Dive Review of Brendal's Dive Center/Bonefish Bluff in
Bahamas

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Brendal's Dive Center/Bonefish Bluff : "Green Turtle Cay after Dorian", Jun, 2021, by Kendall Raine, CA, US ( Reviewer 6 reports with 6 Helpful votes). Report 11541.
No photos available at this time
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations	N/A	Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity
Dive Operation		Shore Diving	N/A
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
Value for $$
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	Dove three days with Brendal's on Green Turtle Cay. Family business with personalized service and very friendly attitude. Dive operation well organized with nice shop and several well equipped boats in very good condition. Brandal claimed that winds (average 10-15kts) prevented us from getting to outer reef, so dove three consecutive days in the exact same spot. Spot chosen, Coral Pillars, was large rock formation with little coral. If true, winds would need to be negligible to get to other sites. Choice of site may also have been influenced by low experience of other divers, but going to only one site three days running was disappointing and, frankly, suspicious. Boulder structure at Coral Pillars home to large school of Silversides and several tarpon. The coral on top of the boulder structure seemed in good shape with little obvious damage from Hurricane Dorian (September 2019). All dives guided by Brendal's son, Kyle. Average depth was 40 feet and run times limited to 60 minutes. Sparse macro life. Several grey reef sharks circled below the boat each day, presumably expecting a handout. Boat anchored rather than using a mooring-hook sometimes in the sand and sometimes directly in the coral formations-hence poor environmental rating. Operation clearly oriented to novice/occasional divers. Air only. Guided only. Briefing virtually non-existent, but may reflect repetitive nanny-style diving. Shop would not accept a c-card above BOW/AOW (?!) rejecting my trimix card as evidence of certification (never had that happen before in 27 years). High cost of diving ($222/pp/dive before 16.5% taxes) may reflect monopoly pricing since Brendal is the only open water dive operator in Abaco post-Dorian. Green Turtle Cay appears to have made significant strides at rebuilding after Dorian, particulalry compared to Marsh Harbor which is still pretty beat up. Beaches were very clean. However, banks have left GTC meaning no ATMs on island. Well run clinic allows for on island Covid screening required for return to US. Bahamas requires health visa and insurance prior to arrival. Visa obtainable with either proof of vaccination or negative Covid test. Subsequent testing required on island every five days for unvaccinated visitors. We stayed at Bonefish Bluff, a private home available through Abaco Island Rentals. Property is newly renovated and very well situated and appointed. GTC is very rustic/laid back and a fun place to chill for a few days. Bring whatever cash you'll need.
Websites	Brendal's Dive Center Bonefish Bluff
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	Over 1000 dives
Where else diving	Fiji, Rangiroa, Morea, Huahini, Grand Cayman, Turks, Palau, Truk, Galapagos, Cocos, Cabos, California, Florida, New York, North Carolina, Tulum, Cozumel, Bali, Lake Superior, Raja Ampat, Belize, Roatan, Andros, Nassau, Abaco,
Closest Airport	Marsh Harbor	Getting There	LAX to MIA to MHH
Dive Conditions
Weather	sunny, windy	Seas	calm, no currents
Water Temp	81-82°F / 27-28°C	Wetsuit Thickness	3
Water Visibility	50-60 Ft/ 15-18 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	no
Enforced diving restrictions	Guided dives 40 feet for 60 minutes
Liveaboard?	no	Nitrox Available?	no
What I Saw
Sharks	1 or 2	Mantas	None
Dolphins	None	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	None	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish
Large Pelagics	N/A
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter	N/A	Boat Facilities	N/A
Overall rating for UWP's	N/A	Shore Facilities	N/A
UW Photo Comments	[None]

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Dive Review of Brendal's Dive Center/Bonefish Bluff in Bahamas

Brendal's Dive Center/Bonefish Bluff : "Green Turtle Cay after Dorian", Jun, 2021,

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Dive Review of Brendal's Dive Center/Bonefish Bluff in
Bahamas