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

Peter Hughes WIND DANCER, Aug, 2005,

by John Critchfield, WA, USA . Report 1866.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 4 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving 1 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 1 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments 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.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 251-500 dives
Where else diving In the last year, Puget Sound & San Juan Islands(WA), Oahu (HI) and Belize.
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, windy Seas choppy, currents
Water Temp 80-83°F / 27-28°C Wetsuit Thickness 0
Water Visibility 20-100 Ft/ 6-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile no
Enforced diving restrictions 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).
Liveaboard? yes Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 5 stars Tropical Fish 5 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish 1 stars
Large Pelagics 1 stars

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
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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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