Caribbean Explorer II
The comfy Caribbean Explorer II, purpose-built for diving, accommodates up to 18 divers & takes you to explore Leeward Islands, scuba diving the waters around Saba, St. Kitts & St. Maarten.
A word from Dom .... "One of the reasons I like the Caribbean Explorer is the fact that she gets you off the beaten track in the Caribbean and away from other boats & divers. She has a great crew who know the dive sites well and is definitely good value." ... Dominick Macan
ON BOARD CARIBBEAN EXPLORER II
1 main deck DOUBLE stateroom up to 5 dives per day accommodation & diving airfare
queen bed ... picture window
2 main deck TWIN / DOUBLE staterooms
queen bed & upper twin bunk ... picture window
1 main deck TWIN stateroom
bunk-style twin beds ... picture window
4 lower deck TWIN / DOUBLE staterooms
two have 2 twin beds or 1 queen bed
two have double bed lower + twin bunk .... portholes
1 lower deck DOUBLE stateroom
double bed only ... portholes
All staterooms are en-suite, with storage and individual air-conditioning.
most dives are done from the main vessel
nitrox
scuba rental gear
(request in advance)
water temp: 76 F - 85 F (24 C - 29C)
3mm - 5mm wetsuit recommended
meals, snacks
alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages
compressed air, tanks, weights and weight belts
nitrox
scuba gear rental (request in advance)
port fees, local taxes, marine park fees
airport transfers
fuel surcharge
on shore dinner the final night
SPACIOUS, RELAXED & INVITING
The upper deck features a large sun deck with comfortable lounge & deck chairs, as well as the semi-enclosed, air-conditioned salon with entertainment center, seating areas and wet bar. The rear portion of the main deck houses the fully equipped dive deck. Forward of the dive deck are 4 cabins in addition to the boutique and pilothouse. The lower deck features 5 additional cabins, 2 of which are located up half a level from the rear staterooms.
The dive deck is equipped with individual gear lockers, large camera table with low pressure air hose, recharging stations, air filling station, tank racks and separate freshwater rinse baths for dive equipment and cameras. Also located on the dive deck are a wetsuit hanging area, two freshwater showers and a bathroom. Two in-water ladders provide easy access to and from the water. All diving is done from the dive platform.
Breakfast is the usual fare of eggs, bacon, pancakes, French toast, muffins, danish and fresh fruits. Lunches and dinners are varied with options for vegetarians. Homemade baked breads, cookies and brownies are offered between dives. If you have any dietary restrictions or requests, please indicate so on your booking form.
In addition to the diving guests can enjoy shore based tours on the islands and will be able to sample the local culture, buy souvenirs as well as lap up the Caribbean island atmosphere. The vessel is equipped with a satellite telephone for incoming and outgoing calls worldwide.
LAYOUT & SPECS
DECK PLAN
SPECIFICATIONS
Registry: Turks & Caicos
Boatmaker: Camcraft, 1978
Recommissioned: 1999
Construction: aluminum
Length: 115 ft
Beam: 20 ft
Draft: 7.5 ft maximum
Displacement: 99 tons
Maximum Speed: 12 knots
Maximum Range: 1,000 nautical miles
MACHINERY & TECHNICAL
Engines: 2 GM 12 V 71 diesel main engines, 450 hp. each
Generators: 2 John Deere Diesels 110 V AC/220 V AC, 75 KW
Fuel Capacity: 2,500 gallons
Freshwater Supply: 2 watermakers, 1,200 gallons per day, 1,500 gallon storage
Air Systems: 2 Bauer K-14 9.7 cfm compressors, electric, with cascade-type storage banks, located in engine room
Nitrox membrane: 32% nitrox, bank storage
Electricity: 220 V and 110 V AC power (110 V AC 3 prong grounded outlets in all staterooms and bathrooms)
Public Heads: 1 on dive deck; private facilities in each stateroom
Safety Equipment: Life rafts (4), life rings/strobes (4), life vests/strobes (25), emergency position locator, flares, oxygen and first aid equipment
Tender: 16-foot rigid hull inflatable (25 hp. engine)
Accessories: Diving Equipment
NAVIGATION
Furuno radar, 36 mile range with proximity alarm
Global Positioning System (GPS) with location alarm
digital depth sounder/bottom recorder with alarm
COMMUNICATIONS
satellite telephone with data link
cellular telephone
SSB Radio-telephone
VHF radios
internal PA and intercom system
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
engine and bilge alarms
ITINERARIES
In the Northeastern Caribbean there are 2 alternating itineraries, each with up to 5 daily dives.
The dive sites range from pristine offshore pinnacles to near-shore coral ridges, all encrusted with corals, sponges and sea fans and populated by the usual cast of characters in the Caribbean: reef sharks, groupers, horse-eye jacks, sting rays, patrolling barracuda and the omnipresent hawksbill turtles …..oversized tube sponges, barrel sponges, orange elephant ear sponges, anemones and encrusting corals … plus all the typical, colorful, mesmerizing Caribbean reef fish and the surprising presence of exotic frogfish, arrowline shrimp & other critters.
Saba, known for its submerged offshore pinnacles, is the 5 square mile top of a dormant volcano towering 3,000 feet above the surface and surrounded by volcanic sand. The abrupt topography above the sea is mirrored below, and the profusion of marine life attests to the early institution of the Saba Marine Park in 1987.
St. Kitts offers arguably the widest variety of sites including finger reefs, recent wrecks, and a variety of dropoffs.
ITINERARY MAP
TRAVEL & CRUISE LOGISTICS
Boarding is Saturday from 3pm. Guests may continue to board after that but flights should not arrive later than 4pm. Dinner will be served at 6:30pm and the boat will leave port at roughly 11pm. The following Saturday, after a Continental breakfasts, you will disembark at 9am.
For St. Maarten departures, look for the Explorer Ventures driver upon exiting the baggage claim area. You'll be taken to Bobby's Marina in Philipsburg.
Days aboard the Caribbean Explorer II generally 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.
FIND AVAILABLE SPACES & BOOK YOUR CARIBBEAN EXPLORER TRIP
DIVE & TRAVEL
INSURANCE
Comprehensive dive insurance
Full travel insurance plans
Pays directly to service providers
24/7 medical hotlines
Now offering upgrades to
Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage!
Customized, Personalized Dive Odysseys