WOW!!!! WHAT A TRIP!!!!!
GR8 Divn aboard the Aqua Cat for a Week of diving, napping, eating, sunning and friendship in the Exuma Cays Bahamas. Eight GR8 Divn team members joined 12 other passengers the week of 04/17 with Capt Mark and the crew of the Aqua CAT. It is very rare that 20 passengers and 10 crew members melded as well as we all did last week. What a joy the entire trip was and still staying in contact with our new friends from California, Minnesota and Michigan.
We left Hurricane Harbor Sunday morning at 05:30 waking to the gentle roar of the caterpillars turning the screws. Kelly the chef had breakfast ready at 08:00 every morning, dive briefing at 08:30 and in the water promptly 09:00 like clock work. This was the beginning of everyday for the next 5 days and for those who chose five dives a day. Congratulation goes out to Peter and Steve for doing every dive every time. There was a plethora of other activities as Capt Ron Ruiz was the first to have a line in the water off of Magik the 28’ inflatable chase boat sporting twin 175 horsepower out boards and yes Ron was the first to bring in a 20 plus pound Wahoo.
As to diving walls, reefs, drifts, “The Washing Machine” and SHARK FEEDING. Feeding only added to the shark activity as the day before when we were mooring at Amber Jack reef the caterpillars’ humming brought a dozen Caribbean reef sharks to the stern of the vessel trolling just off the dive platforms. Two beautiful shallow reefs in 25’ to 30’ provided 60+ minutes of bottom time in crystal clear 100’ plus vis waters teaming with life. Too many species to mention with the exception of “CHESTER”…..Yes ….”CHESTER” the loggerhead turtle with a 7’+ shell diameter. This turtle is nobodies soup and not afraid to sander right up to a diver to check them out.
Our surface intervals were met with absolutely the best live aboard chow thanks to the ever talented chef Kelly. Tony the lead dive master entertained all in the dive briefings with his constant fancy foot work now aptly named “THE TONY TWO STEP”. Capt Mark and the entire crew of the Aqua Cat were gracious, entertaining and professional making for a truly unique adventure.
.....CHECK OUT THE TRIP PICS IN THE PHOTO GALLERY.....
We would like to thank all who joined us and looking forward to GR8 up coming trips to Cottonwood, California, Bonaire and Roatan.
Happy and Safe diving,