 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
DiveTulsa
Grand Bahama/UNEXSO Trip
Reefs, Dolphins, Wrecks, Caverns, Sharks
Easy but wonderful...
March 17th – 24th 2007 (Sat to Sat)
Grand Bahama Island and UNEXSO offer one of the most pleasant and easy trips we've ever had.
Relaxed pace but not slow service. Inspiring staff, short boat rides, critters that you'll fall in love with.
The diving has everything, reefs, dolphins, sharks, wrecks (yes, wreck class!) and caverns. The dive staff is friendly, professional and frankly, inspiring.
UNEXSO has a huge shop, huge pool, outdoor cafe and an atmosphere that you just want to be a part of.
UNEXSO aerial view
UNEXSO and the 17' deep pool
UNEXSO viewed from the harbor pier
UNEXSO's Cafe
UNEXSO's shop - (this shows about 1/8th of it)
You'll fall in love with the dolphins!
Shark feeding
- That's the feeder in the photo, we watch from a safe distance away
Diving in Ben's Cavern
Theo's Wreck
Reefs, Dolphins, Wrecks, Caverns, Sharks
5 days of UNEXSO boat diving, totaling 10 dives.
Planned dive schedule:
March 17th:
Arrival, welcome, and orientation at 6:00pm at UNEXSO
March 18th:
-
AM Two tank dive trip
March 19th:
- AM: Dolphin dive for first group, 2 tank dive on other boat for remainder of group. The dolphin dive has a max of 10 divers per dive. This is why it is split into 2 groups.
- PM: 1 Tank dive
- Night dive
March 20th:
-
AM Two tank dive
- PM Shark dive
March 21st:
- AM Dolphin dive for the remaining group that didn't do the dolphins on the first dive
- AM Two tank dive for remainder of group that did the dolphins the first time
March 22nd:
Cavern dive + picnic day at the beach
The whole group is transported to Ben's Cavern, and nearby beach touted to be the most beautiful beach on the island for a provided picnic lunch, swimming and snorkeling. 4 at a time will go on a guided cavern dive . When not diving you can be on the beach and exploring.
March 23rd:
-
AM Two tank dive
March 23rd evening:
Farewell party at UNEXSO, eats & a couple drinks included.
Note: More night dives and others dives can be added if you wish. This is what we believe is the best overall schedule.
UNEXSO
Underwater Explorers Society
UNEXSO is one of the oldest dive resorts around, it was founded in 1965. That history is apparent when you walk around the shop and see the historic displays. It is a very large facility that has diving, swimming, food, shopping and just the right environment for divers to spend time between dives or even after diving.
There are always divers hanging around UNEXSO for a chat over a coke, sandwich or a meal right within sight of the boats.
At UNEXSO there is always something to see and do, people to meet and talk to.
UXEXSO has an enormous dive shop, rental gear area, gear washing facilities, gear lockers for guests, full showers and bathrooms.
UNEXSO's Dive-In Bar & Grill is a great place for breakfast and lunch, or simply for a relaxing and refreshing drink. They serve good food like great burgers cooked to your liking, a tasty Grilled Chicken Caesar, and Conch Fritters cooked the Bahamian way
UNEXSO's 4,500 square foot retail store, Sun & Sea Outfitters, offers endless browsing for just the right shirt, souvenir or that scuba item that you forgot. The store is loaded with great vacation items from apparel to beach-wear to sunglasses and snorkeling equipment.
Only at UNEXSO can you swim and interact with trained dolphins in the open ocean environment. You'll begin this once in a lifetime experience in a boat with our dolphins following you out into the ocean and leaping alongside the boat. Then you'll enter the water and interact with our dolphins in their natural element of the open ocean. You'll be shown hand signals and the dolphins will come right up to you inviting you to pet them and interact in other ways.
Dolphin programs are available for non-divers too including children. There are even all-day programs for kids to come assistant dolphin trainers.
UNEXSO pioneered shark diving almost 20 years ago and was the first to offer shark diving on Grand Bahama Island. Our staff are considered experts in shark behavior and conservation and will organize an up close and personal experience with the sharks at UNEXSO's Shark Junction. The expanded pre-dive briefing dispels the misconceptions about sharks, covers information about shark behavior and highlights interesting facts about these misunderstood creatures. During the dive, you'll observe these magnificent creatures as our experienced staff feeds and interacts with sharks of all sizes. You will come away from the experience with a new appreciation of these beautiful animals and understand the need for increased conservation's measures
More information on UNEXSO:
http://www.unexso.com/
Reception area of Pelican Bay
Pelican Bay Courtyard (from the water)
Pelican Bay Courtyard close up
Pelican Bay Room
Public Beach at Lucaya
Pelican Bay Hotel
A mixture of Caribbean island flavor and European architecture combine to create the Pelican Bay Hotel and Suites.
The rooms look out onto the courtyard that has a pool, jacuzzi, bar and gardens. Just beyond the pool is the waterway that leads to the harbor. You can watch boats go back and forth all day long.
General info on the rooms:
Rooms:
All rooms are 640 square feet with Italian-tiled floors, shower and tub and private balconies.
