Frequently Asked Questions

Freeport, Grand Bahama Island, The Bahamas

Freeport, the airport code is FPO

To fly from the US into Freeport, you will need to fly from Miami or Ft.Lauderdale with American Airline or BahahamasAir

You can elect to fly into Nassau, New Providence first, then fly BahamasAir or WesternAir into Freeport.

At the present moment there are no other direct flights into Freeport from anywhere else in the US or the world.

There is the Baleria fast ferry from Ft. Lauderdale. Their schedule changes, please check directly with them.

You would need to take an additional flight. Nassau is on New Providence,  Freeport in on Grand Bahama Island.

The most convenient media is by plane. Bahamas Air and Western Air have daily flights between the two islands. There is no ferry boat service.

There are three hotels walking distance from everywhere you need to be during your stay, including the dive operation, the beach, the restaurants, and bars.

Pelican Bay Hotel http://www.pelicanbayhotel.com/

Grand Lucayan Hotel http://www.grandlucayan.com/

Bell Channel Inn https://bellchannelinn.com/room.php

Diving is conducted year-round, both with the Caribbean Reef sharks we will be working with during our classes and in caves; please check the seasons for other species of sharks, if you are planning multiple species diving.

November through March are considered the cooler months; April through October the warmer ones. Hurricane season is indicated as June 1st through November 30th, but the most critical time is usually in September.

Make sure to check the average temperature charts for each month to decide which are the most conducive for your trip and for those traveling with you.

For specific shark species:

The Caribbean Reef Sharks we conduct the programs with are present year-round

Tiger Beach November-July

Great Hammerhead December-March

Oceanic White Tip March-April

All courses, with the exception of the Open Water Course, are designed for certified divers. Please note that different courses require different prerequisites. Contact me for details depending on your interest.

I teach one on one; if two people request the courses together I am happy to for them to share, but I will not combine students for courses with the exception of the Shark Awareness and, due to standards, the Professional Levels

Shark Awareness is taught to a maximum of 6 divers in a group.

The Shark Handling Experience is taught one on one.

The Shark Handling Course is taught one on one.

Both can be shared by two people who are traveling together and know eachother.

Technical and Cave diving courses are taught to a maximum of two divers.

Professional courses are taught to a maximum of four divers.

Open Water level is sufficient. It is not about the level of certification, it’s about the comfort level you have in the water. You need to make sure you are comfortable with flooded mask, with removal and replacement of the regulator and with your buoyancy.

What should you expect in general? You can expect to be in the middle of a school of Caribbean Reef sharks,  you can expect to enjoy it a little and end up loving it the most, to feel at home or to feel uncomfortable. Possibly you cn expect to feel that this is the right place for you or not, that you want to touch or not.

It is a very personal experience that touches most in the deptht of their hearts.

My suggestion is to come without expectations and with an open mind, ready to enjoy an experience that will remain yours for the rest of your life.

What results should we expect? I will, with all my 30 years experience teaching over 400 students and over 50 professionals this course, give you information, suggestions, tricks and tools to understand and work with the sharks in the best of ways.

I will brief, debrief, explain, counsel and correct before, during and after the dive. I will assess and manage your inner feelings, motivations, blocks and fears (if any) and try to transform them in learning and positive energy, in a wonderful experience, in a growing and connecting moment.

What will I expect from you? Your willingness to let go and listen, absorb what I say, trust my judgment, suggestions and sometime accept the no that I may say to you.

The shark handling course is about you, and then about the sharks. They will not sit with us, and partake in our conversation. They will be down there being sharks.

One last thing: be honest to yourself, no need to share with me, but be sure to be comfortable with your mask, your regulator, salt water and have a basic control of your buoyancy.

We want to be down there comfortable with ourselves so we can transfer the same energy in being with the sharks. My work is going to be the shortcut to facilitate the experience and maximize the positive results.

Grand Bahama Island for Tiger Beach, Tiger sharks, Lemon sharks, Caribbean Reef Sharks, Bull sharks, occasional Hammerhead shark

Bimini Island for Great Hammerhead Sharks, Bull sharks

Cat Island for Oceanic White Tip sharks

Please review my “Which is the best season” question in reference of the seasons for these sharks

Yes I do. I currently offer liveaboard trips with Shark Explorers around the island of Grand Bahama. These trips allow you to dive with my special shiver of Caribbean Reef sharks, observe the interactive dives, visit Tiger Beach to dive with up to six different species of sharks, Tigers, Lemons, Caribbean, Nurse, Bull and occasional Hammerhead, explore some unique dive sites around the island and enjoy swimming with baby lemon sharks and southern stingrays. For details contact contact me directly.

The trips are 10 days/9 nights and organized to include the special Caribbean Reef shark dive, Tiger Beach and the Great Hammerhead in Bimini. We take a maximum of six divers on a catamaran with a crew of five. During our journey I will be diving with you and share through educational programs information about sharks, ocean, conservation and some of the work we conduct in The Bahamas. My husband Kewin Lorenzen will also be on board and take pictures and videos of our time together to present at the end of the trip.

For details inquire directly

Additionally

For daily trips to Tiger Beach contact Neal Watson’s Bimini Scuba Center. You will need to drive to West End to board the boat. Use code CZENATO for 10% off

http://www.biminiscubacenter.com/

I provide private guided tours as additional guide on local dive operation dives or as a personal guide on private boats. Contact directly for costs.

For regular group and additional recreational dives during your stay, I recommend  Grand Bahama Scuba. Contact fred@grandbahamascuba.com; mention you are diving with Cristina Zenato and that you wish to complete additional recreational dives.

Cavern tours differ from cavern diving training and cave diving and are available on request. They are conducted in three local caverns, within the NSSCDS standards of operation. I am an advanced full cave diving instructor. Minimum required is Open Water certification with at least 20 logged dives. Gear not included. Contact for details.