Grand Bahama Scuba — Attraction in City of Freeport

Trying to write a fair review here after a legit terrible experience. Just for background, I am a veterinarian ( yes a doctor…. The most difficult type to become in the states)…. And I have been diving all over the world for about 20 years now ….. Thailand, Belize, Mexico, Jamaica, Indonesia plus more.

Today I went to dive with my husband and son (5yo) and we were happy to find a place that would let us switch off and one of us dive while the other snorkeled with my son. As soon as I got there I was talked down to, like I was a complete moron. First, I was told we “didn’t need wetsuits”….. I get cold easily and requested one. Later on I heard the dive master (Melinda who has a sign out bragging 7000 dives) state how cold the water was after her dive….. eye roll🙄.

I was looking for my gear, and touched someone else’s mask, and was told that was “not my mask”. No helpful ….. your gear is over here, or helping let me know when to get ready. The. Instead of prepping as normal, I was told to stay away from my gear and they would bring it to me after I was ready to get in…..(?). Never done this before.

I do a quick check when they put my BCD on, first time I was able to look at my own equipment……. Get in the water, and ask who I am buddies with (for the second time). The answer I got was disconcerting. “We just stick together”….. ok there were about 6-7 of us and no groups no buddies. I was a bit uncomfortable. First part of the dive went Well. I started cruising along and suddenly my BCD starting filling with air and I could hear a leak. Luckily I had enough experience to know what was happening and I quickly made a plan to continuously release air and try to slow my ascent as much as possible until my air ran out. Another diver (previously employed by the shop but just visiting) can to my aid and helped anchor me and tried to stop the air flow.

I was able to safely surface…. And then asked the guide on deck if she had checked my equipment…..she was the one who helped fit the BCD. Just a blank no that’s not my job was the attitude I got. No apology from anyone. Suddenly less attitude from Melinda, but no apology.

I will never get in a boat without looking at my own equipment first. Worst dive and do not recommend even though I was hopeful at the start bc they were responsive and seemed accommodating. That is why they get 1 star.

They did refund my husband part of our cost. But still zero apology.

Unsafe and infuriating experience….. they also could probably leave out the shark bite stories on the ride out. Esp in front of a 5yo. So...

If you are new to scuba or it has been a long time since you dove I would not recommend this shop. If you are comfortable with your navigation skills and just need a boat ride and a tank of air then this is a great shop for you. We dove 3 days with this shop and they never introduced themselves to us or anyone else diving with them. We found this at odds with how friendly the rest of the island was. The dive brief was, brief. It is not a toured dive like you would experience with most other shops which is why you need to be comfortable with your navigation. This is not a bad thing, just something that would have been nice to know before getting into the water. With this being their dive experience we were also shocked they did not ask if everyone had a compass or computer that would navigate before sending them on their way. It seemed like the shop existed primarily to support the owners own diving hobby.

However, if you can do a cave dive with Shamie, I HIGHLY recommend. He does a fantastic job going over the geology and history of the island teaching you about the cave systems. Our best dive experience on this trip was...

Fred and Melinda were awesome instructors for my first diving trip! They provided thorough instruction and helped me feel confident with my skills in the pool before heading out to open water. They’re great instructors and also just really fun and genuine people to talk to! We started in the pool learning the basics of breathing, floating, equalizing, releasing water from goggles, and neutral buoyancy. After 20-30 minutes we felt confident in handling the basic steps and took a ride on the boat out to a 12ft deep spot. We saw beautiful fish swimming around the reefs and clear water, and the whole experience was truly mesmerizing! As a first time diver, I felt safe through the whole experience. I would have scheduled additional dives for becoming certified, but I sadly did not have enough time left in my schedule for the week. Next trip I’ll make sure to plan ahead for more dives with them. Highly recommend booking with Fred...