BAHAMAS LIVEABOARD

      Nassau, Bahamas

      SS
      SA SCUBA SHACK
      • Facebook verified
      14 reviews
      Sep 9 - 16, 2023
      Group size: 1 - 15
      BAHAMAS LIVEABOARD
      Nassau, Bahamas

      SA SCUBA SHACK
      • Facebook verified
      14 reviews

      Sep 9 - 16, 2023
      Group size: 1 - 15

      About this trip

      The Bahamas turquoise blue waters incredible visibility invite you to take a plunge with us aboard the Aqua Cat!  We will sail around the Exuma Cays where we will log wall dives, swift drift dives and wreck dives plus the Lost Blue Hole and stunning coral reefs.  We will do up to 5 dives a day - that's 26 dives in a week!  Year after year, The Bahamas is a top destination for large animal diving.  Enjoy close encounters with Caribbean reef sharks, hammerheads, tiger sharks and more.


      This oversized luxury catamaran has 3 decks - including a 900 sq ft dive deck with individually assigned dive stations and storage with 4, sometimes 6, water entry locations.  This deck also has 2 semi-private showers which run very warm water for a pleasant rinse after each dive.


      Bring your GoPros, Paralenz and/or underwater camera to capture your amazing experiences.  Our trip leader is a professional underwater photographer.  His photos are plastered all over our dive shop.  With SO many dives on this trip, take advantage of this opportunity to hone your underwater photography skills under his guidance for a whole week!  By the end of this trip you will be proud of your new photo skills.


      Trip Leader:  Jim Sparkman

      Included Excursions:

      If you thought a scuba diving trip meant being stranded on a boat for a week, think again. We will also enjoy land-based excursions. A jet drive boat (Sea Dog) transports guests from the Aqua Cat to shore for land-based activities, such as:

      • Visiting Exuma Land & Sea Park
      • Beachcombing on uninhabited cays
      • Learning about uninhabited Bahamian islands during guided walking tours – history, nature, legend and lore
      • Encountering local wildlife – sea and shorebirds, iguanas and yes, even pigs
      • Relaxing on a secluded beach

      Additional water excursions include:

      • Kayaking along the beach and in the creek amid mangroves
      • Learning or mastering stand up paddleboarding (SUPs)
      • Snorkeling along the beach and in grottos and discovering life below the waterline
      • Kneeboarding or tubing
      • Jumping into the water from a make-shift tree swing

      All-Inclusive Dining:

      Your trip includes three meals a day – breakfast, lunch and dinner – plus snacks. Each is prepared on board by our chef and highlights American and Bahamian cuisine. For the convenience and flexibility of guests, buffet service is featured for breakfast and lunch.

      The most formal event is a casual sit-down dinner. Guests can choose from one of several entrees and wine selections. Seats are unassigned and everyone is encouraged to linger and get to know one another.


      The bar opens for those who aren’t planning to go on a night dive. Beverage selections include soft drinks, bottled water, wine, cocktails, rum drinks and local craft beer on tap.

      Airfare:

      Flights to and from Nassau, Bahamas is not included. 


      Don't wait to purchase your plane ticket as price increases as travel date approaches.  Put your ticket on 'lay away' and lock in the current rate.  Check out airfordable.com to reserve your ticket now and pay your ticket off in installments prior to departure.  Or, some airlines offer a similar service and worth investigating.  As of early February, United has roundtrip tickets under $600 pp.


      Arrivals: For trip planning purposes, if arriving the day of departure, please ensure your flight arrives no later than 4 pm, to allow time to go through immigration, pick up luggage and travel to the marina.


      Departure:  All passengers must disembark by 9:00 am.  For trip planning purposes, we recommend a departure flight no earlier than 11 am to allow time for travel to the airport, luggage check-in and security check.

      Occupancy and Cabin Descriptions

      All rooms have a double occupancy passenger minimum.  Single occupancy rooms are not available. Some of the rooms are equipped with an additional bed or pulldown twin bed(s).  The rooms and occupancies available are as follows:


      King Cabin - DOUBLE occupancy ocean view window cabin with 2 floor twin beds that may be converted to a King upon request.  Cabin #8. (SOLD OUT)


      Deluxe Queen Cabin -  TRIPLE occupancy ocean view cabin with 1 queen floor bed and 1 twin floor bed.  The window is by the queen bed only.  Cabin # 9. (SOLD OUT)


      Quad Cabin - QUADRUPLE occupancy ocean view window cabin with 2 twin floor beds and 2 pulldown twin beds.  Cabin #1 (SOLD OUT)


      Have more questions about the Aqua Cat, check out their FAQ page.


      If you do not have a travel buddy or buddies to join you on this trip, we will be happy to pair you with other(s).  However, occupancy rates cannot be guaranteed until 90 days before sailing.  Before booking your selection, please reach out to the dive shop by phone, 210-718-0868 or email: info@sascubashack.com.

      REFUND/CANCELLATION POLICY

      • A $500 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot.
      • Additional payments received after deposit will become non-refundable on, and after, December 1, 2022.
      • Trip cancellations must be received in writing by traveler, or authorized representative, by submitting an email to info@sascubashack.com.
      • Any cancellation received on or after December 1, 2022 will forfeit all funds collected.  Credit toward a future trip is not available.
      • Travel insurance is strongly recommended!  Protect your investment!
      • Please see section below for information on dive accident and travel insurance.  We strongly urge each guest to purchase comprehensive accident, trip cancellation/interruption insurance when space is reserved.  Please be advised that if a guest chooses to NOT purchase trip insurance, we will NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY FINANCIAL LOSSES.  Furthermore, the uninsured guest will be responsible for any additional expenses incurred.
      • In the event of a named storm, a future credit for any missed days due to the storm will be provided by Aqua Cat.  There is no refund for cancellations due to weather.
      • Trip must be paid in full by June 1, 2023.

