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Diving in Stella MarisStella Maris Diving's strong suit is its variety! There is something for almost every dive expectation and experience level. Here are a few highlights. Or visit our site at www.stellamarisdiving.com for even more information. Stella Maris Shark Reef Stella Maris Shark Reef, often copied, never matched, affords guaranteed, unfailingly dramatic viewing, photo and filming opportunities. Under the easiest and safest of conditions, suitable even for the not-so-seasoned diver, in just 30' of calm lee side water divers can witness first-hand the beauty and power of the apex predator of the Bahamian and Caribbean reef: Carcharhinus perezi. Some 1 to 2 dozen compete for prepared food in an underwater amphitheater setting. This not-to-be missed dive experience has been presented up to 2-3 time weekly since the mid-seventies with a 100% safety record! Dean's Blue Hole Dean’s Blue Hole, the world's known deepest! At 660', therefore presumably two ice ages old! From a gorgeous beach, with two flips of your fins you are ready to descend. Protected from the open Atlantic by high cliffs, the inside shallows equally delight accompanying swimmers and snorkelers. Located within a one hour’s drive by road this trip usually includes a pleasant Island Tour. Conception Island Wall Conception Island Wall, this uninhabited Bahamas Nature Park, on land and underwater, provides pristine dive stuff that legends are made of! Vertical walls fringed with huge coral heads begin as shallow as 45' and step down to indefinite ink-blue depths. Visibility usually ranges from 150 to 200'. All underwater life is at its best! And close by the infamous 9-mile South Hampton Reef, sporting continuous depth changes from 10 to 100', reportedly snagged some 150 wrecks, historic and modern. There is close by beach relaxation on Conception Island, the island’s creeks provide shelter for various turtle species, and bird watching is great, too. “Conception” can stand up to any Bahamas and Caribbean dive hot spot competition! Rum Cay Rum Cay, named “Conception Island” by Columbus originally, is within reach of the Stella Maris Dive vessels. It is known for its quaint scenery, very nice diving, and for its historic wreck of the "Conqueror". And on land, there is a ‘must see'; the Hartford Cave, boasting hundreds of Indian originating wall stone carvings. Wrecks The "Comberbach", a 110' steel freighter, sits upright on a 100' deep coral reef/shelf with lots of coral, sponge and fish life. The wreck can be safely dived throughout! Right next to the "Comberbach" is a 40' sailing vessel, the "Sunseeker". Man-made wrecks are occasionally added to this "Ships' Graveyard", located just 1/2 mile from beautiful Cape Santa Maria Beach, on the lee side of Long Island. A large steel freighter, its name unknown, sits at 25' on Conception Island's South Hampton Reef. Its 'flattened', but still interconnected hull presents great marine wreck photo opportunities. Residential fish life is good, and coral heads provide added background. The "Conqueror", the first ever steam engine equipped sailing war vessel of the British Navy, hit a coral head close to Rum Cay's south shore in 1848 and without the loss of a single life sank there. A Skindiver Magazine/Stella Maris dive team discovered it in 1969. In some 25’ of depth, one can inspect canons, canon balls, a huge shaft, a tiny engine, and all sorts of marine hardware, including petrified ships planking! Note: No collecting of anything here! A large steel freighter, its name unknown, sits in some 20' of depth immediately east of Long Island’s "Guana Cay". Its hull is partially torn apart and flattened; lots of marine hardware and its petrified freight remnants are strewn throughout the area. Typically visited by road (35 minutes), involving a 5 minute inner bay snorkel crossing; can be dived or snorkeled over. Plus: feed the tame Curly Tail Iguanas at Guana Cay’s beach! Learn to Dive in The Bahamas Learning to dive is a great way to spend a Stella Maris Vacation. In addition to the courses below, Stella Maris offers daily diving at $110 and a Resort Course at $145. Daily rate divers may be charged a surcharge for certain dives (i.e.: Shark Reef, Conception Wall). The resort course provides instruction and a first dive. Minimum age is 10 for resort course and 12 for certification. We teach PADI and SSI, RESORT, OPEN WATER, and OPEN WATER ADVANCED COURSES, any