News
Neal Watson’s Bimini Scuba Centre is on the move
Bimini, The Bahamas – Locally owned Neal Watson’s Bimini Scuba Centre announced today that it will officially be moving its scuba diving operation from South Bimini to Bimini Big Game Club Resort & Marina on North Bimini. Both companies expect this partnership to improve the complete guest experience and widen its customer base. In addition to Neal Watson’s Bimini Scuba Centre’s reputable Great Hammerhead Shark Safaris and Scuba Diving Packages, the dive shop will now also offer a variety of water sports and excursions for non-divers including Kayak Tours, Stand-up Paddle Board Tours and Sunset Cruises. Plans to open a Neal Watson’s Bimini Scuba Centre retail space in the near future have also been discussed. With Bimini Big Game Club’s support, Neal Watson’s Bimini Scuba Centre also looks forward to implementing several green, or rather “blue”, business practices to reduce the operation’s local environmental footprint. Plans to implement a paperless check-in process and the use of reusable, 100% recycled water bottles on-board the dive boat are in motion.
“Who could have dreamed that when I started the first dive operation in Bimini in 1975 that it would come full circle and my son, Neal Watson II, would be running the family business over 40 years later. What makes it even more exciting is being part of the newly remodelled Bimini Big Game Club!” comments Neal Watson Senior. Neal Watson’s Bimini Scuba Centre (then doing business as Neal Watson’s Undersea Adventures) opened its first scuba diving operation in Bimini in 1975 at the Bimini Yacht Club on South Bimini. For over forty years, Neal Watson’s Bimini Scuba Centre has had a presence in Bimini and as such, has played an essential role in building the reputation of Bimini and The Bahamas as a top dive destination. More recently, Neal Watson’s Bimini Scuba Centre has become well known for its Great Hammerhead Shark Safari. As the first scuba diving operation to offer this safari, Neal Watson’s Bimini Scuba Centre has set the bar when it comes to safety standards for both divers and sharks alike.
Not only has the Great Hammerhead Shark Safari been good for local tourism, but it has also contributed to a profound amount of awareness regarding the protection of these magnificent and endangered creatures.
Neal Watson’s Bimini Scuba Centre operates a 55-foot glass bottom dive boat well-suited to accommodate divers, snorkelers and sightseers alike. In addition to reefs, wrecks and wall diving, Neal Watson’s Bimini Scuba Centre will continue to offer Great Hammerhead Shark, Wild Dolphin, Reef Shark and Sting Ray Safaris. PADI certifications and courses will also be available. For more information regarding all of Neal Watson’s Bimini Scuba Centre, please visit www.biminiscubacenter.com
Located 50 miles east of the Miami/Fort Lauderdale coastline, The Bimini Big Game features 51 modern and comfortable guest rooms and suites located in a central building facing the sea, plus six cottages. The property also features a 75-slip marina with Bahamian customs and immigration clearance built to accommodate vessels up to 140-feet long. Resort guest amenities include a fresh water swimming pool, complimentary Wi-Fi and 3 on-property dining experiences. Air service to Bimini is conveniently available from Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Nassau (NAS).
For more information regarding Bimini Big Game Club Resort & Marina, please visit www.biggameclubbimini.com
To learn more about Neal Watson’s Bimini Scuba Centre’s move to Bimini Big Game Club, please contact: Leesa Fountain, Media Relations for Neal Watson’s Bimini Scuba Centre Tel +1 (242) 465 9363 I Email leesa@biminiscubacenter.com I Web www.biminiscubacenter.com
Photos & Video: Frogfish Photography
Gear News
Scubapro Free Octopus Promotion 2024
Free Octopus with every purchase of a SCUBAPRO regulator system
Just in time for the spring season, divers can save money with the FREE OCTOPUS SPRING PROMOTION! Until July 31st SCUBAPRO offers an Octopus for free
with every purchase of a regulator system!
