Dive Review of
Peter Hughes WIND DANCER in
Trinidad and Tobago/Tobago

In the last year, Puget Sound & San Juan Islands(WA), Oahu (HI) and
Belize.

Dive Conditions

Diving conducted within recreational limits, per individual computers. 
Divemasters led each dive.  Each diver must have Air Alert and carry a
Surface Marker Bouy & reel (provided on board).  

Overall Rating

This was my first live-aboard experience and it was a tough commute to
Tobago.  BWIA (British West India Airlines AKA “But Will It Arrive”)
departed 3 hours late from Miami.  We got to Port of Spain, Trinidad at
midnight.  But, the flight did not continue to Tobago as scheduled. I was
stranded, along with two other divers and assorted travelers.  WIND DANCER
sailed from Scarborough, Tobago without us.

Peter Hughes’ on-shore representative was on top of the situation and we
were able to communicate by borrowed cell phone.  After we finally caught a
Tobago commuter flight the next morning, we were met at curbside with cool
toweletts and cold drinks.  We took a 1½ hour journey by van along
the narrow, winding, scenic road to Speyside and we were on board WIND
DANCER by lunch time.

Boat operations were well-organized and functioned close to schedule, with
up to five dives per day. Divemasters demonstrated expert knowledge of dive
sites and conditions.  Pay attention to the briefings, especially regarding
strong currents and procedures for diving from the tenders.  All dives were
conducted as drift dives along coral reefs and rock ledges, except at one
wreck.

Diving conditions were variable in visibility, current and bottom features.
 Even in relatively poor visibility, there was plenty to see. The corals
are beautiful and healthy.  The tropical fish population is diverse and
thriving.  We encountered hawks bill turtles, nurse sharks, tarpon,
barracuda, moray eels (green, spotted & golden), sharp-nosed eels and
stingrays.  We also found sea horses, large crabs, lobsters, squid, spotted
drums, jaw fish with eggs and bat fish.

Accommodations aboard WIND DANCER were generally comfortable and the layout
was convenient.  Some fixtures and furnishings were a little worn.  There
were no thermostats in the cabins and some were reportedly too warm.  The
boat is scheduled for overhaul and refit in the fall of 2005.   

The crew was friendly, attentive and kept everyone informed throughout each
day of diving.  Everyone seemed to enjoy the food and dinners were
elegantly presented.  There was a fish identification slide show and also a
comical “fashion show” with guest participation.
 

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