Dive Op Review

Overall rating: 7

Dive Operation Name: Nekton Rorqual (Liveaboard: Southern Belize Itinerary)
Address: Belize
Phone: (800) 899-6753
Website: Nekton Diving Cruises

Type: Liveaboard

Cost: (per dive/or package + days) $1500 (+$100 for Nitrox which was later refunded) / 25 dives

Staff: 8/10
Were they organized? Yes
Did they have a method for accounting for your presence on the boat? Yes (sign in board)
Were they knowledgeable about the area? Fairly, the boat did a last minute change with the Pilot and the crew had only made one or two runs through the area.
Did they point out underwater life? Yes
Were they Friendly/Personable? Definitely
Were they interested in helping you have a good time? Yes
Did you feel safe? Always
Comments on staff:
A really great group of people. A lot of fun and very focused on ensuring an enjoyable trip for their passengers. Matt (the engineer) even went out of his way to fabricate a "sled" to help balance my video rig. He did this despite the fact that he was just back from vacation and had a ton to catch up on from being away for three weeks. After he completed this (he did a phenomenal job), he refused any additional compensation.

Boats
What is the capacity of the boat? 32 (only 9 on board) / 12 crew

How many dive masters per diver? Upon request

Was there first aid on board? Oxygen? Yes / Yes

Did you feel cramped or was it roomy? Roomy

Was the boat in good condition?
In most cases yes.
Two exceptions were the Nitrox compressor and the back up generator appeared to be burning weird (sorry, not much of a mechanic) which occasionally left a black smoke trail and left a black slick on the water (carbon I was told) it was disturbing to be leaving far more than bubbles.

Was the boat fast? No (I didn't consider this to be negative though). Very stable, difficult to even tell when moving

Did you have adequate room for your gear? Yes

Were there special areas for camera equipment? Yes, three rinse tanks and two camera tables w/compressed air

Did they have a fresh water rinse for gear? Yes

Fresh water rinse for divers to shower? 2 Hot water on dive deck

If a diver shower was provided was it on the boat or on land? Boat

Was food/drink provided? Mmmm.... Brett and Christine can cook. I offered marriage to both if they would come home and cook for me.

If so, what was it? A very wide variety and great selection at every meal (be sure to ask them about the "Happy Meat Rods" and the "Cow & Cudd" Stew)

Other comments about the boat:
The Nitrox compressor was down during this week. I have heard others stating that this is not unusual in reports they have read. I was on the boat earlier this year and the compressor was fine until the last day of the trip.

Dive Sites: To many to list, I managed to get 25 dives in. (Long Cay, Turneffe, and Half Moon Cay)

What was the condition of the reefs/coral?
Excellent
Was there a lot of small life (namely fish...)? Yes (the elusive Toad Fish and the Seahorse stand out). Although most of the fish seemed to be smaller than I have seen in many places. I also was able to see some very odd Remora behavior, attaching to some very stressed out Parrot and Cow fish. Tons of Squid and Octopus on night dives.

What about large life? (Sharks, Rays, Turtles, etc...) Very little. I saw one small turtle (very friendly guy). Although I didn't see them there were reports of a few Eagle and Sting Rays. No sharks seen or reported.

How was visibility? Fair which I've heard is unusual (40-70'), we had some rain and some surge.

Type of diving: No Current (some surge in places)

Available transportation/price: Included, picked up the airport and dropped off at the Paradise Hotel until boarding time (Casino & Restaurant)

Can they pick you up from your resort? N/A
If so, which resort did you stay at? N/A
Comments on getting to the dive shop: No problem

Please complete the following for Liveaboards:
Sleeping Quarters:
Room Overall: 7/10
Cleanliness: 8/10
Size: large (for a liveaboard)
Bed Quality: 6/10
Linen Quality: 7/10
Bathroom Quality: 7/10

Special gear storage? Underseat aluminum cubbies on dive deck for gear (might not be a bad idea to line them)

Comments on the room:
Comfortable and large for a liveaboard.

Value for the price paid: 7/10

Overall rating: 7/10

Additional comments not listed above:
A very nice trip overall. And although I enjoyed myself, I'm not sure I would repeat this itinerary, I will definitely travel with Nekton again. I did a trip aboard the same boat in the Bahamas and enjoyed it immensely. The food is always good, the boat is comfortable and the crew seems to put forth their best effort to ensure the best diving experience they were able to provide.

You can view the high quality pictures in this seen in this report by clicking here.