M/V Bahamas Master

Overview

Unfortunately the Bahamas Master is currently unable to operate trips. View all our Bahamas liveaboards or speak to our team discuss your holiday plans.

Fully refurbished in 2021, this impressive steel-hulled vessel is bringing to the Caribbean the attentive service, inviting accommodation and quality diving facilities that you would expect from the Master Liveaboards fleet. Comfortably accommodating 18 divers, the Bahamas Master is your perfect platform to explore the best dive sites of the Bahamas. 

ACCOMMODATION

Panoramic cabin windows offer idyliic views of Bahamian islands from a choice of four cabin types: two premium cabins on the forward upper deck, containing double beds as well as private en-suite bathrooms; two classic twin cabins with en-suite bathroom; two classic single cabins with en-suite bathroom; and four standard cabins sharing two bathrooms between them.

On deck, enjoy sunbathing between dives on the vessel's comfortable sundeck or find refreshment in the shaded bar and dining area when the day's diving is all done. An indoor lounge is a welcoming communal hub fitted with sofas, a TV and a DVD player. 

Bahamas Master deckplan

SPECIFICATION

Length 35m, Breadth 7.3m, 2 engines, 3 x generators,  diving facilities including SCUBA air compressors, Nitrox, equipment rinse tanks and equipment rental

SAFETY 

First aid and first aiders, emergency oxygen, life jackets and life rafts, radios and smoke detectors.

Schedules & prices

Dive info

With the third-largest barrier reef system in the world and over 700 islands and cays, the Bahamas covers a vast 470,000km² of crystal clear Atlantic Ocean, stretching south-east off the Florida coast, above Cuba. The size of the Bahamas is one of the reasons that the island chain guarantees such a variety of excellent diving experiences – wrecks, caves, blue holes, coral gardens, infinite walls and of course, sharks.

The Bahamas is justifiably famous for shark diving. Forget the fleeting glimpse of sharks that you might have seen out in the blue in other destinations. In the Bahamas, shark encounters are typically up close and personal. Caribbean reef sharks, lemon sharks, nurse sharks, bull sharks, great hammerheads, tiger sharks and even oceanic white-tips can all be found in the Bahamas. Besides sharks, you may also find several species of dolphin and whale as well as the Nassau grouper, considered the national fish of the Bahamas.

A choice of 7-, 10- and 14-night liveaboard itineraries visiting a number of world-famous dive sites including the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, Tiger Beach, Bimini, Cat Island and Pig Beach which provide easy access to remote yet premier dive spots.

Where's the best liveaboard diving in the Bahamas?

Grand Bahama

This large, northerly island in the Bahamas chain is a regular starting point for liveaboard routes. The primary draw of this particular region of the Bahamas is the opportunity to observe tiger shark, but many other species are also seen.

Tiger Beach is a large area located around 50 nautical kilometres off the West End of Grand Bahama Island. A regular stop for diving liveaboards, Caribbean reef and lemon shark are regular visitors in addition to the famous group of tiger sharks that give this area its name, as well as the occasional appearance of great hammerhead sharks.

Bimini

As the westernmost island group of the Bahamas, the Bimini Islands are renowned for the marine life and tropical fish brought by the warm Gulf Stream current. Found to the south-west of Grand Bahama Island and on the edge of an underwater cliff that drops hundreds of metres into the abyss, Bimini provides a variety of dive sites including walls, reefs, wrecks and caverns. The Bimini Islands are famous for great hammerhead and bull shark sightings, best seen between November and April. There's even a chance to see humpback whale and sperm whale in the spring, with dolphins, eagle rays and various turtles seen year round.

The Exumas

The spectacularly scenic Exumas consist of an array of more than 350 small islands and cays streaming down from just 56 kilometres south of New Providence to the anchor islands of Great and Little Exuma to the south. The Exumas are a 193-kilometre-long island chain-within-the-chain of the Out Islands. The Cays are the most exotic of the Out Islands, a collection of tiny jewels set in the aquamarine and sapphire of the most beautiful water you’ve ever imagined, with an intriguing combination of rich shallow reefs and incredible wall dives. The crystal-clear tropical Atlantic waters are thick with coral reefs that are alive with a variety of ocean critter.

