Dive into the heart of the Caribbean with Reef Oasis Dive Club, nestled within the picturesque Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach Resort in Grand Bahama. Just a short drive from the main town of Freeport and its airport, Viva Fortuna Beach Resort offers the tropical tranquility and underwater adventures most of us desire when visiting the Bahamas.
This premier diving destination caters to all skill levels, from beginner PADI courses to thrilling shark dives. With over 20 years of diving expertise, the international team at Reef Oasis Dive Club ensures safe and memorable underwater adventures. Enjoy the beauty of the Bahamas above and below the water with exclusive Dive & Stay packages, combining luxury accommodation with unforgettable diving expeditions.
Contact Reef Oasis Dive Club here.
Suit up and dive in!
Whether you’re an avid shark diving enthusiast or a first-timer, Reef Oasis Dive Club makes its divers feel comfortable and at ease. The dive club is managed by Michael who, along with the staff and dive professionals, is very friendly and helpful. Divers can rent as much gear as they need and will be pleased to know that most dives are just a quick boat ride away.
Shark Dives
With vibrant coral reefs, a bounty of marine life, and exciting shipwrecks, it’s no wonder that Grand Bahama is a top destination for scuba divers. Specific to the Freeport area is its abundance of sharks, and Reef Oasis Dive Club is just a stone’s throw from world-renowned Tiger Beach.
Tiger Beach, along with the lesser-known Shark Alley, is the highlight of this area. Divers travel from across the globe for the unique opportunity to dive with tiger sharks, nurse sharks, lemon sharks, and even the great hammerheads. Dive guides do minimally feed the sharks, so divers receive styrofoam rods to gently push away any sharks that may come uncomfortably close.
Local Dive Sites
Although Grand Bahama is famous for its thriving shark population, don’t be fooled into thinking that’s all there is. Other great diving opportunities include Ben’s Blue Hole, Theo’s Wreck, Picasso Gallery, and Sea Star wreck.
It’s easy to get to any of the local dive sites on Reef Oasis’ spacious dive boat, which has plenty of room for around 20 divers to stretch their legs between dives. Most dive sites are under 3 miles (5 km) away, the furthest being Tiger Beach, approximately 50 miles (80 km) away.
If shipwrecks are more your vibe, Theo’s Wreck and the Sea Star wreck are both located about 1.5 miles (2.5 km) from the resort’s beachfront. They are 180 to 230 feet (55 to 70 m) long cargo ships, with several exploration and penetration points. Numerous reef fish, crustaceans, and larger pelagics, such as jacks and snappers, weave around the wreck. Caribbean reef sharks usually cruise nearby.
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For newer divers or underwater photographers who prefer grand coral-scapes, the reef systems around Grand Bahama have much to offer. Most of the dive sites that Reef Oasis Dive Club visits are around 15 to 65 feet (5 to 20m) with gentle currents. Common sightings include French angelfish, seahorses, giant green moray eels, and loggerhead turtles.
Dive Courses
With over 20 years of expertise, Reef Oasis Dive Club has an international team of dive professionals who ensure your safety without skimping on the fun. They offer a full range of courses from Open Water to Divemaster. And since the Reef Oasis Dive Club is located within the Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach Resort, all students have access to the pool, which can make all the difference for new divers.
With a strong family focus, Reef Oasis Dive Club offers fun and educational scuba diving activities for children. Classes include PADI Bubblemaker or PADI Seal Team, both of which have a minimum age of 8. The Bubblemaker is a two- to three-hour course that gives children the opportunity to try out and get comfortable with scuba equipment in the confines of a pool.
PADI Seal Team is split into two sets of “Aquamissions,” where children first learn basic scuba skills, such as clearing a mask. The second part is small tasks like creature identification or search and rescue. If there are several children in your family, we recommend the PADI Seal Team for a unique underwater bonding experience.
Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach Resort
The resort
Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach Resort is part of the world’s largest hotel franchise, Wyndham, which has all the best bits of an all-inclusive resort without losing its relaxed Caribbean vibe. Less than 20 minutes from downtown Freeport and the airport, this serene resort is tucked away on its private beach overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach Resort is a family-friendly resort with tons of sports and activities. The resort has a tennis/pickleball court and a trapeze course, along with free group lessons on kayaking, windsurfing, and sailing. For a high-octane adventure, you can also rent jet skis. In the heart of the resort is the Reef Oasis Dive Club, and guests can choose to book “Dive & Stay” packages.
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While the little ones are busy having fun at the kid’s club, parents and adults can unwind with a massage or a facial at the on-site spa or try out some yoga. Adults will also be happy to know that the resort’s all-inclusive package offers unlimited cocktails, beverages, and wine.
Tours and Trips
The Bahamas has much to offer and if you ever need a day out of the water there is still plenty of excursions on-land. Depending on your preference, you can organize trips through Reef Oasis Dive Club, Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach Resort, or independently.
Lucayan National Park
One of three national parks in the Bahamas, Lucayan National Park is the crown jewel of Grand Bahama. The 40-acre national park has multiple ecosystems, including pine forests and limestone caves. The Lucayan National Park harbors one of the largest underwater cave systems in the world and is the final resting place of indigenous Lucayans. A truly magical place, Lucayan National Park can feel like a moment lost in time.
It is possible to scuba dive through the cave system, but only for cave-certified individuals and through specific permitted agencies. The water here is similar to the cenotes of Mexico, and divers can appreciate stunning stalactites and crystal-clear water.
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Another highlight within Lucayan National Park is Gold Rock Beach. When you think of postcard-perfect white sandy beaches, Gold Rock Beach is exactly that. Stretching for about 2.5 miles (4 km), the beach at low tide seemingly spans forever and is known to the locals as the “welcome mat of the Bahamas.”
Swimming with pigs
Doing the rounds on social media are cute clips of speckled pigs paddling about in tropical Bahamian waters. For those of us who have perhaps only seen pigs at a petting zoo, seeing them swimming is something different and can be fun for kids.
Visitors are given sticks with apples to entice the pigs into the water. The pigs themselves are relatively friendly and gentle, but since they are used to being fed, they might “bite” your hand thinking you have something to offer. And, being animals, they defecate in the water, so watch where you swim.
Snorkeling
With its rich marine environment and surrounding reefs, snorkeling is spectacular all around the Bahamas, whether it’s right off the beach from Viva Fortuna Beach Resort or at specific locations. One such spot is Peterson Cay National Park, a small island located around 20 minutes’ drive away. Day-trippers can swim among the beautiful reef fish, barracudas, and turtles. If you cross your fingers, even some dolphins may pass by.
With their Dive & Stay combos and all-inclusive packages, Viva Fortuna Beach Resort and Reef Oasis Dive Club offer the perfect combo of adventure and relaxation in Grand Bahama.
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