What is a live-aboard cruise like? Live-aboard dive boats are an appealing alternative to conventional hotel based holidays. It can be said that they offer a richer travel experience - one that goes beyond the typical tourist sites. Imagine sinking your toes into sugar sand, snorkelling/diving among the lemon sharks and sting rays, or hiking the trails of pirates and bootleggers of years gone by. The ideal way to explore the world is on a small ship, enjoying access to places of natural beauty not possible any other way. Small ship cruising appeals to travellers who prefer a relaxed, comfortable travel style with the emphasis on the destination. Aqua Cat offers divers the chance to do as many as 5 dives per day, often at dive sites which are beyond the reach of hotel based dive operators.
What is our itinerary? You will have a great time exploring the 365 mostly uninhabited islands of the Exumas with their many beautiful beaches. In addition to the incredible scuba diving and snorkelling, you can beach comb, kayak, explore the islands, or take advantage of all the great photo opportunities like feeding the iguanas on Allan's Cay. While in Nassau and Paradise Island, you can enjoy shopping, casinos, and nightlife.
What type of adventures can I look forward to experiencing on my cruise? There are many opportunities offered aboard the Aqua Cat and the Sea Dog. The Sea Dog is our 28’ launch that can take you to isolated beaches where you can sunbathe, explore, kayak, snorkel or fish. You will enjoy feeding and photographing the iguanas on Allan’s Cay. You can visit the headquarters of the Exumas Land & Sea Park on Warderick Wells and explore the many trails. Be sure to check out the whale bones on the island. Don’t miss the blow hole! You can also kayak the creeks that meander through Shroud Cay. These creeks are nurseries for many varieties of fish and sharks. For those interested in bird watching, the Exumas are a nesting area for many species of seabirds including White-Tailed Tropicbirds, Audubon Shearwaters, Brown Noddies, and Bridled and Sooty Terns. The possibilities are endless!
What should I bring? The atmosphere on board the Aqua Cat is always relaxed and casual. You’ll spend your days in bathing suits and casual wear. Bring shorts or jeans, T-shirts and a windbreaker. Also bring a pair of sandals, hat, suntan lotion and sunglasses. In winter, a sweatshirt is advisable. Our ship’s boutique offers everything you need for your cruise (swimsuits, T-shirts, shorts, sundresses, hats and toiletries).
What are the meals like? All meals, beverages/bar and snacks are included! We serve three gourmet meals a day. Snacks and fresh fruits are always available. Most meals will be a combination of Bahamian and American cuisine. A selection of complimentary beverages is always on hand; from soft drinks, juices and lemonade, to beer, wine and rum drinks. Dinner is ashore Friday evening.
Where does Aqua Cat depart from? The Aqua Cat departs from Hurricane Hole Marina on Paradise Island. It is just east of the Paradise Island Bridge. The local phone number for the marina is 242-363-3600.
What time can we board? You may board any time after 6:00 PM on Saturday. If you are arriving earlier, you may drop bags off at the boat prior to 6:00 PM. The Aqua Cat returns to Nassau Friday afternoon by 2:00 pm. You will be responsible for dinner ashore Friday evening. We ask that you disembark Saturday by 9:00 AM. You may leave your bags at the boat if you have a late afternoon flight.
How is the snorkelling? The reefs are perfect for snorkelling with gin clear waters and lots of fish, both small and large! You can snorkel anytime the boat is anchored! We offer a variety of snorkelling adventures- drift Wax Cut, mangrove nurseries, feed the sting rays and swim with Lemon sharks at the Land and Sea Park! You need to bring mask, fins and snorkel. If you don’t have them, we have some available for rent. If you have not snorkelled before, the crew will be happy to instruct you.
Can I go fishing? Yes, as long as you aren’t in the Exumas Land & Sea Park. We have the Sea Dog, our 28’ launch that is used for trolling, or taking fisherman to shores or coves. We furnish all of the fishing gear.
Can I learn to scuba dive onboard? Yes, you may take a full PADI certification course (pre-booked) or a Discover Scuba Diving course. The minimum age is 10 years old for scuba courses. We have Snuba gear for the younger set too.
What is the diving like? While the Northern Exumas are only 30 miles from Nassau, there are no daily dive operations in this area. You can experience truly virgin diving. The Exumas have walls starting at 40', as well as drift, reef, and shark dives. There is a large Blue Hole between Nassau and the Exumas. For over 30 years, much of the northern Exumas has been a National Underwater Park with no fishing, spear fishing or collecting allowed. Because of these laws, there are miles of undersea gardens in which coral, sponges and fish abound. Turtles, rays and sharks are seen regularly on most dive sites. Goliath grouper truly are gargantuan in the Exumas!
Will I see sharks? Yes! Many of our sites are frequented by Caribbean Reef Sharks and Nurse Sharks. You can also see Lemon Sharks at the Land and Sea Park! We normally offer at least one shark feed on each trip. This is the perfect time to see sharks up close and in action!
