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Jan 08, 2009

Quick Getaways (if you live close to FL & Bahamas)

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cavegirl

Post subject: Quick Getaways (if you live close to FL & Bahamas)

Posted: Apr 02, 2007 - 11:19 AM

Blenny

Joined: Dec 31, 1969
Posts: 29

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A 3, 5 or 7-day trip on a liveaboard charter may be your best dive vacation ever. Enjoy the convenience of having to unpack only once with the experience of visiting a number of varied dive sites. The best part is that as a guest onboard you are either sleeping, eating, sunbathing or simply relaxing while the dive vessel motors to the next reef, wreck or wall.
Many of the charters cater to groups where the itinerary can be custom designed to the desires of the divers. Most can also accommodate individual divers on a space-available basis as well. Amenities range from basic bunks to deluxe staterooms, but with liveaboard dive charters, the emphasis is usually on great diving while providing comfortable accommodations at affordable prices.

Sea-Clusive Charters

Playmate

Key West/Dry Tortugas/Marquesas Keys

In addition to running spearfishing charters, Capt. Bob DeMauro offers sightseeing dive trips as well. There are 3-5 day overnight trips out of Key West to the Marquesas Keys and the Dry Tortugas for private groups of up to 11. “Sometimes there are 6-8, and a lot of the trips that we book individuals can join. Certain groups may want people to help fill the trip,” said Capt. DeMauro. “Like most liveaboards its all-inclusive, which means accommodations, all linens, bedding, meals, snacks, drinks, tanks and air fills are included.”
The Playmate has four private cabins with 2 bathrooms and on the back deck, a bathroom with a shower. Two cabins have two beds each, one cabin has 3 beds, and another has 4 beds.
There is A/C, stereo, satellite TV & phone, fresh water, icemakers, and a large sundeck as well as a shaded back deck.
“The night before the trip is to depart we board the boat at 7:00 p.m., that’s when we do our greeting and get our guests situated on the boat,” Capt. DeMauro explained. “They usually go down and enjoy the sunsets in Key West, the nightlife and have dinner.
“The boat departs the dock at 4:30-5:00 a.m. on the first day of the trip. We do two trips a week. The most popular is a 3-day and a 4-day, we usually do a Fri.-Sun., Mon.-Thur., Thurs.-Sun., whatever people want to do, we book it.”
Onboard the Playmate, you dive your way down to the Tortugas. These are drift dives, so everyone goes into the water around the same time, and everybody comes out generally within 10-15 minutes of each other.
“We do have Nitrox onboard,” said Capt. DeMauro. “It’s a membrane system, so it’s not partial pressure, we basically enrich the air, and there is an extra charge for Nitrox.
“We do up to 6 dives a day on our trips and we do offer night dives. The average depth diving in the Marquesas would be 30-55 feet according to the reefs. In the upper keys and lower keys, there are lower profile spur and groove reefs. Further south in the Marquesas they have the dropoff, which goes from about 55-60 down to 110-120 feet, which would be considered the ledges in the Keys. Further west you’ll find that the formation in the Dry Tortugas are higher profile in deeper water; those reefs usually go from 45-80 feet. The average diving you’re doing in the Tortugas are 60-70 feet; the average in the Marquesas is generally around 40 feet.”
(305) 744-9928 www.SpearFishingCharters.com.

Gulf Stream Divers

Eagle

West End/Grand Bahama/Cay Sal Bank

Two basic destinations onboard the Eagle are Grand Bahama, diving the Little Bahama Bank and then Cay Sal Bank during the summer.
“Once a year we run to the Exumas, Great Exuma Sound, Central Bahamas,” said Capt. Laine Sheridan. “We can also custom tailor a trip. We’ll go pretty much anywhere people want to go. Swimming with dolphins up on White Sand Ridge, going to Bimini, Nassau, whatever they want.”
The trips are 4-7 days generally, but can vary depending upon the time of year and the itinerary. Capt. Mark Rose and Sheridan can suggest dive sites to maximize your dive experience. There is Nitrox available onboard for groups.
“It’s a comfortable boat, but we don’t have a hot tub on the sun deck,” Capt. Sheridan explained. “It’s all about the diving. We cater to people who really want to dive. We like to say, ‘We’re by divers, for divers.’”
The boat is set up for 18 guests and there are seven cabins: two with 4 single bunks, and five with a double lower and upper single berth. More than half of the reservations are from dive shop groups and clubs, with a high volume of repeat business.
“In the middle of summer, our prime season, we do 7 day trips. Toward the end of the year, in fact what we’re getting into now, are more of the 4-day long weekends.
“We work mostly with groups and then fill in with individuals from different parts of the U.S. and around the world,” said Capt. Sheridan. “This year we did a wreck diving trip to the Keys, we’ve been to the Dry Tortugas a couple of times. We’re flexible about where we can go, and we’re a good platform for commercial jobs and film crews.”
Capt. Sheridan feels that divers of all skill levels will enjoy a dive charter onboard the Eagle.
“The wall diving in Cay Sal and even some of the midwater reefs further inshore is virtually all drift diving,” he explained. “We can get people who are newly certified or haven’t been in the water in several years and are a little hesitant. By the second or third day everyone’s diving like a champ. Their skills in the water and comfort with being on the boat are well beyond what they would ever be if they were diving just a few times a year.
“By the end of that week they’ve racked up 30-40 dives, they’re experienced divers. For anyone that’s never been on a boat for any length of time, it gives them the chance to get that open ocean experience.”
(800) 488-3483 www.gulfstreameagle.com

