Liveaboard Dive Trip - Oct 11 - 18

Diving the way it should be, your gear remains all set up and ready for your next dive. Dive during the day, visit the islands in the evening. Non-diving guests can explore the islands.

On the Caribbean Explorer II

Diving and visiting 4 islands:

St. Maarten
St. Kitts
St. Eustatius (Statia)
Saba

The Islands

The Boat: Caribbean Explorer II

The Caribbean Explorer II is a spacious 115 ft. vessel that accommodates 18 passengers in air-conditioned staterooms with private bathrooms and showers.

The upper deck contains the open rear sundeck which is furnished with lounges for sunbathing; the carpeted bow provides another convenient and quiet area for sunning.

The semi-enclosed, air-conditioned salon on the upper deck includes dining tables, TV, VCR, CD/DVD, video library, light table and lounge area. The vessel's boutique is located on the main deck, and the photo/video lab is below decks.

The large dive deck is equipped with a bathroom, individual gear lockers, camera table with low pressure air hose, recharging station, air and nitrox filling stations, tank racks, and a separate fresh water rinse for both scuba and underwater camera equipment.

There are two sets of stairs accessing the dive platform, where two in-water ladders hang for easy access to and from the water. The Caribbean Explorer II is also equipped with a satellite telephone for incoming and outgoing calls worldwide.

Meals

Aboard the Caribbean Explorer II, evening meals usually consist of lots of fresh vegetables, rice, pasta, chicken, beef, turkey, pork, and fish. Breakfast is the usual fare of eggs, bacon, pancakes, French toast, muffins, danish and fresh fruits. Lunches vary from soup and sandwiches, burgers, pasta, assorted salads, and quiche. Homemade baked breads, cookies and brownies are offered between dives. If you have any dietary restrictions or requests, please indicate so on your application form.

What To Bring

Packing for a liveaboard trip is much easier than packing for a land-based vacation. The climate doesn't require much more than shorts, T-shirts, and swimsuits (you may consider slacks, dress shorts or sundresses for dinner ashore in St. Maarten or St. Kitts). Soft luggage is recommended as it takes up very little space when empty. Sun screens, sunglasses, a visor or hat is recommended and if you have a tendency towards seasickness come prepared with motion sickness medication. If you have favorite CD's or DVD's, feel free to bring them.

All linens (including sheets, comforters, bath towels, hand towels, dive towels, and wash cloths) are provided on board.

The Diving:

The normal itinerary schedules 5 dives daily, including night dives and allows ample time for guests to explore the islands.  The Caribbean Explorer II visits dive sites ranging from less than 20 feet to 130 feet deep, inhabited by an abundant variety of corals, reef fish, pelagics and other marine life.

Diving Conditions

The weather in the Eastern Caribbean is remarkably consistent year-round. The temperatures range from the 70's F or higher in the winter months to the low 90's F during the summer, with nearly constant sea breezes. Water temperatures range from a low of about 76 degrees F in winter to a high of about 85 degrees F in summer. There is normally little appreciable current at the sites we visit, and visibility is generally between 50 and 150 feet. Most divers are comfortable with a 3mm wetsuit in summer, and up to a 5 mm wetsuit in winter.

Your dives will be done from the vessel itself, taking advantage of the easy-access dive platform and other on board amenities. Entries are usually made from the side exit gates into the water, a drop of 4 feet or so.

The majority of dives aboard our vessels are offered at scheduled times, up to 5 times daily. This is to allow adequate surface intervals, provide the option for guided dives on as many sites as possible, and allow the vessel to travel on a schedule to different locations. It also permits island tours on the island which we visit, and to work within the guidelines of the marine parks where we will dive.

Saba  A dormant volcano towering to 3,000 feet above the sparkling Caribbean.  The Dutch island is home to picturesque villages and unique charm. Its cliffs, canyons and rainforest-covered scenic vistas drop beneath the sea to become dramatic walls.  The abrupt topography above the sea is mirrored below for it is known for its submerged offshore pinnacles.  The profusion of marine life attests to the early institution of the Saba Marine Park in 1987.

 
Statia (St. Eustatius) From the rugged crater of The Quill to the wrecks of Gallows Bay, Statia is a serene tribute to a history that speaks of over-whelming naval bombardments. Offshore, the St. Eustatius Marine Park provides sanctuary for the many wrecks and other archeological sites, as well as pristine reefs covering the island volcanic underwater landscape. These sites have a variety of marine life including sharks, rays and other pelagics.

St. Kitts The sleepy, verdant slopes, cane fields and plantation inns of Kt. Kitts and Nevis show a history told in the names of such landmarks as 300 year old Fort Brimstone and 4,000 foot Mt. Misery.  The now silent cannons of Ft. Brimstone still overlook relics lying encrusted among the mountainous plate of coral.  Underwater tunnels and canyons are filled with a wide variety of schooling fish and healthy corals. St. Kitts offers arguably the widest variety of sites - finger reefs, recent wrecks, and drop offs.

The Details

St. Maarten, Saba, Statia, St. Kitts

Days aboard Caribbean Explorer IIgenerally involve breakfast from 7 to 8 am (cold breakfasts are available for late risers), followed by two morning dives, lunch at 12:30 pm, two afternoon dives, dinner at 6:30 pm, and a night dive. Island tours will be arranged at each island visited for those interested; further island access is available daily upon request.

(Please note the itinerary is an example and could change depending on weather and logistics at the Captain's discretion.)

St. Maarten Boat Departures
Upon arriving at the St. Maarten airport and exiting the baggage claim area, we will catch our transport to BobbyÕs Marina in Philipsburg; the vessel will be located near the end of the dock.

Saturday 11 Oct - St. Maarten

• 1500: Guests board the Caribbean Explorer II
• 1830: Dinner (snacks or dinner available for those arriving on later flights)
• 2000: Captain's Briefing, documents, etc.
• 2200: Depart for Saba (2 1/2 hours; departure may be delayed for late arrivals)

Sunday - Tuesday:

Wednesday:

Thursday:

Friday:

Saturday: St. Kitts

The cost of the trip includes:

Trip Costs $1350 per person

Commitment must be made by June 12, 2008 with a 50% non refundable deposit.

After that we release our hold on spaces. They can still be booked but not guaranteed until booked and deposited.

Packages Includes:

Packages Does Not Include (per person): 

To sign up
or ask questions

Contact Loretta Engler
918-633-3251
Loretta@DiveTulsa.com