Join IID aboard the Nekton Pilot

August 9th to 16th, 2008
7 days and nights
Cost $1,695.00 per diver
Cruising the Cay Sal Bank, Bahamas
Airfare, fuel surcharge, taxes not included, transfers from airport to and from boat included.

Comfortable Adventure
When you travel on Nekton's Liveaboards you are living aboard a super stable mini-cruise ship that travels to beautiful remote tropical diving areas so you can experience comfortable adventures on the water. Similar to large cruise ships, you'll have a private cabin with lavatory and shower, picture windows and twin or queen-size beds. With Nekton's unique SWATH Liveaboards, you'll experience a smooth ride even in rough seas. You'll also enjoy delicious dining and snacks, a huge partially covered sundeck with soothing Jacuzzi, and a comfortable salon with couches, TV and computer.

Not Your Typical Cruise
What's different about Nekton's Liveaboards compared to large cruise ships and other live-aboards is our unique SWATH Liveaboards that are custom designed and built just for SCUBA divers -- small enough to provide an intimate setting and get to the out-of-the way dive sites, yet big enough to provide the stability, comfort, amenities and economies-of-scale affordability of larger ships. With our permanent mooring systems, and by diving directly from our Liveaboards, the time spent traveling to the reef and lugging equipment is minimized and more in-water adventures are possible. During the course of your cruise, you'll have the opportunity to explore many remote regions with abundant and exotic marine life.

We will be cruising the Cay Sal Bank, Bahamas
Situated just 30 miles (49 km) north of Cuba, Cay Sal Bank is the most remote area of the Bahamas. With one of the highest concentrations of blue holes in the world and spectacular vertical walls, Cay Sal Bank offers fantastic snorkeling and exotic diving. While each Cay Sal Bank cruise may vary due to weather and conditions, the outline below will give you a good feel for the exciting week in store for you!

Saturday Embarkation begins in Fort Lauderdale at 8:00 p.m. The Captain's welcome aboard briefing begins at 9:00 p.m. Take Water Taxi out to one of Fort Lauderdale's many fine restaurants for an enjoyable dinner ashore. Vessel departs Fort Lauderdale for Grand Bahama island at around 11:00 p.m. Note: Port Everglades' tight security restrictions require that our guests be accompanied to the boat by our designated badged ground agents. 

Sunday Clear Bahamian customs in Cat Cay. Dive South Tuna Alley and Victory Reef.  After a night dive, we'll head down to Orange Cay.

Monday Dive and snorkel sites around Orange Cay on the immense Andros bank.  After the night dive, we'll set our course for Cay Sal Bank.

Tuesday Blue Hole Heaven! Dive the spectacular mysterious blues holes of Cay Sal Bank and Damas reef. Unlike the blue hole off Central America, the perimeter of these holes are lush with vibrant virgin coral gardens, tons of fish, and curious nurse sharks.

Wednesday More Blue Hole Heaven! Continue exploring more blue holes with names like "Sistine Chapel" and "Shark Hole", each one with its own character and mystique. Be sure to say "hi' to the giant lobster. Afternoon shark dive on the "ski slope" at the Shark Hole.

Thursday Morning drift dives along the electrifying wall of Elbow Cay (look for Whale Sharks). Afternoon snorkeling and exploring at Water Cay, "nature's amusement park." Late afternoon departure for Bimini.

Friday Morning dives at North Tuna Alley. Quick stop at Cat Cay during lunch to clear customs. In the afternoon, explore a shallow reef near Bimini before an optional excursion ashore which would no doubt to include "refreshments" and Calypso music at the "Sand Bar". Bimini is the island that prompted American author "Papa" Ernest Hemingway's famous novel "Islands in the Stream."

Saturday You'll arrive back in Fort Lauderdale at 8:00 a.m. After clearing U.S. customs and immigrations, our vans will transport you to the Fort Lauderdale International Airport or your local hotel. Please schedule flights after noon.

While onboard Nekton's luxurious Liveaboards, you will enjoy many special features including:

Super stable SWATH design virtually eliminates ship motion so you can sleep soundly while the ship cruises between dive locations overnight.

Huge patented elevating dive platform that lowers to provide easy entry and egress from the water. Entry is either by a not so giant stride off either side, or simply walk down the center stairs into the water. Egress is via two ladders attached to the center stairs

Individual gear compartments under dive platform benches for "wet" gear storage

Steel 90 cubic foot tanks (with standard "K" valves for use with standard yoke regulators) provided for each guest. (Limited number of aluminum and shorter tanks also available)

Soft weights and belts provided for each guest

Anti fogging mask solution and regularly changed freshwater gear rinse tanks are provided

Separate camera exclusive rinse tanks and carpeted camera table

15 foot rigid weighted hang bar with emergency tank deployed during diving

Hot shower and warm towels right on dive deck

Friendly, professional and experienced crew members always on duty during diving. 24 hour crew schedule with at least one crew member always on duty at night

Two stable twin hull tenders for assisting divers, snorkeling, shore shuttle, and water skiing

Nitrox is available onboard

All cabins are spacious suites with private bathrooms, full sized showers, push-button heads, large picture windows, and twin or queen size beds for maximum comfort and privacy

Independent air-conditioning controls in each cabin

Spacious lounge area is a perfect setting for socializing, watching videos and slide shows, or reading

Huge 2000 square foot sundeck has chairs, tables, chaise lounges, a Jacuzzi and a shaded area with hanging storage for wetsuits, and additional cubby storage for gear

Delicious cuisine is served in our comfortable spacious scenic dining room

Non-linear digital video editing facilities available

First aid kit onboard

DAN Oxygen System onboard

Defibrillator onboard

Satellite Telephone onboard

Ships are U.S. Coast Guard Certified to strict US safety standards

Ship's Registry's: The United States

For more information on Nekton Cruises

The Illinois Institute of Diving
438 Roosevelt Road Glen Ellyn, Illinois 60137
(Across the street from McDonald's)
800-How-Dive (469-3483) ~ 630-469-3483 Fax 630-469-3491
Map to IID Dive Center
Open: Monday thru Friday 11:00 am - 8:00pm Saturday 9:00 am - 5:00pm ~ Closed Sunday
www.iidscuba.com ~ email scuba@iidscuba.com

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