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Dive Review of Paradise Charters Easy Goin in
Bahamas/Bimini

Paradise Charters Easy Goin, Oct, 2005,

by Dean Knudson, MN, USA (Contributor Contributor 15 reports). Report 2250.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 4 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 4 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 4 stars Shore Diving 3 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 3 stars
Comments We had originally planned a charter with this operation in December of 2004, the previous year. We had actually traveled to Florida then, and were diving in the Key Largo, Florida, area, when we received a call from Captain Chuck, abruptly canceling the trip due to weather concerns. Out of curiosity, at that time, we called Blackbeard's Adventures, and found out that both of the Blackbeard's Adventures dive boats were sailing to the Bimini area on the same day that the captain of the Easy-goin, Chuck, canceled our trip. we scrambled on that day to find airline tickets to Cozumel for the next day, after Chuck canceled our Bahamas trip. We spent the rest of that trip, unexpectedly, in Mexico. The original trip had been scheduled for early December 2004.

This trip was a rescheduled one, using the credit we had from our trip that was canceled at the last minute. After much discussion with the captain about rescheduling the trip, we decided to attempt to charter in October of 2005. Captain Chuck reports that it was his recollection that he had described, in our conversations in 2003 and 2004, his "normal chartering season" as running from April through October. It was also his recollection that he had discussed this concept with us at the time that we had chartered our original trip for December of 2004. Our group does not have that specific recollection, and all five of us agree that we would have had second thougts about making any commitment to a December charter had we known. Any group traveling with him should have a clear and frank discussion, in advance, of his estimate of the probability of trip cancellation for any given proposed month of travel.

Captain Chuck and his partner Peggy live on this boat. That should carefully be taken into consideration when considering a potential charter. It is reasonable to assume that he will be somewhat conservative in his estimates of what the boat, his only home, can handle with regard to whether and rough seas. I have been on several Blackbeard's Adventures charters when a decision to sail has been made during rough winter months weather. Those trips included unpleasant gulf stream crossings, but the vacations were not canceled, and plenty of good diving was available, on those trips, after a rough 12 hour ocean crossing.

One should not necessarily assume that Captain Chuck will be as adventurous. Any group chartering this boat should strongly consider the trip insurance provided by Travelex, or a similar corporation. We did purchase such insurance for our second trip, and Captain Chuck was willing to provide a letter that we used to document the charter purchase. The extra 10% cost of this insurance should be factored into any decision to charter on the Easy-goin.

The actual trip itself went well. The boat is quite comfortable, and Peggy is an excellent cook. The shark dive is done using only non-meat items, such such as boiled eggs, to attract large groupers, and not to excite the sharks. There are plenty of sharks at that dive site at all times, as it is the same shark dive site that is used by Blackbeard's adventures.

There is plenty of fresh water on the boat. There are opportunities to fish and hunt lobster. All liquor should be purchased prior to departure.

On the day of departure from the Bahamas to Miami, Captain Chuck was again concerned about the weather and was initially reluctant to offer a morning dive and a walking tour of Bimini. He was able to be talked into doing both, however, which was fortunate for our group, since the Complete Angler bar has since burned down.

The air compressor has a large capacity, and the boat is limited to six passengers. Service is therefore attentive and personal. The upper deck is a nice place to spend happy hour. The boat spends most evenings at anchor in Bimini chain of islands. All of the usual dive sites are available, and the diving is quite good.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 251-500 dives
Where else diving Florida, Honduras, Bonaire, Mexico
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, windy Seas calm
Water Temp 79-83°F / 26-28°C Wetsuit Thickness 4
Water Visibility 50-110 Ft/ 15-34 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Obey computer, return within an hour
Liveaboard? yes Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas 1 or 2
Dolphins 1 or 2 Whale Sharks None
Turtles 1 or 2 Whales None
Corals 4 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 3 stars Large Fish 4 stars
Large Pelagics 3 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 4 stars Boat Facilities 5 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments Dedicated tank, plenty of set up space
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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