Ultimate Getaway Charters
Ultimate Getaway
Dry Tortugas

Almost 70 miles west of Key West lies a cluster of seven coral reefs called the Dry Tortugas. The reefs and surrounding shoals and waters make up Dry Tortugas National Park. The 100Õ Ultimate Getaway comfortably sleeps 20 passengers in individual bunks. There are five hot fresh water showers and four restrooms. A spacious interior lounge is an ideal spot for guests to gather for meals, movies or to swap dive stories. There is ample room for lounging and sunbathing, and a huge covered deck for relaxing with a cool beverage.
YouÕll board the Ultimate Getaway at the marina in Ft. Myers Beach and get a good nightÕs sleep while the vessel motors throughout the night to the first dive site. Begin your day with a dive or opt for a hearty breakfast first. Then itÕs off to dive, dive, dive the next reef or wreck.
For more about the dive sites with lots of photos and a list of what to pack, visit the website!
(239) 466-0466, (866) 474-2069 www.ultimategetaway.net.

Dream Team Charters
Dolphin Dream
Bahamas

Most of the trips onboard the Dolphin Dream are 7-day outings; five full days of diving in the Bahamas, departing Saturday evening and returning the following Friday morning. The vessel travels Saturday night, usually to the Little Bahama Bank.
“We specialize in wild dolphin encounters. They’re Atlantic spotted dolphins, completely wild, but they love to play with people,” said Capt. Scott Smith. “We’ve been doing it for over 20 years now and we have a number of them named and identified. It’s a snorkeling experience in 15-20 feet of water on White Sand Ridge."
Capt. Scott has begun offering Shark Dive trips where they go in search of tiger and grey hammerhead sharks. The water is baited and when the sharks appear, the scuba divers go into the water and descend to the white sand bottom. For groups with specific desires, Capt. Smith can put together a dive trip with a little of everything. These are mostly anchor dives suitable for all experience levels. The dolphin snorkeling trips are ideal for divers with family or friends that are not certified who want to enjoy the liveaboard experience.
(888) 277-8181, www.dolphindreamteam.com.

Paradise Charters
Easy Goin'

Bimini/Grand Bahama/Southeast FL

Board the 62' Easy Goin' in Ft. Lauderdale, FL for a diving experience like no other. The charters include all meals, snacks, and drinks including beer and wine. Diving and snorkeling are unlimited, and includes weights and tanks. The vessel is fully air conditioned with spacious staterooms, and the salon is equipped with digital satellite TV, DVD, VCR and stereo. A large covered area on the stern provides storage for gear, with fresh water tanks for cameras and equipment. The topside sundeck is a great vantage point for photos or for working on your tan.
Bahamas diving offers something for everyone--drift dive over coral reefs, experience wall diving and explore fascinating wrecks. With all the dive sites along southeast Florida, Bimini and Grand Bahama, you can customize your trip to match your diving dreams.
(954) 524-8717 www.paradisecharters.com

Blackbeard's Cruises
Sea Explorer,
Morning Star, Pirate's Lady
Western Bahamas

Blackbeard's Cruises departs from Freeport, Grand Bahama every Saturday for a week of diving adventures in the western Bahamas. Divers travel the Bahamas aboard one of three 65' sloops. The diving offers something for everyone with reefs, walls, wrecks, drifts and a thrilling shark dive each week!
Cabins are shared with community heads and showers. The camaraderie on board is the best and keeps divers returning year after year. Each dive trip includes 17 dives, accommodations (shared cabins), all meals and beverages. www.blackbeard-cruises.com.

Aqua Cat Cruises
Aqua Cat

Enjoy spectacular diving aboard the luxury liveaboard Aqua Cat, departing from Nassau to the Exumas. The Aqua Cat is a 102' power catamaran accommodating 22 divers in 11 private cabins that are completely en suite. The gourmet chef serves three beautiful and delicious meals each day, with incredible snacks available in between. The 8 day/7 night cruise includes 4-5 dives per day, Nitrox, and E-6 photo processing. Kayaks are on board as well. Enjoy eco-adventures in the Exumas for a well rounded vacation even a non diver would love. www.aquacatcruises.com

Cat Ppalu Cruises
Cat Ppalu

This 65 foot sailing catamaran accommodates up to 12 divers with a crew of four. Cat Ppalu is available for charter only for a 7 day 6 night cruise departing Nassau for the Exuma Cays. This vessel is designed for small groups of friends and family who are looking for a unique and all-inclusive vacation that offers superb diving, snorkeling, kayaking, fishing and beautiful white sand beaches.
www.catppalu.com