How many dives per day? Divers will have the opportunity to do up to 5 dives a day Sunday through Thursday, including night dives, as long as weather is not a factor. Two dives will be offered on Friday.
Is Nitrox available? Yes. Nitrox is available on board for $100 per week per diver. Nitrox is 32%. If you are not Nitrox certified, we can help you accomplish this on board. The course is $150 and then you receive a $50 credit for fills.
Can I take advanced certification or speciality courses on board? Our instructors are available for further training in SCUBA. Pre booking is essential though.
What dive gear do I need to bring? Certified scuba divers need snorkel, fins, mask, and regulator with pressure gauge, buoyancy compensator, u/w watch, and depth gauge. For night dives, a dive light and cyalume stick (or substitute) is required. We provide tanks, weights and weight belts. Between fall and spring, a wetsuit is recommended. See, “Do I need a wetsuit” below.
Can I rent dive gear? If you do not have your own equipment, we have "top of the line" ADV/BCs, wetsuits, dive lights and regulators with octopus and gauges available for rent. All rentals must be arranged prior to departure.
Do I need a wetsuit? Between Autumn and spring, a wetsuit is recommended. The chart below will give you a general idea of the water temperatures and what weight wetsuit you will need. When deciding which wetsuit works for you, consider that you will have the opportunity to dive as many as five times a day and it takes your body a while to warm up. Wetsuit needs are different for everyone. A general guideline follows.
Average Temperatures...
| Month | Water Temp | Air Temp | Wetsuit advised... |
| January - February |
22-24c
|
22-27c
|
Full Wetsuit-3 to 5mm |
| March |
23-25c
|
22-29c
|
Full Wetsuit-3 to 5mm |
| April |
24-26c
|
24-32c
|
Shorty or Full |
| May |
25-27c
|
27-32c
|
Skin or Shorty |
| June |
26-27c
|
27-32c
|
Skin or Shorty |
| July-September |
28-30c
|
27-32c
|
None required |
| October |
26-28c
|
24-32c
|
Skin or Shorty |
| November |
25-27c
|
22-29c
|
Shorty or Full |
| December |
24-26c
|
22-29c
|
Full Wetsuit-3 to 5mm |
Wetsuit needs vary from individual to individual. These are approximates.
Do you have a DVD and VCR on board? Yes, we have a DVD and VCR monitor with U.S. and European formats. We have a collection of movies on board. Feel free to bring your favourites.
Is electricity available? The Aqua Cat has standard US (110 volt and 220 volt) electricity. Charging stations will accommodate European and US guests.
How much spending money do I need? You will need enough for the crew gratuity (150 pounds recommended), spending money for an evening ashore (shopping, drinks, souvenirs), and dinner ashore Friday evening. The Bahamas currency is Bahamian dollars, which are equivalent to the US dollar and are interchangeable. If you have US dollars, there is no need to exchange currency. You can charge your speciality classes, boutique purchases, and film processing and crew gratuity to your cabin account. Aqua Cat accepts VISA, MasterCard and Discover.
What is the recommended gratuity? The live-aboard business is a service industry, and although the general public is seldom aware of it, gratuities are a major part of a crewmember’s salary. Few other recreational activities rely so heavily upon the professionals in charge for your enjoyment and safety. A gratuity of 15% of the cruise price is customary, but many leave more when they feel the service was outstanding. If you are disappointed with the service, you should inform the Captain of your feelings right away so he may rectify the situation. Leave no more gratuity than you feel is right.
What if I need to be contacted in an emergency? If someone needs to get in contact with you because of a true emergency, they may contact our office and we will relay the message. We have a Satellite phone on board available for outgoing calls. The cost for international calls is $5.00 USD per minute.
Where do we spend our port nights? The first and last night will be spent in Nassau/Paradise Island. Dinner the first night is a casual BBQ on the alfresco deck followed by introductions and ship’s orientation. You are free to explore the island that evening. Enjoy shopping, casinos, and nightlife in Paradise Island and Nassau! We shove off for the Exumas very early…around 4 AM on Sunday morning! Once we leave port, you’ll escape the hustle and bustle of the city to the pristine Exumas! Enjoy incredible sunsets and breathtaking scenery. We return to Nassau on Friday afternoon. The Captain’s Farewell Cocktail party is at 6 PM. Dinner on Friday evening is your responsibility ashore. Go play or stay aboard. Reservations and recommendations can be made by the crew.
PRICES
Prices include Flights from London, full board accommodation, all diving and airport
transfers.
8-day/7 night trip (5 dive
days; up to 20 dives).
£1695 per person. (subject to availability/price at time of booking)
Price excludes
new UK flight departure tax (20 pounds) + local port fees ($80) and marine
park fee ($10)
RED SEA DIVERS LTD, 4 BEECHGROVE RISE, CUPAR, UK, KY15 5DT
Booking Hotline - Telephone 01334 656577 from inside UK
or ++44 1334 656577 from outside the UK
Ready to book or pay by telephone, post or on-line then call me
or contact me by email - see below
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