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Dive Review of Paradise Charters in
Bahamas/Bimini

Paradise Charters, Mar, 2003,

by Paul Osmond, FL, USA . Report 408.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 5 stars Food 5 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 4 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments
The Easy Goin' is a converted crew boat from Louisiana which used to run workers out to oil rigs in the area on what amounted to bus like seating. The captain showed us who she looked when he bought her - basically a pilot house and seating areas. You wouldn't recognize the Easy Goin' as the same boat.

The owners (Chuck and Peg) live on the boat year round, and have turned this into a home.

The kitchen/galley is a true kitchen behind the pilot house where Peg seemed to be 24 hours a day, sending barrel loads of extremely tasty food and snacks at the five of us. In fact we were wondering where the other 10 people on board where that she was trying to feed, as even though we often had third helpings, we barely seemed to put a dent in the supply of food being offered. And no leftovers either - Peg wont have it even we asked. There was one dive I almost passed on I was so full.

In front of the kitchen is a lounge/dining area area, with seating for everyone and a large table where meals were served and I used as a camera table between dives. It also includes a TV (Satellite),an ice maker, the bar and a VCR with a large quantity of videos to choose from.

Out from the dining area is the dive deck, where there was room for the two tanks each, a dive gear storage area, a hanger for your wetsuits, a fresh water hose and a compressor for fills. Paradise is putting Nitrox on board shortly, but for this trip we had brought our own O2 tanks to allow us to do our own partial pressure mixing.

Down from the dining area is the living quarters, which comprise of several double bunk bed style cabins, which are very comfortable and with plenty of storage even for a camera equipment junkie such as me. There is only one head on board, but this is in a true bathroom with a shower and sink as well. This wasn't an inconvenience with the number of people on board.

Lastly the boat has storage capacity for over 200 gallons of water, and the ability to make several more gallons of water per hour. Thus there are no real water restrictions on board. Thus when we motored by the Blackbeard's boat (30 seconds of fresh water per day per person I believe), we had a blast washing our gear, having a water fight, having a shower and washing the side of their boat. They looked amused! Sorry, that was we looked amused.

The crew consists of Captain Chuck, First Mate/Cook Peg and Divemaster JB. These people were absolutely wonderful and happily talked, interacted, fed and dove with us the whole trip. Many an hour was spent talking to Chuck in the pilot house as we motored around Bimini and the nearby islands. They truly went out of their way to make us feel welcome and to ensure we had a great time. We are a pretty free wheeling and loud bunch, and adapting to us was no effort at all for them

The boat is really homely, extremely comfortable and has one of the nicest atmospheres I have been around to go diving. By the second day we were already discussing when we would be ready to go out with them again

The reef walls in Bimini were amazing, and reminded me very much of Cozumel with similar currents and formations - the visibility was always over 100' - often closer to 200'. Amazing amount of Black Coral. Quite a few Reef Sharks and Hawksbill Turtles around as well.

For Photogs, the wreck of the Sapona is a must - only in 20' of water, it is home to all the little creatures - including nudibranchs. Huge population of Urchins in the area as well, especially at night.

So much diving, so little time off. Forget any other live aboard for the Bahamas close to Florida. This is the one you want to be on. For the same price (and often less) than any of the other options you get more comfort, better food, unlimited water and a great crew.

They have a Dolphin Itinerary I can't wait to try, and if you book the boat, will basically take you where you want to go and make this the best live aboard experience of your life. I have been on many, and this surpassed absolutely all of them.

Best of all, for those nervous about flying, you can leave right out of Ft Lauderdale!

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience Over 1000 dives
Where else diving You name it, I have most likely been there
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm
Water Temp 78-82°F / 26-28°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 120-240 Ft/ 37-73 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Dive computer, 130 fsw
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 5 stars Large Fish 4 stars
Large Pelagics 1 stars

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

Subject Matter 5 stars Boat Facilities 3 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 5 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments [None]
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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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