Need Advice on a Liveaboard

[jasondcrawford]

I'm graduating this December, and have about a month until I have to start my job. Me and my wife are new to diving (10 dives each... 6 in Kona and 4 in Catalina), but have decided on doing a liveaboard during the first week or two in January.

We want to see big things, colorful coral, and maybe a cool wreck or two, and basically just have a great experience. We'd like to keep the whole thing below $7,000(including air fair from Phoenix, renting gear on the boat, and 2-3 days of land activities wherever we go). Warm water is a must (the warmer the better)! And she really wants to see/dive with dolphins (not sure if that is a realistic wish or not)

Because we are new divers, we really want a boat that is user friendly (has a dm available for dives and what not)

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Darnold9999]

Nekton Belize would be just about perfect, the diving is excellent and easy. Spend a day or two on Ambergrise or Cay Calker before or after, or go inland and see Myan ruins. Dolphins not guaranteed, but did dive with them last trip. Should be able to do it on the budget you mentioned quite easily.

Down side is no wrecks, and not likely to see large animals. The occassional ray, and turtles mostly macro life. Lots of coral and colour however.

 

[diversteve]

I'd second the Belize recommendation. Especially if you can get on the Southern Belize itinerary to Glovers to see the Manta Rays. Just about everybody who works on a Nekton boat is either a DM or an Instructor so finding someone to dive with you shouldn't be difficult. One couple on our boat had their own DM anytime they asked.

Another option would be something out of the Bahamas either Aquacat or Explorer. Aquacat leaves out of Nassau so if you went over to Freeport from Nassau before/after your trip, you could do a Dolphin Dive with UNEXSO. The dolphins follow you out to the divesite from shore so it's basically a guaranteed encounter.

Explorer leaves out of Georgetown on Exuma. It's harder to get there. But water temps in the Bahamas are in the low 70's in winter.
A third option might be either the other Nekton (Rorqual) or the Cayman Aggressor. They both do all three Cayman Islands including Bloody Bay Wall, probably the Tibbetts wreck (starts in 70') and other good sites. Lesser possibility of seeing dolphins but you'll probably see sharks, rays and turtles.

Downside is that a lot of the sites are deeper, a typical dive profile off Grand Cayman is 90-100' to the top of the wall, descend deeper and come out over the abyss. 2nd dives are generally shallower. Since the water is so crystal clear, a lot of the really good coral formations grow deeper. And the water's warmer.

hth,

 

[jasondcrawford]

I've actually been looking into the Belize cruise with Nekton, so it's nice to hear a couple people suggest it. What is the temperature like that time of year? Another thing I also am considering, although I don't know if it fits our experience level, was the west coast of Thailand. Plane tickets are a bit more expensive, but it seems that a week long liveaboard only runs about $1,000 once you get there to Phuket. Anyone know much about Thailand diving and if it fits our requirements?

 

[Desert_Diver]

I've actually been looking into the Belize cruise with Nekton, so it's nice to hear a couple people suggest it. What is the temperature like that time of year? Another thing I also am considering, although I don't know if it fits our experience level, was the west coast of Thailand. Plane tickets are a bit more expensive, but it seems that a week long liveaboard only runs about $1,000 once you get there to Phuket. Anyone know much about Thailand diving and if it fits our requirements?

I have not been to Thailand. I have been to Belize (Ambergris Caye) but not on the Nekton cruise to Belize. However I have dived (dove?) off the Nekton Pilot which is the boat that does the Belize trips. Both of the Nekton boats seem to have very decent, passenger friendly crews. If you let Captain Ephy Priest know that you are relatively new divers, I suspect that he will make sure you have a crewman (whoops-crewperson) to make the first few dives with. After that, you should have enough confidence to dive on your own as long as you 1. stay close enough to the boat to find your way back, and 2. watch your depth on the walls.

I was in Belize in January and the water temps were in the upper 70s. Air temps at night got a little chilly. The coldest I got was right after dives while I was wet and the boat was flying through the water. I wore a light, water proof jacket at those times. When the boat was just drifting, I was OK in a 3 mil wet suit and the sunlight.

We saw dophins in Belize, but I wouldn't say we dove with them. These are not "show" animals. Unless they are interested in you, they won't hang around.

I'm not sure if you were talking about diving the Bahamas, but I would caution you that some of the dives there have some challenging currents. They are not necessarily what I would classify as beginner dives.

I have been on two Nekton trips, with two different crews. I give the Nekton folks two thumbs up.

Art

PS Call Nekton (1-800 UW-WORLD) and ask to speak with Pam. She is quite knowledgeable about the cruises and her advice to me has always been spot on. And no, I don' work for Nekton. <grin>

 

[diversteve]

...and the boat was flying through the water

On the Pilot?? Were you being towed by something?

From the Nekton site:

The difference in the Liveaboards is related to slight trade-offs in stability versus speed.

 

[Desert_Diver]

On the Pilot?? Were you being towed by something?

I have once again shot myself in the foot (verbally). When I was diving in Belize, I was diving with Amigos del Mar. Their boats move considerably faster than the Nekton Pilot. I suspect that the Pilot would have it's hands full in a race with a raft. Even if the raft is going into the wind. <grin>

Art

 

[ewong]

I second on the choice of the Nekton. I've been to both the Pilot and the Rorqual. See my reviews below. I don't work for Nekton .


Eddy.

 

[Darnold9999]

Best Nekton quote They're slow ... but they're ugly

Great dive boats, lots and lots of room on deck, but they look like miniature oil rigs and not so fast in the water. Not really that slow, but...

Have not done a liveaboard in Thailand, but did visit a few years back and will go again. A very nice place to visit. A bit far to fly for a single week don't recall that the diving is particularly better, but others with more experience may have a better opinion.

 

[del_mo]

I'd recommend you start contacting the liveaboards directly to see if they have any room available. You might be disappointed to learn that January is already all filled up for any number of cruises.