Stuart Cove's is the leading full-service dive center on New Providence, offering equipment sales and rentals in addition to a wide variety of organized trips. Join a snorkeling trip, a thrilling scuba dive, or even a ride aboard an innovative SUB (Scenic Underwater Bubble). The individual units resemble a cross between a motor scooter and a submarine, and allow you to breathe normally and even wear regular eyeglasses under water. Transportation to and from most area hotels is available. A bit of trivia: Stuart Cove has worked as a dive coordinator on numerous films, including "Never Say Never Again" and "Flipper."
The Flying Cloud, a 57-foot catamaran, sets sail for entertaining and exciting trips around Nassau Harbor. The half-day sail/snorkel adventure lasts about 3-1/2 hours, and features a high-speed sail to Rose Island where you can swim in the ocean, snorkel a nearby coral reef, or just lounge on the beach. The evening sunset cruise lasts about 2-½ hours, and offers a romantic view of the harbor and the city lights, complete with hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar. Sunday's excursion is similar to the half-day sail/snorkel trip, but it lasts about five hours and includes a Bahamian lunch. All trips include round trip hotel transfers, all necessary equipment and instruction.
Dolphin Encounters has strong emphases on animal care, education, conservation and research, but also provides memorable experiences for participants in their "Close Encounter" and "Swim-With-The-Dolphins" programs. Enjoy interaction with these fascinating, gentle and intelligent Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins following a brief orientation period. The "Close Encounter" takes place from a waist-deep platform in the water, while the "Swim" requires full immersion and includes additional interaction time. Observers are welcome as well. Guests must be at least 6 years old, and paid adults must accompany youth through age 12. Round-trip boat transportation to Blue Lagoon Island leaves from the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal.
If your visit to the Bahamas has you confined to one island, consider a Bahamas Ferries trip. The company runs a regular daily schedule of trips to several other islands (The Eleutheras, Andros, The Exumas, Sandy Point and Abaco), aboard their three state-of-the-art cruisers, one of which is the Bo Hengy, a $5.2 million catamaran that crosses the water at about 35 knots (40 mph). If you have a day to spare, by all means book a Dayaway trip. The package includes hotel transfers, transportation to and from idyllic Harbour Island, a Bahamian lunch, a historic walking tour of the island's main sights, and plenty of time for lounging on the famed pink sand beach.
Seahorse offers exciting half-day snorkeling trips to various spots around the island. Trips aboard the sailing catamaran depart from the Atlantis resort, and include any equipment you might need plus instruction. Tranquil sunset cruises are available as well.