Rooms are equipped with two double beds or one king sized bed.
All rooms are fully air conditioned.
Each Pelican Bay room is equipped with a coffee maker. Prepackaged coffee is provided each day in both regular and decaffeinated varieties.
Each room has two luxurious cotton bath robes as well as hair dryer, ironing board with iron and in-room safe.
Complimentary al fresco continental breakfast is served daily from 7:00 am until 10:30 am.
Laundry machines are available for guest use.
In-room baby sitting can be arranged through the front desk. A minimum of 24 hours notice is required.
Business Services
We offer complimentary 24-hour wireless internet access, a printer and copier in our business office. High speed wireless internet access is offered resort wide; a fee applies.
Other amenities:
Tour desk on site to accommodate guest requests.
Use of the Westin Our Lucaya Resort's beach amenities and facilities.
More information on the Resort:
http://www.pelicanbayhotel.com/
UNEXSO is located at Lucayan Harbor on the left side of this map
Grand Bahama Island
Freeport/Lucaya, the capital of Grand Bahama, and the second largest city in the Islands of The Bahamas, the city was built expressly for tropical fun. It is the site of many of the tourist beaches and activities, as well as the International Bazaar and Port Lucaya Marketplace.
The trade winds that blow almost continually throughout The Islands of The Bahamas give the islands a warm, agreeable climate which varies little year round. The most refreshing time is between September through May, when the temperature averages 70-75F degrees. The rest of the year is a bit warmer with temperatures between 80-85F degrees.
.
Some island details:
English is the official language.
Electricity runs on 120 Volts/60 Cycles, compatible with North American appliances
Eastern Time zone with Daylight savings observed April - October.
The Official Currency is the Bahamian dollar (B$1), which is equivalent in value to the US dollar. Both US and Bahamian dollars are accepted interchangeably throughout the islands.
Entry Requirements : All visitors must hold a round trip ticket, valid passport.
More information on Grand Bahama in general:
http://www.grand-bahama.com/
http://www.the-bahama-islands.com/island maps/freemap5.html
Shopping, dining, refreshments all just a short walk away...
This picturesque waterfront marketplace and marina has something for everyone.
Map of Port Lucaya Market Place, Grand Bahama (detailed with labeled businesses)
There is a full service marina that has over 100 large slips and a state-of-the-art fuel dock that is open 18 hrs. a day. From the marina you can find water sports and tour operators, fishing vessels, the Dolphin Experience and even a trip on a semi submarine. There are so many different options you will have a difficult time choosing what to do!
For the shopper in us all there is everything and anything you can think of from fine gems and jewelry to the local straw markets where you can watch some of the local craftsmen produce these wonderful souvenirs. Shopping at Port Lucaya offers world-wide imports and many duty free bargains.
Dining at the port. You can choose from a romantic dinner or a quick snack. Pick one of the many international restaurants like Greek, Italian or try something a bit different in one of our Bahamian restaurants. Some of the fine dining features waterfront or water view tables and ambiance. Others include views of the live entertainment in Count Basie Square. We have fast food (unfortunately) and US chains as well as gourmet dishes and Bahamian food that will help you experience the full flavor of our island.
Entertainment. There is live music and on some nights native shows in the Count Base Square, our native entertainment complex. Sit back with a cool tropical drink, enjoy the music and dancing, you can even join in and learn the local dance steps or a familiar one such as the Electric Slide. As a grand final watch as the limbo artists amaze you with there flexibility and balance.
Lucaya Harbor (UNEXSO on right)
UNEXSO Waterfront
Airport transportation is included
Breakfast included
Resort + diving:
Osprey Beach Hotel - 7 nights accommodations, double occupancy.
Suites are also available for those who want more than 2 to a room. Just ask for these rooms.
We've reserved rooms in the area of the hotel right next to UNEXSO.
5 days 10 planned dives, including transportation to the cavern/beach and beach picnic. This may not see like a ton of dives but three of the dives are longer than normal; cavern, dolphin and shark feeding. Tanks, weights included.
Nitrox is available to those who want it, $10 per tank.
Cost per diver: $1,490
Cost per non-diver: $890
Airfare:
As always, the airlines don't make it too easy.
Also as always, you are more than welcome to book your own air, using miles or however you wish or we'll do it for you. It's best to call or e-mail with questions etc.
Right now, online airfares are about $600 but we expect it to shift as time passes, just like previous trips.
Wreck Diver - We've engineered this trip to include enough wreck dives to complete this class.
Underwater photographer
Underwater videographer
As on all of our trips, specialty classes are conducted at cost on our trips.
Just let us know if you are interested! For trip participants, classes are conducted for the cost of materials.
To sign up
or ask questions
• Deposit of 1/3 of non-airline costs per person is needed to reserve your place at the resort and diving. The deposit is due Feb 1.
• Full payment is due by Feb 15.
• After Feb 15, we'll still do our best to book you but we have release any extra rooms and we'll just have to see what's available.
Airline fare must be paid when the ticket is booked if we book it for you.
Please note that booking late risks not having space or hotel rooms nearest to UNEXSO.