Liveaboard recommendation for Caribbean

[TravisD]

If you're flexible travel-wise, one other option is to check with the operators and see if they have any slots they're trying to fill at the last minute. They'd rather take someone out at a discount than sail with an extra bed, most times. They can also tell you if there's a club that's booked a block that may be trying to find people to fill it.

 

[raviepoo]

You might consider the Ultimate Getaway. They sail from Fort Meyers and dive the Dry Tortugas. Their normal itinerary is 4 days long but you get in a boat load of diving - up to 8 dives a day (if you're insane.) You pick and choose the dive sites you want to do. They pump all the nitrox you can huff.

Accomodations are not cushy. There are no staterooms. You sleep in bunks down below. But it's comfortable enough, the food is good and the trip is pretty cheap.

I really loved the diving. The Dry Tortugas are great. The boat also stops at a wreck on the way back to port, and an air force realy tower. I think the tower was the highlight of my trip. It is totally encrusted with life from 110 feet to the surface. You can watch the animals change with the depth as you swim through different communities on your ascent. The safety stop is spent watching all the crustaceans and scallops at 15 feet. It's awesome.

About Blackbeards - it's a good value. I've done 5 trips with them and I love them. Some of the most mind-blowing dives of my life took place on Blackbeards trip. But my husband enjoys his creature comforts and will never, ever, ever go on Blackbeards again.

If you want very cushy accommodations, consider the Aquacat. The staterooms are huge and the main salon could be a bowling alley.

I just got back from a trip in the Turks & Caicos Agressor. If you want to go cheap you can book a berth in the quad at about 1500$. You wont have much space to store your clothing, but you really don't need clothing on a liveaboard. The crew of the T & CAggressor is really awesome. I can't recommend the trip highly enough.

 

[scubacertified]

i just got back from a trip with Blackbeard's cruises and it was AWESOME!! you woulnd't have any trouble going as a single diver and you will meet everybody on the trip. It is pretty inexpensive and very friendly. You get food, drinks, a good time and we put in about 21 dives in a week. it was a TON of fun!

 

[jeremyl]

I just got back from a week on Turks & Caicos Aggressor. I was a single diver - booked a twin and had it to myself. 2 other single divers also had rooms (twin and quad) to themselves. Did all 27 dives, had a great time. Dove with a dolphin and saw a lionfish. Crew was great. Food was very good. I had a high expectation for Aggressor (this was my first Liveaboard) and they easily met my expectations. I have been digging into diving Indonesia so it is a little hard to get excited about Caribbean diving right now, but the walls are in great shape and there is plenty to see.

I booked with Aggressor cause I the extra couple bucks seemed worth it for the service you get. I dont regret it at all, and will dive with Aggressor again anytime.

Pictures are at Coppermine Photo Gallery - Turks & Caicos - May 2008

Jeremy

 

[Papa_Bear]

Here is a video about the Aqua Cat from 2005, but it will cover most of what you will get:
Two Tanked Productions HD & SD Underwater Productions and video services

 

[robint]

I just got back from a week on Turks & Caicos Aggressor. I was a single diver - booked a twin and had it to myself. 2 other single divers also had rooms (twin and quad) to themselves. Did all 27 dives, had a great time. Dove with a dolphin and saw a lionfish. Crew was great. Food was very good. I had a high expectation for Aggressor (this was my first Liveaboard) and they easily met my expectations. I have been digging into diving Indonesia so it is a little hard to get excited about Caribbean diving right now, but the walls are in great shape and there is plenty to see.

I booked with Aggressor cause I the extra couple bucks seemed worth it for the service you get. I dont regret it at all, and will dive with Aggressor again anytime.

Pictures are at Coppermine Photo Gallery - Turks & Caicos - May 2008

Jeremy

Glad to hear you enjoyed your first liveaboard. Welcome to the addiction!

robin

 

[Eau_Girl]

Glad to hear you enjoyed your first liveaboard. Welcome to the addiction!

robin

DITTO!!

Be warned once bitten by the liveaboard bug, you can never go back to day boats!

 

[Roguewarrior2]

FYI,

Turks & Caicos, Bahamas, Florida Keys, Bermuda are not in the Caribbean but in the North Atlantic Ocean. I know they all would like to be in the Caribbean but by claiming to be in the Caribbean does not make it true.

Much nicer to say "Best diving in the Caribbean" rather than "Best diving in the North Atlantic Ocean"!

From: Turks and Caicos Islands - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Main article: Districts of the Turks and Caicos Islands
The two island groups are in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of the Bahamas, north of Hispaniola, and 914 kilometres (494 nmi) from Miami, at [show location on an interactive map] 21°45′N, 71°35′W. The territory is geographically contiguous to the Bahamas, but is politically a separate entity. The Caicos Islands are separated by the Caicos Passage from the closest Bahamian islands, Mayaguana and Great Inagua.

 

[deepstops]

FYI,

Turks & Caicos, Bahamas, Florida Keys, Bermuda are not in the Caribbean but in the North Atlantic Ocean. I know they all would like to be in the Caribbean but by claiming to be in the Caribbean does not make it true.

Much nicer to say "Best diving in the Caribbean" rather than "Best diving in the North Atlantic Ocean"!

While your statement is true, the OP asked for something in the Caribbean *or anything easily accessible from Los Angeles* and I think some great good suggestions have been made by many

 

[scubacertified]

I would go with Blackbeard's. I just did a trip with them and it was fantastic!