When's the best time to go on a Bahamas liveaboard?

Liveaboards in the Bahamas operate throughout the year. Weather patterns in the Bahamas make these islands most popular between December and April, but the diving remains excellent. June through to November can bring a risk of hurricane and has more humidity, but often gin clear waters.

Who is liveaboard diving in the Bahamas suitable for?

It's possible to dive the Bahamas on a liveaboard with just an Open Water certification. However, it's strongly advisable to have an Advanced Open Water qualification to get the most from your experience. It's possible to complete your advanced course as part of our liveaboard.

Those embarking on an itinerary that visits Tiger Beach should have prior experience of scuba diving with sharks and closely follow the guidance of local staff.

Twin Centre Options

The size of the island chain, and the variety of both diving and atmosphere between the islands, makes the Bahamas an ideal destination for a twin centre holiday or a land and liveaboard combination.

Please contact a member of the Regaldive team to explore the many options available.

Flight Information

British Airways flies from London to Nassau airport (Sir Lynden Pindling International - NAS) five times a week, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The direct flight takes nine hours. Airports on other islands can be reached via cities in the USA such as Miami and Orlando.

Bahamasair offers seven flights daily from Nassau to Grand Bahama Island.

Departure tax: $15 throughout the Bahamas.
In Grand Bahama (Freeport) there is an additional $3 airport security fee for a total of $18.

Transfers: Regaldive can arrange transfers according to your requirements.

Twin centre: The Bahamas makes an ideal twin centre destination and you can combine a land-based holiday with a  liveaboard for the ultimate dive holiday. Please ask one of our sales executives for more information.

Passports & Visas

Passengers travelling to the Bahamas must have six months valid on their passport from the date of entry into the Bahamas. British passport holders visiting the Bahamas as a tourist do not need a visa, but you do need to complete an immigration card on arrival.

Note: If you are travelling to the Bahamas via the US, even if you are only transiting, you must check the US entry requirements. If you do not have the correct authorisation you will not be allowed to travel to or transit through the US.

Guests should note that you may well be asked for proof of an exit or onward ticket and of sufficient funds to finance your stay ($200 / day) upon arrival in the country.

Vaccinations

There are no compulsory vaccinations, but we recommend protection against tetanus and hepatitis A. Vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure. For the most up to date advice please consult your travel clinic. Further information regarding vaccinations for travel to this country can be found at www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk and from your local healthcare provider.

Guests should note that proof of yellow fever vaccination is required if you are travelling from an infected area.

Itineraries

The Bahamas are famous for its abundance of sharks. It is the third largest barrier reef area in the world with flourishing and diverse marine life as well as excellent dive site diversity: reefs, walls, drop-offs, drift dives, wrecks, caves and blue holes. Besides sharks, you may also find several species of dolphins and whales as well as the Nassau grouper, considered the national fish of the Bahamas.

Wrecks, Blue Holes, and Sharks (7 or 10 nights) 
Take in some of the Bahamas best diving regions on this superb adventure. Highlights include Tiger Shark encounters of Grand Bahama Island, magical blue holes in Andros, plus reefs and wrecks in New Providence. Available as a 7 or 10 night itinerary.

Grand Bahama Adventure (7 nights)  
The exciting itinerary covers the best of the West End of Grand Bahama Island. Expect to see lots of sharks including hammerheads, nurse sharks, lemon sharks, tiger sharks, and even bull sharks, along with other great dive sites.

Grand Bahama & Beyond (10 nights)  
This extended itinerary covers the best of the West End of Grand Bahama Island plus the renowned Bimini Islands. Expect to see lots of sharks including hammerheads, nurse sharks, lemon sharks, tiger sharks, and even bull sharks, as well as dolphins, rays, grouper, turtles and octopus.  

The Ultimate Bahamas Experience (14 nights) 
The Ultimate Bahamas Experience covers the best of the West End of Grand Bahama Island as well as Cat Island and Pig Beach to the southeast. Expect to see lots of sharks including oceanic whitetip, hammerheads, nurse sharks, lemon sharks, tiger sharks, and even bull sharks, plus dolphins, grouper, lobster and swimming pigs!

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