THE SOUTHERN BAHAMAS

Year:2006

Sharks, dolphins, reefs and walls

Season: Year-round diving

Visibility: 30-50 metes

Water temperature: 25-29°C

Gazing down from an aeroplane on the fabulous cays, islands and islets of the southern Bahamas makes one realize that this island nation is only just above water in some places and only just below water in others. Ocean shades of blue, from the palest turquoise to the deepest sapphire, and sand banks and coral cays shading from vanilla to cappuccino, sparkle and twinkle in the sunlight far below. Located east and south of the Florida Keys, the Bahamas are a vast series of islands with blue holes, caves, walls and shipwrecks. Their tropical location in the Atlantic means that not only sharks of all kinds, but Humpback Whales, several species of dolphins, Spotted Eagle Rays and even Whale Sharks make their way here at various times of the year. The whole region offers an amazing variety of diving experiences in an area of more than 1,000 square miles of some of the clearest oceanic waters in the world.

The Southern Bahamian islands include the Exumas, Conception, Long Island, Stocking Island and San Salvador. A necklace chain of three hundred and fifty islands and cays makes up the Exumas, and it is on Great Exuma, at George Town, that divers will join Caribbean Explorer I. A liveaboard boat is the finest way to explore these remote islands, many of which are uninhabited.

From George Town there is a two-and-a-half hour sail to appropriately-named, string-bean-shaped, Long Island. Grouper Valleys is a stunning dive of around 15-25 metres in water that can be so clear that divers can be deceived by the depth. Because there is little coral in the area, this dive site feels more like 'blue water' diving and the fish life here is the main attraction, with Tiger Groupers and Graysbys hiding in the channels. Nassau Groupers and huge Jewfish can also be found here. Shark Reef is one of the most popular dives on Long Island and is an area where local divemasters have been feeding sharks for some time. Black-tipped Reef and Grey Reef Sharks are the most commonly sighted, but there have been occasional sightings of Bull Sharks and Scalloped Hammerheads. A school of Horse-eye Jacks often frequent the dive site and barracuda are sometimes seen, but it is the sharks that are ever-present!

From Long Island the boat may move on to Conception Island , an uninhabited reef-rimmed speck on the map with a Land and Sea Park of only 6 square miles. Above water the island is a nesting site for Green Turtles and seabirds. Underwater, large coral heads are interspersed with sand chutes, and elephant ear and barrel sponges are prolific. Schooling Horse-eye Jacks, snappers and groupers can all be found here. Keep an eye on the blue beyond as turtles and sharks cruise the area. Bull sharks have been seen infrequently at Conception, so it is worth keeping your eyes open. Coral formations commence at around 5 metres and black coral can be found as shallow as 18 metres.

From Conception it is around a three-and-a-half hour trip to San Salvador , the exposed peak of a sea mount, and there are times when the boat cannot get out this far, but when it does there is a choice of around 15-20 dive sites, depending on the weather and currents. Perhaps one of the most famous is Great Cut , where a 70-metre section of the main reef wall splintered away, creating a double drop-off. Cross the first ridge at 12 metres and you will come to the chasm between the ridges, which drops to around 50 meters. The second section of the wall dips vertically out of sight. On the threshold of the open sea, one can expect the unexpected, but more common reef fish include Bermuda Chub, Blue-stripped Grunts and Midnight Parrotfish. Double Caves are like slides that start at around 15 metres and end at 30 metres. Swim up or down the tunnels! The walls have good populations of purple tube sponges and large plate corals.

At the shallow Stingray Reef on Stocking Island , French Grunts, Queen and French Angelfish, snappers and tangs can be seen as well as some large Southern Stingrays for whom the dive site is named. There are several opportunities for macro photographers as the area is great for small wrasse and blennies peeping from rocks and crevices as well as large lobsters and crabs tucked away in rocky cracks. Stingray Reef is sometimes used as a night dive location as it is only 9-15 metres deep.

The variety of dive sites from close-up reefs to wide angle, blue water dives, walls, swim-throughs and drop-offs, along with the amazing range of marine life make Caribbean Explorer I a great choice for both beginner divers and the more experienced.

