Description
Boat
Shear Water is a USCG and Bahamas inspected 22 meters long, 5.8 meters wide liveaboard vessel. It was custom designed with guests in mind it has all the comforts of home. The professional Captains and crew provide the best vacation experience possible, and do it at the most reasonable price available.
Shear Water can only accommodates 10 guests and 4 crew members each trip, with limited guests onboard, the vacation will be comfortable and intimate, and the route are very flexible in the type of scuba diving you might like to do and the places you want to go.
Benefit from the longstanding experience of Jim Abernethy, the American specialist who has set a standard for shark encounters without cages. Jim’s Bahamas trips rank among the most favourite of diving trips for shark enthusiasts all over the world. Since 1999, the Shear Water is a simple yet practical liveaboard for the ultimate shark encounter.
Shear Water runs on two 30 KW generators, supplying 110V service throughout the boat for your convenience with several charging stations in the salon as well as in every bunk for batteries and computers.
In the saloon, there is also a 42" flatscreen LCD TV with a hard drive full of moves, a MP3 player and stereo system with surround sound, camera table and charging stations.
The dive deck has custom dive seats, tank racks and dive platform with bins for personal dive gear, stowed under dive seats, fresh water rinse hose on back deck with soap and shampoo.
Shear Water provides expeditions offer intimate, cage-free encounters in the Bahamas with a variety of small and large sharks. These species include reef, nurse, lemon, tiger, great hammerhead and oceanic white-tip sharks etc. These trips are specially geared towards professional photographers and videographers, and the crew are delighted to assist guests in setting up the perfect shot.
Shear Water provide photo packages by Jim Abernethy - a National Geographic Stock Photographer with additional charge. You will receive all underwater pictures and video Jim captures, including underwater, topside & drone video shots as well during your trip! You will receive individual instruction from Jim to make sure your trip imagery is all it can be! Bring at least a minimum of a 1 TB hard drive to upload your images/video with you after the trip.
Cabin
Shear Water offering the sleeping quarters include four areas for up to 10 guests :
All are air-conditioned with bed linens and towels are supplied, all use shared bathroom. The power outlets is standard 120V system and charging ports in several locations on board for any dive or camera equipment you may have.
3 Twin Cabins :
Located on the main deck, each cabin comes with an upper and lower berth with storage under the lower berth.
1 Quad Cabin :
Located in the bow area, it has two sets of upper and lower berths with privacy curtains for each bunk.
2 Shared Bathrooms :
For shared use, each comes with toilet and shower. Soap, shampoo and conditioner are provided.
Diving
- Most days have unlimited diving as long as no deco.
- Night dives are provided every day.
- No dive on the embarkation and disembarkation day.
- Only 1 - 2 dives will be provided on the last diving day.
- All divings are self-guided, divemaster only led the shark dive.
Other Information
- Nitrox：Available with additional charge
- 15L Tanks：Available with additional charge
- REBREATHER Dive：Not available at the moment.
- Dive Equipment Rental：Available with additional charge
- Dive insurance：Divers must have valid dive insurance
- Wi-Fi Internet ：Not available at the moment.
- Laundry Service：Not available at the moment.
- Massage Service：Not available at the moment.
- Payment on board：By cash (USD)
- Crew Number：4 crew, 1 dive guide
Itineraries
Oct to May : Tiger Sharks, Great Hammerheads, Bull, Nurse & Caribbean Reef Sharks
On these expeditions, our mission is to get you up close to the largest number of large predatory sharks for as long as possible, SAFELY! These expeditions allow divers to experience the world famous “Tiger Beach” as well as the great hammerheads offshore of the island of Bimini.
May to October : Tiger, Lemon, Nurse & Caribbean Reef Sharks!
This expedition will take you to the world’s best shark diving location, ‘Tiger Beach’. This spectacular shark diving location is unlike any other in the world and guarantees one of the most unique underwater experiences in a diver’s life! The shallow sand flat, located north of the West End of Grand Bahama Island, is the most reliable, consistent and, arguably, photographically pleasing spot to photograph these striped beauties on Earth.
