Who will lead the expedition?

Expeditions will be run by two of the following people; Dr.Tristan Guttridge,  Annie Guttridge, Matthew Potenski, Grant Johnson, Bryan Keller or Charlotte Sams (find out more about them here). In Andros our boat captain and guide will be Cole Mcvay of PFO Charters. Cole and his family have been associated with Andros for over 25 years.

How can I confirm my place?

To reserve your place simply contact us with your preferred expedition date and we’ll confirm availability.

What experience do I need to join?

Expeditions are open to everyone, at all levels! All participants are required to be able to swim, and have some experience with snorkeling and outdoor adventure. The boat we use has a ladder to allow for easy access to the water. Please visit our blog for an insight into one of our trips!  *Our team pride ourselves in helping guests learn to overcome fears and enhance their confidence in the water during interactions with wildlife.

Do I need to be SCUBA or freediver qualified?

Absolutely not. We will not be using SCUBA during our expeditions and although freediving experience is an advantage, it is not essential.

What can I expect to see?

Wildlife is unpredictable but there are some species that we have a better chance of encountering (see list below). During some activities bait/chum might be used to facilitate close interactions e.g. a shark capture for tagging or whilst drifting in the tongue of the ocean during a dive. Our team are highly experienced in such practices and will advise participants regarding entering the water and how to interact with animals to ensure close, safe and exciting encounters.

Highly likely

  • Caribbean reef, lemon, nurse, blacknose, sharpnose, silky, and blacktip sharks

  • Eagle, yellow and southern stingrays

  • Green and hawksbill turtles

  • Bonefish and an array of other fish and corals

Maybe 

  • Great hammerhead (particularly during the winter months)

  • Atlantic spotted and bottlenose dolphins

  • Loggerhead turtles

VERY Lucky 

  • Smalltooth sawfish

  • Tiger

  • Bull

  • Sperm whale

  • Whale shark

  • Manta Ray

What should I bring?

You will be allowed 40lb (18kg) of luggage.

  • Passport – This includes US citizens!

  • Visa - Please check whether you need a visa for the Bahamas. Citizens of the US and countries of the Commonwealth (e.g. UK, Canada, Australia) can enter as tourists.

  • Sun block/ screen / lotion - SPF 30 should be a minimum - We recommend Stream2Sea use code CORALSAFE for a discount

  • Insect repellent and/or baby oil (for mosquitoes and sand flies)

  • Hat, buff and polarized sunglasses - Polarization reduces water glare and protects your eyes from UV

  • Rain jacket

  • Dive gear: mask, fins, snorkel, gloves and booties or similar are a must! Absolutely no scuba gear is required although a weight belt would be beneficial - We provide weights

  • Bathing suit and rash guard (for UV protection) or wetsuit (1.5mm for summer, 3-5mm for winter). On some dives you will be asked to be completely covered- arms, legs and hands.

  • Clothes that can get wet or ruined! - T-shirts and shorts, a sweat shirt and long pants, warm / waterproof jacket, long sleeve shirt, buff, sandals or shoes that can get wet

  • Any special foods or medications e.g. seasickness tablets, waterproof band-aids for fin sores, electrolytes for hydration or similar

  • Headlamps are useful if we decide to go on any evening adventures

  • Spending money for personal expenses - Bahamian dollars or US dollars as they are also accepted in Andros

  • Camera- Topside and/or underwater

  • SD cards, USB, hard-drive and laptop as desired

Do you have any expedition dates for 2024/2025?

Unfortunately not at this stage.

Do I need travel insurance?

Yes, travel insurance is essential. We require DAN (Divers Alert Network; www.diversalertnetwork.com) insurance as they provide excellent and affordable coverage with evacuation costs included. If you are unable to purchase DAN your insurance MUST include evacuation.

*Please note it is solely your responsibility to ensure you are insured for all eventualities 

What safety and emergency procedures do you have in place?

Our team have collaborated with dive and emergency paramedic Mike Hudson to put together an emergency evacuation plan (you will receive a copy on booking) and first aid procedures and protocols. *Accidents are rare; however, it is important that our team are prepared, and guests know that procedures are in place to ensure their safety throughout experiences. 

Are there any age restrictions?

The minimum age for an expedition participant is 16 with a parent or guardian. Any person over 18 is welcome to join us solo. *Please contact us if you have a large group under 18 where we'll happily discuss and accommodate a way of working with you.

Will I need a VISA?

Depending on your nationality and legal records you may need to obtain a Bahamian and/or American VISA to enter both or either country. Bahamian VISA information can be found HERE and American VISA information can be found HERE, although we urge you to spend time on searching other websites for additional information.

Where can I find your full Terms and Conditions?

Please PRESS HERE to view our Terms and Conditions or simply email us for a copy.

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We are always happy to help, advise and answer any questions you may have so please ask away! You can contact us via the contact tab on our website, via email (contact@thesilenthunter.com) or via any of our social media channels below.