Resulting from a partnership between Air Caraïbes and Club Med, the inaugural flight between Paris-Orly South and the small island of San Salvador in the Bahamas took place on November 10th. Thanks to this flight, it is now possible to easily access one of the most beautiful diving spots in the Bahamas. Facing the Atlantic, Columbus Island is located at the far east of this archipelago. It was Christopher Columbus in 1492 who was the first European to land there on his way to the New World. He named it San Salvador, but it is also known as » Columbus Island » or » Columbus Isle « . Measuring 19 km long by 8 km wide, it boasts miles of white sandy beaches, transparent emerald-colored water, and exceptional diving sites on the coral reef surrounding the island.FlightsThanks to this partnership, Club Med customers at Columbus Isle can now enjoy a weekly flight, on Thursdays, operated by Air Caraïbes (direct flight outbound and flight with a layover in Santo Domingo on the return). These flights are operated using A330 or A300 configured in two classes: « sol » class (economy class) and « caraïbes » class (premium economy class). You can also take advantage of a transportation package that includes several services: seat selection, catering service. As for divers, they are treated: this package also includes a free piece of luggage for your diving equipment.The Club Med at Columbus IsleLocated 5 minutes from the airport, the Columbus Isle resort, featuring 216 rooms in colorful bungalows, is ideal for families and couples. Practically alone on this island, this hotel faces the sea and enjoys an immense white sandy beach. Recently renovated, this Club Med is now rated 4 Tridents.
DivingIntegrated with the hotel, a diving center allows vacationers to depart directly from the village with a specially adapted boat. About twenty diving sites are offered (Doolittle, Vicky’s reef, North Pole Cave, Telephone Pole…). Drop-offs, drift dives, or even night dives: there is something for everyone. The fauna and flora are exceptional, featuring very beautiful architectures ranging from steep drop-offs, canyons to coral heads. The coral reef surrounding the island is actually the emerged summit of an underwater mountain that plunges to 4,500 meters deep, making life and environments highly diverse. You can find many drop-offs with relief, crevices, caves, and even tunnels in the coral reef. For fauna, you can count on the presence of barracudas, groupers including the famous Bahamian grouper, triggerfish, turtles, hammerhead or reef sharks…
» Arriving at the edge of the reef, we were faced with the blue, and we had only one desire, descend, descend, descend… Once, we even went through a tunnel that opens directly in the middle of the wall, it was magical! The visibility is excellent, and the marine life truly rich « , says Sophie, an N3 with 450 dives under her belt. Affiliated with PADI, the diving club includes French-speaking instructors in its team and offers flawless organization. In case you need it, there is even a hyperbaric chamber on site!In practice
Best time to visit : from December to April.Minimum required level : all levels.Formalities : passport valid for 6 months after return date, no visa for stays of less than 3 months nor required vaccinations.Prices : from €1,780 / person (in Club room, transport from Paris with Air Caraïbes) for 7 nights on site. The price for 6 dives without a guide, including equipment, is €450.
To prepare your vacation in the Bahamas: www.bahamas.frFor more information on stays and prices: www.clubmed.fr
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