By: MB Roberts, Author and Freelance Writer Guy Harvey Outpost’s first photo safari to the Galapagos Islands is coming up May4-12, 2017. Country music superstar Ronnie Dunn (one half of the hit making …
Shark Week Begins at Guy Harvey Outpost’s Bimini Sands
11 Aug 20145:12 PM
Shark Week reminds us that there are all sorts of great Big Animal Encounters and Guy Harvey Outpost has lots of them. Our Hammerhead Shark Safaris offered through Neal Watson’s Bimini Scuba Center starts off our Shark Week. Scuba Diving Magazine’s Readers Choice Award ranked the Bahamas #1 in Big Animals in the Caribbean & Atlantic in 2013 for a reason.
You do not have to go far to get your Shark on either; just 50 miles east of Miami on the island of South Bimini. The scuba diving with Great Hammerheads takes place in 25-feet of water over a white sand bottom just minutes from our docks at the Bimini Sands, a Guy Harvey Outpost Expedition Property! Led by Neal Watson’s Undersea Adventures staff, the Hammerhead Shark dives run January through March and sell out early. This dive provides an unparalleled photo and video opportunity for serious divers.
Other Big Animal Adventures we offer at the Bimini Sands include our Wild Dolphin Safaris, Stingray Dives and Reef Shark Encounters with Caribbean Reef Sharks and Nurse Sharks. Snorkeling gear is all you need to enjoy the Dolphins, Stingrays and Reef Sharks. Call Guy Harvey Outpost Reservations for details: 800.513.5257!
Catch more shark photos with Guy Harvey Outpost on Facebook.
#SharkWeek is underway on Discovery Channel!
AUGUST 12th UPDATE: The Discovery Channel included this dive in their #MonsterHammerhead episode on #SharkWeek! Congratulations Neal Watson & team!
USA Today featured the Bimini Great Hammerhead Dive as one of their top 5 Shark Dives: Swimming with Sharks: A Guide to the Best Dives
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![](mailto:?subject=Shark Week Begins at Guy Harvey Outpost’s Bimini Sands&body=<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/hamerhead-grant-johnson.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-2120" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/hamerhead-grant-johnson.jpg?w=660" alt="Hamerhead, Grant Johnson" width="660" height="453" /></a>
Shark Week reminds us that there are all sorts of great Big Animal Encounters and Guy Harvey Outpost has lots of them. Our Hammerhead Shark Safaris offered through <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/destinations/bahamas/bimini-bahamas/bimini-sands-dive.html">Neal Watson’s Bimini Scuba Center</a> starts off our Shark Week. Scuba Diving Magazine’s Readers Choice Award ranked the Bahamas #1 in Big Animals in the Caribbean & Atlantic in 2013 for a reason.
You do not have to go far to get your Shark on either; just 50 miles east of Miami on the island of South Bimini. The scuba diving with Great Hammerheads takes place in 25-feet of water over a white sand bottom just minutes from our docks at the <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/destinations/bahamas/bimini-bahamas/bimini-sands-bimini.html">Bimini Sands, a Guy Harvey Outpost Expedition Property!</a> Led by Neal Watson's Undersea Adventures staff, the Hammerhead Shark dives run January through March and sell out early. This dive provides an unparalleled photo and video opportunity for serious divers.
Other Big Animal Adventures we offer at the Bimini Sands include our Wild Dolphin Safaris, Stingray Dives and Reef Shark Encounters with Caribbean Reef Sharks and Nurse Sharks. Snorkeling gear is all you need to enjoy the Dolphins, Stingrays and Reef Sharks. Call Guy Harvey Outpost Reservations for details: 800.513.5257!
Catch more shark photos with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GuyHarveyOutpost?fref=nf">Guy Harvey Outpost on Facebook</a>.
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sharkweek">#SharkWeek</a> is underway on Discovery Channel!
AUGUST 12th UPDATE: The Discovery Channel included this dive in their <a class="_58cn" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/monsterhammerhead">#MonsterHammerhead</a> episode on <a class="_58cn" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sharkweek">#SharkWeek</a>! Congratulations Neal Watson & team!
