THE BAHAMAS

Year:2003

Reefs, walls and wild dolphins

Season: June-September

Visibility: 20-30 metres

Water temperature: 28-31°C

The start of June sees Wind Dancer, the Peter Hughes' Dancer Fleet vessel usually working out of Grand Turk, steam northwards to the warm, clear waters of the Bahamas. During the month of June, Wind Dancer will undertake a series of Southern Bahamas cruises in and out of Georgetown, Grand Exuma, whilst during July and August the vessel explores the Northern Bahamas and will operate in and out of Freeport, Grand Bahama in its search of wild dolphin encounters and much else.

SOUTHERN BAHAMAS CRUISE

Long Island at the southern end of the Bahamas chain of islands was one of Columbus's stopping points, and the place where local inhabitants were first seen using 'hammocks'. Grouper Valleys is home to a very large population of very big groupers, including some Jewfish weighing an estimated 700 pounds (over 300 kilograms), which attempt to hide (unsuccessfully) amongst the coral. The large friendly Nassau Groupers inhabit the coral trenches which lead from the land out to the sandy bottom of the sea bed. If you have dived in the Caribbean before, you may well have encountered these inquisitive and friendly big fish, who seem to enjoy having their chins tickled. If not, this could be the time to do it!

Conception Island, a small uninhabited island formerly restricted to visits by divers with their own boats, is now dived only by the residents of a small resort on Long Island and by the very few liveaboards that work the area. Large coral heads 'bloom' from the white sands of the sea bed and coral formations begin as shallow as 5 metres. The wall here is punctured with caves, tunnels and channels offering interesting diving for those who enjoy a little exploration. Purple sea fans grow from the wall. Check out the fans for grazing Flamingo Tongues or the much rarer Fingerprint Cyphoma. Good marine life, clear water and shark sightings are the hallmarks of the area. Conception Island is in reality an atoll with a large and very sheltered lagoon where it should be possible for divers to make a fascinating trip to a mangrove as the tide ebbs. These incredible habitats form the nursery for many marine species and baby turtles and the juvenile forms of many fish species can be found here. But beware, fish identification here can be rather confusing as juveniles are often very different from their parents!

A two-hour run south will find the boat at Rum Cay, where divers will find several dive sites with lots of swim-throughs, canyons and cuts in the wall. At Grandpa Grouper the top of the reef begins at about 18 metres, but some large rocks bearing profuse algae, brightly coloured sponges and corals rise from the seabed at over 20 metres to around 7 metres from the surface. Search the underside of the shelves or the depths of the cracks and cuts for beautiful sponges, delicate tunicates or, at depth, black coral.

Towards the end of the week, Wind Dancer moves location to San Salvador, widely acclaimed for clear waters and wonderful wall diving. Other main attractions of dive sites in the San Salvador area are the regular shark sightings. Scalloped Hammerheads, Caribbean Reef Sharks and others patrol these waters and Nurse Sharks can often be seen resting on the bottom, in caves or on shelves on the wall. At Devil's Claw three deep slashes in the wall house a 'forest' of wire corals where both Bermuda Chub and Black Jacks will almost certainly come to find you. Beyond the canyons and out in the blue water look out for barracuda, turtles and the occasional sighting of the large silver shape of the magnificent Tarpon. Doctor John's is an almost sheer wall plunging to a depth of 40 metres. The black coral is healthy in this area, so take advantage of searching amongst it's 'fronds' for small fish and invertebrates.

NORTHERN BAHAMAS CRUISE

During the months of July and August, Wind Dancer moves north and operates out of Freeport on Grand Bahama. Once all passengers are on board, Wind Dancer heads off for a 75-kilometre (45-mile) crossing to White Sand Ridge for a combination of snorkeling with dolphins and diving. The White Sand Ridge area is know for its playful wild dolphins, clear waters, abundant marine life and shark encounters. What more could a diver need?

Dive masters use underwater scooters and rattles to attract the Bottle-nosed Dolphins to play with the snorkelers. It is a great privilege to be in the water with these fascinating mammals, who with their cheeky antics, playful behaviour and sweet 'smiles' can seem so near to their human counterparts. Dolphins obviously find humans as interesting as humans find dolphins and to watch their antics, as they surge up to the surface or dive to great depths with an unbelievable speed (and clearly no decompression worries) is surely one of the greatest experiences one can have. The dolphins act like primary school children in the playground who have spotted a visitor: showing off, spinning around, squeaking with excitement and whizzing past, just out of arm's reach!

In addition to the dolphin encounters, two or three dives will be offered each day. Marine life is in general rather similar to that found in the Southern Bahamas.