May to October : Tiger Sharks, Lemon Sharks, & Dolphins
One of our most popular trips, this expedition will take you to the heart of the world famous ‘Tiger Beach’. This spectacular location is unlike any other in the world and guarantees one of the most unique underwater experiences in a diver’s life! The shallow sand flat, located north of the West End of Grand Bahama Island, is the most reliable, consistent and, arguably, photographically pleasing spot to photograph these striped beauties on Earth.
Tigger Beach Weekend : Offered in the Summer Months
This weekend expedition will take you to the world’s best shark diving location, ‘Tiger Beach’. This spectacular shark diving location is unlike any other in the world and guarantees one of the most unique underwater experiences in a diver’s life! The shallow beautiful healthy reef, located north of the West End of Grand Bahama Island, is the most reliable, consistent and, arguably, photographically pleasing spot to photograph these striped beauties on Earth.
Discover the Best of Florida & the Bahamas
We’ve spent decades showing others the beautiful underwater world across Florida and the Bahamas. Using these years of experience, we’ve created this expedition to highlight our favorite marine life encounters at both locations! In the Bahamas, we will be targeting the sharks of Tiger Beach, spend time diving the spectacular Sugar Wreck, and snorkeling with some of the friendliest dolphins in the world. In Florida, you will experience aggregations of Goliath grouper, an abundance of sea turtles (up to 5 different species!) and the incredible macro-creatures carried from the deep waters of the Atlantic to coastal areas by the Gulf Stream current!
Best of the Bahamas
Take diving to a whole new level of adventure! During this epic dive trip you will have the chance to experience the thrill of diving with great hammerheads and tiger sharks, snorkeling with Atlantic spotted dolphins, drift diving with oceanic white-tips, laugh with the swimming pigs of Staniel Cay, and feel like James Bond while diving through Thunderball grotto. During this trip, we will visit the world famous ‘Tiger Beach’. This spectacular shark diving location is unlike any other in the world and guarantees one of the most unique underwater experiences in a diver’s life! The shallow sand flat, located north of the West End of Grand Bahama Island, is the most reliable, consistent and, arguably, photographically pleasing spot to photograph these striped beauties on Earth.
Swimming with Wild Dolphins - Snorkeling Expeditons
Discover the magic of swimming with a pod of wild Atlantic spotted dolphins in their natural habitat. The shallow waters of the Bahamas provide an aquatic sanctuary where dolphins frolic and feed on a daily and nightly basis. Whether you’re watching the dolphins from the deck of the live aboard vessel or snorkeling among the pod, this life-changing experience is perfect for water enthusiasts of all levels.
What is the required shark diving attire?
To ensure a safe and enjoyable dive experience, divers are required to wear a full-length wetsuit as well as a hood, gloves, and dive socks (to cover ankles). Dive equipment must be dark in color. Please do not bring any white or yellow dive gear, including: fins, mask, gloves, or wetsuits. Yellow second-stage hoses are permitted and are not a problem.
What are the departure and arrival times ?
All expeditions will board at approximately 4:00pm on the date of departure and leaving the dock will depend on the best conditions for crossing. Once you board, we will all set up equipment to be sure nothing was forgotten or broken along the way. Jim will begin with his very extensive world famous briefing while you enjoy a delicious hot dinner! We will return back to our dock in Riviera Beach, FL, between 9:00am-11:00 on the day of arrival depending on how long it takes to clear Customs. Please allow for delays when making your flight reservations.
More
| Destinations | Tiger Beach, Bimini |
|---|---|
| Facilities | Nitrox support, Camera Station |
| Languages spoken | English |
Schedules & routes
Prices & conditions
Included
- Marine park fees & Port fees
- VAT and local taxes
- Fuel surcharge
- Full-board meal plan (including snacks)
- Complimentary beverages (water, tea, coffee)
- Soft drinks
- Diving activity (incl. tanks, weights, weight belts)
- Dive guide service
- Land excursions and activities throughout the trip
- Boat accident insurance
- Cabin towels and complimentary toiletries
- Cabin cleaning service
Not included
- Transfers from airport and/or hotel to the yacht
- Alcoholic beverage
- Dive equipment rentals
- Nitrox fills
- Dive insurance (mandatory requirement)
- Travel insurance (trip cancellation insurance)
- Crew gratuity
Useful information
Tiger Beach
Best time for diving
October - May, as there is a greater likelihood of great hammerheads, bull sharks. But tiger sharks, lemon sharks, nurse shars and Caribbean reef sharks are seen at Tiger Beach year-round. The visibility can be great at times with 60 meters clarity, current is usually mild tidal flow.
