Blackbeard's/Pirate's Lady, Jun, 2007,by Jesse H. Scott, NC, USA (![]() |
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No photos available at this time | |||
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best): |
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Accommodations | ![]() |
Food | ![]() |
Service and Attitude | ![]() |
Environmental Sensitivity | N/A |
Dive Operation | ![]() |
Shore Diving | ![]() |
Snorkeling | N/A | ||
Overall Rating |
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Value for $$ | N/A | ||
Beginners | ![]() |
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Advanced | ![]() |
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Comments |
Second BB trip for me. Third for my partner. My first now that they leave from Grand Bahamas. I (and my 16 person trip I lead) knew what to expect on the liveaboard so no issues there. My issue was the locations we went to. Stayed near GB 1st 2 days in choppy, rainy conditions. As trip leader we requested to 'head south' but was told cannot go due to weather. Around GB we dove the usual sites also offered by shore based operators so not much fun for those who have been to Bahamas before. Went to Gingerbread Grounds and Bimini next. Calm seas there. Much better dive sites. It seems that this is the standard routine for BB now based on Chapbook and other passenger comments. This will almost certainly be my last BB and the end of groups I will take there. As a repeat customer, there is just no incentive any more since they appear to be sticking to the same routine. I still recommend BB for first or second timers who understand what they are getting for the money (see their web site). However, they set the bar so high on my first trip with them when shipping out of Miami and making long runs down the banks as far as Cat Cay; that the current itineraries seem very so-so in comparison. Captain and crew were personable. Meals were fine as usual. Young dive master / site briefer was not so good and sometimes gave innacurate directions around the sites. He needed a bit more experience. No problems with the boat and facilities. Motored 95% of the trip. Choppy conditions near GB were unkind to sea sick prone. Bimini was much better. Chilly rain around GB required a jacket even in June. |
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Reporter and Travel |
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Dive Experience | 251-500 dives | ||
Where else diving | NC Coast, Honduras, Bon Aire, BVI, AVI, CA Coast, Bermuda, FL Keys, FL Caves, Quarries, Cozumel | ||
Closest Airport | Getting There | ||
Dive Conditions |
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Weather | sunny | Seas | choppy |
Water Temp | 79-82°F / 26-28°C | Wetsuit Thickness | 3 |
Water Visibility | 75-125 Ft/ 23-38 M | ||
Dive Policy |
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Dive own profile | yes | ||
Enforced diving restrictions | None except for wall drift dives required group to stay together. | ||
Liveaboard? | yes | Nitrox Available? | N/A |
What I Saw |
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Sharks | Lots | Mantas | 1 or 2 |
Dolphins | None | Whale Sharks | None |
Turtles | > 2 | Whales | None |
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best): |
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Corals | ![]() |
Tropical Fish | ![]() |
Small Critters | ![]() |
Large Fish | ![]() |
Large Pelagics | ![]() |
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Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best): |
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Subject Matter | ![]() |
Boat Facilities | ![]() |
Overall rating for UWP's | ![]() |
Shore Facilities | N/A |
UW Photo Comments | Only a rinse bucket available on the sail boat. No outside wet table available. Table inside main gally. TV with A/V connections available. Power receptacles avaialable for chargers |
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