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Dive Review of Nekton Rorqual in
Bahamas

Nekton Rorqual, Oct, 2002,

by Julian Watkins & Debbie DiMasc, CA, USA . Report 240.

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 4 stars
Comments Very stable boat, part of the reason we chose to dive with Nekton. This was our second trip, first trip was two years ago on the Pilot. Nearly identical boat, but this one can accommodate 34 divers instead of the Pilot's 32. Speed is a little faster and some other improvements to air conditioning pipes keep water from dripping in the cabins (a problem on the Pilot). Hydraulic dive deck lowers in to position when in use. Deck is very roomy with ample storage for personal dive gear. Tanks are Steel 95's and remained hooked up with your BCD and reg. for entire trip. Nitrox not currently available. Fresh water rinse tanks available for gear and hot showers for post-dive rinse off.

Staterooms are reasonably spacious with good storage shelves and ample space under the bed. Good A/C controls and good-sized private bathroom with toilet and shower. Sink is in the cabin area outside of bathroom. Rooms may have a foul, musty odor–helps to leave A/C on and ask crew to spray with deodorant if necessary. Damp-rid bags are placed in each room customarily to help reduce mildew.

Very spacious salon area for dining and lounging. Good selection of videos, books, magazines, and games. Usually two TV’s and video players. All meals are tasty and well-prepared. Cook will try to meet special dietary needs. The highlight for us of each day was the fresh-baked, hot-out-of-the-oven cookies served around 10:30 a.m. No alcohol or carbonated beverages served, bring your own. Beverages provided are lemonade, gatorade, ice tea, juices, coffee, tea, etc.

First dive briefing held each morning at 8:00am up on the spacious Sundeck (top level). Good details provided on each dive site throughout the day, including current, visibility, critters, reef layout and more. Lots of storage for dry items on Sundeck plus hangers to quickly wind-dry your wetsuit or dive skin. Two morning dives at the first site, boat is moved during lunch to second dive site for two afternoon dives, followed with a night dive after dinner.

Many outstanding dive sites to enjoy on the “Bahamas Adventure” itinerary. Our favorites were Scoto’s Reef (prolific fish life and we swam with a pod of wild Atlantic Spotted Dolphins here!!), Sugar Wreck (best night dive), Theo’s Wreck (best wreck), Shark Junction (what else, best shark sightings), Wreck of the Hesperus (best huge Loggerhead turtles seen on night dive), The Strip (best fish behavior viewing and abundance of life), Victory Reef (excellent swim-throughs).

Crew was very new, but managed to do a good job of attending to our needs. Crew members are happy to join you on dives if you need a buddy. All crew members are Dive Instructors. All seemed to be very knowledgeable about diving and safety standards. We are looking forward to our next Nekton trip and plan to try the Southern Bahamas or Belize itinerary.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 101-250 dives
Where else diving Hawaii, Fiji, California Channel Islands, Florida Keys, Sea of Cortez (Mexico)
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, windy Seas calm, choppy, surge, noCurrents
Water Temp 81-82°F / 27-28°C Wetsuit Thickness 0
Water Visibility 30-100 Ft/ 9-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions 130' max depth, back on boat with 500 psi
Liveaboard? yes Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas None
Dolphins Schools Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 4 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish 4 stars
Large Pelagics 4 stars

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

Subject Matter 4 stars Boat Facilities 4 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments Dedicated camera table and rinse tanks, on board E-6 processing, light tables, photo contest at end of week with digital images now permitted (Sept. ‘02).
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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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