FREEPORT SNORKEL FIELD GUIDE
Three Days on the Flower Gardens: Blue‑water Diving Out of Freeport
A three‑day, 11‑dive liveaboard that sends divers to the West and East Banks, oil platforms and Stetson Bank for mantas, rigs, turtles and famed night dives.
Three Days on the Flower Gardens: Blue‑water Diving Out of Freeport.
This is a focused, blue‑water diving itinerary that departs Freeport for three days of concentrated reef and pelagic encounters: dawn wall dives, platform walls that surprise even skeptical divers, manta‑rich West Bank dives, and evening drops that bring turtles and nocturnal life into view.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
West Bank Manta Encounters
The West Bank is famous for manta sightings — guides warn divers to LOOK UP, because mantas often cruise above the dive and can be missed if you’re watching the bottom.
Deep‑water Oil Platform Dives
The afternoon oil platform dive routinely upends expectations: what begins with modest hopes often becomes a favorite, as the sheer scale and life around the rig leave many divers impressed.
Evening and Stetson Night Dives with Turtles
Evening dives at the East Bank often bring curious turtles close to divers; Stetson Bank’s night dive is singled out by operators and guests alike and is frequently compared with the oil platform dive for best‑of‑trip honors.
What the day feels like
What the Three Days Feel Like
You board in Freeport on Sunday evening and motor offshore for a condensed schedule: early wakeups and back‑to‑back morning dives, midday transits that position you for afternoon rig or bank dives, and dedicated evening and night dives that spotlight turtles and nocturnals. Over three days you complete 11 dives across the West Bank, East Bank, oil platforms and Stetson Bank.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip suits — and who should think twice.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Bring all your dive gear: wetsuit, weights, personal dive light and back‑up light, tank light, surface marker buoy, and everything you normally use underwater. Also pack a couple of towels, necessary medications and sea‑sickness medication, and personal hygiene items.
The trip provides AL 80 cf tanks and 27–32% Nitrox; bring any personal regulators, computers or specialty gear you depend on.
All meals and snacks are included aboard; plan to tip the crew separately as gratuities are not included in the booking.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the trip and how many dives are included?
The Three Day Extended Flower Garden Tour runs three days and includes 11 dives.
When and where do I board the boat?
Boarding is in Freeport on Sunday evening; divers are asked to arrive at the pier at 7pm for check‑in and departure.
Are meals and tanks provided?
All meals and snacks are included; the trip provides AL 80 cf tanks and 27–32% Nitrox.
Are there night dives on this itinerary?
Yes — the East Bank includes an evening and night dive, and Stetson Bank features a famous night dive during the trip.
What is the minimum age to join?
The operator sets a minimum age of 10 years old to participate.
When do we return to port?
The vessel returns to Freeport on Wednesday afternoon, with arrival around 5:30–6:00pm.
Are gratuities included?
No — gratuities are not included; the crew works for tips and guests are asked to remember them at the end of the trip.