Bonaire - Essential Diving Knowledge

Ok folks, so I've shown you a few videos and now you're thinking of jetting off to the Netherlands Antilles and in particular, Bonaire - Home of Diving Freedom! Hurrah!

Here's a little information on diving in Bonaire. For everything else, you'll have to contact me directly on 020 8741 4319 as there's a lot of information to be shared!

Scuba diving participation has developed at an alarming rate over the last 20yrs and with more people in the sea, there's a call for more measures to be taken to preserve what we have.

Bonaire has an amazing and pristine underwater world and was a pioneer in establishing their waters as a Marine Park back in 1979. The mission of the Bonaire National Marine Park (BNMP) is to protect and manage the island’s natural, cultural and historical resources, while allowing ecologically sustainable use, for the benefit of future generations.

Bonaire has become such a popular destination due to the wide variety of fish life and the ease of diving that the island offers as well as the ease of getting to the destination from most regional airports in the UK via Amsterdam on KLM.

Bonaire today ranks amongst the top four best diving destinations in the world. The island's location in the south Caribbean gives it an arid climate with little rain fall; consequently, the waters are exceptionally clear of silt, calm, and diveable year round. It is an ideal destination for underwater photographers. Water temperatures average a warm 78-84°F (25.6-28.9°C), with visibility averaging over 100 feet (30m), and frequently reaching up to 150 feet (50m).

If you are planning a trip to Bonaire and have a dive/hotel package you will be given a thorough dive orientation and briefing before your first dive on the island. One of the Bonaire Marine Park Regulations is for all visitors to do a check-out dive as part of the briefing process before taking off on their own to shore dive or going on a dive boat. The main reasons for this are to have each diver check buoyancy so that damage to the reef is minimized or eliminated and also to check out their dive equipment, whether it be rented or owned. Also, every diver on Bonaire must purchase a Marine Park Tag (US$ 25pp) valid for one calendar year. It is illegal to dive without one and is your contribution in helping to maintain the preservation of the park.

The fringing reef which surrounds Bonaire is a National Marine Park from the high water mark down to a depth of 200 feet/60m. Marked by yellow rocks onland, there are officially 86 dive sites in the surrounding waters of Bonaire. The yellow rocks bare the name of each dive site. Bonaire is known for its "Diving Freedom" as well as being a "Diver's Paradise". There are 53 dive sites accessible from the shore - giving you the option to get wet whenever you want, 24hrs a day!

The waters are home to an abundance of fish species. Actually, over time, Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) fish watchers have recorded over 469 fish species on Bonaire's reefs.

Some fish found throughout Bonaire’s crystal blue waters include colorful Parrot Fish of all varieties, Blue and Rainbow included. Friendly Angel Fish, feisty Sergeant Majors, and beautiful Butterfly Fish dot the reef. Scrawled File Fish swim by sporting electric blue stripes. Grunts, Gobies and Groupers, oh my! Delight in schools of Blue Tangs and Jacks. Camouflaging Frog Fish blend in so well, but are certainly present.

In addition, keep an eye out for Sea Turtles, Eagle Rays and Sea Cucumbers. Get lucky and see a Whale Shark, Dolphin Pod or Manta Ray. There is an abundance of life in the Caribbean Sea. Bonaire’s waters have so much to explore!

Bonaire is a premier Caribbean underwater photography destination from entry to professional level. The abundance and variety of colorful sea life on Bonaire’s reefs offers countless micro and macro subjects. In addition, calm seas and mild currents make underwater picture taking less challenging in Bonaire than other destinations. Photographers are required to observe and photograph subjects in natural undisturbed settings.

What are you waiting for?! To get to Bonaire, call Sarah on 020 8741 4319.

Bonaire Video - Coral Spawning

Bonaire Video - Capt Don's - Holiday of a lifetime!

Bonaire Video - What's all the fuss about?

NEW - Get your essential holiday items right here!

Meanwhile, over the sea in Curacao...there's TREASURE!

Bonaire - Buddy Dives For FREE

September is a special month in Bonaire, especially at Buddy Dive Resort.

Ned and Anne Deloach are in town and to celebrate, Buddy have a special offer!

The popular marine educators return to Buddy Dive Resort Bonaire, August 30 through September 25, 2009

We are very pleased to announce our Summer Marine Life Education Program which brings world-renowned naturalists and marine life authors, Ned and Anna DeLoach, for sixth consecutive year to Buddy Dive Resort. During this one-month event, Ned and Anna give seminars and slide shows on fish behavior, coral and fish identification, as well as guide dive trips. The activities start on Sunday 30th of August and will carry on until Friday the 25th of September.

The activities are scheduled as followed:

Sunday
7:00 pm Ned & Anna DeLoach Slide Show at The Poolbar

Monday
2:15 pm Guided Boat Dive

Tuesday
2:00 pm Mangrove Snorkel

Wednesday
2:15 pm Guided Boat Dive

Friday
5.30pm - 6:30 pm Book Signing during Happy Hour at The Poolbar

All activities are free of charge for guests staying at Buddy Dive Resort. A limited number of people can be accommodated on the guided boat dives and snorkel tours.

The Reef Fish Identification and the Reef Fish Behavior books are for sale at our dive shop. Buy yourself a copy, and have it signed during our weekly Free Manager’s Rum Punch Party & Happy Hour every Friday between 5.30 pm and 6.30 pm.

To celebrate that Ned & Anna are our guests we offer the special BUDDY DIVES for FREE*, which means that every second diver dives for FREE, when booking our Drive & Dive package!!

The Drive & Dive package includes accommodation for 8 days (7 nights), a RENTAL VEHICLE (double cabin pick-up truck or van) for 7 days, 6 boat dives, 6 days of unlimited air fills, FREE NITROX, daily American style breakfast buffet, a welcome drink, free “Manager's Rum Punch Party”, airport transfer and all government taxes.

