I couldn't disagree more about the staff. We found all the people at Paradise Cove pleasant and professional, especially our tour driver and the owner. The owner was very knowledgable about the reef, and we appreciated his orientation and snorkeling instruction. No one we dealt with was rude in any way, and we thoroughly enjoyed our day of snorkeling.

The people are very rude. I would not recommend this place to anyone if you wish to have a pleasant vacation.

I visted Paradise Cove and was very dissapointed. The bottom of the sea floor is very rocky, slimy and creepy feeling. I am accustomed to snorkeling in clear water (Cozumel, Grand Caymen, Key West, etc...) with sand on the sea floor. I agree with the comments made by a little girl that the beach was "yucky". The water was very rough that day and I am sure that contributed to the water being so murky. It is a good day trip though, if you don't mind the feeling of sea fuzz and slime on the bottom of your feet. The staff is professional and knowledgeable about the area. The price we paid ($35 which included transportation to and from the beach and lunch) was not bad either. On the way there we were given a tour of the other parts of the island that you would not have ordinarily seen, so this was a plus for me. I am not sure if I would return here to snorkel, and if I do it will definetly be on a day when the seas are not so rough.

Been to Freeport now about 5 times, it's an annual Valentine's visit (gotta go to Columbian Emeralds for 50% off Valentines Day sale!) and always stay at the Oasis (Princess for us old-timers) but never even knew this was here until a resident/friend told me about it!Absolutely the best guided/watched snorkeling beach I've run into. The Hosts/guides will give you hints as to what to look for - corals and fish, etc., where to go and not to go, how to get around (ie what not to step into or on), plus a great rental site (even tho we brought our own gear, my 10 yr old daughter decided sea-water was"yucky" - so great for her they even had glass-bottom kayaks so she was thrilled to see what my son and I saw and didn't have to get her face in the water!) The people running this place are so nice - good food, drinks, very fast and helpful. We made this a day trip out of Freeport and intended to stay only an hour or so. After 5 hours at Deadman's Reef/ Paradise Cove we were kicking ourselves for not having rented a room/villa (whatever) here and just hung out in West End. Next time this is the place we'll be! Perhaps for your first time on Grand Bahama, Freeport/Lucaya resorts (we recomment the Royal Oasis) is the place to go to get acclimated to the Island (it is very much like going to a beach on the Atlantic or Pacific US but a bit more laid-back and more fun), but DO go up to Westend, hit Paradise cove for the day and then the "next" visit down make the choice. When I asked my 14 year old son if he wanted to do the "Swim with the Dolphins" gig, he looked at me and said "Why? I just swam with spotted 'Rays and Barracudas off the reef in deep water and touched a nurse shark - why in the world would I want to hang with the 'tourists' and do 'that touristy' stuff?" Out of the mouths of babes.No comparison. The lodging looked way cool, very, very clean and the cleanliness of the beach was the best short of the beach off the Lucayan National Park. (Golden Rock was less inhabited, but this was so great because there were "spotters" everwhere with binoculars, watching for snorkelers in trouble. As a mom of a 10 and a 14 yr old, I felt very safe and secure; rather than taking them to a beach where there would have been just us.)Highly, Highly recommended for a day trip. Save the bucks over a 'tour group" )or if you are compelled to give away your hard-earned $$, go for the tour to Deadman's Reef - Paradise Cove) but you can also take a local taxi out or rent a car from one of the rental companies (book before ya go down as they tend to run out of cars depending on the season - always have had good luck with Avis) and pay the $3.00 per person access to the beach fee. Gear is cheap and available and in great shape. Beach Chairs are a few bucks, but the food and drinks are a bargain and plentiful. No hair-braiders or hassels (we just say "no" and they are polite and go away even at public beaches) We'll hang our hat here next year , do our now-usual rent a car (opposite side of the road driving - beware!) , stock up at the grocery in 8-Mile Rock and let you know how the accommodations are. Very non-commercial so you resort-bunnies and high-rollers, stick to Freeport. Us nature freaks and snorkelers will be in WestEnd!!