Blackbeard's - August 18, 2007

[yitbos1987]

Dartref

How is the divemaster program going?

I just started as well.

 

[rahuck]

Whoops...stole your thunder and shared your pics already!

Was on the Morning Star mid-July for a week and loved it.

Eat, sleep, dive and drink (water or booze). Bimini is the big party night where hang overs the next morning abound. I'm not a huge drinker and felt no pressure to keep up but had a good time none-the-less.

Pack a bunch of t-shirts, couple shorts and a couple bathing suits. That's about it beyond a toilet kit and sun screen.

Dives were awesome and more awesome. You'll have a blast. If you get a chance to do a night dive on the Sepona... do it! It was the best night dive for me ever and even rivals some of my best daytime experiences. Not deep but tons of life.

20 dives is the normal if the weather's good... our boat had possible 22 dives because of our captain and his knowledge of things... say "Hi" to Capt. Grayson when you see him.

Can't wait for next year!

 

[Don Wray]

You'll love the trip. I went in June on the Morning Star and had a great time. You'll do 4 night dives and the first dive is within minutes of leaving port. Morning dives are around 8 or so. The food was good but not elegant as it's buffet style. There are hot showers in Bimini but I don't remember any cyber cafe's or such. I have the boat booked again in May of next year and can't wait. Flamingo Inn in Freeport is reasonable, $70 a night. Cab fare is $20 bucks from the airport.

 

[pickens_46929]

Whoops...stole your thunder and shared your pics already!

LOL... steal away... I am the first to admin I am slow on the uptake or follow-thru sometimes...

Dave
(too many scuba boards and not enough time)

 

[pickens_46929]

Thanks for the info. I am really looking forward to going.

I assume there are hot showers on Bimini? Any idea of internet cafe to check emails?

What was the food like? Good? Excellent? Fresh seafood? What types of meals?

What time does the diving start in the mornings? How many night dives?

Thanks.

Hot shower right at the dock. It'll be your only "true" shower. Boat limits showers to 30 seconds of fresh water. I ended up using the condesate water off the back of the boat most days.

No idea about internet cafes but my cell phone worked. Just remember to dial 1+ before any number.

Food was super onboard. French toast, eggs, pancakes. Never the same twice really. Toast and cold breakfast night after Bimini because few people could eat (lots of hangovers) and the cook needs time off too you know. Lunch was anything from Fajitas, Gyros, to lunch meat. Hamburgers and Hot Dogs the first day. Dinner was good as well. Pork Roast, fish only once or twice, grilled chicken and fish in Bimini, Pot Roast (beef) one night. Chicken breasts one night. Good stuff.

Wake up is around 7:30am and first dive is 8:30am usually. Some days slightly earlier, some days slight later. Again, morning after Bimini was a late start morning. lol

Think we got 3 night dives in. Night dive on the Sepona is a killer dive. You can hardly turn around because of the number of sting rays. Turtles galore too.

Dave

 

[yitbos1987]

This all sounds great to me. Plenty of diving, plenty of food, and beverages. I am going alone, so I hope there are other singles as well.

If anyone is arriving on Friday, I would be up for dinner/drinks late afternoon or evening.

 

[Kleppta]

You'll have a great time. I have done BB a few times now. Best diving bang for your buck anywhere. Not luxury but good diving for the price.

I will give you a couple of tips that I have found from experiance as well as by surfing this and other boards.

Bring the heavy duty mini clamps (woodworking, made of plastic) from walmart or home depot. They will be the best cloths pins you can have - don't need to search for ones on board when they become scarce and will withstand heavy winds.

I would also invbest in a waterproof bag as well - like a sealline or comparable. The boats are air conditioned but everything becomes damp due to humidity sooner or later and on that port night or final travel day it is nice to put on a clean and dry something. If you squeeze the air out takes up the same room and keeps stuff dry. Nothing really dries off on a boat.

Bring at least 3 or 4 swim suits and a bunch of t-shirtsd to rotate. That way always one is dry.

Bring a hoodie for cool nights and to sleep in as the airconditioning has 2 positions "freeze" & "thaw". Remmember it can be quite cool esp in fall and winter. I was there one dec and it was down right cold at night.

Bring a softsided duffle bag if possible. You can leave stuff at the dock when you depart but I find a large mesh duffle bad colapses well and can be stowed under your matress.

Bring a pillow case or a pillow protector to put over their pillows. They have pillows but.....well even that thing layer of home laundered cotton makes me feel a bit better ; ) Also doubles as a laundry bag at the end of the trip.

If you have a favorite after dinner drink hit duty free on your way into freeport. Amazing home many scotch drinkers are divers and how many friends you can make with a small bottle of single malt. (booze is in on the trip but the selection is lacking....the beer is good but can be luke warm by the end of a long hot week - beer is a keg which depending on the fridge situation stays warm-cold) I go to dive so my one or 2 drinks at the end of the day had better be good!

You will have a blast. As far as other singles go though I wouldn't count on a singles party but I doubt you will be the only bachelor there. Every trip is differnt but every one has the token drunk and the token ******** that everyone wants to use for the shark feeding by the end of the trip......but thats what makes it fun ; )

 

[yitbos1987]

Thank you so much for the information. That is exactly what I was looking when I posted the original message.

It is funny, as today I was considering taking a bottle of my fav. beverage.

Question:


What types of soft drinks? coke, sprite, ginger ale, etc?

 

[Kleppta]

All of the above as far as I know. They even had club soda when I was on board.

All fountain pop. The beer tap is located beside the kitchen and so is the pop.

Although I was on one of the boats that had a beer tap on deck.....good for those late night gab sessions.

Also I forgot one other thing that you may find helpfull. When you get on board they give you a cup with your name on it. It is your for the duration of the trip and if I remmmember correctly it is your sovenier. But I would recomend bringing a larger plastic insulated cup. Less trip to the kitchen as the ones they give you are kinda small. If you can find one with a large bottom like you with not have to chase it around the deck if there is a bit off chop on the ocean.

 

[pickens_46929]

All of the above as far as I know. They even had club soda when I was on board.

All fountain pop. The beer tap is located beside the kitchen and so is the pop.

Although I was on one of the boats that had a beer tap on deck.....good for those late night gab sessions.

Also I forgot one other thing that you may find helpfull. When you get on board they give you a cup with your name on it. It is your for the duration of the trip and if I remmmember correctly it is your sovenier. But I would recomend bringing a larger plastic insulated cup. Less trip to the kitchen as the ones they give you are kinda small. If you can find one with a large bottom like you with not have to chase it around the deck if there is a bit off chop on the ocean.

Nope it's not a souvenier... it's just a cup for you without a lid... plain old plastic coffee cup... you can buy a nice insulated travel cup with a lid but it's still somewhat small and was about $8 or so... bring your own... bring a nalgene bottle for water and an insulated cup with travel lid for your favorite beverage. You can get decent sailing insulated cups at a marine supply store that have a wide heavy base.