Speak to Sarah at Barefoot Traveller to book your holiday. 020 8741 4319.

Bonaire Video - Night Dive

Bonaire Video - 1000 Steps

Bonaire - Kon Ta Bai?

...the answer is "great thanks", especially when on holiday in Bonaire!

Below are some interesting stories and introductions of the locals, all taken from Tourism Bonaire in order to give you a flavour of what Bonaire has to offer apart from 86 specatacular dive sites...

Disfruta!
(enjoy!)

"Mama Smile"

Smile, Bonaire ta dushi!
My name is Paulina Rodriguez and I am 50 years old. I work as an employee at Cargill Salt Bonaire BV. I have worked there for over 28 years. Most people on Bonaire know me as “Mama Smile”, the face representing the current Tourism Awareness campaign, “Smile Boneiru ta dushi” (Smile, Bonaire is wonderful), for the Tourism Corporation Bonaire (TCB).

Hospitality
The campaign emphasizes Bonaire’s hospitality, one of my favorite things about the Island. I also like the nice climate, the serenity and the safety. Let’s not forget the diving,, the nature and the flamingos. Being born and raised a Bonairean, it is quite an honour to fulfil this role. Between working at Cargill, and being “Mama Smile”, I always try to find a moment to read, take a swim or go for a nature walk. Every now and then I dive, too.

Route to the South
I especially like the drive to the south end of Bonaire; I travel this route to work each day. I also like Washington-Slagbaai National Park very much and love Sorobon Beach. I think Lac Bay is a very special place, as well.

"Farid Ayubi"

I am Farid Ayubi, 43 years old and I am a Taxi Driver on Bonaire. I’ve been doing this work for over 15 years. This is why I know Bonaire by heart. I am not a born Bonairean, I came here to dive, got my PADI certification and never left!

Celebrate Carnival
In my spare time, I work for the Carnival Group. Carnival on Bonaire is truly a major event. Everybody competes in having the most beautiful float or nicest costume. There are plenty of processions; the first one always starts in Rincon, the last one in Kralendijk. If you’re a tourist, you are welcome to join the fun. That’s what I tell the people - that’s part of my job - suggesting nice things to tourists.

In addition, I help organize the micro boat competition during Bonaire’s Regatta. The Regatta is a huge sailing event that takes place every year. Boats from all over the world come to Bonaire to compete.

Clean and Safe
Which places would I recommend to visitors? Most tourists come to Bonaire to dive. But I also recommend visitors to see Gogtolake and Seru Largu, the hill overlooking Bonaire - but there are so many things. Fortunately, Bonaire is a safe and clean island.

"George Thode"

I’m George Thode, but on Bonaire, I am better known as George Cultura. I am always learning about Bonaire’s history. This is how I got my nickname “Cultura”, meaning culture. I enjoy the culture and the local music of my Island very much.

Washington-Slagbaai National Park
I have worked as a Chief Ranger in the Washington-Slagbaai National Park for over 26 years. The park covers an area of 6,000 hectares where you can find lots of cacti, inlets and hills. It’s the habitat of iguanas, lizards and lot’s of birds. You even have a chance of spotting the Lora here. This bird is a little bigger than a parakeet and is an endangered species, that’s why the Lora is protected on Bonaire. Loras live off the fruits and seeds from the trees and cacti in the park.

In Honor of Bonaire
I grew up together with the National Park. I have even tattooed a map of the Island and the park on my hand and belly. Naturally, Washington-Slagbaai is one of my favorite spots on the island, but not the only one! I also love to go to Gotolake, a perfect place to spot flamingos. I also like Lac Bay very much. I love the serenity on the island, its norms and values.

"Jenny Marchena"

My name is Jenny Marchena. I am 33 years old and have worked as a dive instructor on Bonaire for over 6 years.

Diving for a living
Isn’t it great that you can dive for a living, especially, on an island like Bonaire? And I am not just saying that because I was born here. The unspoiled nature makes Bonaire a unique island. I hope it will stay this way forever.

La Dania’s Leap
My favorite dive site? That has to be La Dania’s Leap! Known for the practice of leaping of a cliff about 15 feet, nowadays shore diving here is discouraged. Fortunately the spot is accessible by boat. La Dania’s Leap is one of the few wall dives on Bonaire. It is known for its beautiful canyons and sandy bottoms. Also the 1,000 Steps is one of my favorite dive sites.

Bonaire above the water
I also find the nature above the water very appealing. The sunsets are especially beautiful. I prefer watching them from the rooftop of my house. In my spare time, I like to spend time with my son, and hang out with my friends. I love to go to Sorobon to relax and I enjoy boogie boarding.

Bonaire

Home of "Diving Freedom"....

Bonaire is a "Diver's Paradise" throughout the year with near perfect weather and diving conditions. Great for photographers, learners, families and pretty much everyone!

September is a special time to visit and even more so for us at Barefoot Traveller as we have our first wedding taking place (part of which will be underwater)!

I'll do my best to tell you more and check back to see how it all went towards the end of the month!

Bonaire is part of the Netherlands Antilles, in the southern Caribbean. It is easily reached from the UK on KLM from most regional airports. As well as diving there are plenty of other activities to partake in during your stay, most notably windsurfing which is another watersport that Bonaire is famous for. Watch out for flamingos and cool off with a Lover's ice cream!

Such a great place, one of my favourite destinations!

Sharks - Holiday Time!

Photo by David Rowat, MCSS

One of my favourites has to be the Whale Shark - so big yet always eluding me - Australia, Thailand and the Maldives so far in my diving life! They always appear the day after I leave!

Because of this I've been working on giving you better opportunities to encounter these amazing creatures! Working closely with our suppliers all over the world we can offer numerous destinations where a Whale Shark encounter is a likely occurence!

