Unspoiled Views
Where we are diving
Perched on a pinnacle and washed by warm breezes and clear azure water lies San Salvador. Life in San Salvador is pretty much as unhurried as it has been through the ages. Quiet, friendly and unspoiled, it offers miles of deserted beaches and lush underwater reefs.
Most of the dive sites are located nearby and, on the islands, lee side, so rough seas are rarely encountered. The dive sites are almost all walls so the possibility of going deep on your Bahamas diving adventure is available, though you need not dive deeper than 40 feet to reach the reef if you prefer to keep a shallow profile.
The walls that surround the island are the top of a submerged mountain that drops to 15,000 feet (4572 meters). Its water is full of life. Dolphins often show up to investigate both divers and their boats. Green turtles, hawksbill turtles and leatherback turtles munch on the reefs while eagle rays appear out of the blue on the walls. Seahorses, Bahama sea stars, queen conches and hordes of tropical fish flit amongst the colorful coral reefs. But a highlight of the biodiversity is the natural shark encounters.
Shark lovers will be pleased to hear that San Salvador is home to many shark species, the scalloped hammerheads being a favorite for divers. Caribbean reef sharks are also frequent visitors and the reef fish are more than abundant.
Registration closes soon!
Trip Leaders
Mary Gardner, Advanced Open Water Diver Instructor
Mary has been diving for 36 years and feels like she “can’t live without it.” She has been an active instructor for 28 years and loves teaching scuba. Mary and her husband, Dwain, have owned and operated Capt. Nemo’s Dive Shop in Columbia, Missouri for 36 years. They have introduced thousands of people to scuba and conducted close to 100 escorted diving trips to the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean. Her boundless energy comes from a passion for introducing new divers to the beauty of being underwater and “getting them hooked on not just getting certified, but becoming a diver.”
Dwain Gardner, Instructor Trainer
Dwain took his first scuba class when he was 19 at the University of Missouri in Columbia. After the first day of scuba class, he knew what he wanted to do with his life. For four and a half years, Dwain helped teach a course at the University of Missouri, then continued to teach scuba and managed several dive stores before starting Capt. Nemo’s Dive Shop 36 years ago. Now, 42 years after that first scuba class, Dwain enjoys giving newcomers the same inspiring experience he had at his first lesson.
Resort Details
Where we are staying
Being one of the southeasternmost islands in the Bahamas chain, San Salvador, also known as Columbus Isle, is just twelve miles long by five miles wide and home to approximately 950 residents.
Riding Rock Resort & Marina was custom designed for dive travelers, with all of the facilities close at hand. Built, owned, and operated by the William’s family since the 1960’s, the resort is and always has been dedicated to the comfort and convenience of their divers.
Their restaurant and lounge both provide a friendly, casual atmosphere for the food, drinks, and a magnificent ocean view. All rooms are air-conditioned and offer cable TV, a mini-fridge, private bath, porch or balcony, outside drying hooks, tile floors, and daily housekeeping. The resort also features a freshwater swimming pool and access to a breathtaking white sand beach to the South of the rooms.
Learn more about the accommodations from the resort website.
Trip Details
Price
Ground Only
- Double Diver: $1,990
- Double Non-Diver: $1,690
- Single Diver: $2,490
- Single Non-Diver: $2,210
Deposit and payments
- 1st Deposit: $500 due at signup
- 2nd Deposit: $500 due March 17, 2023
- Full Balance: April 14, 2023
- Pre-trip meeting: June 4, 2023
Other info
- Prices are based upon double occupancy
- All payments are non-refundable
- Prices are subject to change due to events outside of our control
What’s included
- 7 nights of accommodations at Riding Rock Resort
- Transfers
- 16 dives
- 21 meals
- Trip t-shirt
What’s not included
- Airfare: Diventures will assist
- Drinks
- Dive insurance (required)
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
Recommended courses
- Perfect Buoyancy
- Deep Diving
What prior travelers say
-Isaac N.
Know Before You Go
Passport – Must be valid 6 months beyond the dates of your trip.
Money Exchange – The U.S. dol. ar is widely accepted
Dress Code – Casual
Electricity – If you are visiting from North America, you will not need an adapter. In The Bahamas, power plugs and sockets are of types a and b. The standard voltage is 120 v and the standard frequency is 60 hz.
Language – English
Wi-Fi – Available at the resort.