If you want to dive in the northeastern Bahamas there is really only one man to see, Brendal Stevens. There are other dive operators but Brendal’s Dive Center stands above all the rest and the …
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Blackout dates: December 22-31, 2011, April 02 -06 , 2012
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![](mailto:?subject=Brendal’s Dive Center, A Guy Harvey Outfitter & Green Turtle Cay’s Reef Sharks&body=If you want to dive in the northeastern Bahamas there is really only one man to see, Brendal Stevens. There are other dive operators but <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/adventures/diving.html">Brendal's Dive Center</a> stands above all the rest and the <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/destinations/bahamas/green-turtle-cay-abacos/overview.html">Green Turtle Club </a>gets you right on top of some of the best and most exciting dives including a variety of big animals.<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/123.jpg"><img class="wp-image-2157 size-large" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/123.jpg?w=660" alt="123" width="660" height="489" /></a>If you want to get certified to SCUBA dive Brendal can teach you from square one or handle your check out dives for PADI, NAUI, SSI or SDI. In 2006 the Bahamian Ministry of Tourism awarded Brendal with it's Cacique Award for Sustainable Tourism. This is the Bahamian "Oscar!" If you are ready for some big animals Brendal can put you with the "Silver King" tarpon, giant grouper, the island's name sake Green Turtles or those camera hogs with the big grins, Sharks! Nurse sharks are seen on many of Brendal's dives. If you want to see the "Sexy Stars" of the show, the Caribbean Reef Sharks then one of his Shark Observation Dives is the way to go. Shark Week may be coming to a close but our big animal "Stars" are available year round. Don't miss the show, call the Outpost Reservations Desk to find out more at (800) 513-5257. <a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/brendals-dec-5-2011-839.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-2158" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/brendals-dec-5-2011-839.jpg?w=660" alt="Photo: Brendal's Dive Center & Water Sports, Green Turtle Cay, Abaco, Bahamas" width="660" height="495" /></a>Photo: Brendal's Dive Center & Water Sports, Green Turtle Cay, Abaco, Bahamas https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/brendals-dive-center-a-guy-harvey-outfitter-green-turtle-cays-reef-sharks/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Mako: Your Ultimate Dive in Isla Mujeres&body=
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/makoIsla.mp4">https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/makoIsla.mp4</a>
You're standing in an underwater cage only about three feet below the ocean's surface, breathing from a hookah when, suddenly, a streamlined, 600-pound torpedo armed with lots of teeth comes shooting by. Then, without warning, it does a 180 and swims straight toward you. What do you do?
If you are Dr. Guy Harvey--marine scientist, artist and conservationist--or cinematographer George Schellenger, or one of the many guests who've chartered the Keen M Blue Water fleet in Isla Mujeres, Mexico over the past decade, you thank your lucky stars for this opportunity to observe the shortfin mako shark up close.
"It was cool," Harvey said after a trip last year. "Most of them are really interactive. You have a fantastic opportunity to film mako sharks."
Then, after your dive, if you're not ready to say goodbye to the fastest sharks in the ocean, Keen M owner/operator Captain Anthony Mendillo will take you on a catch-and-release fishing excursion. Trolling with lures and natural baits will usually result in a hook-up, and if you keep alert, you can snap a photo or video clip of a mako breaching the surface.
"A lot of adrenaline," Mendillo noted.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/makocage.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4523" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/makocage.jpg" alt="makocage" width="960" height="539" /></a>
The mild Caribbean waters off Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula are the prime destination for mako catching and diving between mid-March and early May. Harvey plans to be back there for about two weeks in April when he and Mendillo and scientists from the Guy Harvey Research Institute at Nova Southeastern University will try to implant some makos with satellite tags in their dorsal fins. These SPOT tags transmit the shark's location to a satellite whenever the fin pops above the surface. That movement data is then downloaded to computers at the institute near Fort Lauderdale where researchers post it online at the <a href="http://cnso.nova.edu/sharktracking/">GHRI shark tracking web site</a>. Mendillo built a special mobile platform on the stern of his boat so the sharks can be tagged in the water-- minimizing stress on the animals.
Harvey and colleagues Mahmood Shivji, Jeremy Vaudo, Michael Byrne, and Brad Wetherbee recently published a first-of-its-kind research study on 26 shortfin makos that they tagged and tracked for up to two years in the Western North Atlantic and the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. The sharks-- tagged and released off Isla Mujeres and Ocean City, Md. -- travelled through the waters of 17 nations where at least seven were harvested by commercial fishers. The scientists warned that makos-- prized commercially for their meat and fins and recreationally for their fish-ability--may be at higher risk of being overfished than previous conventional tagging studies suggest.