Seychelles
The Underwater Centre / Dive Seychelles has pioneered and continues to support marine conservation programmes, such as the Seychelles whale shark monitoring project run by the Marinve Conservation Society Seychelles (MCSS), allowing visitors an un-rivaled opportunity to swim with whale sharks and assist in their conservation.

Since 2005, the MCSS whale shark monitoring activities have been supported by the Save Our Seas Foundation, through the provision of financial support for external costs, and by the Underwater Centre with continued logistical support. The operating costs since 2005 have been met by public donations from participants in the whale shark encounter programme.

During much of 2008 the sharks were relatively scarce but stayed in the North West of Mahe; guided by our micro-light aircraft, the monitoring team managed to achieve over 148 in-water encounters, during which some 68 individual sharks were identified and had digital photo-identities recorded.

Whale Sharks have long been the ultimate marine animal for many divers but yet very little is known about these magnificent creatures. Recent attempts to get international protected status for these sharks succeeded to achieve Appendix ll status at CITES last year. Over the last five years whale sharks in the Indian Ocean have been subjected to unlimited slaughter for the far eastern 'Fad Food' restaurant industry and sightings seem to have declined in many areas.

In the Seychelles although whale sharks have never been hunted, since November 2002 they have fully protected in Seychelles waters and sightings have in fact been on the increase over the last few years. The Underwater Centre is honoured to be closely involved with the Whale Shark Monitoring programme of the Marine Conservation Society, Seychelles, (incorporating the Shark Research Institute Seychelles). Now you too can assist us in getting the much needed data to get this species legally protected, and have an immense amount of fun and excitement into the bargain!

Please call Sarah on 020 8741 4319 for further details on Whale Shark Encounter packages in 2009.

Belize

Your best opportunity of an encounter here is April - June around the time of the full moon!

Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort is perfectly located for this very activity! On the Southern Barrier reef just over one hour from Hamanasi is Gladden Spit, where the largest fish in the sea, whale sharks, come during the week of the full moon in April, May and June. This special place has a steep sandy bank pushing out into very deep sea. On an ordinary day one can see large schools of jacks or snappers and visibility is well over 100 feet. But during the full moon phases in April, May and June of each year Gladden Spit has no ordinary days. Each year during the full moon Mutton and Cuberra snapper spawn here. The giant whale sharks come from far away to feed on the spawn. It is common on this dive to see schools of snapper in the thousands with whale sharks passing through them. Divers will likely see these majestic creatures very close but they are not allowed to chase, ride, touch or otherwise disturb the Whale Sharks. These dives are very popular.

Please call Sarah on 020 8741 4319 for further details on Whale Shark packages in 2010.

Maldives

A destination on every divers list for sure, whether it's land based with plenty of shore diving or a week on a liveaboard to maximise your underwater experience and encounters with larger pelagics. Whale Shark and Manta Ray sightings are almost common place in certain areas in the Maldives.

The Maldives are unique in the Indian Ocean in that they host a year round population of whale sharks, making the archipelago a superb place to study their biology and behaviour. The better our understanding of whale sharks in the Maldives the greater protection we can provide for them.

Based in the southern Ari Atoll the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP) exists to facilitate whale shark research projects and to foster community focused conservation initiatives within the Maldives.

Your best opportunities of an encounter is to spend a week on a liveaboard. We work with several suppliers in the Maldives to bring you the best of what the destination has to offer.

Please call Sarah on 020 8741 4319 for further details on liveaboard packages in 2009 & 2010.

WOW!....doesn't all this information make you want to stop what you're doing and travel?!!

Other destinations for spotting Whale Sharks include Mexico, Thailand and the Philippines to name but a few!

I'm off to look at more Whale Sharks on the interweb as they don't elude me there!

Sharks - Go one step further, join the Shark Angels

"No longer willing to sit by and witness a looming extinction with global ramifications, three determined women have joined forces to lead one of the most daunting and dangerous conservation missions on the planet.

We are fearless, willing to stand up for what we believe in and will stop at nothing in their mission to take on our adversaries, fight real battles and lead a global movement to save these charismatic ocean predators from extinction.
We are leading a guerrilla movement in the last vestiges where sharks remain. We journey to all corners of the planet to uncover very real threats to sharks and expose the disturbing slaughter of sharks worldwide on our no-holds-barred campaign.

The conflict between exploitation and conservation of the world’s natural resources is at a tipping point – and the oceans are the most volatile battle-ground. Surprisingly, sharks, the creatures we fear most, are battling for survival, putting our oceans and ourselves in dire peril. The sharks are in desperate need of guardian angels, and we just might be their last hope."

Sharks - Get Involved

Right, so now you know a bit more, it's time to get involved!

From photography competitions to raising money by running (silly idea!) marathons (Tom Sparks - 6th Sep - Bristol) to searching for Eggcases along the UK coast to joining a Marine Biologist (Judith Oakley) on the Gower on her free Seashore Safari...there is plenty of fun to be had!

Here's a introductory list of what's on now and coming up in the rest of 2009...

• "We love Sharks" campaign at the Blue Planet Aquarium (21 July - 05 Sep '09) in search of Britain's favourite sharks


• Summer Seashore Safaris run by Judith Oakley (24 Aug - 05 Sep '09). Great fun for all the family discovering more about the seashore!


• Go and cheer on Tom Sparks as he completes another half marathon raising money for The Shark Trust in Bristol on Sep 6th. You may even want to sponsor him of course! Good Luck Tom!


• European Shark Week is the 10 - 18 Oct '09. A week of drumming up support for shark conservation and effect change.


