry don't know CSM, but I would suggest Runaway Hill as a nice place to stay. It's small only 10 rooms and it has a lovely porch overlooking the deck/pool area and of course the most amazing stretch of pink sand beach.

The food there is the best on island we think, and we've been going to Harbour Island since the late 80's whenever we can get away.

You might try the www.briland.com for more info on the island and other nice places to stay.

Hope this helps and if you have any other questions, let us know.

Thanks, we are looking for something on the beach, is Runaway on the beach?

Yes John Runaway is right on the beach, with a great view of the ocean from the porch. You might try the Runaway website for pictures and more info. www.runawayhill.com.

I've heard that Runaway Hill is kind of like staying in someone's house, and they want you to wear a dinner jacket for dinner. And it seems only one person here recommends it over and over and over, as if they're trying to drum up business for it. Cape Santa Maria Resort's pictures of the beach look really great, has anyone been there?

I found Harbour Island in 1986 and go back whenever I can. Runaway is like staying in someone's home, that's what makes it nice to me. There are only 10 rooms so it is very small and intimate, and I recommend it to people looking to get away to a nice resort without the big crowds. The food is excellent as is the service. Jackets are not required for dinner. I think the only restaurant I know of in the Bahamas that require jackets is Greycliff in Nassau. Some of the restaurants at the Atlantis or Ocean Beach may also, but the the outislands are more laid back.