About temperatures
Air : winter months are between 18°C - 27°C, summer months are between 24°C - 33°C.
Sea : winter months are between 23°C - 26°C, summer months are between 28°C - 29°C.
Wetsuit Recommendation
Divers are required to wear a full-length wetsuit (3mm for summer months, 5mm for winter months) as well as a hood, gloves, and dive socks (to cover ankles). Dive equipment must be dark in color, no white or yellow dive gear (Yellow second-stage hoses are permitted and are not a problem).
Diver requirement
Shark diving can be a potentially dangerous sport and so divers should be should be fully comfortable with their skills in the water. We recommend divers should have OW with min 30 dives as the minimum. You can find out more informations about diving in The Tiger Beach here : Tiger Beach
Embarkation / Disembarkation
The embarkation and disembarkation for most liveaboards are in Nassau, Bahamas. Guests need to fly to/from Nassau’s Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS).
For liveaboards are departing from Florida, USA. Guests may fly to/from Palm Beach International Airport (PBI).
Visa Requirements
Please refer to Visa Requirements for details of countries covered by visa exemption agreements or different visa requirements for all countries.
Vaccinations
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from traveller arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission. the same is required for traveller having transited more than 12 hours through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. An overview of the countries which this applies to can be downloaded here: Yellow Fever Risk Countries. Further information can be found under the Visiting the Bahamas section of The Government of The Bahamas website.
Money Matters
The local currency is the Bahamian Dollar (BSD), but USD is also readily used. Cards are used throughout most of the country, especially in the tourist areas, although on some of the smaller outer islands only cash is accepted for purchases. ATMs are readily available in any major town.
Drones
Drones can be brought into the Bahamas with pre-registration. To apply for registration please visit The Bahamas Civil Aviation Authority
Extending your holiday
We offer a range of hotels/resorts, land-based diving packages, and excursions that can be arranged before or after your liveaboard holiday. Just ask us if you need such service.
Bimini
Best time for diving
All year round, depends what you want to see. The great hammerhead sharks begin to congregate off of Bimini from January, and stay till March. Grouper spawning can be seen in late January and early February. Bull sharks and nurse sharks are more frequently seen from December to March. Tunas migrate in Bimini happens from March to May. And the summer months is best time for Atlantic spotted dolphins and bottlenose dolphins.
Bimini offers an great diversity of dive sites : coral reefs, walls, shipwrecks, blue holes, caverns... The visibility range from 25 - 30 meters, currents can be very strong at times.
About temperatures
Air : winter months are between 15°C - 25°C, summer months are between 25°C - 32°C.
Sea : winter months are between 24°C - 27°C, summer months are between 28°C - 30°C.
Wetsuit Recommendation
In the winter months, a 5 mm wetsuit is recommended. In summer months a skin or 3 mm shorty is recommended.
Diver requirement
Suitable for all levels. You can find out more informations about diving in Bimini here : Bimini
Embarkation / Disembarkation
Both embarkation and disembarkation are in Nassau, Bahamas. Guests need to fly to/from Nassau International Airport (NAS).
For liveaboards are departing from Florida, USA. Guests may fly to/from Palm Beach International Airport (PBI).
Visa Requirements
Please refer to Visa Requirements for details of countries covered by visa exemption agreements or different visa requirements for all countries.
Vaccinations
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from traveller arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission. the same is required for traveller having transited more than 12 hours through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. An overview of the countries which this applies to can be downloaded here: Yellow Fever Risk Countries. Further information can be found under the Visiting the Bahamas section of The Government of The Bahamas website.
Money Matters
The local currency is the Bahamian Dollar (BSD), but USD is also readily used. Cards are used throughout most of the country, especially in the tourist areas, although on some of the smaller outer islands only cash is accepted for purchases. ATMs are readily available in any major town.
Drones
Drones can be brought into the Bahamas with pre-registration. To apply for registration please visit The Bahamas Civil Aviation Authority
Extending your holiday
We offer a range of hotels/resorts, land-based diving packages, and excursions that can be arranged before or after your liveaboard holiday. Just ask us if you need such service.
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