Harvey and his colleagues recommended a "cautionary interpretation of past stock assessments" of the shortfin mako and the need for close cooperation among Western North Atlantic nations to devise "regionally and seasonally-specific management strategies"-- in other words, not taking a one-size-fits-all approach to conserving the species.
To book your adventure interacting with makos go to <a href="http://www.GHOExpeditions.com">www.GHOExpeditions.com</a> or call the Outpost Travel Desk at 800-513-5257. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/mako-your-ultimate-dive-in-isla-mujeres/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Billfish Invitational Day 1 – Scuba Diving?&body=During this week’s Billfish Invitational tournament, Fred Garth, Editor-In-Chief of <a title="GHM web site" href="http://www.guyharveymagazine.com" target="_blank">Guy Harvey Magazine</a>, will be filing a series of dispatches from tournament headquarters at the Bimini Big Game Club.
The day began with sunny skies and nice reggae music playing at the open air <a title="About the Big Game Bar & Grill" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com/bimini-bar-grill.htm" target="_blank">Big Game Bar and Grill</a>. I munched on eggs and bacon and slurped down mucho coffee after a big night of festivities at the <a title="Billfish Invitational web site" href="http://www.billfishinvitational.com/" target="_blank">Billfish Invitational</a> opening celebration. (Note to self: avoid Appleton’s Reserve Rum in the future – stick to virgin Coca Cola).
We set out after a hearty breakfast for a few scuba dives with <a title="Guy Harvey Inc. web site" href="http://www.guyharvey.com" target="_blank">Guy Harvey</a>, his son Alex, Steve Stock (GH Inc, President), Frank Johnson of <a title="Mold Craft web site" href="http://www.moldcraft.com" target="_blank">Mold Craft</a> and sculptor <a title="Kent Ullberg's web site" href="http://www.kentullberg.net" target="_blank">Kent Ullberg</a>. Fishing boats headed out into a glassy sea and negligible winds – 12 boats in all – to try their luck with the wily billfish. A full report on that will come later tonight or tomorrow.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/stevekentguyalex11.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-737" title="Scuba Diving at the Billfish Invitational!" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/stevekentguyalex11.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="366" /></a>Left to right: Steve Stock, Kent Ullberg, Guy Harvey and Alex Harvey
The weather is absolutely and positively PERFECT with zero wind or waves. The scuba trip was also stellar. Saw lots of cool critters – turtles, rays, grouper, permit, and the rest of their slimy brethren. But no sharks. However, Guy Harvey is not the kind of dude to be disappointed. He gathered four mahi-mahi carcasses yesterday for a chum fest this afternoon on the shark dive.
That report as well as fishing results will be coming later, that is, unless the song of the Appleton’s Reserve fills the air with its sweet music before I can jump into the blogosphere. We will see what wins – rum or blog. Place your bets!!
Garth Out! https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/billfish-invitational-day-1-scuba-diving/){kind=link}
![](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/fish-tales-wins-bahamas-billfish-championship-2012-opener-at-great-guana-cay-abaco/&media=https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/fish-tales-wins-bahamas.jpg&description="Fish Tales" Wins Bahamas Billfish Championship 2012 Opener at Great Guana Cay, Abaco){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=World’s Largest Spear Fishing Tournament to be Held in St. Petersburg&body=By Sue Cocking, Guy Harvey Outpost Travel Journalist
scocking@guyharveyoutpost.com
As many as 400 spear fishers from throughout Florida and the U.S. will gather in St. Petersburg Aug. 19-21 for the St. Pete Open-- the world's largest underwater hunting contest and one of the beach's biggest parties of the year.
Spearos will compete on scuba gear or simply dive down holding their breath using pole spear, Hawaiian sling, or spear gun to try to bag the biggest fish in each of seven categories. At stake are some $50,000 worth of prizes and trophies to be awarded at a huge public weigh-in party at the Magnuson Marina Cove Hotel & Resort.
"It's one day of intensive, bust-your-bottom spear fishing. Dive, dive, dive!" said Charlie Barnes, president of the St. Petersburg Underwater Club, which is putting on the contest for the 51st year. "We love the competition. We love the camaraderie and it's the biggest party in town."
