Posted by: travadmin on Feb 02, 2003 – 09:06 PM
ecotourism The Bahamas has a wealth of ecotourism options for the environmentally friendly visitor. We aim here to give you the information on tours operating under an eco-friendly banner. Keep in mind, however, that there is no consolidated consensus on what makes an ‘Eco-Tour’. By providing you with all the information possible we invite you to draw your own conclusions.
Bahamas Naturalist Expeditions
Bahamas Naturalist Expeditions offers Wildlife Tours of Abaco and an opportunity to experience a hands-on education of Bahamian flora and fauna. Witness the Bahama parrot in its natural habitat or learn about the Abaco Dolphin and Whale research station from experienced naturalist guides.
The Bahamas Naturalist Expeditions company was developed as an eco-tourism company dedicated to the preservation and appreciation of the natural beauty of The Bahamas. As part of their commitment to promoting environmental conservation and protection, the Bahamas Naturalist Expeditions offers a number of different kind of tour for the nature enthusiast as follows: Kayaking, Birdwatching, Snorkelling, Nature trekking, Dolphin Watching. All tours include snacks, local fruit, beverages, and a gourmet deli lunch served on a beach.
Contact: Diane Balcomb
Bahamas Naturalist Expeditions
PO Box AB-20714
Marsh Harbour, Abaco
The Bahamas
Tel/Fax: (242) 367-4505
“BNE Tours” on VHF Ch. 65A
Contact: Marilynn Nottage
PO Box N-7775, Nassau, The Bahamas
Tel: (242) 394-0951
Fax: (242) 394-0948
US toll free: (800) 241-4591
Bimini Undersea Adventures’ Wild Dolphin Excursion
This trip is miles away from the show seen at theme parks where captive dolphins perform tricks for food. This dive/snorkel trip offers you a chance to swim with wild dolphins in their own environment for anything up to, and over, an hour in the waters surrounding Bimini.
The pod of Atlantic Spotted Dolphins which has kindly taken a liking to twice weekly visits from the dive shop consists of between 12 and 20 individuals, both sexes being represented. There is no guarantee that the dolphins will show up but Bimini Undersea Adventures are boasting an 80% success rate in the six months that the trip has run.
Contact: Nowdla or Bill Keefe
Bimini Undersea Adventures, Alicetown, Bimini
The Bahamas
Tel: (242) 347-3089
Fax: (242) 347-3079
e-mail:info@biminiundersea.com
Dolphin Encounters
Choose from three programs and enjoy the company of eight bottle-nosed dolphins. The first ‘Swim with the Dolphins’, being an opportunity to swim with the dolphins for an unforgettable 30 minutes, they may even take you for a high speed ‘foot-push’. The second programme, ‘Close Encounter’, involves an educational talk about the life of dolphins and an opportunity to touch and wade with them in waist deep water. For those seeking a more immersed experience the ‘Dolphin Scuba Encounter’ is just for you!
PO Box CB-10977, Nassau, The Bahamas
Tel: (242) 327-5066
Fax: (242) 327-5059
e-mail:stm@bahamas.net.bs
East End Adventure
All day bush and sea safari in the east end of Grand Bahama. It’s a four wheel, 54-mile adventure off the beaten track through pine and palm forests and along deserted beaches. Guides point out native medicinal plants and give an insight into of the natural history and civics of the island. The tour includes a visit to the Lucayan National Park. Speed boat rides to Sweeting and Lightbourne Cay for beachcombing, fishing, water-skiing, snorkelling in blue holes or just relaxing. Lunch is included at Lightbourne Cay: fried fish, conch salad, rice & peas, salad, wine and Bahamian switcher (lemonade). The journey begins at 8am with coffee and Danish’s.
Contact: PO Box F-44322
Freeport, Grand Bahama
The Bahamas
Tel: (242) 373-6662
Fax: (242) 352-7676
Great Inagua Tour Operators
For a nature safari of The Bahamas, visit Inagua, “The Best Kept Secret For Bird Watchers and Naturalists”. Larry Ingraham will show you around Inagua’s abundant population of birds and national park. Tours can be catered for the individual, with camping arranged in the park itself. Alternatively, lodging in Matthew Town is also available.
Contact: Marianne or Larry Ingraham
4327 Reflection Boulevard North, Suite 104
Sunrise, FL 33351.
Tel: (242) 339-1862 or (305) 748-1833
Island Expedition
Not-for-profit organization dedicated to studying marine life, environmental issues and island culture. Island expeditions runs a hands-on school at sea programme aimed at providing children with the opportunity to appreciate/learn about the marine environment while continuing their education.
President: Nicolas Popov
Address: PO Box CB-11934
Nassau, The Bahamas
Tel: (242) 325-2573
Fax: (242) 327-8659
e-mail: islandex@cob.edu.bs
Island vacations
Escorted ecotourism group tours of the Islands of The Bahamas. Excursions are normally four days and three nights and all-inclusive. Each island tour is individually tailored to the flavour and specific environment of the island. There is bonefishing in Andros, birdwatching in Grand Bahama, kayaking in the Abaco Marls, historic ruins and culture in Cat Island, caving in Eleuthera, wildlife safari in Inagua, blue hole snorkelling in Exuma and much more.
Contact: Tyrone Sawyer
PO Box CB-13002
Town Centre Mall
Nassau, The Bahamas
Tel: (242) 356-1111
Fax: (242) 356-4379
Island World Adventures
Take guided land and water treks through tropical eco-systems in the Exuma Cays. Encounter, photograph and learn about Bahamian flora and fauna or climb the hill for a vista of your incredible island. High speed boat ride.
