Ironborn
Contributor
I am evaluating potential Bahamas liveaboards in mid-late November and would appreciate any input, feedback, or suggestions from anyone who has done any of these trips: Aggressor, AquaCat, Cat Ppalu, and Blackbeard's.
1) What would the diving and weather conditions typically be at that time of year?
2) I have heard mixed reviews about the quality of the reefs and marine life. Some felt that it was mediocre or lukewarm, unless one has a special interest in sharks. Would you agree or disagree, and why? Does the quality of marine life and the reefs vary with the different itineraries of the various liveaboards? If the marine life is mediocre, as some claimed, then why are there so many different Bahamas liveaboards?
3) Some of the cheaper liveaboards do not offer Nitrox. It seems to me that the lack of Nitrox would significantly limit the number of dives that one could do or limit one's bottom time, thereby defeating one of the primary purposes of a liveaboard. How do they pull it off without Nitrox? Are the dive sites shallow?
4) The Aggressor and AquaCat are more expensive, while the Blackbeard's and Cat Ppalu are cheaper. The Aggressor and AquaCat have longer itineraries by one day, seem like more comfortable boats, and they offer Nitrox at an extra cost. Are there any other differences that would justify the higher price tag for those two?
1) What would the diving and weather conditions typically be at that time of year?
2) I have heard mixed reviews about the quality of the reefs and marine life. Some felt that it was mediocre or lukewarm, unless one has a special interest in sharks. Would you agree or disagree, and why? Does the quality of marine life and the reefs vary with the different itineraries of the various liveaboards? If the marine life is mediocre, as some claimed, then why are there so many different Bahamas liveaboards?
3) Some of the cheaper liveaboards do not offer Nitrox. It seems to me that the lack of Nitrox would significantly limit the number of dives that one could do or limit one's bottom time, thereby defeating one of the primary purposes of a liveaboard. How do they pull it off without Nitrox? Are the dive sites shallow?
4) The Aggressor and AquaCat are more expensive, while the Blackbeard's and Cat Ppalu are cheaper. The Aggressor and AquaCat have longer itineraries by one day, seem like more comfortable boats, and they offer Nitrox at an extra cost. Are there any other differences that would justify the higher price tag for those two?