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/22449399003_8ec1ba2817_b-e1471009118288.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4188" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/22449399003_8ec1ba2817_b-e1471009118288.jpg" alt="22449399003_8ec1ba2817_b" width="599" height="400" /></a>
Divers will fan out in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean hunting for mongo specimens in the categories of grouper; snapper; pelagic; hogfish; cobia/barracuda; lobster (hand-caught only; no spears); and sheepshead. New this year is a prize sub-category for lionfish. The tournament has no boundaries; however competitors must be in the weigh-in line by 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 20. Late comers will be disqualified.
Barnes, a veteran spear fisher himself, said the best strategy is to shoot fish in each of the categories, since only one fish per category can be entered. He said it's common for contestants to run 50 miles offshore to their hot spots, diving as deep as 200 feet in the hunt for big fish. Competitors must abide by all state and local fisheries laws, such as bag and size limits and closed seasons.
Entry fee is $100 per diver. Less than 300 slots remain open, so go <a href="http://www.StPeteUnderwaterClub.com" target="_blank">HERE</a> to register now!
For great deals from Guy Harvey Outpost, including the 'Suite Summer Saver Deal' at Guy Harvey Outpost in St. Pete Beach, visit our <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/specials/" target="_blank">SPECIALS PAGE</a> now!
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Sue Cocking chronicles the Guy Harvey Outpost travel and adventure experience in regular blog posts on GuyHarveyOutpostNews.com/. For 21 years, Cocking covered the full spectrum of outdoors adventure opportunities in South Florida and beyond for the Miami Herald, including fishing, diving, hunting, paddling, camping, sailing and powerboat racing. She is a certified scuba diver and holder of an IGFA women's world fly fishing record for a 29-pound permit.
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Share your photos, videos and experiences with Guy Harvey Outpost by hash tagging #OutpostAttitude to all of your social media posts. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/worlds-largest-spear-fishing-tournament-to-be-held-on-st-pete-beach/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Southern Cross Club in Little Cayman Joins Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts as an Expedition Property&body=<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/scc1.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image" id="i-1856" alt="Image" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/scc1.jpg?w=650" /></a>FORT LAUDERDALE, FL—FEBRUARY 4, 2014 – Cayman Island’s iconic hideaway resort, the Southern Cross Club on Little Cayman, has joined the Expedition Collection of <a title="GHO web site" href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/" target="_blank">Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts</a>. The announcement was made today by Mark Ellert, President of Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts. Established in 1954, Southern Cross Club is a recipient of the World Travelers Award for Leading Boutique Resort in 2013 and is rated #1 by TripAdvisor as the top B&B in Little Cayman. The resort today becomes the eighth member of the elite Expedition Collection of Guy Harvey’s rapidly growing Outpost system, which currently covers Florida, the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico and Galapagos Islands. “As a resident of nearby Grand Cayman, the Southern Cross Club is my favorite place to relax, “ notes Guy Harvey, Outpost Chairman. “The diving is truly extraordinary; the best the Caymans has to offer.” Located approximately 60 miles northeast of Grand Cayman with fewer than 200 residents, Little Cayman is also home to the acclaimed <a title="CCMI web site" href="http://reefresearch.org/" target="_blank">Central Caribbean Marine Institute</a>, whose Chairman is Peter Hillenbrand, owner of the Southern Cross Club. “Peter is a very close friend and a dedicated steward of the institute’s work in the conservation of coral reef ecosystems”, adds Harvey. “The Club’s commitment to conservation through education is matched only by its superior facilities, excellent service and attentive management.” Featuring spacious and colorful ocean-view beachfront bungalows, the casually comfortable Southern Cross Club offers top-of-class in-house diving and sport fishing operations. Little Cayman is one of three islands that comprise the Cayman Islands. “The Southern Cross Club sits on a powder white sand beach that stretches to a horizon dotted with palm trees and sapphire blue water,” comments Outpost President, Mark Ellert. “The club has the feel of an elegant safari camp, where beach and bonefish are the tropical substitute. Here you hunt with a 9 weight flyrod and a GoPro camera. ” With its tropical seclusion, miles of shallow flats, and deep ocean canyons just offshore, Little Cayman is the sport fishing destination of choice in the Cayman Islands. “We’re honored to have the Southern Cross Club as a member of Guy Harvey Outpost,” Ellert adds. “Sustainable tourism is on full display at this outpost, and it’s so well executed here, you’ll just never want to go home.” The Guy Harvey Outpost program earlier this month welcomed Dominica’s premier hotel, Fort Young, to its Expedition portfolio. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/southern-cross-club-in-little-cayman-joins-guy-harvey-outpost-resorts-as-an-expedition-property/){kind=link}
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