By: Torben Lonne
The Cat-Ppalu was built in 1984 and renovated in 2018. It is a beautiful liveaboard that has all the amenities for a great diving experience. It has a length of 20 meters/65 foot long and can house up to 12 guests in roomy cabins with windows. The Cat-Ppalu uses 2 Isuzu C240 67 HP engines that give the liveaboard a top speed of 6 knots and a cruising speed of 5 knots. There is also a 12 ft. inflatable to take you to the vibrant rich corals that are filled with marine life.
Our Overall Review
Things we like:
-
Many people were happy with the crew and felt at home from the beginning -
Divers were happy with the amount of diving they got to do
-
Some people said they were impressed with the land excursions
-
A couple of divers noted that feeding the sharks was a highlight for them
-
Many people said the intimate atmosphere on the liveaboard was ideal for them
-
The food was well prepared and was plentiful
Things we don't like:
Some people said they were taken back by the lack of a camera facility onboard
Some people said they were taken back by the lack of a camera facility onboardWhere to book:
Where to book:
Diving on the Cat-Ppalu in the Bahamas
Interior and features
The Cat-Ppalu offers a great experience to anyone that decides to go on this liveaboard. It has a total of 6 private cabins that can luxuriously house 12 guests/divers. All of the cabins are air-conditioned and comes with a sink and mirror. There are also two bathrooms where you can get fresh water showers and they are all shared between the guest/divers.
Other features of the liveaboard include a lounge and dining area that are adjacent to each other. The large dining area is where most meals will take place and has a long table with seating to bring the whole group together during meal times.
There is also a lounge for relaxing between dives. You can entertain yourself by watching movies on the big screen TV or read one of many books on offer. There is also a stereo system that you use to liven up the mood when the activities are limited.
When you head towards the upper deck you will see that there are a lot of open spaces for sunbathing and relaxation. You can also an afternoon nap on the trampoline netting located on the upper deck.
Land excursions in the Bahamas
The Cat-Ppalu will normally be anchored close to islands that bring another dimension to your liveaboard experience. These uninhabited islands will ensure great exploration where you will find all kinds of wildlife and ecosystems. You will also get to do various water activities like snorkeling, windsurfing, kayaking, stand-up paddle-boarding, and evens bird watching. You can always expect great activities so being bored is never an option.
Dive deck on the liveaboard
The Cat-Ppalu is always anchored near islands which makes things easier for divers. The dive stations on the liveaboard make entry and exiting the water relatively easy. There is also a dinghy that will take you to other dive sites that are further away.
Food on the Cat-Ppalu liveaboard
The food is well prepared by a master chef who serves local and international dishes. You will get your three meals served each day, breakfast, lunch and dinner. During the day the crew will present you with snacks to keep your energy levels high during activities. You can even catch your fish and the staff will prepare it for you or if you want to do it yourself that option is available too.
Itinerary and when to go
The itinerary will predominantly last for 7 days and 6 nights where you will get to experience the best of the underwater and island destinations that the Bahamas offer. The main itinerary will see you exploring the Exuma Cays that offer reefs, walls, and wreck diving opportunities. Most people will be happy to know they will get to see masses of sharks like bull sharks, whale sharks, hammerheads, tiger sharks, lemon sharks, and the black nose shark. The Bahamas is an all-year diving destination that always offers clear and warm water. Don’t miss the chance to experience one of the best diving sites in the world.
Comments