USA Today featured the Bimini Great Hammerhead Dive as one of their top 5 Shark Dives: <a title="Swiming with Sharks: A Guide to the Best Dives" href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2014/08/08/swim-with-sharks/13724573/">Swimming with Sharks: A Guide to the Best Dives</a> https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/shark-week-begins-at-guy-harvey-outposts-bimini-sands/){kind=link}
 is among the wildlife-seekers who will be making this bucket list trip. “Have camera, will travel,” laughs Dunn, who these days is as passionate about his photography as he is about his music. “I get as much satisfaction and enjoyment from photography as I do stepping on stage,” he says. “I really do! I’ve steadily kept a camera in my hand over the years and now I can almost get off a decent picture. I’m ready to take it to the next level.”
Dunn has put his camera to work in many scenic spots, including Africa and Santa Fe, New Mexico. This will be his first trip to the Galapagos but not the first time he has worked with Ron Modra, the longtime Sports Illustrated and travel/outdoor photographer who will be leading the adventure. “Getting to follow Ron around with a camera is like learning to paint with Picasso,” he says. “I’ve taken this is as far as I can with trial and error. I want to make this trip and get his feedback right away. That’s how you learn to use a camera.”
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/blog.jpg"><img class="wp-image-4562 size-full" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/blog.jpg" alt="NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 17: during an NHL game at Bridgestone Arena on December 17, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***" width="2100" height="1247" /></a>Ron Modra and Ronnie Dunn capturing the action at an NHL game in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)
Dunn and Modra met back in the late 1990s, collaborated on a few projects – a tour book, a book, an album cover shoot – then mostly got busy with their separate careers. They’ve recently reconnected due to their mutual love of photography, getting together to shoot sporting events and currently, they’re working on opening a gallery to show their work. “Ronnie has a great eye,” says Modra. “And he’s got a passion for photography that’s really motivating to me.”
According to Modra, who has travelled all over the world shooting the Olympics, track and field events, races, fishing tournaments, and much more, the Galapagos is a dream location. “It’s unspoiled, so different from anyplace I’ve ever been,” he says. “You have to see it. The perfect illustration of showing and not telling.”
There’s still space available on the 9-day/8-night Galapagos Photo Safari Adventure for anyone who’s always wanted to see this exotic place and train your camera on magnificent Galapagos tortoises, blue-footed boobies, sea turtles, sea lions, and more. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.GHOGalapagos.com">www.GHOGalapagos.com</a> or call the Outpost Travel Desk at 800-513-5257. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/country-music-superstar-ronnie-dunn-joins-photo-safari-to-galapagos/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=FWC Decides Not to Reopen Snook Season on Florida’s West Coast&body=<a href="http://guyharvey.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/499.jpg"><img title=""Side-Liners" by Guy Harvey" src="http://guyharvey.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/499.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="282" /></a>
Catch & release still permitted during closure
NOTE: This story was posted today on <a title="TBO.com" href="http://www2.tbo.com/" target="_blank">TampabayOnline.com</a> by Special Correspondent Frank Sergeant
The Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission ruled this week that the snook fishing season will remain closed on the state's west coast, rather than reopening Sept. 1 as scheduled.
The season has been closed due to a 2010 cold-kill, which wiped out tens of thousands of fish from Clearwater to Naples.
"This is a wise move," said snook guide Scott Moore of Holmes Beach. "I'm seeing big fish and a few slot (keeper-sized) fish, but no little fish — we're missing whole-year classes due to the winter kill, and we need to get more in the pipeline before we start taking them again."
The continued closure also was supported by the Coastal Conservation Association, which said that the number of adult snook on the west coast was down 20 percent after the freeze, and the numbers of juvenile fish killed was probably much greater.
The season will reopen Sept. 1, 2013, if the commission takes no further action.
