Phillips Dive Park Case Study
Philips Dive Park is currently under renovations to repair the damage caused by hurricane Sandy four years ago. The sheltered beach provides instructors and students quick access to ideal diving conditions.
“Philips is back just far enough in the bay and on the other side of the cliff that it’s sheltered from the prevailing easterly winds,” said Rudy Rudolph, a dive instructor. “You might experience some chop but it’s still very nice and diveable when the exposed beaches on the ocean side are closed during high winds.”
Rudolph said the beach location within the bay is excellent for visibility because it receives more fresh ocean water than beaches farther inland which have cloudy water and reduced visibility.
“Philips Dive Park is not just …show more content…
a great place to learn scuba classes, it’s probably the safest place on island to dive,” said Bill Keenan, a dive instructor. “It’s a good controlled environment and has just about everything you want to see there.”
Another fundamental benefit to outdoor recreationalists is the convenient approach to the beach and its variety of wildlife.
“It was probably the most popular place to dive from because of easy access, amenities for cleaning your gear and the phone on site to call in our dive plan as required,” said Rudolph.
Historically, the beach had ample parking and a recreation area to relax, rest and enjoy an outdoor lunch.
“In the heyday, around 1994-95, there were showers at the southern end where you see the stairs coming down the bluff and there was a canopy with picnic tables where everybody could sit down and by 1998 hurricane Mitch caused the majority of damage on that end,” said Keenan
Keenan said the parking area comfortably fit approximately 35 cars which was all but erased thus forcing users to park on the northern end in a space only large enough for three to four cars.
Reef Raiders teamed up with the Seabees to plant utility poles and install plumbing for new showers and a large wash tub for divers to rinse their gear.
The many opportunities afforded in the cove proved popular because parking wasn’t as important as simply being able to enter the beach area.
“The parking isn’t as critical as access to this beach which has shallow to deep diving and some of the best coral formations in the area,” said Rudolph. “We’re spoiled beyond belief when you can have the availability of anything you can imagine in a dive being so close in a protected area, it’s just phenomenal.
In October of 2012, Hurricane Sandy finished off and damage left incomplete by Hurricane Mitch or the other consecutive tropical storms which impacted the Guantanamo Bay area.
“Mitch came through and did some damage as well as other storms, but Sandy put the icing on the cake,” said Keenan. “It took out or damaged all of the improvements and structures.”
According to Tony Owczarzak at Public Works, the renovation project includes large rocks to act as a sea wall to protect the area from the larger waves. The construction is tentatively scheduled for completion by July
1st.
“Philips is back just far enough in the bay and on the other side of the cliff that it’s sheltered from the prevailing easterly winds,” said Rudy Rudolph, a dive instructor. “You might experience some chop but it’s still very nice and diveable when the exposed beaches on the ocean side are closed during high winds.”
Rudolph said the beach location within the bay is excellent for visibility because it receives more fresh ocean water than beaches farther inland which have cloudy water and reduced visibility.
“Philips Dive Park is not just …show more content…
a great place to learn scuba classes, it’s probably the safest place on island to dive,” said Bill Keenan, a dive instructor. “It’s a good controlled environment and has just about everything you want to see there.”
Another fundamental benefit to outdoor recreationalists is the convenient approach to the beach and its variety of wildlife.
“It was probably the most popular place to dive from because of easy access, amenities for cleaning your gear and the phone on site to call in our dive plan as required,” said Rudolph.
Historically, the beach had ample parking and a recreation area to relax, rest and enjoy an outdoor lunch.
“In the heyday, around 1994-95, there were showers at the southern end where you see the stairs coming down the bluff and there was a canopy with picnic tables where everybody could sit down and by 1998 hurricane Mitch caused the majority of damage on that end,” said Keenan
Keenan said the parking area comfortably fit approximately 35 cars which was all but erased thus forcing users to park on the northern end in a space only large enough for three to four cars.
Reef Raiders teamed up with the Seabees to plant utility poles and install plumbing for new showers and a large wash tub for divers to rinse their gear.
The many opportunities afforded in the cove proved popular because parking wasn’t as important as simply being able to enter the beach area.
“The parking isn’t as critical as access to this beach which has shallow to deep diving and some of the best coral formations in the area,” said Rudolph. “We’re spoiled beyond belief when you can have the availability of anything you can imagine in a dive being so close in a protected area, it’s just phenomenal.
In October of 2012, Hurricane Sandy finished off and damage left incomplete by Hurricane Mitch or the other consecutive tropical storms which impacted the Guantanamo Bay area.
“Mitch came through and did some damage as well as other storms, but Sandy put the icing on the cake,” said Keenan. “It took out or damaged all of the improvements and structures.”
According to Tony Owczarzak at Public Works, the renovation project includes large rocks to act as a sea wall to protect the area from the larger waves. The construction is tentatively scheduled for completion by July
1st.