Blackbeard's Nassau versus Freeport?

[handben]

I have been out twice with Blackbeard's in the past (1987 and 2007) both times were basically centered around Bimini (though departing from Miami the first time and Freeport the second). I am thinking of going on another trip this summer with my brother and my son and would like to try their Nassau departure to the Exumas. I understand that they did this itinerary in the past and are restarting it in May. I'm interested in hearing folks feedback about the diving in this area. For what its worth, in my opinion the diving around Bimini is hit or miss. Many of the dives have a large amount of dead coral and not so much fish life. I liked the diving better on the last trip off of Grand Bahama island at the start and end of the trip; but also enjoyed the wall dives on the edge of the Gulf Stream. I feel luke-warm about repeating that trip. Thanks for the opinions that I know are sure to follow.

 

[BuoyantC]

I did a trip on Lost Island Voyages in 2008 that left from Nassau and we dived the Exumas. I thought the diving ranked with some of the better places I've been. It wasn't as good as Bonaire or Palau, but it was as good or better than Yap and many of the Caribbean places I've been. I don't know if Blackbeard's goes to the same sites, but I just booked a Blackbeard trip for my son and I for June 26th out of Nassau. My son has never done any warm water diving so whatever it's like, he'll be impressed. Maybe we'll see you aboard!

 

[tstormdiver]

I was on the Cat Ppalu (owned by the same company as Blackbeard's) a couple of years ago & they did this same itinerary (northern Exumas). It was pretty good diving, but to be honest though, I was more impressed with the live aboard (different company) I did to the the southern Exumas around San Salvador.The corals in the northern Exumas was certainly in better condition than around the Bimini routes (I have also done Blackbeard's 2 times). The corals in the southern Exumas was in even better condition that the northern section & seemed more pristine.