Catch-and-release fishing for snook is permitted during the closure. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/fwc-decides-not-to-reopen-september-1st-snook-season-on-floridas-west-coast/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=The Bahamas Tournament Season Is Jumping!&body=The 2015 <a href="http://www.bahamasbillfish.com/">Bahamas Billfish Championship</a> is under way in Abaco with <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/destinations/bahamas/green-turtle-cay-abacos/">Green Turtle Cay </a>the next stop. Abaco regulars Jichi, Wave Paver and Torta took the top spots with solid performances. Teque took the early lead on day one with a blue marlin and a sailfish but Wave Paver passed them by before lines out; when they added a blue marlin to their early white. On day two, Torta added a blue and a white to move ahead of Wave Paver and Teque. Jichi got on the board early with two blue marlin and did not look back; adding a white and another blue to seal the deal on day two. Day three saw plenty of action among the leaders as Wave Paver released two blue marlin and a white to make a move but Jichi "Slammed" the door shut with a sail, a white and a blue to extend their lead and collect slam bonus points.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/bbc_aim_logo-no-dates.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2727" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/bbc_aim_logo-no-dates.jpg" alt="BBC_AIM_Logo NO DATES" width="660" height="660" /></a>The fleet caught 26 billfish an average of 1.13 billfish per boat. Full Time brought a 597 pound blue marlin to the scales. She was over the 100 inch minimum length but they actually lost 3 points compared to what they would have scored had they released her.
This week the BBC moves to Green Turtle Cay. <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/destinations/bahamas/green-turtle-cay-abacos/">The Green Turtle Club</a>, a <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/">Guy Harvey Outpost </a>Expedition Lodge is co-host for the event. The Green Turtle Club is ideally located in central Abaco allowing easy access to all the region’s famed blue marlin grounds. These waters have produced huge blue marlin including the current Bahamian Record of 1119 pounds caught during the BBC in 2011. The Green Turtle Club is sold out for this event.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/bbc-gtc-dock-shot.jpg"><img class="wp-image-2728" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/bbc-gtc-dock-shot.jpg?w=660" alt="Competitors at the Ready, the Green Turtle Club." width="550" height="367" /></a>Competitors at the ready, the Green Turtle Club.
In addition to all the billfish caught big dorado kept anglers on their toes. They were caught AND eaten! Next up the BBC heads to Treasure Cay May 27-30. The next Guy Harvey Outpost event will be the <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/bonfire-beach-bash/">2nd Annual Beach Bash Bonfire and Tournament </a>June 25th - 28th at<a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/destinations/bahamas/west-end-grand-bahama/old-bahama-bay-resort/"> Old Bahama Bay</a>.
Green Turtle Club UPDATE
BBC Day One: White marlin dominated day one action. Something Fishy got off to a hot start with a double header of whites. Island Time is on the board with a sailfish. Game Changer, Marlin Raptor & Whisky Won all got in on the morning bite with white marlin. Wave Paver & Anticipation jumped to the top with afternoon blue marlin.
BBC Day Two: The white marlin bite remains hot with the blues showing up in the afternoon. Sandrita jumped to the lead today on the strength of on blue marlin and three white marlin today. Torta started their day with a sailfish added a double header of white marlin and nabbed a blue marlin late in the day to catch a slam; which will give them a nice bunch of bonus points and the overall lead after two days.
Early leaders Something Fishy improved their numbers with another white marlin to go with their day on pair. Anticipation added second day blue marlin to their first day fish to stay in contention for the top spot. Whisky Won released a blue and a white to go with their day one white to move into third place after two days. Nothing is settled and with the way some boats have gotten hot hands it is still anyone’s ball game.
Stay tuned for details on Baseball Hall of Famer, Mike Schmidt's Winners' Circle charity tournament at Old Bahama Bay.
For the latest information on the BBC: <a href="http://www.bahamasbillfish.com">www.bahamasbillfish.com</a>
For more on the Guy Harvey Outpost Portfolio: <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/" target="_parent">http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/</a>
For Fishing with Guy Harvey Outpost: <a href="http://www.ghofish.com/" target="_parent">www.ghofish.com</a>
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<a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/bonfire-beach-bash/"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-2458 size-medium" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/00-gho-logo.jpg?w=300" alt="00 GHO-Logo" width="300" height="300" /></a> https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/the-bahamas-tournament-season-is-jumping/){kind=link}
 or Facebook (www.facebook.com/GuyHarveyOutpost) with #OutpostAttitude and win a free Caribbean Mayan hammock from Natacha's Boutique.
