Aqua Cat

Aqua Cat Liveaboard Dive Trips

Aqua Cat is a 102ft SCUBA diving liveaboard, designed for the most discerning diver and eco traveler. While exploring the waters of the Exuma Cays, Bahamas, up to 30 passengers are treated to a week of luxury, comfort, and style, all in a laid back and non-pretentious atmosphere.

Boasting some of the largest cabins, compared to the that of your average SCUBA diving liveaboard, Aqua Cat’s main deck features 11 spacious air conditioned cabins, all with private bath and spacious windows with ocean views. King, queen and over-sized twin bedding, allow for the cabins to be configured to accommodate couples, singles, and groups. Other features of the vessel include a spacious dive deck, sundeck, and main lounge for dining and relaxing.

Aqua Cat offers divers the freedom to explore the underwater world on their own or go with a guide. Diving is done directly from Aqua Cat while Sea Dog, a 28-foot jet drive boat ,serves as support for shore excusions and eco tours. 

This Bahamas liveaboard offers something for eveyone, including snorkelers and eco travelers alike. With scheduled island excursions above the water, diver and non-divers will enjoy beach-combing isolated cays, fishing, kayaking, along with unique encounters with the local wildlife, such as iguanas and even pigs!

Book Your Ultimate Liveaboard Dive Vacation Aboard The Aqua Cat

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary

Itineraries are weather dependent and tailored to best diving available each trip.

 

Saturday:
6:00pm board. Check in, dinner, unpack, orientation and safety briefing.

 

Sunday:
Depart before first light; offering 4 daytime dives and 1 night dive today. 

 

Monday through Wednesday:
4 daytime dives and 1 night dive per day/night in the Exuma Cays and/or Eleuthera. Shore excursions are offered daily.

 

Thursday:
4 daytime dives Captain’s Dinner with photo and video presentations; awards presented during dessert. 

 

Friday:
2 daytime dives. 
Return to Nassau 2:00-5:00pm depending on weather and travel distance.
6:00pm Farewell Cocktail Party.
Port night in Nassau! Dinner on your own. The evening is yours to enjoy in Nassau.

 

Saturday:
Disembark vessel by 9:00am.

Deck Plans

Aqua Cat's deck plan.

Vessel Specifications

Year built 2001

Year renovated 2015

Length 102ft

Beam 35 ft

Top speed 14 knts

Cruising speed 14knots

Engines 2 Caterpillar 3406E

Max guests 30

Number of cabins 11

Number of bathrooms 13

Tenders 28′ jet drive launch & 2 12′ inflatables with 15hp

Water capacity 800 gals

Fuel capacity 7000 gal

Freshwater maker 4800 gal/day

 
Aqua Cat

Swimming pigs of the Exuma Cays

A Bahamas dive trip would not be complete without a visit to meet the famous and delightful Swimming Pigs of Exuma. During your week aboard Aqua Cat, get your selfie when you visit Pig Beach to meet these world-famous and charismatic swine!

No one really knows for sure how the pigs found their home on the uninhabited island of Big Major Cay. Legend has it they were left by a group of sailors, who planned to later return and cook them. Another rumor claims the pigs swam, surviving from a nearby shipwreck. Wherever they originated from, they are a thriving and beloved attraction to Bahamians and tourists alike.

Bahamas air and water temperatures

Aqua Cat FAQ

Most frequent questions and answers

All travelers to the Bahamas need a passport. As you arrive into Nassau Airport you will clear Bahamas Customs and Immigration. Be sure your plane ticket matches your documentation. Check with the Bahamas Embassy for visa requirements if you are not a U.S. citizen. U.K. Embassies act on behalf of the Bahamas as well. As you depart Nassau at the end of your trip, you will clear U.S. Customs and Immigration before arriving at your departure gate. Please plan extra time to check in for your flight home

By all means, yes. There will always be a diving buddy for you. Many of our passengers come aboard as singles and it’s a great way to meet other likeminded adventure travelers who love to dive

The liveaboard business is a service industry, and although the general public is seldom aware of it, gratuities are a major part of a crewmember’s salary. Few other recreational activities rely so heavily upon the professionals in charge for your enjoyment and safety. A gratuity of 10-15% is customary, but many leave more when they feel the service was outstanding. If you are disappointed with the service, you should inform the captain of your feelings right away so he may rectify the situation.