time! Pre-trained student divers regularly perform final 'wet' tests here by referral! Why dive at Stella Maris ? Location: Southern Bahamas, the best of subtropical climate zones, avoiding early-year cold fronts and enjoying surprisingly moderate summer/fall temperatures The Ocean: Crystal-clear and rich with underwater life. No pollution, no land runoffs! Two shorelines ( Atlantic and Exuma Bank) across just 1 mile of average land width! Studded with reefs, ringed with beaches. Temperatures: Average Winter air mid-seventies to eighties, water mid-seventies to low eighties. Summer/Fall air eighties to nineties, water mid-eighties. The Island : Unspoiled, friendly, quaint, unhurried, historically interesting, very attractive and perfectly safe. Some 80 miles of pretty town settings and gorgeous sea vistas. Stella Maris Resort Club: Very nice, not too large, yet complete. Fairly priced, with excellent services. Dedicated to Sun & Sea, diving and snorkeling, wholesome day activities and pleasant sunset entertainment. Ideal for water sports enthusiasts and for just-getting-away-from-it-all vacations, but not suited for 'glittery'-style holidays. The Diving: Most varied, along two shorelines, and at a number of nearby cays and islands perfectly set for combining virgin diving and island cruising. Offering a blend of typical Bahamas and Caribbean dive settings with world-renowned highlights such at SHARK REEF, the superb Conception Wall and the alluring Clarencetown Blue Hole! With the easiest of dive conditions - clear warm water, without currents, and 'fixed' bottoms - for very safe diving. Rich in life, shallow and medium depths, providing for a maximum of daily enjoyment. The Stella Maris Marina The marina is located 1 1/2 miles from the hotel (free diving transfers). Featuring an 18' deep saltwater training pool, diving and fishing equipment shops (for use, not for sale!), docks, boat ramp, etc. Diving gear available here for guests' use, but we recommend bringing your own gear (except weights and tanks). Some equipment repairs are available, but spare items/parts are limited due to variety. Dive gear can be left on boats or in shops overnight. Gear rinsing is available on boats, at docks and at dive shop. Please visit our site at www.stellamarisdiving.com for even more information.
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Bahamas Diving at Stella Maris
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Dive Equipment We do have rental snorkel equipment at reduced rates for hotel guests as well are rental BC/s, regulators, wet suits, dive lights and cameras. Diving & Equipment Rental Per day:
Tanks, aluminum with some small sizes available, and weights, weight belts are available and not subject to rental charges. Note: Dive equipment is available only for Stella Maris diving participants due to liability issues! Privately owned SCUBA tanks can be filled at prevailing charges if carrier shows valid Dive Certification Card. |
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The Boats: 65' Sol Mar III: A no-nonsense, serious dive cruiser for day and overnight traveling. Twin-diesel, 10 knot, 110/220 electric, hot/cold water, compressor aboard. Large four-stepped partially submerged platform. Full galley, shaded lounge/galley area, and upper sun deck. Plenty of space for gear. Air-conditioned bunk sleeping for up to 18 passengers. 32' Sol Mar II: A fast day-dive cruiser, with plenty of deck area. Single diesel, 16 knot. Sunroof; entry from low boat sides for 'rolling over' or via small platform. 27' Coral Seas : Glass bottom lee side day-boat, single diesel, 9 knot, sunroof. Entry from low sides for 'rolling over or via small platform. The Coral Seas often serves as tender for the other boats. All vessels are radio equipped, meet all legally required safety equipment standards, and have head(s)! Most diving is done from boat, some from shore. Boat travel from the Stella Maris Marina takes from 20 to 50 minutes. Boats sometimes meet divers at more dive-site oriented beaches/docks for less traveling and more variety. Well planned and safe overnight adventure cruises feature the nearby cays of Rum Cay, Conception Island, and Cat Island and can include any of the many Exuma Cays. This part of the Bahamas is a diver's and boater's paradise, offering history, beautiful scenery and the quaint Out Island way of life and the superb diving adventures below!
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