Dive Review of Blackbeard's -- Sea Explorer in
Bahamas/Eleuthra, Exumas, Grand Provid

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Blackbeard's -- Sea Explorer: "Cannot complain too much about a free trip..however....caveat emptor!", Oct, 2016, by Laura Tesler, OR, US ( 1 report). Report 9222.
No photos available at this time
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude	N/A	Environmental Sensitivity
Dive Operation		Shore Diving	N/A
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
Value for $$
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	I won this trip in a photography contest and all I had to pay was airfare. I invited two other friends along as well (my own hand picked buddies). This boat is not luxurious, far from it. The bedding that was provided wasn't real clean and the berth that I was in was absolutely horrible set up, right by the head, under the anchor, and I also had to step on my buddies berth to get into my berth which was very narrow and closer to the ceiling. Another person on the boat was covered with bed bug bites, so beware. I have a big camera set up and the boat is really not set up for cameras as far as tables, etc. We had a rough crossing and stuff was flying everywhere the first two days. Free beer, rum punch, and rum, and the food is filling, not fancy, but good and plentiful. We also arrived right after Hurricane Matthew and viz was still compromised, I think 80 foot was the best and one day it was less than 25 feet... We saw very few fish, and the coral bleaching in some spots was extensive. The shark feed was interesting. I didn't think the diving was the best, it wasn't bad, but I have seen better. I did like the shallower dives as I was photographing blennies. The crew is amazing on this boat. Totally helpful and they work their butts off making things good. Having a tolerant attitude is best on this boat as the post dive partying coupled with lots of rum can be rowdy. Earplugs are a must. Also be prepared to not shower with fresh water for a while as fresh water is very limited. If you cannot live without a flush toilet this trip is not for you. Do not get the bunks in the bow- they are horrible, small and near the head. I did not like Nassau- completely overpriced, toursity, and overrun by Cruise ships, it is horrible. A place to fly into and then leave. If I did this trip again, I would probably look into renting the Cat Ppalu which is a little more expensive and has a better set up. I probably won't go again though as I feel there is better diving elsewhere.
Websites	Blackbeard's -- Sea Explorer
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	251-500 dives
Where else diving	Cayman Brac, Little Cayman, Roatan, Red Sea, Oregon, Washington, Britsh Columbia, Florida, California, Bonaire
Closest Airport	Nassau	Getting There	American or Alaska
Dive Conditions
Weather	sunny, windy, rainy, cloudy, dry	Seas	choppy
Water Temp	83-84°F / 28-29°C	Wetsuit Thickness	3
Water Visibility	20-80 Ft/ 6-24 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	yes
Enforced diving restrictions	hit the surface with 500 psi.
Liveaboard?	yes	Nitrox Available?	no
What I Saw
Sharks	Lots	Mantas	None
Dolphins	None	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	1 or 2	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish
Large Pelagics
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter		Boat Facilities
Overall rating for UWP's		Shore Facilities	N/A
UW Photo Comments	If you have a big kit this is going to be a struggle for you. No tables really, storage is an issue, power is OK but also can be dicey, and the rinse tank is not a good set up. Subject matter is ok, good opportunities to do super macro with blennies. Not much wall/reef scenes as the reefs are not in the best shape.

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Dive Review of Blackbeard's -- Sea Explorer in Bahamas/Eleuthra, Exumas, Grand Provid

Blackbeard's -- Sea Explorer: "Cannot complain too much about a free trip..however....caveat emptor!", Oct, 2016,

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

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

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

Dive Review of Blackbeard's -- Sea Explorer in
Bahamas/Eleuthra, Exumas, Grand Provid