Laurie

I am going to the Bahamas with my husband and two sons (11 & 9) for 5 nights Feb. 11th. Will be staying in Nassau and wondered what to pack other than our swim suits! We won't be doing any night clubs but my husband does want to check out the casino by our resort. We would like to snorkel,how is the equipment you can rent? Should we bring our own? I'm wondering if we should be prepared for cooler temps. I sure hope not, we live in WI and have enough of that!! But any tips on packing would be helpful, THANKS!!

Gail

You don't mention the name of your resort. Daytime dress in VERY casual. Depending on where you're staying, some people "dress" in the evening. Most nicer restaurants don't allow shorts in the dining room for dinner. Other than that, there are no real clothing rules. <BR>The temps. in Feb. might be cool. Last time I was there if Feb., it was too cool to be on the beach, but we were able to sit around the pool. Definitely bring a sweater or light jacket for the evenings.

Robert

It would be best to purchase good quality fins, mask and snorkel at a dive shop and tote it down with you. The fit nicely in a suitcase. Your best bet is to go on a snorkeling tour with a dive op to the great snorkeling reefs around New Providence. I highly recommend taking a jitney bus to south ocean and snorkel with Stuart's Cove. You will like Goulding Cay and another reef trip they do. The trip is topped off by the sunken boat called the Bahama Mama. They lower an enclosed bucket full of chum to the wreck, and Caribbean Reef Sharks are attracted to it. Then a line is thrown out, and you can jump in, holding onto the line and observe the sharks cruising around the bucket, 25 feet below you. They don't feed the sharks, but it's a thrill to see them glide below you. Stuarts Cove also will pick you up at your hotel, and deliver you back if you call them ahead of time. Cost of snorkeling trip was $44 per person, but get a coupon in the tourist papers for $10 off. I would also recommend you buy a 4-6 mil wetsuit, for two reasons. First, you will be warm as toast and second, you actually float on the water effortlessly. I took down my 6-mil wetsuit and floated for 30 minutes over the reefs, and actually almost went to sleep! No fear of drowning with the air trapped in neoprene wetsuits. You can call any dive op for snorkeling tours in downtown Nassau, too. As far as water temp, most of the snorkelers on the trip went in shirtless or with mere T-shirts. But, wetsuits are best. Have fun. Robert

Trish

Casual Wear is fine for day. Shorts, short sleeve shirts, sundresses. Nights are usually more elegant for dinner. Some places say dress shorts are ok. We were in the Bahama's a couple of years ago in February and I ended up buying a couple of sweatshirts down there to wear at night. We live in MN, so I understand what you are saying about the cooler weather. Bring a sweater!

Laurie

Thanks for the replys! We are staying at the Radisson on Cable Beach and opted for the all inclusive so I'm guessing we will eat there! May try Joe Canoe's (?) as so many have posted about it. We definetly will pack a sweatshirt, probably wear something like it on our flight down. Not sure about doing the shark thing! Saw Dateline last night and of course now I'm nervous!!! I just hope the weather isn't rainy and cold!!

Robert

Laurie; At the sake of sounding a worry wart; I must say the Bahamian waters have many sharks in them. I would reco you not have your family swim in the early am or at dusk. Sharks do feed at these times moreso than at other times. Most attacks occur in 5 or less feet of water, less than 80 feet from shore. Also, take all watches and shiny jewelry off before snorkeling.There have been only 2 fatal shark attacks in the entire Bahamas for decades, and these have been by beach areas. Snorkeling expeditions or even snorkeling to observe sharks pose no fatalities. Not to worry, the plane ride to the Bahamas is much more dangerous. Robert

Paula

Laurie -<BR>Let us know how the Radisson Cable Beach Resort was.