Join the crew of the R/V Tiburon as we dive our way to the Bahamas. This week provides an opportunity for you to get up close and personal with sharks, dolphins, and dive the fabulous wrecks of Bimini. This is one of the only places in the world where wild dolphins and sharks can be observed underwater with such consistency. Explore fabled Bimini Road and snorkel or dive the fabulous wreck called the Sapona. Dr. Samuel Gruber is our host at the Bimini shark lab where he and his team of dedicated graduated students spend their time studying the intriguing lemon sharks. His tireless work has led to groundbreaking discoveries by accumulating baseline data about sharks over many years. We are honored to be able to visit the lab and with any luck will be able to meet them offshore for an organized shark encounter. Bimini is also home to large pods of bottlenose dolphins. They can best be observed by snorkeling. In the crystal clear water you’ll be amazed as the 600-lbs. mammals come up close to say hello.

  

Expedition Highlights:

·        Swim and dive with dolphins and sharks     

·        Experience close encounters and observe the behavior of large species of pelagic animals in their natural environment.

·        Dive fabulous wrecks in the pristine waters of the Bahamas

·        Discover Bimini Known as the gateway to the Bahamas, located less than 50 miles from Florida. The warm, clear waters of Bimini flow from the Gulf Stream up onto the Great Bahama Bank. These waters have made Bimini a world famous destination for big game fishing, scuba diving, and shark research.

·        Experience shopping, dining and entertainment Caribbean-style at Bimini’s the Big Game Club and Marina

 

Expert Crew

Your host is Captain Tim Taylor. Tim is an accomplished naturalist and explorer with over 25 years of underwater experience. He and his crew are experts at making your vacation the most enjoyable experience it can be.

 

        

 

Arrive in Bimini, after clearing Customs, board the exploration vessel Tiburon. Settle into your stateroom then join the crew for orientation and a safety briefing. Refreshments and horsd’oeuvres served onboard. Have dinner at one of Bimini’s Big Game Club and Marina two fine restaurants. Spend the evening onboard or enjoy the pool, tiki bar, and game room or go sightseeing in Alice Town, the commercial center of North Bimini. The main road is called King's Highway. Lined with hotels, several marinas, shops, local restaurants and a number of down-home bars, the Government offices are located here as well as the local Tourist Office, the Hemingway House, The Bimini Museum, and Straw Market. Enjoy the rest of the day and evening on land, sleep onboard at the dock in the marina.

Day 2

Today we’ll go on a fabulous encounter with wild dolphins. All day we’ll take you to experience the thrill of swimming with dolphins. Cruising onboard the Tiburon and in our 18’ ribbed tender we’ll ride the south coast of Bimini till we encounter the magnificent mammals, then we’ll quickly get in the clear blue water and observe them in their own environment. Get your cameras ready! Dolphins are curious and often very interested in children and will come right up to observe them. Tubing rides for children are available as well as water sled rides for the adults.

Day 3

After a morning dive or snorkel on fabled Bimini Road ( once thought to be part of the lost continent of Atlantis) we’ll visit the shark lab also known as the Bimini Biological Field Station. The BBFS was set up as a place for Dr. Gruber and his students to carry out field research on elasmosbranchs full time. Their work involves the disciplines of systems ecology, molecular biology, bioenergetics, life history studies, fishery biology, ethology, and sensory biology. In the afternoon, we’ll return to the dolphin grounds for more once in a lifetime encounters with these magnificent mammals.

Day 4

This morning we rejoin Dr Gruber’s staff and students for an exciting shark encounter. If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing sharks being fed right in front of you, this is your chance! Following the well-established guidelines and safety procedures of the shark lab staff, you’ll experience an organized shark feeding while in the water. Another adrenaline filled photo opportunity! Following lunch we’ll visit the SS Sapona. The Sapona was a rumrunner working between the Bahamas and Florida during Prohibition. Built in 1904, she ran aground during the 1926 hurricane. Over half of the ship is visible above water, and the wreck is popular with divers and snorkelers, who can swim amongst the open ribs and see  tons of tropical fish.

Day 5

Once again we are frolicking with dolphins off the coast of Bimini. In the afternoon we’ll dive beautiful local reefs and wrecks. Encounters with local fishermen willing to trade for fresh conch and lobster are common and a delicious way to augment our menus. If exploring a deserted island is more your style, we can arrange that too. Have a picnic on the beach or build a bond fire! Tonight we return to the Big Game Club and Marina and sleep at the dock.

Day 6

This morning revisit your favorite parts of Bimini or just hang out at the resort. Today is all about you and your family. We’ll set our schedule according to your wishes and preferences. If it’s more dolphins you want or diving in the crystal clear waters just let us know. We’ll do it!

Day 7

A continental breakfast is served onboard before you depart for the airport or your cruise ship. Checkout off the R/V Tiburon is by 11 AM.

Scuba Course; Complete your scuba courses while onboard the RV Tiburon.

Rebreather courses for advanced and nitrox certified divers.

June 21st to June 27^th 2007

Price:  $2500 Call for more information

The R/V Tiburon is a 63-foot United States Coast Guard certified passenger vessel designed for research and exploration. She is equipped with state of the art safety gear, electronic equipment, air and nitrox compressors. Her homeport is Key West, located within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.  Designed to sleep 14 guest and 4 crew in air-conditioned comfort, each cabin is equipped with TV, sink vanity, 300 thread count sheets and tempur-pedic mattress pads. Two bathroom/showers are shared along with the common areas that include a salon, entertainment center, galley and outside deck areas.  She carries an expedition tender, snorkel gear, dive tanks, and weights.