Bahamas - Grand Cay
A word from Erich Ritter:
"... Grand Cay is only suitable for divers who want nothing else than interacting with sharks under different circumstances, get up close and personal with these animals, like to have a glimse into actual shark research and even be part of. This course and the island do not cater to divers who need a certain level of luxury or service, and can’t deal with a simple island life. When SharkSchool™ decided to use this island as the base for SERC - Shark Education & Research Center - sharks were the only consideration with regards to research and education in shark-human interaction and communication…”
Lemons, Bulls, Caribbean reef sharks and more
The Islands of The Bahamas form a 100,000-sq-mile archipelago that extends over 500 miles of the clearest water in the world. Its 700 islands, including uninhabited cays and large rocks, total an estimated land area of 5,382 sq. miles, and register a highest land elevation of 206 ft. on Cat Island. Population: over 305,000. The Bahamas has the world's third longest barrier reef and about 14.5% of the world's coral can be found in its waters. The islands are made entirely of calcium carbonate, which is mainly produced or precipitated by the organisms of coral reefs. This makes the underwater world of the Bahamas a true divers’ paradise. Besides a pristine coral habitat and enormous fish populations, the Bahamas are especially famous for their large shark populations.
While worldwide the numbers of sharks are diminishing steeply because of the large demand for shark fins in Asia, the Bahamas have succeeded to a large extend to protect them. So an encounter with this elegant predator can almost be guaranteed during each dive. Caribbean reef sharks, lemon sharks and nurse sharks can often be seen as well as bull sharks, hammerheads, blacktips, silkies and even tiger sharks are regular visitors to the waters of the Bahamas.Grand Cay
Grand Cay is part of the Abaco islands in the northern Bahamas. The Abacos are inhabited by approximately 15.000 people. On Grand Cay itself only 300 people live. There are two restaurants, three bars, a few typical local shops where you can buy what the supply ships have brought lately, as well as a church where you can participate in a swinging gospel mass.
The locals are friendly and open, although they are still surprised at all these travelers who come to the Bahamas to dive with sharks. They themselves are mostly still afraid of sharks. On the island there is no hurry or stress, ideal for the traveler who is looking for peace and quiet.
Accommodation
You will be staying in a standard hotel room. The rooms are simple, clean and have air conditioning, TV, bathroom with shower and toilet and a balcony with sea view.
How to get there
In general the travel itinerary to Grand Cay from Europe is as follows. You normally will fly to Freeport on Grand Bahamas through Miami, Florida. You will spend the night in Freeport in a hotel and fly to Walkers, Grand Cay the next morning at 7.00 hrs. From there a boat will take you in 10-15 minutes to Grand Cay. Please note that taxi fares from the airport to the hotel in Freeport ad back are not included in your travel package. 
They cost around 15 USD one way. However other itineraries are also possible. For instance through Atlanta, Georgia, with the possibility to visit the world famous Aquarium there. For groups starting from 6 people we can organize direct private flights from Florida to Walkers, Grand Cay.
Traveling from a European country, you will normally need a passport that is valid for 6 moths beyond your traveling dates. A visa is normally not required. For the requirements pertaining to your country please click here. For more travel tips please click here.
Diving and snorkeling around Grand Cay
Diving is done by boat. We 'only' dive one time per day (however with 'unlimited' bottom time) to make sure there is always enough time in the afternoon to do the snorkeling / freediving with sharks. A second dive can be organized but has to be agreed on by all participants (since it may substitute the daily snorkeling, mainly in wintertime).
Shark Species at Grand Cay
Year round: lemon sharks, caribbean reefs and blacktips
Winter (September - April): bull sharks
Summer (May - August): nurse sharks, great hammerheads, tiger sharks
Typical course day
07.00 - 09.00 hrs breakfast
09.30 hrs at diving center
10.00 hrs dive boat leaves dock
10.30 hrs dive ('unlimited' bottom time)
13.00 hrs Shark Beach (snorkeling / freediving)
15.00 hrs back at diving center
17.00 - 19.00 lectures
20.00 hrs dinner