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Dive Review of Nekton Rorqual in
Bahamas/Cay Lobos

Nekton Rorqual, Jun, 2003,

by Bill Chambers, NY, US . Report 638.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 4 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 4 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 4 stars Shore Diving 1 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 3 stars
Comments While the Nekton Rorqual is a bit worn around the edges -- stained & worn carpets, etc., the boat works exceedingly well as a base for diving. Perhaps the only downside is the constant stair climbing, from the top deck where wetsuits are hung down two flights of stairs to the dive deck and back multiple times during the day. Nitrox (32%) is a welcome addition. Rooms are relatively spacious and ensuite bathrooms are welcome. Always plenty of fresh & warm water. One rough crossing at night brought into question the whole SWATH No-Seasickness claim & getting back on the boat is still subject to the vicisitudes of the seas. Also, turbulence between the two hulls can diminish viz at the ladder to almost nil. The crew was excellent, attentive and accomodating. Foods was good to excellent and always plentiful, though with a full load of divers the buffet line often seemed very long. Nekton's BYOB (including soft drinks) policy is a bit irritating given the prices charged.

The Cay Lobos itinerary involves lots of steaming time, resulting in only two night dives, one of those being the last night on the boat which many deferred on to dry & pack their gear or due to early plane flights. Diving generally was only so-so. Mediocre viz most of the week and modest to strong currents detracted significantly from the enjoyment at what we'd all hoped would be pristine diving in virtually a virgin area. Small fish & critters, coral & sponges were good to fair at most sites, and large fish were largely absent excpet for a blue hole where the Pilot, on its Cay Sal Banks itinerary, does shark feeding. The Rorqual doesn't do the feeding, but the sharks are still omnipresent. Ironically, the most colorful diving was at Bimini, the most heavily dived and civilized site we encountered all week.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 101-250 dives
Where else diving Cozumel, Curacao, Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, Turks & Caicos, Saba, Statia, St. Kitts
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm
Water Temp 81-83°F / 27-28°C Wetsuit Thickness 0
Water Visibility 40-60 Ft/ 12-18 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions 130 ft. max, no deco
Liveaboard? yes Nitrox Available? N/A

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 3 stars Large Fish 2 stars
Large Pelagics 2 stars

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

Subject Matter 3 stars Boat Facilities 3 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 3 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments Dedicated camera table was small & usually crowded. Dedicated camera tanks next to camera table and on dive deck. e-6 processing on board.
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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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