Get a free S270 OCTOPUS with purchase of these combinations:
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with A700
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MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with D420
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Get a free R105 OCTOPUS with purchase of the following combinations:
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with G260
MK25 EVO or MK17 EVO with S600
SCUBAPRO offers a 30-year first owner warranty on all regulators, with a revision period of two years or 100 dives. All SCUBAPRO regulators are of course certified according to the new European test standard EN250-2014.
Available at participating SCUBAPRO dealers. Promotion may not be available in all regions. Find an authorized SCUBAPRO Dealer at scubapro.com.
More information available on www.scubapro.com.
Blogs
Northern Red Sea Reefs and Wrecks Trip Report, Part 3: The Mighty Thistlegorm
Jake Davies boards Ghazala Explorer for an unforgettable Red Sea diving experience…
Overnight, the wind picked up, making the planned morning dive a bit bumpy on the Zodiacs to the drop point on Thomas Reef. There, we would dive along the reef before descending through the canyon and then passing under the arch before ascending the wall with a gentle drift. The site provided great encounters with more pelagic species, including shoals of large barracuda, tuna, and bigeye trevally.
Once back on the boat, it was time to get everything tied down again as we would head back south. This time, with the wind behind us, heading to Ras Mohammed to dive Jackfish Alley for another great gentle drift wall dive before then heading up the coast towards the Gulf of Suez to moor up at the wreck of the Thistlegorm. This being the highlight wreck dive of the trip and for many onboard, including myself, it was the first time diving this iconic wreck. I had heard so much about the wreck from friends, and globally, this is a must on any diver’s list. Fortunately for us, there was only one other boat at the site, which was a rarity. A great briefing was delivered by Ahmed, who provided a detailed background about the wreck’s history along with all the required safety information as the currents and visibility at the site can be variable.
Kitting up, there was a lot of excitement on deck before entering the water and heading down the shoreline. Descending to the wreck, there was a light northerly current which reduced the visibility, making it feel more like the conditions that can be found off the Welsh coast. At 10m from the bottom, the outline of the wreck appeared as we reached the area of the wreck which had been bombed, as our mooring line was attached to part of the propeller shaft. Arriving on deck, instantly everywhere you looked there were many of the supplies which the ship was carrying, including Bren Carrier tanks and projectiles that instantly stood out.
We headed around the exterior, taking a look at the large propeller and guns mounted on deck before entering the wreck on the port side to take a look in the holds. It was incredible to see all the trucks, Norton 16H, and BSA motorcycles still perfectly stacked within, providing a real snapshot in time.
Overall, we had four dives on the Thistlegorm, where for all of the dives we were the only group in the water, and at times, there were just three of us on the whole wreck, which made it even more special, especially knowing that most days the wreck has hundreds of divers. Along with the history of the wreck, there was plenty of marine life on the wreck and around, from big green turtles to batfish, along with shoals of mackerel being hunted by trevally. Some unforgettable dives.
The final leg of the trip saw us cross back over the Suez Canal to the Gobal Islands where we planned to stay the night and do three dives at the Dolphin House for the potential of sharing the dive with dolphins. The site, which included a channel that was teeming with reef fish, especially large numbers of goatfish that swam in large shoals along the edge of the reef. These were nice relaxing dives to end the week. Unfortunately, the dolphins didn’t show up, which was okay as like all marine life they are difficult to predict and you can’t guarantee what’s going to be seen. With the last dive complete, we headed back to port for the final night where it was time to clean all the kit and pack before the departure flight the next day.
The whole week from start to finish on Ghazala Explorer was amazing; the boat had all the facilities you need for a comfortable week aboard. The crew were always there to help throughout the day and the chefs providing top quality food which was required after every dive. The itinerary providing some of the best diving with a nice mixture of wreck and reef dives. I would recommend the trip to anyone, whether it’s your first Red Sea liveaboard in the Red Sea or you’re revisiting. Hopefully, it’s not too long before I head back to explore more of the Red Sea onboard Ghazala Explorer.
To find out more about the Northern Red Sea reef and wrecks itineraries aboard Ghazala Explorer, or to book, contact Scuba Travel now:
Email: dive@scubatravel.com
Tel: +44 (0)1483 411590
Photos: Jake Davies / Avalon.Red
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