• Dive Show 2009 at the NEC - The Shark Trust will be there. Please show your support by visiting their stand. (24 - 25 Oct '09)


• Sharks in Focus - photography competition :o) Due to the phenomenal success in 2007, it's back! In fact a Barefoot Traveller won the competition last time. Let's see if we can repeat the feat! Get out there and "shoot" your sharks! See below. Last date for entries is Sep 6 '09 through The Shark Trust website. Good Luck everyone!

And that doesn't leave me much room to mention the Basking Shark Project, Great Eggcase Hunt, Whale Shark project, Shark Alliance or EEA! websites....

Wow...if I could be sharked out, I would be by now!!

Sharks - The Shark Trust

Back to Sharks....!

Established in 1997, the Shark Trust is the UK registered charity which works to advance the worldwide conservation of sharks through science, education, influence and action. The Trust is led by a board of Trustees who oversee a small dedicated team, who are further supported by a voluntary Scientific Committee, and a growing number of supporters and volunteers.

The Trust is: a founder member of the Shark Alliance; the Secretariat of the European Elasmobranch and a membership organisation which provides a link between the public and the science community.

The Trust’s achievements to date include :

• A prominent role in the adoption of the EU shark finning ban.


• As a founder member of the Shark Alliance worked to secure the adoption of a strong Community Plan of Action for Sharks.


• Closure of target fisheries for Spiny Dogfish, Porbeagle and Tope.


• Secured species specific landings for Skate and Ray and protection for vulnerable skate.


• Proposed and won Basking and Angel Shark protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.


• Collaborated in getting 15 sharks species adopted under the Biodiversity Action Plan.


• Practical engagement with the commercial fishing industry to promote sustainable practices.


• Increased public awareness for sharks.

Then there's the future and there are plenty of aims for The Shark Trust in the next 5yrs from tightening the existing European shark finning ban to the implementation of recovery plans for the most threatened species.

You can make a difference in a number of ways...

Joining The Shark Trust

Adopting a Shark

Making a Donation

Join The Shark Trust online community

LEARN LEARN LEARN...more about Sharks in this case!

Raise Awareness - just like I am doing now!

Thanks for reading and please take some time to click through to The Shark Trust website for further information. The site is linked through the title of this article :o)

Whales - Spectacular Underwater Photography in Hawaii

It's my blog so I'm going a bit left field as I have to share this with you!

Words by Eddie Wren from the Daily Mail.

Pictures aren't available here but you can see them by clicking on this link
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthpicturegalleries/6055034/Close-encounters-under-the-sea-Marco-Querals-photographs-of-whales.html

Don't get the hump, I'm just taking a photo... Diver snaps 50ft humpback whale.

Try as you might, you're unlikely to get a holiday snap quite like the ones shown in the above link. . .

In the deep blue waters of the South Pacific, cameraman Marco Queral gets up close and personal with a humpback whale.The experienced diver even seems to be hitching a lift on the flipper of the 50ft female. Queral, 42, who has spent 17 years taking such remarkable pictures, said: 'Whales are extremely intelligent. Just like humans, they have their own mind and come with strong personalities.'They decide whether I can take pictures of them or not. They must be in a right mood to let me get into this position.'

With a playful flick of his colossal tail Queral could be dead. But instead this curious, intelligent humpback whale takes a shine to Queral, and the two end up drifting through the seas together. The astonishing contact between the 50ft king of the ocean and the minuscule human was captured off Hawaii in the South Pacific last week.

Queral said the jaw-dropping moment was all down to luck, and little to do with the skills he has mastered over 17 years.He said: 'The success in getting these shots is pretty much always down to the whale.'To get his spectacular images of marine life the world, South American Marco relies on various tricks to catch the attention of passing creatures.'

Perhaps the most effective and possibly only way to help my photography is to try to stimulate their curiosity.'Dolphins, for example, sometimes love to hang out with me when I do some acrobats underwater like spinning and turning.' They get as curious about me as I am about them, and that is the right time to take pictures of them as they show their individual personalities.'

Sharks - some interesting facts

So, now you've all been educating yourselves on the sharks listed on the previous post, here are some random shark facts for you to store....

Some you may not like, some will amaze you, hopefully they'll all interest you...

Like many mammals, including humans, sharks have a large heart with four separate chambers.

The Megamouth shark is the rarest of the shark species. It was discovered in 1976 by the crew on a Navy ship.

Pigs kill more people every year than sharks do.

Shark meat has an unpopular image as food, so fish markets and chefs change the name of shark meat to rock salmon, rock eel, huss or flake.

Port Jackson Sharks lay eggs that look like a corkscrew which sticks to rock crevices.

The Hammerhead Shark has the best sense of smelling.

Scientists estimate that after a big meal, a Great White Shark can last up to three months before needing another one.

Basking sharks and whale sharks swim with their mouths wide open and filter their food from the water, such as shrimp and plankton.

Apart from people, a shark’s greatest enemy is another shark. Most sharks will happily eat any of their relatives, including members of their own species.

With Gray nurse sharks, the first pup (baby shark) to develop consumes its siblings as they hatch.

Blue Sharks are the fastest sharks, reaching speeds of 43 mph, but only in short bursts. Their normal speed is 7 mph.

The most numerous sharks found in the ocean is the Oceanic Whitetip and the Spiny Dogfish Shark.

Two thirds of a Sharks brain is dedicated to the sense of smell.

There are more than 350 different kinds of sharks.

Sharks - Do you know x10 types?

You may have seen them underwater, in an aquarium, on the TV or read about them on the internet or a good old fashioned book, but can you name x10 sharks?

Sharks have inhabited our oceans for over 400 million years, some can survive in freshwater (but not exclusively) and they come in all sizes from hand sized to 20metres long!

Below I've made a list for you. You may have heard of some before and you can learn more about what they look like, where they live and what we're doing to help conserve them by using the link at the bottom of this post.

