Yes, it’s been well over a year, but I finally had the chance to go diving again! This time was in the Bahamas, with Stuart Cove’s dives. Staying at the Atlantis, on Paradise Island (on my hubby’s bucket list, and since it’s our 30th anniversary trip, I figured, why not? If not now, when?) and this is the operation you book through there. Did an afternoon two tank dive, and both were excellent, I must say! Pricey (like EVERYTHING at Atlantis) but very, very good.
First dive was at DC3 Wall, with the bottom around 50-60 feet and a wall going down more than a mile. I think I bottomed out around 80 feet. Two worthwhile wrecks, both deliberately sunk: a ship and a DC9 plane. Some great coral on the wall, too. I had even more trouble equalizing than usual, alas, but I did eventually get down to the good stuff! Took some good pix, which I hope to post after I get home (left the camera cable behind. Ooops!)
Second dive was a place they call Hollywood Bowl off Goulden Cay and it was spectacular. Ranged from about 15 – 30′ deep with a TON of coral and fish. Saw a small ray and others in our group saw a reef shark, though I missed it. Best coral I’d seen since West Caicos Island. Nearly unspoiled. (Becoming a rare commodity!) Some beautiful parrot fish, trumpet fish, a flounder or two. Cool stuff, more great pix.
We’ve also done a bit of snorkeling, right here at Atlantis. Okay, but nothing to write home about. Camera locked up on me there, so I’m not sure what I’ll have to show for it.
On Atlantis itself: gorgeous place, beautiful rooms and amenities. VERY pricey, and meals are a bit of an ordeal (long lines for breakfast, need reservations–days in advance–for nice dinners). Glad we came, but probably won’t do it again.
Happy diving!
–Brenda 
Brenda I have never replyed to a blog, however after I read your diving blog and Susan’s reply it seemed like the thing to do.
I love to scuba dive, I didn’t get certified until around age 50 and became an advanced diver when I was 59, I try to go to Coco View Resort in Roatan.every year, it is awesome if you are looking for great diving, good food and a freindly helpful staff. I just can’t seem to get more than 19 dives in a week. Thank the Lord for digital because I take over 900 pictures under water. I have ear issues also. I learned something new from the EMT that owns the dive shop at Coco View. You start gently equailizing your ears a few hours before you dive ( she calls it ear exercise to loosen them up) after all these years of problems with equalizing “IT WORKED!!!” It might help you. I am trying to find a new wetsuit to replace my old favorite, it is 1.5 – 1 – .5 mm it is the perfect suit for warm water. I looking for color and a front zipper. I will settle with a 2mm. So far I’ve found 3mm, back zipper, black and pink, black and blue. I’m going to try the site you suggested to Susan.
Check out http://www.mikescuba.com for more info on diving at Coco View.
Thanks.
By: Shirley on August 5, 2011
at 11:57 pm
Shirley, thank you so much for your VERY informative comment! Love that you’re another woman who came to diving later in life and fell in love with it–isn’t it awesome? I’ll check out Coco View next time I’m planning a dive vacation, for sure. Can you describe the “ear exercises” you mentioned? I would LOVE something that would help me equalize more quickly next time I dive since I HATE holding everyone else up (and often missing some cool stuff). Is it just a pinch nose and blow type thing? Or does it have to be in a pool or something?
Good luck finding the perfect wetsuit, and I’d love to hear some of your dive stories!
By: Brenda on August 9, 2011
at 12:54 pm