Dive Review of Explorer Ventures/Caribbean Explorer II in
Bahamas

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Explorer Ventures/Caribbean Explorer II, Aug, 2009, by Lynda Durfee, VA, USA ( Top Contributor 49 reports with 24 Helpful votes). Report 5158.
No photos available at this time
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity
Dive Operation		Shore Diving	N/A
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
Value for $$
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	This was an exporatory trip, as the boat was repositioning from Great Exuma to Freeport, so many of the sites had not been previously explored by the CE II crew, and were hit and miss. Along the Exumas, it's obvious that the fish population has been depleted. Saw lots of lionfish, at least 1 or 2 on every dive. Along the Exumas, some nice walls and swimthroughs to explore, but nothing to write home about. One highlight was the "Thunderball Grotto" on Staniel Cay, done first as a snorkel trip, then with SCUBA. This has to be done during slack tide, so we went to another small caye to see the "swimming pigs" while we waited. Also dove a big blue hole. Had 1 1/2 days of diving at Nassau and two dives (including the Theo) at Freeport. Because the boat was moving towards Freeport, we only got in one night dive, though we did a morning dive in lieu of a night dive the day before. Crew was friendly and helpful: Capt. Dave, cook Jane, purser Elisa, DMs Demi and Rachel; dolphin expert Gene, who was preparing for the dolphin dives near Freeport for the following weeks' itineerary. Food was plentiful and tasty, despite limitations on supplies on Exuma (port we departed from and where boat had been for several months). Alcoholic beverages are included, but no diving after your first drink of the day! Accomodations are comfortable (with private shower/toilet/sink in each cabin), if not 5-star, and clean. Entered water from side of boat (about 8-10 feet above water), come out via ladders at back, with short set from platform to dive deck. NITROX available at $150 for the week, but since it only got up to 30% during the week, we got a $50 discount. CEII has arrangements with cab drivers at arrival/departure (not included in price). This was my second trip on the CEII (first was in January to NE Caribbean, Saba/Statia/St.Kitts) and I've already booked for the NE trip next January. Good value for the money. If you're traveling solo and the boat isn't full, you will get your own cabin (I did both times).
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	101-250 dives
Where else diving	Hawaii, Aruba, Saba, Statia, St. Kitts, Florida, Lake Tahoe
Closest Airport		Getting There
Dive Conditions
Weather	sunny	Seas	calm
Water Temp	82-84°F / 28-29°C	Wetsuit Thickness	3
Water Visibility	50-80 Ft/ 15-24 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	yes
Enforced diving restrictions	Come up with 500 psi remaining. Dive your own profile.
Liveaboard?	yes	Nitrox Available?	N/A
What I Saw
Sharks	Lots	Mantas	1 or 2
Dolphins	1 or 2	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	> 2	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters	N/A	Large Fish	N/A
Large Pelagics	N/A
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter	N/A	Boat Facilities	N/A
Overall rating for UWP's	N/A	Shore Facilities	N/A
UW Photo Comments	I didn't use camera, but there were designated tanks for camera, large camera platform, separate towels and charging stations.

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Dive Review of Explorer Ventures/Caribbean Explorer II in Bahamas

Explorer Ventures/Caribbean Explorer II, Aug, 2009,

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 Explorer Ventures/Caribbean Explorer II in
Bahamas