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Dive Review of Aqua Cat Cruises in
Bahamas/Exhumas

Aqua Cat Cruises, Dec, 2013,

by fiona coldridge, AB, CANADA ( 1 report). Report 7474.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 5 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 4 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 4 stars
Beginners 2 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments I wish I had known that the boat did not have gluten-free flour as no alternatives were available; so the "daily cookie parade" was torture! I had advised the Aqua Cat, months in advance that I was wheat and gluten intolerant, but while Kirk, the chef, acknowledged the issue he was unable to offer alternatives. The food throughout the week was superb, but my choices were sometimes limited as sauces etc were made with flour. Kirk did work hard to exclude flour and offer sauce-free versions, but be aware of this if you are wheat and gluten intolerant and take your own flour with you for the chef to use. (A lesson learned for me)

Wine, spirits and beer available throughout the day. Beer is on tap! soft drinks on tap too.

All the dive staff were enthusiastic, helpful and could not have done more to assist me with my gear. The divers were all experienced divers, so we felt sorry for the guide as often, none of the buddies wanted to follow him or her and it wasn't for lack of trying.
Dive briefings were clear, well structured and also illustrated on a dry board.

Our favourite dive was the "washing machine, drift dive" which I was fortunate to dive from the Sea Dog so viewed the Aqua Cat sailing at high speed as the divers leapt off like lemmings. (I joined them at 20feet, from the Sea Dog) It's a shame that drift dive was not videoed, by the crew, from the Sea Dog as that would have been a great shot!

By far the most luxurious liveaboard we have been on; our cabin was huge! Each cabin has its own fridge so you can take your own goodies on board and keep them chilled. The cabins are cleaned daily.
The whole boat was exceptionally clean.

The Captain's Dinner and photo competition on Thursday night was hilarious and an excellent evening. There is an opportunity to buy a video and photographs that the crew have compiled during the week.

I have had major spine surgery: titanium rods and a titanium cage hold my spine together. All of the dives were easy. I put on my gear in the sea and removed it before climbing back on board. Two dive platforms at the rear of the boat allow easy access and prevent a less able diver from delaying those who want to giant stride in as they can access the other platform. Giant strides can also be taken from the dive deck. (6 feet)
Websites Aqua Cat Cruises   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 251-500 dives
Where else diving United Kingdom, Taba, Sharm-El-Sheikh, Red Sea Wrecks liveaboard (includes Thistlegorm) Dahab, Turkey, Riveira Maya (Mexico) , Belize, Turks and Caicos liveaboard, Bonaire, Jersey,
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather cloudy Seas calm, no currents
Water Temp 76-78°F / 24-26°C Wetsuit Thickness 7
Water Visibility 80-100 Ft/ 24-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions return to boat at 500 PSI.
Not allowed to night dive if you plan to consume alcohol with evening meal.
Liveaboard? yes Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 3 stars Tropical Fish 3 stars
Small Critters 2 stars Large Fish 3 stars
Large Pelagics 4 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 3 stars Boat Facilities 5 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments the camera table is large.
all of the boat staff reminded the non-photographer divers that the camera table was for cameras only. Air available. Ample towels available for drying cameras and camera equipment.
Charging station nearby for batteries, both 240V and 120V.
two wash tanks for camera equipment.
cameras are passed, by hand, to divers by the dive staff once you are in the sea, settled and ready to descend. All calmly done, despite any surge or current.
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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