Shark - Dive Nassau - 2001

Shark Dive, Nassau, 2001

The above video is not my video. I do have one but it is in the VHS format. However this is just exactly what we did.

April 25, 2001, eleven courageous (or loco) Tackle Shack divers set out to play with the sharks in Nassau. We arrived at Tampa International Airport between 5:30 and 6:00 checked our baggage and our adventure had begun. After a small breakfast to tide us over, we moved over to air side to wait for our “ride” which was a small propeller plane to Miami. In Miami, we had another “small breakfast” of cinnamon buns, coffee, milk or whatever to wait for another small propeller plane on to Nassau. Upon arrival we broke up into two groups for the taxi ride to Orange Hill. The second group was treated to a ride in a stretch limo. Our driver obviously took the scenic route as the limo folks arrived at the hotel before us. We unloaded our gear, had burgers, hot dogs and fries then off for our first dive The Sea Viking, a combination wreck/wall dive around 80 feet more or less. Lots of critters, turtles, eels, and a plethora of fish. The second dive was a shallow reef dive at 36 feet. Again loaded with critters. Since we were all pretty tired out from the early start and plane ride we opted for dinner at the Orange Hill restaurant then to bed early.
Day two found us ready for the shark dive. I decided the only way to describe this was Way Too Cool! Our boat ride to the site, The Shark Pit, was a very small cramped boat with a very slippery deck due to some sort of oil or diesel spill. The choice was tanking up at the side and a roll off, or tank up at the back and giant stride off the platform. Most of us opted for the roll off. On the first dive we descended to approx. 43 feet to be greeted by several Caribbean Reef Sharks. I counted about 7 just circling around “chilling”. We swam down a wall to about 76 feet then up to the top where we investigated a wreck. I am sure there were many things to see on the wall, but speaking for myself I was too enthralled with looking for sharks to notice anything. Back to the boat and up the ladder all the while being treated to the sight of several sharks. After a surface interval, we were briefed for the shark feed dive. We were told to take off our snorkels, as the sharks would go after it sometimes pulling the mask right off our face. Don’t reach up and try to touch the sharks, we could loose an arm that way. (Like who the hell wants to) Don’t make any sudden movements, basically keep our hands folded in front of us and remain still. At the end of the dive remain on the site until the shark feeder swam off drawing the sharks away. After the briefing off the boat we all went. During the feed the sharks, probably between 15 and 20 all told were in constant motion all around, over, and between us, sometimes bumping us with their fins and tails. Many times I found myself staring directly into the eye of a shark who was close enough to reach out and touch (not that I had any inclination to do so). At the end of the feed Jay, Jay (who was wearing a steel mesh suit) swam away taking most of the sharks out of the immediate area. We then looked for shark teeth. They apparently loose them during the feed and grow them back within days. Some of us were fortunate enough to find some really nice teeth. I didn’t, but had fun looking. All the way back up to the boat and during our safety stop a few sharks were constantly in sight. What a thrill. I still haven’t figured out what it is that makes reasonable sane people (some who can’t get to work on time) get up at the crack of dawn, jump in to cold water and do something like this. Back at the hotel we discovered our shower was broken. Vanessa cam e out carrying the entire faucet from the bathtub. John and Richard were treated to 3 women in their shower. Some men have it lucky. Courtesy of the guys we cleaned up and took off for town to eat at the Conch Fritter. Very good food and good company, between Mixer and Greg (always the comics) we were entertained constantly. Back at the hotel to bed again fairly early.
Day three found us at the Sand Chute for the first dive, as the name implies there was indeed a sand chute, which we followed out the wall. Interesting things we saw were some sort of engine probably for a boat and various other parts, along with many, beautiful fish eel’s, etc. The last dive was interesting. The site was called Will Laurie. In approx. 57 feet of water were three wrecks, the first one was a boat used to transport goods and had been down for some 30 years. The deck had some sort of bars standing around. It looked almost like a jail. Directly beside it was a refugee boat, an old wooden relic that had been pretty battered by the last hurricane. In its vicinity we found such items as an old CB radio, an Adidas bag, a mans belt, (Vanessa was afraid when she pulled on it a man may have been attached. (Thank goodness that was not so) and some old iron kettles. The last of the three wrecks was another boat off from the first two at about 90 deg. On the way to this wreck among the other fish we had been seeing we spotted several ocean trigger fish. Back at the hotel some of us spent the afternoon lounging around the pool soaking up rays and sampling the local beer, Kalik. Our shower being fixed we cleaned up and after a summit meeting decided to hike the “mile or so” up the road to the Traveler’s Nest. The food was of a local flavor, good and plentiful. The Pina Coladas were great. In the dark down a narrow road with traffic narrowly missing us, we hiked the “mile or so” back to the hotel. But we weren’t frightened. After all, we were “Shark Divers”
The last day, after 3 perfect sunny days, (yes Michaela’s jinx has been broken) Visibility of 100 ft more or less and 79 deg water, the weather turned rainy. We rode the bus into town, took a water taxi to Paradise Island, Lost a little money in the casino, and while some took the “three hour tour” some of us just wandered around and enjoyed the day. We were transported to the airport courtesy of Orange hill hotel and sent off with a fresh baked hot loaf of “Johnny Cake”.
Another good trip, good friends, good food and good times!