1. Leopard Shark
2. Basking Shark
3. Whale Shark
4. Thresher Shark
5. Porbeagle Shark
6. Hammerhead Shark
7. Bull Shark
8. Spiny Dogfish
9. Lemon Shark
10. Tiger Shark

Sharks

One of the aims of this blog is to help educate, so I've decided to dedicate all the posts this week to sharks. From the Great White to the Wobbegong, with some interesting stories and facts, including current worldwide research and conservation efforts. Keep posted this week for plenty of shark interaction!

UK - BSAC Try Dive Month 2009

A BSAC Try Dive is your perfect introduction to Scuba –

and to the thrill of breathing underwater for the very first time.

In September you can experience a try dive with your local BSAC Club for just £10pp.

So if you’ve always wanted to learn to dive, are looking for a new experience or simply curious, then Try Dive with BSAC is for you!

Bahamas - Cruising the Out Islands, Blackbeard's Cruises

"Twice the fun....Half the Cost!"

What's that all about I hear you ask?

Well, let me introduce you to the world of Blackbeard's Cruises who regularly sail around the Out Islands of the Western Bahamas (Biminis, Grand Bahamas, Berries, Andros, Cay Sal Banks, Nassau) and have plenty of adventures and stories to tell....

Departing each Saturday from Grand Bahama you are sure to see plenty reefs, wrecks, walls, sharks and participate in drift, night and shark dives (Caribbean reef tip, nurse, tigers) in the beautiful gin clear Caribbean.

There are x3 boats (65ft) Sea Explorer, Morning Star and Pirate's Lady which set sail with no particular itinerary. They sail where the conditions and weather are best in order to offer their divers an adventure of a lifetime! Blackbeard's Cruises is recognized by divers as one of the best live aboard experiences available year after year! Why? Because of the famous Road to Atlantis, diving with sharks at Bull Run, watching eagle rays glide gracefully by and for the opportunity to shoot photos of all the great macro and micro marine life.

Colorful reefs teeming with marine life sit in depths of 15- 80 feet so divers of all levels enjoy the scuba diving on offer. The western Bahamas were once the hideout of pirates and privateers... now these islands offer spectucular diving in warm, crystal clear waters with deserted beaches as a backdrop each week.

Scuba Diving Travel with with Blackbeard's is a breeze!

Their all inclusive scuba diving adventure travel holidays are popular with outgoing individuals from all over the world! They supply everything but your personal gear and towels. Blackbeard's Cruises offers top of the line high quality rental gear for those who require it. The camaraderie and adventure on the liveaboard dive trips keep divers coming back year after year. Their motto is "Twice the Fun for Half the Price"....you won't get a better bang out of your diving dollar anywhere else!

It's so much fun, someone close to us left to work on one of the boats...way more fun than sitting at your desk on a cold and miserable January or February day...

Blackbeard's Cruises are offering a considerable discount on an already great price for all sailings from September 1st '09 - Feb 28th '10. You can book through Barefoot Traveller to take advantage of this great offer. Call us now for further details.... 020 8741 4319

Oh, and by the way...there are more groupers than there are people in the Bahamas...

Bahamas - Wild Dolphin Adventures, Bimini

Now, here's an experience of a lifetime!

Swim, view and interact with beautiful wild dolphins in Bimini, Bahamas.

Bill and Nowdla Keefe are your hosts at Wild Dolphin Adventures, with week long eco-friendly wild dolphin programs as well as daily excursions.

Definitely worth saving up for!

Contact Sarah at Barefoot Traveller to find out how to get there!

020 8741 4319

Bahamas - My local story by Peter Douglas, Andros

I suppose you could say that I’m less of an eco warrior and more of an eco champion. Like most people on this special island, I really appreciate what a wonderful place we have here and that Andros is just too good to keep to ourselves.

My favourite spot must be Captain Bob’s Blue Hole, here in the Central Andros National Park, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve jumped off into the blue... It’s a real thrill and I really want more visitors to have the leap of their life too. Jumping into the warm water of the Blue Hole is just part of my vision for Andros... It’s the biggest and least explored island in The Bahamas, so I’m trying to set up nice learning and attraction areas for eco tourism. I also want to ‘edutain’ people as to how wonderful the natural environment is here in The Islands of The Bahamas. Because I believe that you can’t educate people without some entertainment.

Talking about Blue Holes, let me tell you why they are so wondrous. They have hidden depths , as they are small inlets into massive undersea caverns that run under Andros and beyond. And although I’ve not seen it, down in the deep lives the mythical Lusca which is the Loch Ness monster of the Caribbean. Another mythical creature we have here on Andros is the Chickcharnie... now, he’s half man, half bird and like me he wants to protect the beauty of Andros. Unlike me, the Chickcharnie can read your mind and if you’re having bad thoughts he’ll turn your whole head around so you can see things the right way. Well that’s what they say here on Andros...

Natural-or bush- medicine is also big round here, so we use many local plants to keep us healthy, wealthy and wise. Like the Cinnecord tree which is also food for us, our animals and the earth.

I know I’ve barely touched on the fascinating history of the island, but I hope I’ve given a brief insight into the wonders of Andros, and that everyone who reads this comes and enjoys this beautiful site with us.

Story by Peter Douglas

Bahamas - My local story by Enrico Garzaroli, Nassau

When I came here in the early 1970’s and moved into a mansion built by the notorious 18th century pirate Captain Graysmith, I tell people I brought two things with me from Italy – everything I owned and my entrepreneurial spirit. In my case, the ‘everything’ included shipping out my wine cellar which needed an entire container to itself.

As we had been involved in the hospitality industry in Italy and Europe, my wife Anna Maria and I had always wanted to have our own place, so we began putting our grand plans into action and transforming Graycliff – not just into an hotel and restaurant, but a true destination experience.

