Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A
yacht
OF YOUR VERY OWN . . . SORT OF
M.Y. Bermuda IV,
No. 3 Stowe Hill in
Paget Parish (
&
441/232-7000;
www.
bermudaiv.com), is Bermuda's only live-
aboard scuba-diving charter yacht. Both
divers and underwater photographers
book charters aboard this luxury vessel
in one of three double en-suite state-
rooms. A highly trained chef prepares
gourmet meals, and the charter includes
up to five dives per day, as overseen by
6
a professional diving instructor. The cost
is $3,000 per person (6-8 person mini-
mum), including an accommodation for
5 nights and all meals and diving costs.
Even if you don't live aboard, it's possi-
ble to book the yacht at $500 per hour,
or else you can call and try to arrange a
dinner aboard the yacht, costing $100
per person for a gourmet five-course
meal, including cocktails, wine, and beer.
All dive shops display a map of wreck sites that you can visit; there are nearly 40
in all, the oldest of which dates to the 17th century. Although locals believe there may
be some 300 wrecks, the mapped sites are the best known and in the best condition.
Dive depths at these sites run 7.5 to 26m (25-85 ft.). Inexperienced divers may want
to stick to the wreck sites off the western coast, which tend to be in shallower
waters—about 9.5m (31 ft.) or less. These shallow wreck sites are popular with snor-
kelers as well.
Many hotels have their own watersports equipment. If yours doesn't, the outfitters
below rent equipment.
Note:
Spearfishing is not allowed within 1.5km (1 mile) of any shore, and spear
guns are not permitted in Bermuda.
Bermuda Scuba
This is one of the island's leading dive operators. It offers a
popular “Discover Scuba” resort course that is $200 for 3 hours and begins daily at
10:15am at Hamilton and 1:15pm at Southampton. Course participants get to com-
plete a shallow-water scuba dive by the end of the day. All dives are from a 12m
(39-ft.) boat. A two-tank dive, including a view of a shipwreck and the exploration of
a reef in 7.5 to 9m (25-30 ft.) of water, costs $135 (equipment not included). It is
$190 with equipment. This is a PADI, five-star center.
At the Fairmont Southampton, 101 South Rd., Southampton Parish; and the Fairmont Hamilton Princess,
76 Pitts Bay Rd., Pembroke Parish.
&
441/238-2332.
www.bermudascuba.com. Daily 8:30am-
4:30pm. Bus: 8.
Blue Water Divers & Watersports Ltd.
Bermuda's oldest and largest full-ser-
vice scuba-diving operation offers introductory lessons and half-day dives for between
$120 and $185. Daily one- and two-tank dive trips cost $80 and $120, respectively.
Snorkeling trips are $50. Full certification courses are available through PADI,
NAUI, and SSI. Equipment costs extra, and reservations are required. The outfitter
offers underwater scooters called DPVs or “diver propulsion vehicles.” This exciting
vehicle takes adventurers through underwater caves and canyons. Who knows? You
may even discover a shipwreck from long ago.
Robinson's Marina, Southampton Parish.
&
441/234-1034.
www.divebermuda.com. Daily 9am-5pm.
Bus: 7 or 8.
Triangle Diving
This outfitter appeals to the serious scuba diver and to the hel-
met diver alike. It sets out every day to explore the shipwrecks off the East End along