String your hammock up in the backyard for a lazy afternoon of reading or snoozing, then check out Guy Harvey Outpost's best hammock getaways:
The Islander Resort, a Guy Harvey Outpost in Islamorada, has an array of summer scuba diving packages with Capt. Slate's Scuba Adventures. Dive with Slate's friendly moray eels and colorful tropical fish, explore sunken ships, and learn how to hunt for lobsters with your expert guide. If you prefer to stay on the surface, islanderwatersports.com offers boat and paddleboard rentals; guided personal watercraft tours; fishing charters; sailboat rentals and lessons; kayak and bicycle rentals; fishing rods; and beach umbrellas. For families with kids, the Islander conducts one-hour-long Marine Science Camps at 2p.m. on July 26; Aug. 2, 9, 30; and Sept. 13. Find out what it's like to be a marine scientist studying sharks, corals, fish and other creatures.
TradeWinds Beach Resort, a Guy Harvey Outpost on St. Pete Beach, offers a Suite Summer Saver where you can save up to 35 percent (including resort fee) for a three-night stay until Aug. 31. While you're there, be sure to take the plunge in the 33,500-gallon aquarium at RumFish Grill featured on Animal Planet's popular show "TANKED". Snorkelers aged 8 and up can swim with 30 species of fish-- all equipment included-- for $35. Tours are conducted Tuesday through Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. and reservations are strongly recommended. For more information, visit swimwithourfish.com.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpost.com/special/"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-4140 size-full" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Summer-Blog-Image-St-Pete.jpg" alt="Summer Blog Image St Pete" width="600" height="300" /></a>
The Hotel Playa Media Luna and Keen M Bluewater Charters, a Guy Harvey Outpost Expedition Lodge and Outfitter in Isla Mujeres, Mexico is conducting whale shark snorkeling trips through mid-September. You don't need to be a certified scuba diver to take the plunge with the world's largest --and perhaps gentlest-- fish in Mexico's warm Caribbean waters.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpost.com/special/"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-4141 size-full" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/summer-blog-image-mexico.jpg" alt="summer blog image mexico" width="600" height="261" /></a>
Isabela, the largest of the eastern Pacific's remote Galapagos Islands, is a wildlife wonderland, and the Iguana Crossing Hotel, a Guy Harvey Expedition Lodge, provides the base camp for your adventure with five-day, four-night packages. Observe numerous species of whales; scuba dive with sea lions and sea turtles; and watch giant land tortoises and penguins.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpost.com/special/"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-4142 size-full" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Summer-Blog-Image-Galapagos.jpg" alt="Summer Blog Image Galapagos" width="600" height="300" /></a>
To book your Summer Story, <a href="http://www.GuyHarveyOutpost.Com/specials" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CLICK HERE</a> or call 1-800-513-5257.
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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/swing-in-a-free-hammock-this-summer/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Join Guy Harvey Outpost for BugFest at Lauderdale-By-The-Sea&body=<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/p1-bugfest2014-logo.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-2094" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/p1-bugfest2014-logo.jpg?w=300" alt="Guy Harvey Outpost BugFest " width="300" height="180" /></a>
Come join the Guy Harvey Outpost team for some fun, some bugs and some laughs. Meet up with us at Guy Harvey Outpost's local Dive Outfitter, <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/south-florida-diving-headquarters.html">South Florida Diving Headquarters</a>, an official <a href="http://www.lbtsevents.com/bugfest-by-the-sea">BugFest</a> weigh station on Wednesday. We will be there with a cold one for you when you get back to the dock. We will be just south of the Hillsboro Inlet at South Florida Diving Headquarters.