I don’t know what the locals thought of us back then, but we always made it clear what we were planning to achieve and they’ve helped us create the elegant establishment and great international reputation we have today.

Over the years, just as my passion for fine wine has grown, so has my cellar, and today, Graycliff is home to 250,000 bottles, with 3000 different wines from over 400 vintners and 15 countries.

Our restaurants, too, have achieved acclaim as the first in the Caribbean to be awarded five stars. And in 1997, after I had fallen in love with cigars but been unable to find the perfect blend, we set up what has become the award-winning Graycliff Cigar Company.

As well as sharing my life and enthusiasms with the good friends I’ve made here, in over four decades we’ve entertained a great many famous guests – royalty, heads of state, British prime ministers and politicians, celebrities, too many to list.So if you’re coming to stay in The Bahamas, call in sometime. You’ll be more than welcome to be my guest...

Story by Enrico Garzaroli

Bahamas - My Cat Island story, by Karen Seymour

There’s a Bahamian Rake ‘n’ Scrape song that begins with the words ‘I was born in Tea Bay, Cat Island’. This could have been an anthem for my late father, because, like the singer of this song, he was Cat Island born and bred, and darn proud of it; he was particularly proud of the wide patch of the road that is Tea Bay, or ‘Bachelor’s’ as those in the know call it.

I grew up on Grand Bahama Island, but as a child, my siblings and I often spent summers visiting my maternal grandparents in The Bluff, Eleuthera. I only got to visit my father’s parents in Cat Island once or twice – the last time when I was nine years old, as my Grandmother died the following year.

We always had a great time during these summers because life in the Out Islands was so completely different to what we were used to on Grand Bahama Island. Climbing the fruit trees in my grandparents’ yard in The Bluff to pick native hog plums and scarlet plums, breadfruit and sapodilla (dilly) was something we’d never do at home (truthfully it was something I’d never do there either; rather, I was the lookout on the ground enjoying the spoils, but you get the idea). Not to mention riding the old nag that belonged to one of our numerous cousins in Tea Bay. So when my father passed away many years ago, I figured it was unlikely that I would ever have the opportunity to visit Cat Island, much less Tea Bay, again anytime soon.

But since my last visit to my grandmother many moons ago, I have been back to Cat Island. Several years ago, a friend and I visited Hawk’s Nest Resort at the southern tip of the island and Fernandez Bay Village in The Bight. These are both fantastic little resorts that still stand out in my mind for very similar reasons. Both had a relaxed atmosphere and amiable service from everyone we encountered. I had the best conch chowder ever at Hawk’s Nest. As I recall, it’s a relatively small resort, and was not terribly busy at the time, so we sat down to dinner family style. After tasting the soup, I tried to coax the recipe out of the cook, but she only smiled, and gave me another bowl. The next day, we ambled down to the marina and whiled away some time talking fishing (of which I know little) or diving (…even less) with the locals and visitors puttering around.

At Fernandez Bay Village, they truly live the mantra of barefoot elegance. When you see the thatched roofs and native stone walls, you almost believe you’re wandered into some hokey film set. Until you catch a glimpse of the phenomenal view out of the back door of the lounge area. You realise then, this could only be The Bahamas.

After a friendly check in, you settle in for a fairly relaxing time. It was only well into the second day that I realised that we had only seen the odd person at mealtimes or when we were helping ourselves at the honour bar. That’s right, the honour bar! At FBV they trust you to own up to your boozing. Following this visit, any lingering guilt that I might have had for not going back to the old homestead as an adult was banished. I thought.

Then, several months ago, my older siblings and I paid a visit to my father’s only surviving brother who currently lives in Nassau. My uncle David, is a great guy, and he likes nothing better than an audience, preferably young(ish), and definitely related to him so that he can– as they say in the islands – talk old stories. During this visit, Uncle David was in truly fine form, particularly when 2 or 3 of my cousins also stopped by to visit. He was having a blast regaling us with the tales of him and his brothers’ mischief making ‘back in the day.’ But after a couple of hours, he started to get a bit melancholy because he hadn’t been back to Cat Island for a while, except for the odd funeral. So, in an effort to cheer him up, we all agreed to make time during the next Bahamian bank holiday (and despite various work and family commitments, and in my case, travel challenges) to take him back to Cat Island. That was during the late summer, so the next feasible holiday was the Discovery Day weekend in mid-October. And surprise, surprise, the only people able to make it was me, my brother and my sister. This didn’t bother my uncle at all though. He had roped in one of his cronies, Salathiel, to sort out a rental car and a place to stay for all of us, and he was raring to go.

Like many islands in The Bahamas, Cat Island is a fairly long island of around 48 miles, and only 4 miles at its widest. And like the archetypical bucolic island, it’s peppered with several small towns or settlements, some larger than others, with a relatively small population, and the occasional hotel or resort tucked among the lush green landscape and rolling hills. I am chagrined to admit that when I visited Cat Island a few years ago, I don’t believe we left the hotels other than to visit a restaurant one time. Granted it was only a short trip, but bear in mind I did not anticipate visiting again so soon. Shame on me! When you visit, don’t make the same mistake. But I quickly realised, this was going to be a very different trip.We stayed at a tiny little place in Arthur’s Town called Pigeon Cay Beach Club. Our cottage was basic, but you couldn’t beat the view out on the pristine white sand beach. Every morning the only body we ever saw was the owner’s potcake dog chasing the surf and the birds. And each morning they started us off with a scrumptious ‘true-true’ Bahamian breakfast – stew conch and Johnny cake one day, boiled fish and grits another. Good times!

