Dive Review of S/V Caribbean Dream in
Virgin Islands

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S/V Caribbean Dream, Feb, 2012, by Scott Hueston, ON, CA ( 1 report). Report 6448.
No photos available at this time
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity	N/A
Dive Operation		Shore Diving	N/A
Snorkeling
Overall Rating
Value for $$
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	This may not be the ticket for hard core divers, but it is one spectacular way to spend a week! We were a group of 3 couples made up of two divers, two snorkelers and two soon to be snorkelers. The Caribbean Dream is a crewed 47' catarmaran based in the British Virgin Islands. The crew consists of Glenn, the captain and Angela, the chef (and I do mean chef). Both are divemasters and Anglea was completing her instructor certification the week after our trip. Since diving was not the primary focus of the group we chose, or rather Glenn and Angela chose dive sites based on good snorkling and quiet anchorages. We did not dive the Rhone or any of the other wrecks although they are also a destination for snorkelers. A typical day starts at 7:00 when the coffee is made. Breakfast is at 8:00. Some examples include french toast with coconut carmel syrup, croissant sandwiches, fruit & yogart with fresh crumbcake, and fried egg sandwiches with provolone. Next we would either snorkel/dive or pull up anchor and sail to the next destination. Lunches were served after we completed our daily sail. Dishes like chicken ciabatta sandwiches with avacado along with pineapple coleslaw, seared ahi tuna on a bed of ceasar salad, asian ribeye steak salad were presented. The afternoon would be spent snorkeling/diving or hiking and exploring the islands we visited. Hors d'oeuvre were served at 5:00 with the days special cocktail. Watch out for the bushwackers! Dinner is served at 7:00 with wine. Steamed mahi mahi with green rice, rack of lamb on truffle mash, chipotle duck breast with sweet potato and plantain mash, new york strip with pepper stir fry. Desserts were equaly spectacular. Lavender infused ice cream, banana upside down cake with walnut caramel, creme brulee, baked hot chocolate with baileys whipped cream. Most of us were asleep by 9:00 after a full day. The diving in the BVI's is quite pleasant. Nothing too deep, lots of coral and small stuff. Turtles, eagle rays and the odd shark. The winds had been blowing steady with some rain before we arrived so the vis was down a little. This is a great place for a new diver. Our dives maxed out at 50ft or less, which gave us lots of bottom time and allowed us to really explore. We were there in February with water temperatures in the high 70's, during the warmer months water temperatures are in the low 80's. There are several dive shops on the various islands where Glenn would get the air fills once we had gone through the tanks on board. We had eight tanks on board this trip, but I know they have more. At some islands the keep an inventory of tanks so they can just swap full for empty and at other locations refill whats been used. We brought our own gear, but the equipment on the boat appeared to be in good shape. The snorkelers had a great time, even the two newbies. They had the whole thing figured out after the first reef. Glenn and Angela's knowlege of the area really pays off. They knew where to go and more importantly WHEN to go to certain areas. Allowing some of the day traffic to be gone or getting an early start to get to an area before other dive boats giving our group a great experience. The week can be customized to whatever you want. More diving, less diving, wrecks, reefs, you decide. The Caribbean Dream itself has been well maintained. The boat is clean, well organized and comfortable. She has air conditioning, a generator and water maker. She can sleep 6 guests in the 3 queen stateroooms each with a private head/shower. Angela cleans the rooms each morning while the guests are at breakfast. There are always cold drinks available with soft drinks, juices and beer on ice. They provide you with your own water bottle and there is an icemaker in the galley to keep you hydrated. I can honestly say that each of the three couples felt this was one of their best vacations to date. The location is beautiful, the sailing is relaxing, the food exceeded all expectations, the diving/snorkeling was wonderful, the reefs are healthy, but most of all Glenn and Angela worked hard to ensure we had the vacation we wanted. If you have ever considered a vacation in the BVI's or wanted to try a liveaboard I have one piece of advice for you. DO IT!! One more piece of advice contact Glenn and Angela on the Caribbean Dream. You will have a fantastic time.
Websites	S/V Caribbean Dream
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	101-250 dives
Where else diving	Belize, Caymans, Turcks and Caicos, Ontario Canada
Closest Airport		Getting There
Dive Conditions
Weather	sunny	Seas	surge
Water Temp	78-°F / 26-°C	Wetsuit Thickness	3
Water Visibility	60-90 Ft/ 18-27 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	?
Enforced diving restrictions	[Unspecified]
Liveaboard?	yes	Nitrox Available?	N/A
What I Saw
Sharks	1 or 2	Mantas	None
Dolphins	None	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	> 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	N/A	Boat Facilities	N/A
Overall rating for UWP's	N/A	Shore Facilities	N/A
UW Photo Comments	There was no dedicated rinse tank, but most of our dives were done right off the back of the catarmaran or from the dingy after a short run and there is a fresh water shower at the stern of the boat. I am sure a tank could be provided if required.

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Dive Review of S/V Caribbean Dream in Virgin Islands

S/V Caribbean Dream, Feb, 2012,

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 S/V Caribbean Dream in
Virgin Islands