Each quarter a lucky diver wins a free cruise with us! Congratulations go to KAITLYN REJZER OF WILMINGTON, NC!
Hogsty Reef Trips
One of the deadliest shipwreck traps in the Western Hemisphere!
In the Southern Bahamas, approximately 50 miles midway between Great Inagua and Crooked Island, and roughly l00 miles north of the island of Hispaniola is a place so untouched by intruders, that it typifies the definition of the word "unspoiled". It was also a dangerous place during the old shipping days before GPS devices existed. Almost invisible beneath deceptively tranquil waters lies a treacherous reef of jagged coral which has claimed hundreds of ships over the last 450 years. Named the "Dragon's Teeth" by early Spanish captains and sailors, we now know it as "HOGSTY REEF".
Hogsty Reef is one of only three true coral atolls in the Atlantic formed when the volcanic island slowly receded into the ocean. Surrounded by waters that plunge to depths of 6,000 feet or more, two small spits of sand in a horseshoe shaped formation encompass a crystal clear lagoon. The only entrance to the lagoon on the west side keeps the diving pristine. The entire formation of approximately twelve square miles provides a lush habitat for colorful schools of butterflyfish, parrotfish angelfish, grouper and snapper abound. And away from the protection of the reef mass, giant sharks and whales prowl the waters over the edge of the shear walls that plunge to the depths of the ocean.
More than 25 wreck sites have so far been identified on Hogsty Reef. The reef even appears on early European maps and Christopher Columbus includes the area in a 1492-93 drawing and it is also on a world map prepared by Juan de la Cosa in 1500. Owing to the favorable currents, the Bahama Channel was a popular early shipping route, despite the jagged reefs. Some refer to the Hogsty reef area as the “Truk Lagoon” of the Caribbean. This is a wreck and wall diver’s dream liveaboard trip!
The two visible wrecks are the only things that can be seen of the reef on initial approach. One of these is a WW2 liberty ship, wrecked in 1963 and from a distance looks like an intact ship. It is truly an amazing place. Inside is turquoise water, 25 feet deep over white sand. Outside the wrecks and atolls, there is a sheer drop to over 6,000 feet! So, there is phenomenal shear wall diving which attracts numerous sharks and rays.
Blackbeard’s is still keeping their exceptionally low pricing of $929 pp plus taxes for an all-inclusive week of diving, exploring, eating and drinking on this phenomenal itinerary. Come explore with us this summer and discover the pristine diving of the Southern Bahamas. “Twice the fun, Half the Cost” The itinerary will be weather dependent and include the best dive sites of the above areas.
Don’t Wait---Only two week long trips and they will fill fast!
Call Today to reserve your spot for just a $150 deposit.
TRIP INFO
Cost = $929 plus $50 fuel surcharge, $10 marine park fee & $40 Bahamian port tax.
August 2nd –August 8th
August 9th- 15th
Departing Georgetown, Great Exuma late Saturday afternoon and returning to Georgetown by Thursday night.
Airport code GGT. Georgetown is serviced by daily flights on American Airlines, Continental Airlines, US Airways.
Blackbeard's 4th quarter Sweepstakes winner
Congratulations to Nancy Green from Gilbert, AZ on winning a free Blackbeard's Cruises trip. You may register for this quarter's drawing by going to the linke below.
Peaches is our resident grouper that hangs at the mooring pin on Bull Run. She greets each diver and likes lots of attention! She is probably the MOST photographed grouper in the world! Photo By crewmember Brad Fields
Lionfish Trips
Our next lionfish trips will be on the Aqua Cat. We will be adding Blackbeard lionfish trips later this year.
Join REEF staff, marine researchers and aquarists in working to address the recent invasion of Indo-Pacific Lionfish in Atlantic waters.
With the recent explosion in lionfish abundance and distribution in tropical Atlantic waters, researchers are scrambling to gather information, helping to paint a picture of the potential impacts. REEF is taking a leading role in the field to help gather information and specimens needed by researchers to answer key questions on lionfish impacts.
REEF is working with Bruce Purdy's Blackbeard Cruises, Aquacat and Cat Ppalu liveaboard vessels to conduct week-long expeditions. Each project has a slightly different focus and will be addressing specific questions related to lionfish impacts. Research is being coordinated with the College of the Bahamas as well as the NOAA research lab in Beaufort, NC to provide data needed for ongoing investigations. Each project will be lead by REEF staff as well as guest researchers, aquarium staff and or Bahamian representatives.
March 8-15, 2008
Aqua Cat Cruises in Exumas and Eleuthera - $2195.00 pp including REEF contribution plus $85 port, $80 fuel, $10 park fee. This project will focus on addressing the potential feeding impacts, short and long-term fish movements, larval recruitment, and distribution of fish in the pristine islands around Eleuthera. The vessel may stay on site for multiple dives to document these behaviors. Specific focus on impacts to cleaning stations will include tagging and continuous documentation over extended periods. Fish will also be collected & dissected. Seagrass trawls and larval light traps will also be utilized during non-diving hours to determine recruitment preferences and recent spawning activity. Photographers and cameras are welcome and encouraged on this project.
Blackbeard's 1st Quarter Sweepstakes Winner
Congratulations to LJ Eve of Stillwater, OK on being the 1st quarter sweepstakes winner. Each quarter we give away a free trip to those that enter on our website.
4th Quarter Sweepstakes Winner
Congratulations to Doug Bueltel of Evansville, IN on having his name drawn from the 4th quarter Blackbeard's Cruises sweepstakes entries. Doug wins a free cruise on Blackbeard's Cruises. Each quarter we draw a winner from the entries. You may enter by clicking on the "Register for a Free Cruise" link at the bottom of this page.
Compleat Angler Burns
The Compleat Angler burnt to the ground in January, 2006. Ernest Hemmingway was a regular and the Angler during his stays there. Among the many old pictures on the walls were pictures of Hemmingway with quotes from his books.
Sawfish sighting
On the Morning Star's Oct 21 trip the passengers were treated to diving with a small-toothed sawfish. Diving with these endagered fish is very rare. There has been only 1 sighting recorded out of the 100,000 REEF survey dives. This picture was shot by Rick Kenna of Ft Collins, CO. The fish in front of the sawfish is a cobia.
Lionfish Sighted in Freeport
Over the last month 4 lionfish have been sighted in Freeport.
Nothern Stargazer
Two northern stargazers were found in 2004 on one of our cruises. These are the first ever reported from the Bahamas.