My Uncle David was determined first and foremost that we visit Tea Bay. I’m not exaggerating when I say Tea Bay is little more than a wide patch in the road, with a population in the low hundreds rather than the thousands. We visited the house were my father grew up, and met a few distant relatives for the first time.We met neighbours and friends and strangers, old and young, all willing to sit and chat, and find out who ‘your people are’. Needless to say everyone had a story to tell about at least one of our relatives!

Then the real tour began. Over the next 2 days, we drove from Arthur’s Town in the north end of Cat Island to Port Howe in the south. What I found amazing, besides the mindboggling stories about my family, was the amount of historic landmarks to be found on Cat Island. I think all Bahamians know that the point of highest elevation in the country is to be found here on Como Hill, the Hermitage at Mount Alvernia. Now, 206 feet may not sound like much to you, but for us, it’s a big deal.

If nothing else, the climb up to the top confirmed just how unfit I truly am! But it was worth it in the end. While you’re catching your breath and taking in the stunning vistas, it’s a perfect place for quiet contemplation.

What’s fascinating about the Hermitage is that it is a one man monastery, built by hand by the diminutive Father Jerome all on his own in the early 20th century! That’s faith!

But I digress; as I said, many visitors to Cat Island will often be directed to the Hermitage, but the National Heritage Committee has also begun looking into restoring some of the cotton plantation ruins dotting the island. In fact, not too far from the Hermitage, we came upon the Armbrister Plantation, where the walls of the former great house are still standing.
From there, you can find your way to Armbrister Creek and the ‘Boiling Hole’. The bubbling water is reputed to be caused by the sea monster living below the surface…..but all we saw was a small ray. According to Salathiel, it’s also a good spot to see baby sharks as well.
We moseyed on from New Bight into Old Bight.

My uncle and Salathiel explained to me the reasoning behind New Bight and Old Bight, but darned if I can remember! Anyway, we continued along, passing long white beaches, and numerous other relatives and friends, stopping for crab and dough (a Bahamian delicacy that’s definitely an acquired taste) at New Bight Beach.

As we entered Port Howe, we had to stop to let a few goats cross as we headed towards the ruins of another former plantation, Deveaux Mansion.As it started to rain shortly after we arrived in Port Howe (yes, it occasionally rains here), we stopped in to visit another relative (or family friend – at this point I’d lost track), and enjoy a glass of sweet bush tea.

Once the rain held up, Salathiel directed us to our final port of call, the Greenwood beach. I think most people are familiar with the Pink Sands beach on Harbour Island, but we were totally unprepared for the miles and miles of some of the finest pink sand beach you could ever imagine. On Cat Island. In Port Howe. And not a soul in sight. Unfortunately the only photo I took there was of my brother and sister, and frankly, they spoil the view. So I highly recommend that you check it out for yourself!

All in all, this was a great trip, and we immediately vowed to do it again. Unsurprisingly my uncle voted for another Cat Island visit, but I think we’re headed for The Bluff, Eleuthera. I wonder if that dilly tree is still in my grandparents’ garden…..?

Story by Karen Seymour

Eating...we've all gotta do it!

I've signed up to Graze recently and I think it's great so I'm going to share with you and if you use the code below you get your first box on me, completely FREE!

What is it?

"Healthy eating by post"... It's great value, great food, means you can eat all day and is even supported by the NHS as supporting the 5-a-day scheme by having at least x3 of these portions in each box.

You get to choose what you want to eat and on which days you want it delivered (unless Royal Mail get in there first or are on strike)!!

They mix it up with a bit of fruit, nuts/seeds and a small treat. Beats the mundane task of shopping and picking up the usual bananas, apples, melons, cherries etc.

Go on, give it a try! The link is here...

http://www.graze.com/p/CJF2QZK

Underwater Photography - buy a camera!

Well folks, as if by magic I've just received news of a very special price on a lead-in underwater camera in case you want to practice in the bath!
Prob not going to help you become a pro but will be a lot of FUN!However, it can only be taken to 3m so more for you snorkellers out there.
Have a look here...

http://www.iwantoneofthose.com/new-arrivals/underwater-digi-cam/index.html

Underwater Photography

It's definitely getting easier with the introduction and high spec digital cameras around on the market today. However, it still takes time and patience to get that perfect picture.

Underwater photography is becoming more popular and there are plenty of destinations where you can spend time in workshops then honing your skills in tropical waters such as Bonaire, Manado or even the Red Sea.

However, as with everything, you can learn at home!

Ocean Visions offers courses throughout the year which introduce you to the fine art of underwater photography with the opportunity to get your pictures in print or even canvas!

Maybe I'll see you there one day as my skills definitely need improving - there is too much blue in the sea for my liking!!

Have a look, go and book and just remind them where you heard about Ocean Visions!

Cheers

http://www.oceanvisions.co.uk/index.htm

Oman - GET AWAY NOW!

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Travel until Sep 15th 2009.

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Shangri-La Barr al Jissa (5*) is a gorgeous property with plenty of opportunities for all the family to relax, discover, indulge, dive and plenty more!

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Bahamas - My holiday experience by Giovanni Grant, London

On the 2nd of December you don’t expect to wake up, slide into your flip flops, put on a t-shirt and go outside, well at least not in the UK. Fortunately for me I was approximately 4,339.29 miles away (according to the folks over at Google Earth) in the Exuma National Park on the stern of the Aqua Cat which is a liveaboard that operates in The Bahamas. As I took in lungs full of the fresh sea air before going to breakfast all I could think about was how I could not wait to jump into the crystal clear waters for my first dive after travelling from London in December.

Not long after breakfast, we had our first dive briefing as well as we had the do’s and don’ts of the National Park explained to us. Basically nothing could be taken from the ocean in the National Park at all; no shells, old coral NOTHING!!! Once this was completed everyone went over to their stations, kitted up after making all the necessary safety checks and jumped in.

