Services
All dive services can be ordered through our online sign-up form on our "Book Now" page
Due to COVID-19, and in an abundance of caution we have implemented policies recommended or required by the local government and DAN (Divers Alert Network).
Our policies include reducing our passenger load from 14 divers to 8 divers, to ensure adequate social distancing. This has required a slight (hopefully temporary) increase in our normal prices.
Our new limited load will provide a personal experience you won't forget and can't get anywhere else!
Free-Diving
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Scuba-Diving
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Charters
Important Information and Terms
Cancellation Policy
The cancellation policy for any single day Open Boat trip is 7 DAYS, multi-day Open Boat trips and multi-day Free-Diving trips are 30 DAYS prior to trip departure. If you cancel inside the cancellation period or do not show up for any reason then you will be charged the full cost of each of your spots. No rain checks! This cancellation policy pertains to our Open Boat trips only! The cancellation policy for each Charter Group may be different, so please check with the Charter Group. All scheduled trips will run, regardless of rain or shine (you’re going to get wet anyway!). Explorer will only cancel a trip if conditions become unsafe for passengers.
Schedule Changes due to Weather
All destinations and departure times are subject to change depending decisions made by the Captain on weather and sea conditions. Unfortunately, we are not able to predict what the weather will be like for an upcoming trip. The crossing to the islands may be rough, but there are many places the boat can hide from the weather so that your diving is still enjoyable. The Captain will not place the passengers or the boat in danger. The local marine forecast is checked prior to the departure of all trips, unfortunately, as with any weather forecast, conditions can change in a matter of minutes. The Captain will make the final determination as to the destination and departure times, for the safety of all aboard.
Signing up for Trips - Open Boats VS. Chartered Trips
We have 2 different ways to sign up for a trip on board the Explorer. You may sign up with us directly on our website for our Open Boat and Free Diving Trips. The easiest way to find our trips is to visit our Trip Schedule from there you can click on the Purple or Orange colored trips for more specific info and a link to sign up and pay for that trip. These trips are booked directly through us and we offer a few of them throughout the year. But most of our trips are offered by Dive Stores, Dive Clubs and Private groups and are identified on our Trip Schedule. Please note that each charter group trip has different sign-up procedures, cancellation rules and diving expectations. We recommend that you contact the group directly for more information about a trip that you might be interested in.
Dive Trip-Assumption of Risk and Release of Liability
All divers must sign the Liability Release form before being allowed to enter the water. Minors are all required to have a parent or guardian sign this form. If the parent is not going to be on the trip, you may download this form and bring a signed copy with you. This form can be downloaded here as an Acrobat PDF file. Liability Release Form
Equipment
Please be sure to bring all the necessary dive gear for your trip including tanks, weights and your Certification Card, a Dive Computer is highly recommended. Our general waters temperatures are between 52-60 degrees in the winter and 56-70 degrees in the summer depending on the locations that we dive. We recommend a 7 wet-suit with hood, boots, and gloves or a dry suit based on your personal sensitivity to the cold. Most people bring a minimum of BC, Regulator w/ Alternate Air Device and Computer, Tank, Weight Belt with 10% of your body weight plus 4-10 additional pounds, Wet-suit or Dry-suit with Hood, Boots, and Gloves. It is also recommended that you bring normal safety equipment like: Dive Alert or topside signaling device, Safety Sausage and a Whistle. Cylume Sticks and an Underwater Light are required for Night Diving.
Free-diving
The Explorer runs specialty trips for free-diving only. However, free-divers are welcome on any of our trips. All free-divers must carry a float line and a clearly visible float or flag. The float and/or flag will assist the Captain and crew in locating the free-diver, and to keep the free-diver visible for all boat traffic. All free-divers must sign the Liability Release form before being allowed to enter the water. Minors are all required to have a parent or guardian sign this form. If the parent is not going to be on the trip, you may download this form and bring a signed copy with you. This form can be downloaded here as an Acrobat PDF file. Free-Diver Liability Release Form
Personal Items
Each diver or passenger should provide his/her own personal items/toiletries for their trip, (i.e., towels, bathing suits, comb, toothbrushes, toothpaste, sunscreen, etc.) Each head contains a shower with a Hair and Body Shampoo dispenser for your convenience. Paper towel and toilet paper dispensers are also provided in each head for your convenience. If you tend to get queasy, don’t forget your seasick medication! The Explorer normally carries a supply of aspirin/ibuprofen, and has a fully stocked first-aid kit in case of emergencies.
Bunk Room
The Explorer provides both single and double bunks, sleeping up to 32 people. Single bunks are provided with one pillow and one blanket. Double bunks are provided with two pillows and two blankets. Each bunk has its own privacy curtain and individual light. Passengers are welcome to bring a sleeping bag or extra pillows/blankets for their comfort. In order to keep our bunk room dry and comfortable, no wet bathing suits, wet-suits or wet dive equipment is permitted below decks. We do have (2) 110 volt outlets available in the bunk room for medical devices, like a CPAP machine. We recommend that you bring an extension cord to make sure that you can comfortably access the outlet. We do not allow charging of other devices in the bunk room for fire safety concerns, but we have ample outlets in the galley for charging personal devices. Please check the Bunk Assignment sheet before you settle into a bunk. We recommend that all single passengers (those traveling alone) take a single bunk and couples (or those who don't mind bunking together) take a double bunk. Click here for a copy of our Bunk Assignment (IP).
Storing Your Equipment
The Explorer provides tanks racks along the sides and middle section of the back deck. Dive bags and/or dive storage containers can be stored underneath the benches and along the side of the boat. If you are not sure, please ask a crew member to assist you. Spear guns and pole spears should be stored (unloaded) in the Port-side and Starboard side gun racks located on the back deck. Please do not store them in the center live game tank. Please do not leave any dive gear on top of the center console on the back deck. The Explorer is not responsible for any lost or stolen item from the boat. All unclaimed dive equipment and/or other miscellaneous items left aboard the Explorer for more than 30 days will be discarded. We do not have enough storage to hold all unclaimed items for more than 30 days. Left aboard items such as clothing will be donated to local charities. Please be sure to check for your personal items and dive equipment before you leave the boat.
Left Aboard
Left aboard are only kept for 30 days after each trip. Any unclaimed left aboard items will be donated to a local charity after 30 days. If you are within the 30 days and believe that you have left an item aboard, then email us at Explorerboating@gmail.com. You will need to provide us with a very detailed description of the item, the date that your item was left, your name, contact phone number and an address to mail the item. If we find the item, then we will mail it to you after we receive payment for shipping plus a $20 handling fee.