CARIBBEAN EXPLORER I

The MV Caribbean Explorer I comfortably accommodates 18 passengers in 9 air-conditioned staterooms. Four Upper Deck Staterooms on the main deck have a queen-sized bed, full window view and a private bathroom. The two aft staterooms also have an upper single bed. There are five Lower Deck Staterooms which can be arranged to provide either one double bed or two single beds. Lower Deck Staterooms have handbasins and there are also two full bathrooms with shower, toilet and handbasins on the lower deck, one forward and one aft. The upper deck features a large sunning area with comfortable lounge chairs along with a covered, open-air salon equipped with entertainment centre, comfortable seating and a bar  the perfect place to hang out after the diving is over for the day. The four Upper Deck Staterooms are located forward of this area. The aft section of the main deck is where the diving operations are carried out. The dive deck is equipped with individual gear lockers, camera table with low pressure air hose, recharging stations, air and Nitrox filling stations, tank racks and separate freshwater rinse tanks for dive gear and for cameras. There is an area to hang wetsuits, freshwater showers and a toilet. A large central area leads down to the dive platform, where two in-water ladders make for easy access to and from the water. Water entry is usually by giant stride, but the ladders are there for anyone who prefers to use them, or needs camera equipment handing down to them. Diving usually follows the buddy system, but solo diving is available for those who have completed a Solo Diver Course. The course is available on the boat for those who have PADI Advanced Open Water, are over 21 years of age, have over 100 logged dives, and can complete a 200 metre swim in full scuba gear, without stopping.

Aboard the Caribbean Explorer I , evening meals usually consist of lots of fresh vegetables, rice, pasta, chicken, beef, turkey, pork and fish. Breakfast is the usual fare of eggs, bacon, pancakes, French toast, muffins and fresh fruits. Lunches vary from soup and sandwiches to barbecued burgers, pasta, assorted salads and quiche. Homemade baked breads, cookies and brownies are offered between dives.

Caribbean Explorer I operates 7 nights cruises throughout the year, departing every Saturday from the Exuma Services Marina in George Town on Greater Exuma. Caribbean Explorer returns to port on Friday afternoon. Dinner on Friday nights is not included, although passengers spend Friday night on board and have breakfast on Saturday before departure.

There may be opportunities to make landings and enjoy land tours (subject to local conditions), so you are not at sea for the entire week. Caribbean Explorer I is an ideal choice for those who want to try out a liveaboard for the first time. Sailing times are relatively short with the run from Conception to San Salvador being amongst the longest sailing at around three-and-a-half hours. In certain weather conditions it may not be possible to reach San Salvador.

£703 in a Lower Deck Stateroom

£938 in an Upper Deck Stateroom

Includes:

" 7 nights cruise on Caribbean Explorer I on a twin/share basis with full board (except dinner on Friday evening), including soft drinks and house wine with dinner.

" 5 full days of diving (up to 4 or 5 dives daily, including night dives) plus one or two dives on the last day, cylinders and weights.

Please note : A port tax of US$75 and a fuel surcharge of US$65 (subject to change) are not included in the package price and will be collected on board. Dinner on the last night is not included, but guests will be provided with guidance about good local restaurants.

Important: If your log book shows that you have not dived for over a year you will have to take a short scuba review course on the first day which costs US$75, payable on board.

Non-divers/snorkelers: 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.

Deposit: £300

FLIGHTS

Caribbean Explorer I packages run from Saturday to Saturday, which means leaving London on Saturday morning unless you wish to stay on one of the islands prior to the cruise.

The airfares shown here were typical economy fares 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. Our quote, which will include all taxes and fuel supplements applicable at the time of quotation, as well as our service charge, may be higher or lower than the airfares indicated here. The usual airfare deposit is £100.

BRITISH AIRWAYS

Morning departure from London (Heathrow) every day except Monday and Thursday, arriving in Nassau in the afternoon. Onward afternoon/early evening connection to George Town by Bahamasair. Return flights depart from George Town in the morning and connect with the British Airways flight from Nassau in the evening (daily except Monday and Thursday), arriving at London (Heathrow) the following morning.

Concessionary rates are available for connecting flights between Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow and London. Please contact our office for details.

£676 for departures 1 January-30 June (excluding Easter), 1 September-8 December

£722 for departures 1-14 July, 20-31 August

£780 for departures 9-15 December, 25-31 December

£952 for departures 15 July-19 August

£987 for departures at Easter

£1102 for departures 16-24 December

Weekend Supplement: £11 each way for departures from London or Nassau on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays.

Includes:

" Scheduled flights London (Heathrow)/Nassau/London (Heathrow) by British Airways.

" Scheduled flights Nassau/George Town/Nassau by Bahamasair.