Aqua Cat - Exumas

[Rosie]

The boat is docked at Hurricane Hole Marina, Paradise Island. There are lots of hotels - we stayed at the Atlantis, which is a lot of fun, but quite a big investment.

The coral was pretty healthy, but I was disappointed by the number of fish, probably because my previous experiences have been in SE Asia, which is like being in an aquarium. The shark dive is very cool - we got to do it twice, because the chumsical wasn't frozen properly the first day.

cheers
Rosie

 

[Barracuda2]

The boat is docked at Hurricane Hole Marina, Paradise Island. There are lots of hotels - we stayed at the Atlantis, which is a lot of fun, but quite a big investment.

The coral was pretty healthy, but I was disappointed by the number of fish, probably because my previous experiences have been in SE Asia, which is like being in an aquarium. The shark dive is very cool - we got to do it twice, because the chumsical wasn't frozen properly the first day.

cheers
Rosie

Rosie:

Any more on the critter life? Pelegics- bigger stuff? I really enjoy taping critter behavior. (cleaning stations, sand tile fish building his nest, etc.) How would you rate this? On any given dive, I usually find an interesting spot and just settle in until the neighborhood gets use to my presense. That's usually when critter behavior begans to happen. By this time I'm usually diving solo because my buddy gets board and drifts off to the surrounding area. i have the patience of Job and will sit in front of a male yellow jaw until he cleans the eggs in his mouth, my cam sometimes running for a straight 10-15 min.

Barracuda2

 

[Dan Gibson]

We went straight from the plane to the boat. The Atlantis Casino (I think - you know the huge one) is near by.

We dove in the Exumas, but never ended farther away than about 50 miles from Nassau. If you go farther south (Conception Island area), the diving is suppossed to get much better. Maybe they have started to stray farther. I would call them and ask for sure if you have any questions.

From what I understand, they dive the Exuma cays. Pretty remote so I thought the diving might be pristine. Also, they advertise a Shark dive and I would love to get that on video. When I do a Live-a-board, I usually go a day early. Do you know of any place near the boat dock that would be OK to lay my head for the night before boarding on Sat.?

Barracuda2

 

[Barracuda2]

We went straight from the plane to the boat. The Atlantis Casino (I think - you know the huge one) is near by.

We dove in the Exumas, but never ended farther away than about 50 miles from Nassau. If you go farther south (Conception Island area), the diving is suppossed to get much better. Maybe they have started to stray farther. I would call them and ask for sure if you have any questions.

I spent a week with Stella Maris Inn and dove Conception. It was great. You don't hear much of Stella Maris, but they have a great resort and dive operation. I dove their shark dive way back in the 80's when shark diving was just beginning. I'm going to give AquaCat a call and find out what their range is (weather permiting.)

Barracuda2

 

[zippy]

The boat is docked at Hurricane Hole Marina, Paradise Island. There are lots of hotels - we stayed at the Atlantis, which is a lot of fun, but quite a big investment.

The coral was pretty healthy, but I was disappointed by the number of fish, probably because my previous experiences have been in SE Asia, which is like being in an aquarium. The shark dive is very cool - we got to do it twice, because the chumsical wasn't frozen properly the first day.

cheers
Rosie

Hi Rosie,
I was on the same trip as Rosie and agree with her. The boat is fantastic, the crew outstanding and the food was fabulous, but we were a bit disappointed with the diving. Many of the coral heads appeared to have been blighted and covered with algae, and the quantity and size of the fish were a bit lacking.
certainly not up to par with the Caymans or Belize. My 2 cents.
Ken

 

[Rosie]

Hi Ken,

Hope you're well! I've been out of circulation for a week or two, as work has been crazy - Easter can't come soon enough.

Having said all the negative stuff about the fish, I looked back over my logbook and there were quite a few nice things to see, like Christmas Tree Worms and it was exciting to see a free-swimming Remora on the drift dive. Will we go back to the Bahamas? Not for a little while. Although the boat was fantastic, we do want to see fish. We are looking at the Great Barrier Reef for next winter.

cheers
Rosie

 

[Sharksighter]

I spent a week with Stella Maris Inn and dove Conception. It was great. You don't hear much of Stella Maris, but they have a great resort and dive operation. I dove their shark dive way back in the 80's when shark diving was just beginning. I'm going to give AquaCat a call and find out what their range is (weather permiting.)

Barracuda2

Looking at going Mid April - would you reccomend my buddy dosent want to go on aliveaboard!

 

[Barracuda2]

Looking at going Mid April - would you reccomend my buddy dosent want to go on aliveaboard!

THAD,
I thought the diving was excellent. We encountered lots of large grouper, barracuda, and did one of the finest shark dives in the Carib. It's been several years since I've been there so I don't know how conditions are now. Stella Maris was an excellent resort when I was there and they were expanding their facilities. It's a resort with lots of years and experience behind it so I figure it's just got better. When i went, I flew in a four seater out of Ft. Lauderdale. It was a very scenic ride over the Exumas. I don't know what the provisions are now to get you to the island. Since Long Island is an out island, the diver traffic isn't as intense as some other places, so I don't see why the UW conditions wouldn't still be pristine. I believe your buddy would like this trip. The accommodations and food were excellent. One of the activities I enjoyed was meeting with all the divers at the end of the day in the resort bar and sharing experiences.
I would appreciate if you would put me on your buddy list and give me a report when you get back (if you decide to go) because I've been kicking around the idea of going there again. Any other questions, don't hesitate.

Barracuda2