Contact: Stephen Claridge
PO Box N-7366
Nassau
The Bahamaa
Tel (242) 363-3333 Or 357-7782
Fax (242) 363-4401
e-mail sales@jacharic.com
JC Specialty Tours
Explore the East End of Grand Bahama and nature trails and mysterious caves of the Lucayan National Park. You will also enjoy the heartwarming views of pristine creeks and miles of unspoiled beaches that are some of the best in the world. Snorkelling
Contact: JC Carey
PO Box F-44563
Freeport
Grand Bahama
The Bahamas
Tel (242) 352-8198 Or 557-6505
Fax (242) 352-4730
e-mail jcspecialtytours@yahoo.com
Kayak Nature Tours
Kayak Nature Tours offers activities for the person that would like to experience the tranquility of the natural Grand Bahamas. No kayaking experience necessary.
One tour features paddling on the shallow mangrove flats of the North Shore where wading birds and other wildlife can be observed. Lunch is on a pristine cay. Another tour takes you to the Lucayan National Park where you paddle an inland creek system and picnic on one of our most spectacular beaches. This tour includes a guided nature walk through the diverse ecological zones of the Park and a visit to the historic Lucayan caves. The Lucayan National Park is home to the longest charted underwater cave system in the world!!
Erika Moultrie
Grand Bahama
Tel: (242) 373-2485
e-mail: kayaknat@batelnet.bs
Paradise Cove
A resort offering a natural history and ecology tour of Grand Bahama. This day long tour is centred around a snorkelling workshop with educational narrative on the ecology, biology and conservation of our reef systems. Visitors are encouraged to swim to the reef from the shore and no motorized vehicles are allowed. On the way to the site visitors are taken through Eight Mile Rock Village and given a history on the settlement of Grand Bahama. The tour includes a visit to Duck Pond where migratory birds come to nest in the winter season and wetland birds come to feed. You can expect to see Egrets, Blue Heron, Wilson’s Snipe and others
Contact: Mr Barry Smith
PO Box F-42771, Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas
Tel: (242) 349-2677
Fax: (242) 352-5471
e-mail: pcove@batelnet.bs
Pedal & Paddle Ecoventures
Discover Nassau’s natural beauty. Fun & adventure all day or half day. Small group, eco-friendly guided activity tours with ocean kayaks and/or all-terrain bicycles. Enjoy nature trails, birdwatching, snorkel on coral reefs, mangrove creeks, inland lakes. All equipment provided, picnic lunch with full day, refreshments. Easy or energetic, all weather. Half day choose biking or kayaking.
Custom and exclusive tours on request. Advance booking with credit card 10% discount, minimum 2 persons. Content of tours will vary with weather conditions.
PO Box CB-12564, Nassau, The Bahamas.
Tel (242) 362-2772
Fax (242) 362-2044
email: cwardle@batelnet.bs
Pinetree Stables
Ride through a forest trail to a deserted beach and see Grand Bahama from horseback.
Contact: Linda Buchanan
PO Box F-42915, Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas
Tel: (242) 373-3600
e-mail: pinetree@batelnet.bs
Rand Nature Centre
Nature trails, native flora and fauna, the Bahama Parrot and a replica Lucayan Indian village, it’s all here at the Rand Nature Centre.
Contact: Michael Albury
East Settler’s Way, Freeport
PO Box F43441, Grand Bahama Island, The Bahamas
Tel: (242) 352-5438
Fax: (242) 351-4192
e-mail: randnature@batelnet.bs
Small Hope Bay
This Andros-based, simplistic nature-centred lodge is dedicated to preserving the environment. Small Hope Bay has been in operation for 36 years now and has been creative in devising new ways for people to explore the environment of Andros. In addition to full diving facilities, nature walks have been mapped and tagged to introduce individuals to the indigenous species of The Bahamas. Small Hope lies next to the third largest barrier reef in the world and the resident marine biologist, Dr. Tim Turnbull, gives lectures and accompanies snorkellers on tours of the different reef systems. A bibliography of traditional bush medicines has been developed with a local bush doctor and a handy display case showing these plants acts as a reference point for visitors.
Contact: Mona Birch
PO Box 21677
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33335
Tel:(305) 493-9130 or (242) 368-2013
Stuart Cove’s Dive South Ocean
Diving safaris in the Exuma Cays, Berry Islands and Andros. Shark diving and awareness programs.
PO Box CB-13137, Nassau, The Bahamas
Tel: (242) 362-4171
Fax: (242) 362-5227
e-mail: SCOVE1045@aol.com
The Rob Palmer Blue Holes Foundation Expeditions
Join the Rob Palmer Blue Holes Foundation for expeditions of the blue holes of The Bahamas. Trips are directed by Steffi Schwabe, founder of the Blue Holes Foundation. Trips taking place throughout the year and the Bahamas aboard the Ocean Explorer, captained & owned by Dan Malone. Call for a schedule
PO Box F-44722, Freeport, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas
Tel/fax: (242) 373-4483
e-mail: 100432.616@compuserve.com
UNEXSO
The Underwater Explorers Society (UNEXSO), Grand Bahama, is an educational and research facility leading the way in marine mammal interaction and conservation, especially in connection with dolphins. Organizers say this is the only organized facility utilizing the services of wild dolphins. Those with a keen interest in working with Dolphins can spend a week as an assistant at the facility.
Contact: PO Box F-42433
Freeport, Grand Bahama
The Bahamas
Tel: (242) 373-1244
Fax: (242) 373-8956