The atmosphere onboard the Aqua Cat is always relaxed and casual. You’ll spend your days in bathing suits and casual wear. Bring shorts or pants, T-shirts and a windbreaker. Also bring a pair of sandals, a hat, sunscreen (reef-safe) and sunglasses. In winter, a sweatshirt or sweater is advisable. Our ship’s boutique offers shirts, rash guards, mugs, hats, and toiletries.

Families that wish to join us are welcome. It is recommended that children be divers or snorkelers to fully enjoy the activities on board. For individual bookings, the minimum age is 10 years of age. If you charter the full boat, there is no minimum age but keep in mind that water savvy children will most likely enjoy this type of vacation. Keep in mind, children under 15 must be supervised by a parent or guardian at ALL times. Our crew is most gracious and good with all ages, however, the crew will not provide child care services or supervision at ANY time

Certified scuba divers need snorkel, fins, mask, and regulator with pressure gauge, buoyancy compensator (BC), u/w watch, and depth gauge. For night dives the minimum requirement is two light sources: a dive light plus a backup dive light, a non-strobing marker light, or a chemical light stick (cyalume). Cyalumes are $3.00 each and are sold onboard. We provide tanks, weights, and weight belts. Between fall and spring, a wetsuit is recommended. There is storage on deck for all gear and we have rinse buckets for underwater cameras and regulators.

Between fall and spring, a wetsuit is recommended. The chart below will give you a general idea of the water temperatures and what weight wetsuit you will need. When deciding which wetsuit works for you, consider that you will have the opportunity to dive as many as 5 times a day and it takes your body a while to warm up. Wetsuit needs are different for everyone. 

MonthWater Temperature (F/C)Air Temperature (F/C)Wetsuit Recommendation:
January72-75 / 22-2472-80 / 22-27Full Wetsuit 5mm
February72-75 / 22-2472-80 / 22-27Full Wetsuit 5mm
March73-77 / 23-2572-85 / 22-29Full Wetsuit 5mm
April75-79 / 24-2676-90 / 24-32Shorty or Full
May77-80 / 25-2780-90 / 27-32Skin or Shorty
June79-81 / 26-2780-90 / 27-32Skin or Shorty
July83-87 / 28-3080-90 / 27-32None
August83-87 / 28-3080-90 / 27-32None
September83-87 / 28-3080-90 / 27-32None
October78-82 / 26-2876-90 / 24-32Skin or Shorty
November75-80 / 25-2772-85 / 22-29Shorty or Full
December73-78 / 24-2672-85 / 22-29Full Wetsuit 5mm

In general no, they are self-guided. Most buddy teams choose to dive on their own. The instructors/divemasters on board will give you a good in-depth briefing before each dive describing the topography, conditions, the current (if any), depth and it will include a visual aid. If you would like navigational assistance, please advise the instructor that you would like to follow him/her prior to the dive.

 

Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free are pretty easy to work with as well as allergies so let us know upon booking if you require special meals. Please remember that you are participating in an adventure travel vacation that is occurring in a remote part of the world. Many of the modern conveniences, brands, and pre-packaged goods we use at home are not available in remote destinations. As such, many special requests that are very specific may be difficult to accommodate.

Finally, if you are celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or other special life events, please let us know. Our crew stands ready to assist you in making your special day something to remember.

Sea Dog, the Aqua Cat’s 28-foot launch can take you to isolated beaches where you can sunbathe, explore, kayak, SUP, snorkel, or fish. You will enjoy feeding and photographing the iguanas on Allan’s Cay. You can visit the headquarters of the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park on Warderick Wells and explore the many trails. Be sure to check out the whale bones on the island. Don’t miss the blowhole! You can also kayak the creeks that meander through Shroud Cay. These creeks are nurseries for many varieties of fish and sharks. For those interested in bird watching, the Exumas are a nesting area for many species of seabirds including White-Tailed Tropicbirds, Audubon Shearwaters, Brown Noddies, and Bridled and Sooty Terns. The possibilities are endless

Finally, if you are celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or other special life events, please let us know. Our crew stands ready to assist you in making your special day something to remember.

Gallery

Bahamas Scuba Diving Vacations

Call us today at (800) 737-3483 to book your trip on the Aqua Cat. Or simply reserve your vacation online by clicking below.

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