Trip Report: Freeport, Grand Bahama with Unexso

Tienuts · 10th December 2007, 14:55

Just got back from a few CCR dives in Freeport, Grand Bahama.

On Friday, we got up early (05:00) and took a cab to the Discovery Cruise line in Fort Lauderdale. I had pre-assembled my Optima with AL20's, and put it in it's stormcase, cylinders filled, ready to dive. I also managed to stuff in the case, my AL19 bailout, fins, mask and wetsuit.

Once at the terminal, check-in was simple. The entire stormcase went through the x-ray machine. Security raised a few eyebrows at the Optima, but no questions, and no hassle.

At baggage check in, I was told the case was way to heavy for normal baggage. A $10 tip smoothed that over, and the case was loaded with the rest of the luggage.

We arrived in Freeport after a nice 4 hour cruise over. Bahamian customs gave the Optima a once-over, but let me through without hassle. A 30 minute cab ride and we arrived at our hotel - the Flamingo Bay. The Flamingo was located across the harbor from Unexso, but a ferry provided hourly trips back and forth for $5.00 round trip. The ferry was abut 50 feet from the hotel, and literally docked right next to Unexso.

We were scheduled to dive all day Saturday, however our AM trip had been canceled since we were the only ones who showed up for it.

The staff at Unexso had no problem or worries whatsoever with the Optima. Christina, the Dive Boss had told me they have been receiving numerous inquiries about CCR diving. They claim they would like to support it, but are currently trying to figure out how to get high pressure O2 for potential customers, and a fleet of rental cylinders. Many of the staff made comments "someday I'll get one, when I get a real job."

We did 2 dives - the Dolphin dive, and the shark dive - both were great close up encounters with the animals. I wish I could have done the wreck dives we had scheduled for the AM. Water temp was a nice 76 degrees.

So overall - the logistics of CCR diving in Freeport are not too hard, as long as you bring cylinders. For those in the Ft Lauderdale area, taking your filled cylinders on the Discovery is a great option. For longer trips, one could feasibly bring a Haskel, and boost the O2 they have available there. Absorbent could be borough or ship it directly to Unexso.

**sfldiver** · 10th December 2007, 16:19

That's definitely another great option for a quick weekend getaway for us South Florida divers. I was in Freeport once before and stayed at the Weston, which was right accross the street from UNEXSO, but I wasn't diving on that trip.

I've done the Stuart's Cove shark dive in Nassau, but I've always heard UNEXSO's dolphin and shark dives are nice and have always wanted to do them.

Any pictures (topside or underwater) or video of the activity?

Thanks for the info Tony!

***ScubaDadMiami*** · 10th December 2007, 16:19

Thanks for the info. Now, if only the Bahamamian authorities would get more of those ferries running to the places we want to go, we could really start to do some diving.

Tienuts · 10th December 2007, 17:01

Not too many of me on the Optima, but here:

10th December 2007, 14:55	#1 (permalink)
Tienuts Chief Prankster Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 221	Trip Report: Freeport, Grand Bahama with Unexso Just got back from a few CCR dives in Freeport, Grand Bahama. On Friday, we got up early (05:00) and took a cab to the Discovery Cruise line in Fort Lauderdale. I had pre-assembled my Optima with AL20's, and put it in it's stormcase, cylinders filled, ready to dive. I also managed to stuff in the case, my AL19 bailout, fins, mask and wetsuit. Once at the terminal, check-in was simple. The entire stormcase went through the x-ray machine. Security raised a few eyebrows at the Optima, but no questions, and no hassle. At baggage check in, I was told the case was way to heavy for normal baggage. A $10 tip smoothed that over, and the case was loaded with the rest of the luggage. We arrived in Freeport after a nice 4 hour cruise over. Bahamian customs gave the Optima a once-over, but let me through without hassle. A 30 minute cab ride and we arrived at our hotel - the Flamingo Bay. The Flamingo was located across the harbor from Unexso, but a ferry provided hourly trips back and forth for $5.00 round trip. The ferry was abut 50 feet from the hotel, and literally docked right next to Unexso. We were scheduled to dive all day Saturday, however our AM trip had been canceled since we were the only ones who showed up for it. The staff at Unexso had no problem or worries whatsoever with the Optima. Christina, the Dive Boss had told me they have been receiving numerous inquiries about CCR diving. They claim they would like to support it, but are currently trying to figure out how to get high pressure O2 for potential customers, and a fleet of rental cylinders. Many of the staff made comments "someday I'll get one, when I get a real job." We did 2 dives - the Dolphin dive, and the shark dive - both were great close up encounters with the animals. I wish I could have done the wreck dives we had scheduled for the AM. Water temp was a nice 76 degrees. So overall - the logistics of CCR diving in Freeport are not too hard, as long as you bring cylinders. For those in the Ft Lauderdale area, taking your filled cylinders on the Discovery is a great option. For longer trips, one could feasibly bring a Haskel, and boost the O2 they have available there. Absorbent could be borough or ship it directly to Unexso.
(Online)

10th December 2007, 16:19	#2 (permalink)
sfldiver S.C.R.U.B.'S Photographer Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pompano Beach, FL Posts: 792	Re: Trip Report: Freeport, Grand Bahama with Unexso That's definitely another great option for a quick weekend getaway for us South Florida divers. I was in Freeport once before and stayed at the Weston, which was right accross the street from UNEXSO, but I wasn't diving on that trip. I've done the Stuart's Cove shark dive in Nassau, but I've always heard UNEXSO's dolphin and shark dives are nice and have always wanted to do them. Any pictures (topside or underwater) or video of the activity? Thanks for the info Tony! __________________ *Currently piloting & shooting...* Dive Rite O2ptima FX Rigged w/ a Dsix Custom Aluminum Frame, Nomad Wing, Transpac Harness and VR3 Computer w/ VPM-B/E & a 4th Cell Sensor Link.* Canon PowerShot G9 Digital Camera *Rigged in a Patima-PDCH 2008 G9 Aluminum Housing w/ an Inon UWL-100 Achromat Wide Conversion Lens, 2 Inon UCL-165M67 Close-Up Lenses and 2 Inon Z-240 Strobes.
(Online)

10th December 2007, 16:19	#3 (permalink)
*ScubaDadMiami* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 2,132	Re: Trip Report: Freeport, Grand Bahama with Unexso Thanks for the info. Now, if only the Bahamamian authorities would get more of those ferries running to the places we want to go, we could really start to do some diving. __________________ Howard Packer IANTD CCR Instructor Miami Beach, Florida CCRDiveTraining.com
(Online)

10th December 2007, 17:01	#4 (permalink)
Tienuts Chief Prankster Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 221	Re: Trip Report: Freeport, Grand Bahama with Unexso Not too many of me on the Optima, but here:
(Online)

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