      Insurance

      DIVE INSURANCE:

      Diver's Alert Network (DAN) insurance is recommended.  DAN membership is required before their insurance may be purchased.  They offer trip insurance and dive insurance separately.  Please check them both.  Become a DAN member here.

                    TRAVEL AND MEDICAL EMERGENCY QUOTE - click here.

                    DIVE ACCIDENT INSURANCE - click here.


      If you have any other dive insurance, like Dive Assure, please provide your information when your spot is booked.

      Requirements

      * If planning on diving with Enriched Air (EANX) , an Enriched Air Diver certification is REQUIRED.

      * Surface Marker Buoy (SMB/Safety Sausage) is RECOMMENDED on ALL dives.

      * A primary dive light is REQUIRED for all night dives.  A backup dive light is RECOMMENDED.

      * Tank lights for all night dives is REQUIRED.

      * Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from day of departure.

      * For ANY medical conditions, a Medical Release is REQUIRED with a signed medical authorization prior to travel.

      What’s included

      • Dives on Liveaboard
        All dives from the Aqua Cat.
      • Excursions
        Excursions operated by Aqua Cat for duration of trip.
      • Liveaboard Cabin
        Cabin selected based on occupancy and cabin availability.
      • Meals on Liveaboard
        All meals and snacks aboard the Aqua Cat.
      • Drinks
        Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic beverages aboard the Aqua Cat
      • Port Fee
        $240 port fee.
      • Shuttle Fee
        $41 roundtrip shuttle transfers to/from airport and marina.

      What’s not included

      • Airfare
        Travel to/from Nassau, Bahamas is not included.
      • Meals on Land
        Any meals while not aboard the Aqua Cat are not included.
      • Tips
        Shuttle and Aqua Cat crew tips are not included.
      • Travel Health Visa
        Travel Health Visa issuance for entry into The Bahamas is not included..
      • Additional Land Tours
        Excursions or tours not specifically operated by Aqua Cat are not included.
      • Insurance
        Travel or dive accident insurance is not included.
      • COVID Testing
        COVID testing required for entry to The Bahamas is not included.

      Available Packages

      Double Occupancy-$3480

      King Cabin - DOUBLE occupancy ocean view window cabin with 2 floor twin beds that may be converted to a King upon request.  Cabin #8.


      Reflected price includes $240 port fee and $41 roundtrip airport/dock shuttle service.

      $3,480
      Deposit: $500
      Triple Occupancy-$3080

      Deluxe Queen Cabin - TRIPLE occupancy ocean view cabin with 1 queen floor bed and 1 twin floor bed.  The window is by the queen bed only.  Cabins 9.


      Reflected price includes $240 port fee and $41 roundtrip airport/dock shuttle service.

      $3,080
      Deposit: $500
      Quad Occupancy-$2880

      Quad Cabin - QUADRUPLE occupancy ocean view window cabin with 2 twin floor beds and 2 pulldown twin beds.  Cabin #1


      Reflected price includes $240 port fee and $41 roundtrip airport/dock shuttle service.

      $2,880
      Deposit: $500


      Itinerary

      Day 1 - All Aboard
      9 Sep, 2023 - Arrive at Bay Street Marina

      Boarding begins Saturday at 6:00 pm from Bay Street Marina, Bahamas.  You will check in, enjoy dinner in the Aqua Cat's dining room, unpack your luggage, then join the whole group for ship orientation and a safety briefing with the dive crew.

      Your Organizer


      SS
      SA SCUBA SHACK
      14 reviews
      We are a dive shop that is PASSIONATE about scuba diving and passing the scuba 'bug' to others. Our goal is to develop divers that are mindful of the underwater environment while continuing to cultivate additional dive skills. Our dive shop is customer based in seeking to provide the most positive dive experience through training, as well as dive travel. FUN is at the center of our dive shop and may be easily seen in our amazing dive staff and the many positive customer reviews.

      Reviews

      Capt Sam and his crew were incredible. The dives were amazing, and the food was always delicious.
      By MARK T for BAHAMAS LIVEABOARD on Sep 20, 2023
      Loyda always makes great trips, we had a fantastic time!
      By Gretchen E for 16-21 July 2023 - Summer Fun Dives on Aug 01, 2023
      We had a great scuba adventure, thanks to Loyda and Greg at scuba shack! In the future we will look to stay at a different hotel due to maintenance issues and food quality. Overall, happy customer with diving! Accommodations have room for huge improvements.
      By Kelly E for 16-21 July 2023 - Summer Fun Dives on Jul 27, 2023
      We had a great time. Even with a few set backs at first they were able to make up for it and the dives were great! I was a little nervous at first havening not traveled with them at first but I was pleasantly surprised. It was a great time and I would go again.
      By Elizabeth H for 16-21 July 2023 - Summer Fun Dives on Jul 23, 2023
      Super enjoyable. The hotel staff took great care of us even with them at capacity. The team at Marine World Cozumel was incredible and accommodated every request, we love those guys! Cant wait until the next trip!
      By Wayne F for Winter Wonder-Cozumel on Dec 27, 2022
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