Bahamas liveaboards living from Fort Lauderdale

[Interceptor121]

I wonder if there are any boats that dive Bimini and the North Bahamas instead of Exumas that live from Florida maybe FL?

Seems quite close distance and I wonder if anything is out there. No trips are coming out from UK travel operators

 

[danvolker]

I wonder if there are any boats that dive Bimini and the North Bahamas instead of Exumas that live from Florida maybe FL?

Seems quite close distance and I wonder if anything is out there. No trips are coming out from UK travel operators

Out of West Palm Beach is a very good Live-aboard operation... Scuba Diving In The Bahamas | Jim Abernethy's Scuba Adventures

 

[diversteve]

Here's a semi-complete list of boats that have dove somewhere in the Bahamas. Some may/may not be going to the Bahamas currently. Some may also be boarding in the Bahamas only now.

MV Spree - going to Cay Sal this August - if I could I'd be on it. Not much of anybody has been down there in about 6 or 7 years. Since it's on the way I'm sure they're stopping at Bimini also. It's the south Bahamas - Cay Sal is near Cuba but good blue hole dives.
Dolphin Dream - out of West Palm Beach
Shearwater - Abernethy's boat (JASA)
Easy Goin'
Playmate
Ultimate Getaway

Add in Nassau/Freeport departures since it's a short cheap flight from MIA/FLL to Nassau or a ferry ride from FLL to Freeport.

Lost Island Voyages
BlackBeards
Aquacat - the biggest, arguably the best on this list.
Carib Dancer - the Agressor Fleet boat.
Cat Ppalu - full charter but occasionally sells extra spaces
MV Juliet - IDK their current status.

Blue Iguana - MV Kate - may have gone private only this year - IDK. They don't list any current 2014 departures except private charter options.

Additionally better diving with the same extreme walls is Turks/Caicos. Fly into Providenciales, there's both an Aggressor and Explorer there. We did the Explorer, clear water, lots of sharks. 6000' deep walls. Some years the Turks/Caicos Explorer moves over and dives the Bahamas also - it doesn't look like they are for 2014-15.

Reply here if you have trouble finding any of these and I'll provide websites/booking agents.

 

[Interceptor121]

Thanks guys there are definitely a few interesting boats

 

[ppatin]

The Juliet does Bimini, the boat leaves from Bayfront Park in Miami. Not exactly Fort Lauderdale but very close.

Last year the owner of the Juliet was planning on shutting the operation down this spring. Plans have changed though, the boat will be out of service this summer but will resume charters in the fall. They've got a pretty loyal customer base so you may need to book well in advance.

 

[Texasguy]

I'll be on Juliet this September. Smaller than usual number of divers, is it 12 max? Will be my first trip to Bahamas.

 

[kelemvor]

I thought the Juliet was not taking charters so that the owner could sail the world with his family or something like that. Is being chartered again?

 

[Texasguy]

Starting in September (this year), yes. I guess they need the money.

 

[kelemvor]

Starting in September (this year), yes. I guess they need the money.

I'm glad to hear it, the Juliet really looks like an awesome boat to dive from.

 

[Texasguy]

I don't know, they don't seem to have a dedicated "gearing up" area or a proper dive off ramp. Also, seems rather limited in top deck area. I think people like it because it has a "romantic" feel due to a potential of going under sail.

It is just my guess.