I remember it like it was yesterday as the water was very warm. 25C warm to be exact which made wetsuits optional! The first dive was basically uneventful as all I saw was a couple of nurse sharks, about 5 reef sharks, some tarpon, a turtle, a sting ray, yellowtail jacks, a few barracudas, some grouper, an eel, snappers, Bahamian lobster, a pufferfish, my very first nudibranch (thanks to my dive buddy) and a dolphin which we are still debating to this day if we saw or not.

However our second dive was the one that made me truly appreciate the colours and clarity of our waters. After this dive I truly understood why you can see that sandy bottom from a plane at 40,000ft. As we descended on the reef and started to make our way through the various swim-throughs which would eventually lead us out over the wall, all I could do was marvel at the size and colour of the various coral on the wall. Just to give you an idea, there was an elephant ear coral that was as tall as I am (6’3”) and almost as wide, truly amazing!

When the reef finally ‘spat’ us out on the wall I looked up to ensure that my dive buddy was nearby and could only marvel at how bright the sun was shining and how clear the water was as I could still make out the boat on the surface. In the process of doing this I did what every diver is trained to do. That is to check your gauges to ensure everything is okay and to my surprise my dive computer said ’37 meters’! I tapped on it a few times before I finned over to my dive buddy to check their computer and it said the same thing ’37 metres’! I always knew the water was clear but to say you can see the sun shining and the surface from 37 metres is truly something that takes your breath away.

Words by: Giovanni Grant, London UK describing his holiday on the Aquacat, Bahamas.

Photos by: Sarah Wight

Giovanni travelled with Sarah from Barefoot Traveller. Contact Sarah if you want to go on this fantastic journey!

Bahamas - My local story by Stuart Cove, Nassau

Looking back, it seems like I’ve been taking guys out to explore the reefs, wrecks, spectacular walls and amazing blue holes we have in the waters around our islands just all my life. And over the years I’ve got to meet some real famous people like – Tiger Woods, Robert Redford, Tom Hanks, Darryl Hannah, and even Prince William and Harry! But I guess I was about 20 years old when I first started my dive business here in The Bahamas.

So I’d got the passion for diving from my dad and my uncle who’d taught me to dive back when I was a little kid. And I’d got the money I needed to buy my first boat from James Bond! Well, from being hired as the film company’s stunt diver and shark wrangler back in the summer of ’77 when they were filming ‘For your eyes only’. So, turning what I enjoyed doing most into something I could earn a living from seemed like the natural thing to do. It’s the sort of thing most people can only dream about. But before I got involved in the film making, I’d already been teaching friends and tourists to dive just for fun – and I’d even given up on university to work at a marina on Eleuthera Island and run their diving for a year.

As Nassau is known as ‘The Underwater Hollywood’, there have been plenty of Bond movies since that one, including my personal favourite ‘Never say never again’ when I got to teach Sean Connery (who lives just a little way from here) and Kim Basinger how to dive. And each one has helped us invest in a new boat or piece of equipment so that today, we can do business the way we want, without mixing ability levels. That means we can take snorkellers out to shallow reefs, help students get certified, show people who know how to dive some of our world-famous walls, and give very advanced divers some exciting shark action. And each group gets to go out with the best-qualified divers on the right kind of boat. We even have these fantastic personal mini subs that lets anyone dive - even if they have no diving experience!

In fact, if you ask me what brings so many divers – and so many people keen to learn to dive – to The Bahamas, I’d have to say it’s because we’ve got so many different islands and such a wide range of diverse underwater environments. So if you’re looking for the best places to dive in the world, they’re all right here.

Some days, I can’t believe how lucky I am to live and dive here. Just stay long enough and we’d be happy to show you why. And you can star in your own action movie too!

Story by : Stuart Cove, diver, shark wrangle and stunt man – Nassau, Bahamas

Bahamas - My local story by Brendal Stevens, Abaco Island

Listen to what some folk tell you about all the time I spend out in the ocean swimming with the reef sharks, the black tips and the tarpon fish and you might start to think I don’t like living here on Abaco. But that’s about as far from the truth as you could possibly get. Hand on heart, I can honestly say there’s nowhere on earth I’d rather be than right here in the beautiful Green Turtle Cay. And if you’d discovered what a great place The Bahamas was back the 1970s, chances are it’d be me who’d brought you here as it was my handsome face our Ministry of Tourism used on all its billboards.

I guess it was running my Dive Centre, teaching people to scuba and snorkel and looking after all my fish buddies around the reef that put a stop to my modelling days. Not that I mind one little bit. Being out on the boats and in the water so much has meant I’ve got to witness some of nature’s big occasions the like of which a person sitting behind a desk could only dream of seeing. I remember clear as the water around Manjack Island watching a baby whale being born right here by the beach. I’ve seen dolphins mating and spotted eagle rays getting it together. And just about every season I could take you along the shoreline to the place the turtles dig their nests.

Even without these special events, spending my days introducing visitors to the stars of the grouper world like Junkanoo and Goombay, that big old eel Captain Calypso (‘The Historic Wreck of San Jacinto’ to his friends), the famous Georgette, Harvey, George, Stumpy and all the rest of the rays I’ve been hand-feeding for going on 20 years now, means I get to do what I love best; to make some mighty fine lunches out of fresh conch, to enjoy some pretty amazing experiences cruising out on the boats and to give all the thousands of holiday-makers I get to meet some unforgettable stories to take home with them.

Story by : Brendal Stevens, captain, free-diver and chef – Abaco, Bahamas

Inspiring Destintations, Fantastic Prices - Aug 09 Offers

Hello everyone!

The return of our blog....here we are again and hope to keep you up to date with all that happens in our world to make your world a better place...!

Remember, your life will be better if you travel - dive - enjoy!

Cheers

SW
http://www.barefoot-traveller.com/scuba/index.cfm?fa=specialoffers#00013736347