Caribbean Explorer II
Caribbean Explorer II - Liveaboard Dive Trip
Caribbean Explorer II is a 115′ liveaboard vessel that holds 18 passengers in 9 double staterooms. All staterooms have private bathrooms and most have queen-sized beds. The salon on the upper deck includes dining tables, TV and lounge area. There is also a large sundeck on the upper deck. The vessel’s boutique is located on the main deck, and the photo/video lab is below decks. The large dive deck is equipped with a bathroom, individual gear lockers, camera table with low pressure air hose, recharging station, air and nitrox filling stations, tank racks, and a separate fresh water rinse for both scuba and underwater camera equipment. There are two sets of stairs accessing the dive platform, where two in-water ladders hang for easy access to and from the water.
A variety of specialty course training is available aboard, if you are desiring to take a specific course with us, please let us know when making your reservation. Complete dive gear and computer rental are also available.
Book Your Ultimate Liveaboard Dive Trip Aboard The Caribbean Explorer II
Caribbean Explorer II offers 2 itineraries, depending on the week you choose to go. The vessel depart alternate weeks from St. Maarten and St. Kitts. If you choose a trip which begins in St. Maarten, it will end in St. Kitts and you will fly home from there. If you begin in St. Kitts, you will end in St. Maarten and that will be your return location.
The vessel departs Saturdays from either St. Maarten or St. Kitts. Itineraries include 5 1/2 days of diving; 2 to 3 days within the Saba Marine Park, and 2 to 3 days at St. Kitts and Nevis. 5 dives daily are normally offered, including night dives. The schedule also provides for up to 3 island tours during the week. There is ample time for our guests to explore forts, rainforests, duty-free shops, and museums.
Saba Shore Excursion
Saba is considered one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean. This shore excursion will show you a quaint island surrounded by the beauty of the Caribbean Sea. If you’re lucky you might see the peak of Mt. Scenery which is often lost in the clouds.
This unique island offers beautiful scenery and viewpoints. The tour is a driving tour with stops to take advantage of Saba’s natural beauty, along with information on local flora and fauna. You will notice the white buildings and homes with their signature red roofs and green doors and shutters, built by the Islanders.
Your tour begins at Fort Bay, the island’s harbor. You will travel by taxi up “the road that couldn’t be built” stopping at the Bottom – the capital of the island, various viewpoints and finally the town of Windwardside. You will have plenty of time to visit the museum and small shops in the area and have a chance to purchase traditional souvenirs such as Saba lace and Saba Spice, a spiced rum drink. There is also an optional walk down a portion of the Mount Scenery trail – a 15 minute walk down the steps that make up this trail.
After the walk or shopping your tour will resume in Windwardside. A short drive past a portion of the rainforest finishes at Hell’s Gate. Here there is a spectacular view of the shortest commercial runway in the world.
Your last stop is at Jo Beans Glass shop. Jo Bean has been a fixture on Saba for years with her beautiful hand made glass beads. Once finished at Jo Beans the taxi returns to Fort Bay where you will rejoin Caribbean Explorer II for a dusk dive and dinner
St. kitts Shore Excursion
St. Kitts and Nevis itself is very unique and full of diversity – sandy beaches, black volcanic beaches, lush green field, towering peaks, and rainforests. This tour visits the highlights of the island, once a powerful force in the sugar cane industry.
Your tour begins at the northernmost town of Sandy Point and passes through the fishing village of Old Road Bay, then to the Caribelle Batik Factory. The Caribelle Batik Factory is located in portions of Romney Manor, an old sugar cane plantation. Portions of the Romney Manor ruins are scattered around the grounds, and is home to the local botanical gardens. The factory offers demonstrations of the art of batik and a big batik boutique. Here you’ll have to chance to purchase clothing, wall hangings and cushion covers, each one being truly unique.
Take a relaxing walk through the tropical gardens before getting on your way again. You will travel past the oldest church on the island to Bloody Point, which was the location of a historic massacre.
Your last stop on this tour is Brimstone Hill, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site is extremely well preserved and the view of the ocean and surrounding islands is not to be missed.
St. Maarten Shore Excursion
A tour of St. Maarten is great if you are arriving very early or departing late. An interesting island, touted as “a little European” lot of Caribbean,” St. Maarten is half Dutch and half French. You may consider visiting Orient Beach and Simpson Bay and viewing the multi-million dollar mega yachts. Stop in Marigot, on the French side to shop at exclusive boutiques, the open air market on Saturday mornings and a bistro for a baguette and a coffee. The restaurants on the French side are hard to beat.
Caribbean Explorer II
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
Weather in the Caribbean is fairly consistent year round. Temperatures range from the 70’s and up in the winter months to the low 90’s during summer. Water temp can drop down to 76F in winter and get up to 86F in summer. Dive sites usually have little current and visibility is ranges from 50 to 150 feet! In the cooler winter months, the extra warmth of a 5mm wetsuit can be appreciated and either a dive skin or 3mm suit will be fine for the summer months. Your dives will be done from the vessel itself, you don’t have to worry about getting on and off a dingy.
5 dives a day are offered and typically they will be at scheduled times. This is to allow for necessary surface intervals, provide the option for guided dives, and allow the vessel to travel to different locations. It also allows the option of island tours on the islands you will visit, and to work within the guidelines of the marine parks in which you’ll dive.
Shorts, t-shirts, and swimsuits! No need for bulky sweaters or jeans on this boat. Consider a pair of slacks or a sundress for an evening out in St. Maarten or St. Kitts. Soft luggage is preferred as it takes up less space to store. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat is recommended. If you are susceptible to getting seasick come prepared with motion sickness medications or patches. If you can, pack your regulator, dive computer, mask, a swimsuit, change of clothes and toiletries in your carry-on bag just in case there are any unforeseen luggage delays.
Dinner usually consists of fresh vegetables, rice, pasta, chicken, beef, turkey, pork, and fish. Breakfast includes eggs, bacon, pancakes, French toast, muffins, danish and fresh fruits. Lunches rotate between soup and sandwiches, burgers, pasta, assorted salads, and quiche. Fresh baked bread, cookies, and brownies are offered between dives. If you have any dietary restrictions or requests, please let us know at the time of booking. While the boat does their best to accommodate your requests, please remember many items we have back home are not available in the Islands and consider bringing some of your own foods if the lack thereof may constitute a health risk.
All meals (except Friday’s dinner), beverages, transportation between islands, and much more has been taken care of with your trip payment, there are some extra items which you may charge to your onboard bill. These include:
- Port, Immigration and Marine Park Fees – US$115 per person
- Departure tax
- Fuel Surcharge: US$80 per person
- Crew gratuities
- Incoming and outgoing telephone calls
- Photographic and/or scuba instruction
- Nitrox
- Optional island tours
- Dive gear rentals
- Retail sales
Your bill may be paid at the end of the trip using all major credit cards or cash. Personal or traveler’s checks are not accepted onboard. These are the rates as of writing and are subject to change.
Crew gratuities are not included in your package. The crew works very hard, providing the best possible service for you and the other guests. The industry standard for crew gratuities on dive trips (if, of course, you are happy with the service which you have received) is between 10% and 15% of the package price per passenger. Your generosity will be greatly appreciated
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