Name: Fall 2024 Scuba Trip - Grand Bahama!
Start: 2024-12-07T05:00:00-06:00
End: 2024-12-14T23:00:00-06:00

For our Fall 2024 scuba trip, we're going to a country we've never visited before on one of my trips - the Bahamas! Most people think of Nassau when they think of the Bahamas, but there are actually 700 islands in the country, although admittedly only 30 of them are inhabited. For this trip, we're going to the island of Grand Bahama, which admittedly is a curious name since it's nowhere near the largest of the islands! In any case, the south side of the island near Freeport, where we'll be staying, is a great area for diving, especially if you like your sea fauna large, such as rays, sharks, turtles, and dolphins! Combine that with shipwrecks and a great coral reef, not to mention great weather, and you can see why this should be an awesome trip!

**The Trip:** We will be leaving bright and early (as usual) at 5:00 am on Saturday 12/7 on American Airlines, connecting through Charlotte and arriving in Freeport at about noon. We will return the following Saturday 12/14, leaving Freeport at about 5:30 (pm), connecting through Miami and arriving in St Louis at about 11:00.

**The Staying:** While frequently I will lean toward more rustic lodging and a do-it-yourself approach to food, we're going the other way on this trip and staying at Viva Fortuna Beach resort in Freeport, a beautiful mid-sized all-inclusive resort right on the beach! Those of you who went on the Dominican Republic trip in 2022 should have a good idea of what to expect since this resort is part of the same chain. This means all meals across four restaurants, 24/7 snacks, all drinks (including soda and alcohol), nightly entertainment, and assorted other activities are all included in the price. The rooms are all air-conditioned and include free wi-fi.

**The Diving:** Of course, this is the real reason we're here! Our trip includes five days of two-tank boat diving, like most of our one-week trips.

Our outfitter is Reef Oasis, a PADI 5-star diving operation location right at the resort, so nothing could be more convenient! Their boats max out at 16 divers so there is a good chance we'll have a boat to ourselves if we have enough people!

Five days of two-tank diving (10 dives) are included, but a sixth day (since we're not leaving until late afternoon), as well as afternoon diving and a night dive, are available. They also have a couple of shark dives available, although they are quite expensive.

**The Price:** The total cost for the trip, including airfare, transfers, all-inclusive accommodations in garden view rooms with two queen beds, and five days of diving, is **$2350.00**. If one king bed is desired, rather than two queens, that is available upon request. For any non-divers, you can deduct $550 from the price. If you wish to upgrade to an oceanview room, the cost is an additional $100.00 (per person). And if you want a single room, the cost is an additional $500.00. (All requests are subject to availability, but I've been told they all should be available.)

Since the trip is under three months away as I write this, full payment will be required pretty much right away upon your RSVP. And we need to hurry on this, because my airfare cutoff is on the 23rd of September; after that date, space will likely still be available but the price won't be guaranteed.

Contact me with any questions!

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Fall 2024 Scuba Trip - Grand Bahama!

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