Limited space is still available on the dive boats. To reserve your spot give our reservations line a call 800-513-5257
We will also be at the Pavilion in front of the Commercial Blvd Pier for the Final Weigh In and Awards on Thursday afternoon / evening. Friday night and Saturday afternoon, we will be celebrating AND eating at the El Prado Park for the Lobster Cookout and BugFest BBQ https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/join-guy-harvey-outpost-for-bugfest-at-lauderdale-by-the-sea/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Guy Harvey-Sponsored All-Release Tournaments Partnering to Cross-Promote, Spread Message&body=<a href="https://guyharvey.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/usc-wrtt.png"><img title="Tournament Logos Designed by Guy Harvey" src="https://guyharvey.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/usc-wrtt.png" alt="" width="450" height="167" /></a>
Creators of the <a title="GHUSC web site" href="http://ultimatesharkchallenge.com/" target="_blank">Guy Harvey Ultimate Shark Challenge Tournament</a> and Festival and Organizers of the <a title="WRTT web site" href="http://worldsrichesttarpon.com/" target="_blank">World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament</a> have announced plans to strengthen and share their commitment to conservation by cross-promoting their common missions and messages to the general public, press and media. The Ultimate Shark Challenge Tournament and Festival takes place in <a title="City of Punta Gorda web site" href="http://www.ci.punta-gorda.fl.us/" target="_blank">Punta Gorda</a>’s downtown waterfront at Laishley Crab House at Laishley Park May 4 th – 6 th followed by the World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament in <a title="Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce web site" href="http://www.bocagrandechamber.com/" target="_blank">Boca Grande</a> May 17th and 18th and the Downtown Tarpon Festival May 19th and 20th.
Both all-release tournaments feature exciting and innovative high-stakes competitions that also place an emphasis on best practices when it comes to the post-release welfare of their respective target species; sharks and tarpon. The common ground between the two events is clear when looking at the USC’s established mission to, “Combine the Goals of Sport, Science and Conservation” alongside the WRTT’s new message of, “Conservation, Education and Sportsmanship”. Strategic alliances include <a title="MML web site" href="http://www.mote.org/" target="_blank">Mote Marine Laboratory</a> and <a title="MCSR web site" href="http://www.mote.org/index.php?submenu=SCIENCE&src=gendocs&ref=SharkResearch&category=Shark%20Research" target="_blank">Mote Center for Shark Research</a>, <a title="GHE web site" href="http://www.guyharvey.com" target="_blank">Guy Harvey Enterprises</a> and the <a title="GHOF web site" href="http://www.guyharveyoceanfoundation.org" target="_blank">Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation</a>. The event’s respective festivals are free to the public and offer a host of family-friendly fun, excitement, entertainment and education.
Without a doubt, the main attraction at both events are the fishing tournaments, which also share boundaries within the same storied fishing grounds of Boca Grande Pass, Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf of Mexico. While their marquis species are indeed very different, event organizers are quick to point out that, “Sharks and tarpon have been coexisting here for millions of years and that their symbiotic relationship is a matter of essential mutual benefit to a healthy marine and coastal environment. In many ways, that relationship is a great metaphor for why we’re collaborating with our events.”
USC Creators, Sean & Brooks Paxton add that, “We’re extremely fortunate to have this uniquely diverse environmental playground right here in our backyard. The area offers so many choices for not only boaters and recreational anglers, but anyone interested in an endless list of eco and adventure-based activities on land and sea. There really is something for everyone. We’re proud of that and feel a responsibility to protect and conserve these natural assets while promoting the region, the people and the businesses that rely upon and support them. We do that by leveraging purposeful entertainment that also educates and inspires people.”
Lew Hastings, Executive Director at the Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce and Tournament Director of the WRTT explains, “My goal is to strengthen and promote the financial growth and well being of the local businesses in order to sustain a healthy community. We see the constant threat of damage and destruction to the natural beauty and wildlife habitats that surround us and recognize that they can not and should not be looked upon as a cost of doing business. Exploitation of natural resources in the name of progress and financial gain leaves us all a great deal poorer in the end. The significant economic and environmental impact recreational fishing has on our communities, make conservation for a sustainable fishery not only preferable but necessary. Education and conservation of the fishery combined with sport fishing will be the primary focus. Safe boating, sportsmanship and responsible angling will be promoted in order to encourage a safe, successful family friendly atmosphere that will inspire everyone to engage in the protection and proper stewardship of our natural resources so that they may be enjoyed for generations to come.” https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/guy-harvey-sponsored-all-release-tournaments-partnering-to-cross-promote-spread-message/){kind=link}
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