WIND DANCER

Wind Dancer started her career as a luxury liveaboard with the famous Peter Hughes' Dancer Fleet in 1995 after a complete refit. Wind Dancer carries a maximum of 20 passengers in 10 comfortable cabins each with private head and shower. The Master Stateroom has a queen size bed, private head and shower, TV/VCR and porthole views. Eight Deluxe Staterooms on the Dolphin Deck have one lower double bed and one single upper bed, private head and shower and porthole views. The Deluxe Stateroom on the Main Deck has one lower double bed and one single upper bed, private head and shower and porthole views. Beautifully decorated with wooden panelling, each cabin provides a quiet and elegant space for relaxing, reading or sleeping. Towelling robes are provided for your stay on the boat. Clean towels are provided daily and clean sheets are provided mid-week. Complimentary toiletries are placed at the wash basin and each cabin has a built-in hairdryer. Seven crew offer superb service, from morning coffee in your room to taking your tank at the dive platform on your return to the boat or providing hot towels at the end of a night dive.

The dive deck features a water fountain, mask defogging station, weight belt area, two showers, and a supply of fresh towels. Special rinse tanks for cameras are situated on the dive deck. Dive information is displayed on a large board which shows depth and marine life information. For safety and convenience a special hanging bar is raised and lowered from the dive platform and is maintained at a constant 5 metres below the boat during dives. A motorized dinghy is also used for transportation to smaller islands or kept ready to assist divers. Of special interest to underwater photographers is the spacious multi-tiered, carpeted photo-table complete with photo supplies and small towels. E-6 processing is available daily. Light tables are always available for slide viewing. A full camera and video rental service is available at daily or weekly rates. The boat has a photo pro on board who will assist you with your photography and also, if you wish, take a customized video of your diving holiday. Wind Dancer offers Nitrox facilities at an extra charge and a range of courses including PADI Advanced Open Water, IANTD, TDI and PADI Nitrox certification and Paul Humann Fish and Creature Identification. A full range of diving equipment is available for rental.

After diving most people head for the sundeck where they can relax (either in or out of the sun) and help themselves to iced drinks and delicious snacks. Freshly baked breads and biscuits show up in the morning and appetizers are served in the afternoon. Beverages and snacks are available at all times in the salon (along with a well-stocked bar). Meals are one of the highlights of the day. Hot breakfasts are cooked to order. Lunch is usually a buffet-style spread and dinner is waiter served. Wine is served with dinner and after dinner drinks are always offered.

Wind Dancer operates out of Georgetown, Grand Exuma, for 7 nights diving cruises to the Southern Bahamas, on Saturdays throughout June. During July and August Wind Dancer operates out of Freeport, Grand Bahama, for 7 nights diving and dolphin snorkeling cruises in the Northern Bahamas.

A Peter Hughes' Dancer Fleet brochure is available from our office on request.

£1342 in a Main Deck Deluxe Twin Stateroom.

£1482 in a Dolphin Deck Deluxe Stateroom.

£1553 in a Master Stateroom.

Includes:

· Airport transfers if arriving/departing on Saturdays.

· 7 nights cruise on Wind Dancer on a twin/share basis with full board, including soft drinks, wine, beer and spirits.

· Southern Bahamas cruises: 5 full days of diving (up to 4 or 5 dives per day, including night dives) plus one or two dives on the last day, cylinders and weights.

· Northern Bahamas cruises:5 full days of diving and snorkeling with dolphins (including 2 or 3 dives per day) plus one or two dives on the last day, cylinders and weights.

· Recompression chamber fee.

· Port tax.

Non-divers: A 10% reduction applies.

Additional Week: A 10% discount applies.

Single Occupancy Supplement: If you are travelling alone and are willing to share a twin cabin with a fellow passenger of the same sex you can avoid paying any supplement. If you prefer to have a cabin to yourself a 50% supplement applies and the deposit requirement is doubled.

Deposit: £450

FLIGHTS

Wind Dancer packages run from Saturday to Saturday, but as it is not possible to reach the cruise starting point in the Bahamas the same day it is necessary to leave London on Friday morning and overnight in Miami en route.

The airfares shown are the least expensive fare category available at the time of going to press. We will quote you the airfare applicable, based on current fare levels and booking class availability, at the time of booking. The usual airfare deposit is £100.

AMERICAN AIRLINES

Depart by American Airlines on Friday morning from London (Heathrow) to Miami, arriving in the afternoon for an overnight stay. Continue on American Airlines morning flight to Georgetown (arriving early afternoon) or to Freeport (arriving late morning). Return from Georgetown or Freeport on Saturday afternoon via Miami, arriving at London (Heathrow) on Sunday morning.

£640 for departures 1 May-30 June.

£790 for departures 1 July-31 August.

Includes:

· Scheduled flights London (Heathrow)/Miami/Georgetown or Freeport/Miami/London (Heathrow) by American Airlines.

Overnights in Miami: £52 per night room-only at the comfortable and very convenient Miami International Airport Hotel, within Miami Airport. A single occupancy supplement of £52 per night applies