Bahamas News
Bahamas Ministry of Tourism Investments & Aviation announces inaugural Bahamas Women Dive Week
The Bahamas, May 23, 2025 – The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation (BMOTIA) is proud to announce its inaugural Bahamas Women Dive Week in partnership with Caradonna Adventures, Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas and other members of the Bahamas dive industry. The landmark event will coincide with the celebration of PADI’s (Professional Association of Dive Instructors) annual global Women’s Dive Day. This premier event will present a distinctive opportunity to establish The Bahamas as a leading destination for women divers as well as foster local community engagement through introductory dive programs and marine conservation initiatives.
From July 18-22, international participants will enjoy a four-night stay at the all-inclusive Breezes Bahamas, along with three exhilarating days of world-class diving. The week will highlight Nassau/Paradise Island’s dramatic walls, shipwrecks, and vibrant reefs, including a signature 2-tank shark dive and visits to iconic sites used in film productions, such as Thunderball and Into the Blue. Participants will also benefit from the expertise of PADI’s dive master, Alannah Vellacott, a Bahamian ecologist and ocean advocate, along with global dive ambassador and influencer, Gabby Shepard, whose advocacy through her “Black Girl Blue World” brand promotes diversity in diving worldwide.
Tourism Director General Latia Duncombe stated that “The Bahamas Women’s Dive Day Event is a powerful reflection of our national commitment to adventure tourism, and female empowerment.
As a world-class diving destination, we are honored to celebrate the women making waves in ocean conservation and underwater
exploration, while showcasing the unparalleled Bahamian beauty that captivates divers both from around the globe and among our islands.” Duncombe added: “These celebrations reinforce The Bahamas’ position as a global leader in both marine tourism and diverse travel experiences while igniting passion and purpose in the next generation of female divers and environmental stewards.” The initiative will also give young Bahamian women and girls an opportunity to discover and enjoy the sport of diving through introductory resort courses offered at various dive operations across the islands. This hands-on experience aims to foster a lifelong connection with the ocean and inspire future careers in marine science, tourism, and conservation.
PADI® Women’s Dive Day has grown into the most celebrated day of diving on the planet, transforming lives and opening the door to the underwater world. By highlighting this initiative in The Bahamas, the 2025 celebration not only honors women already making waves in the diving world but also ensures that young Bahamian girls have the opportunity to discover their potential beneath the surface—paving the way for a more inclusive and sustainable future for marine exploration.
Beyond diving, the week will feature evening social events, beachside relaxation, and time to explore the vibrant cultural spirit of Nassau—from savoring authentic Bahamian flavors to engaging with the island’s rich heritage and colorful traditions.
Caradonna Adventures is North America’s leading dive travel agency, providing expert assistance with all aspects of travel planning and travel services, including flights, land transportation, hotels, car rentals and more. The company is ARC and IATA licensed, bonded and the only dive travel agency that is a member of USTOA, backed by a million-dollar bond to protect travel investments. Caradonna is a multi-year award-winning dive travel specialist as voted by Scuba Diving Magazine.
The Bahamas Women’s Dive Day Event Package is available for booking through Caradonna Adventures.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.
The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap
from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.
With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.
Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.
Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.
Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!
After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.
The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before
their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.
At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.
Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.
Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.
The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.
Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed
their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.
As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.
Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole,
with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’. Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.
Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.
Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the
listening booth.
Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.
For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification
attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.
Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.
The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members. Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.
Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine. To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.
On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking
in the comfort of the chic lounge. In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.
The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.
To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
