Location
Nassau (NAS) is around 9 hours direct flying time from London. Indirect services take longer. From Nassau you can connect with local flights to several islands.
The Bahamas is a scuba diving paradise, with breathtaking dive sites offering pristine reefs, multitudes of exciting wrecks, blue holes, spectacular walls and the chance to dive with dolphins and sharks. It's also got great life surface side, with pristine beaches, plenty of restaurants and bars and a fabulous place to while away the hours enjoying the Caribbean sunshine.
Covid Travel Information
For British nationals, The Foreign & Commonwealth Development Office currently advises against all but essential international travel to the Bahamas
The Bahamas has re-opened its international borders for tourists.
To enter The Bahamas you will need to present a negative COVID-19 test certificate that is less than 5 days old, as well as a health visa application for international travel and a health card application for domestic travel.
Travellers are required before travel to complete an electronic Health Visa at travel.gov.bs.Applications may take up to 72 hrs to process.
After 1 November, travellers who are staying in The Bahamas more than four nights/five days will be required to take a rapid antigen test. More details are available at the Ministry of Tourism website. Please visit bahamas.com/tourism-reopening
You have to complete this form online before you arrive in the UK from any country:
Form to provide your journey and contact details before you travel to the UK
You have to self-isolate when you arrive in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, when you are travelling home.
Updated 4NOV 2020
Weather and Climate
The Bahamas enjoys fairly constant trade winds, and as such, it a fabulous year round holiday. The winter air temps are between 21-24C whilst the simmer months are warmer, 27-29C, with a greater chance of rain. Water temps go from around 23C (Feb) and 29C (Aug).
Travel
Flight options
There are both direct and indirect flight options to the Bahamas (Nassau). BA operate the direct flight from London. Depending on the day of departure, you may need to route via the States, usually Miami, with American Airlines. You must have a valid ESTA before travel or transit through the USA.
We are able to book most major airlines. If you have a specific airline you prefer to fly with, simply let us know in your booking request. A supplement may apply for regional departures. Times and any applicable supplements will be confirmed by your travel consultant before you finalise your holiday.
If you wish to make your own flight arrangements to Nassau, let us know and we can remove the cost of the international flights from your quote. We are unfortunately not able to redeem airmiles on your behalf. Please do not confirm any flight arrangements yourself before your holiday is confirmed by us.
Stopovers
If you are routing through the USA, we are able to book a stop over en route. This is usually in Miami. You must have a valid ESTA before travel or transit through the USA.
Arrange before you go
Visa requirements
UK passport holders are able to obtain a visa on entry to the Bahamas. You must have a valid ESTA before travel or transit through the USA. Do ensure your passport has 6 months validity from your return date. It is your responsibility to ensure your passport is valid and you fulfil entry requirements. Regulations can change: please review current FCO advice: click here
Insurance
Scuba Travel requires all of our customers to have diving insurance. Please make sure that you have appropriate cover for your diving activities.
We also strongly recommend you have travel insurance. It's worth taking out travel insurance once you have paid your deposit to ensure you are covered for unforeseen events and cancellation.
Find out more about our combined dive and travel policy click here
Immunisations
Please speak to your local GP or check out the latest NHS advice on travel immunisations: click here
Preparing to fly
Seating
You will be able to manage your booking online once you have been ticketed (after you have paid your holiday balance). Most airlines will now enable you to select your seating at this point. There may be a small charge for prebookable seating before online check in opens. Please speak to the airline for more information about charges.
Check in
As you are flying with a scheduled airline, you will be able to check in online with your airline. Please visit their website for more information about when online check in opens.
Lounge
An airport lounge is a great way to start your holiday or to while away flight connections in comfort. Scuba Travel works with Lounge Pass to offer a huge range of affordable airport lounges around the world.
click here
Parking
Prebook your airport parking to save money! If you have a long way to travel, why not also look at booking an airport hotel. These aren't as expensive as you might think.
click here
What happens when I arrive?
On arrival for any of our Bahamas holidays, you will be met and taken to your hotel or liveaboard. Simply make your way to through baggage reclaim and immigrations. Your transfer will be waiting for you with a board with your name, resort or liveaboard.
If you have any issues at all locating your rep, please contact us. We have an emergency contact, manned by a member of the team here in the UK. Please call 0044 7747 488 002. We will be able to help your rep locate you in the airport.
Transfers
If you are travelling onto Bimini you will need to catch a domestic flight. These can only be booked with a smaller baggage allowance than the international flights. Excess baggage is charged for locally. Domestic flights are on smaller planes, and the schedule can be affected by adverse winds. We will always try to allow time in your itinerary for any possible delays.
If you have made your own flight arrangements to land in Nassau, please confirm at the time of booking if airport transfers are included or available at an additional cost
Departures
You will be advised locally of your transfer times at the end of your holiday. The departure tax of BS$15.00 is collected from every person 6 years and older.
Info
Tipping
Crew gratuities are not included in the charter. We believe gratuities should be voluntary and based upon the quality of service the crew has provided. Please take cash for all on board tipping
Currency
The boat takes USD cash on board, as well as Mastercard or Visa payments (local surcharges may apply)
Phone coverage
There is a satellite phone onboard but we recommend you speak to your phone provider for call, data and 3G coverage
Plugs and electricity
Electrical outlets onboard are standard US 110 volt
Extras
Hire equipment
All kit rental and 15lt tanks are available when prebooked for an additional charge - please ask for an up to date price list
Extras
Depending on your itinerary, diving specialty courses are offered onboard - please ask for an up to date price list
Souvenirs
There a small shop on board for souvenirs, t-shirts and on board extras
Nitrox/Gas
Recreational mixes available on board for a local charge
Payments
Deposits and Balances
A typical deposit for Bahamas Master will be £1000. This will be due once your holiday has been confirmed. Your balance will then be due 90 days before travel.
Ways to pay
We accept mastercard and visa debit or credit cards. Alternatively, you are welcome to pay via bank transfer. All non sterling card payments and UK business debit cards will be subject to the 2% surcharge. Overseas bank transfers must add £6 to the sterling total to cover international handling fees. We are not able to accept PayPal transactions.
Group Payments
If you have booked as part of a group, you can still call and pay directly without needing to go via your group leader. Please have your trip reference number to hand to help us locate your holiday as quickly as possible. You will receive a transaction receipt - your group leader will forward your ATOL certificate and booking confirmation
Discounts
Repeat Guests
Are you one of Scuba Travel's repeat customers? Over 60% of our customers trust Scuba Travel to book their next diving holiday, time after time.
And we believe you deserve a huge thanks for your ongoing support over the years, which is what our repeater discount is all about! Travel with us again in either 12 months or 24 months and you will qualify for a discount. That's all you have to do. No forms, no numbers to remember, no fuss, just a good honest price reduction.
5% off for repeat customers travelling with Scuba Travel within 24 months
5% off plus £100 bonus for repeat customers travelling within 12 months
Repeat discounts are not cumulative and cannot be applied to special offer prices
Included
Including airport transfer from your Bahamas island embarkation point, all nights on board in a standard sharing cabin.
Full board 3 meals and snacks, water, soft drinks, fruit juice, tea and coffee
Enjoy up to 4 guided dives a day (3 day and 1 night), 12 lt tanks, air fills and weights
Excluded
To pay locally are park fees, kit hire, alcoholic drinks and nitrox.
Ask for a competitive quote to add international or domestic flights and any hotel stays to your booking
2 land excursions are scheduled for an additional charge on board (depending on itinerary)