There are 2 identical 65 ft (20m) liveaboards running under the Blackbeard's name: Morning Star and Sea Explorer. They are the choice for those seeking a low budget, no frills way to dive the best sites in the Bahamas.
If you are looking for private cabins, a dedicated dining room and champagne in a hot tub, this is not the choice for you. With Blackbeard's liveaboards you are less of a VIP guest and feel like more like a team player on board a week-long adventure. You will still dive 3 or 4 times a day at all the same sites as those on more expensive liveaboards, but pay only a fraction of the price. Accommodations are dorm-style upper and lower bunks, either single and double beds with air-conditioning and privacy curtains. Showers are shared and you are encouraged not to leave the water running too long.
Up to 22 (normally fewer) fun-loving divers can join these cruises which are popular among adventurers from young newbie solo divers to groups of senior diving veterans who are young-at-heart. The dive deck, where equipment is stored, is at the stern where you stride off into the water and exit the water via a ladder. There are also 2 dinghies, mostly for land visits. There is a strong emphasis on non-diving activities too including sailing, halyard swinging, free-diving, fishing, stargazing, island visits, beach bonfires and swimming with pigs.
You will get to know the fun-loving young crew as friends, unlike luxury liveaboards where they are seen but not heard. They all join in the activities and are happy to keep the rum punch flowing in the evening! Indeed all meals and non alcoholic and alcoholic drinks are included in the price. So if you are looking to experience a Bahamas liveaboard with no frills, and without breaking the bank, Blackbeard's could be the answer. As the operator says: Nothing fancy but we get the job done!
There are 18 dorm-style bunks with air-conditioning, all on the lower deck. 4 double bunks and 8 single bunks in the dormitory. 6 larger single bunks in the saloon.
All the staterooms have:
Air conditioning
Privacy curtains
Shared showers and bathrooms
Reading lights
Mains outlet 110 volts (US standard) - 24 hours per day
Dive sites and activities: Nassau: Lost Blue Hole, Periwinkle Reef, Exuma Cays: Up Jumped The Devil, Dog Rocks, Lobster No Lobster, Barracuda Shoals, Amberjack Reef, Austin Smith Wreck, Blacktip Wall, Hammerhead Gulch, Jeep Reef, Pillar Wall, Parrotfish Reef, The Washing Machine, Danger Reef; Ray's Reef, Whale Tail; Eleuthera: Jake's Hole, Monolith, Hole In The Wall. Land visits and non-diving activities.
Day 1
The tour leader will welcome you onboard the Blackbeard's liveaboard at Nassau Harbour Club Marina, assign you a bed, and explain in detail the liveaboard boat features and the plans for the coming days. A welcome lunch will be served just before the boat departs. During the long summer days, a check dive may be offered at Periwinkle Reef or Lost Blue Hole. Alternatively, after a good night's sleep, the diving will commence the next day.
Core Days
Each day, you’ll embark on 3 or 4 dives, exploring some of the most spectacular underwater sites in the Bahamas. Your diving adventures will take you around Exuma Sound, a vast underwater abyss plunging more than 4,000 feet to the ocean floor. Thanks to the strict conservation efforts of the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, the reefs here remain pristine, offering some of the most untouched and vibrant coral gardens in the Caribbean. As you dive, you’ll encounter an abundance of marine life, including sea turtles, graceful rays, and sharks gliding through the clear waters.
Among the many incredible dive sites you’ll experience, a few standout highlights include Hammerhead Gulch, where you might spot the elusive hammerhead sharks cruising along a thrilling drift dive. The Washing Machine is a lively site known for its swirling currents and big schools of tropical fish. Blacktip Wall, a dramatic underwater drop-off frequented by blacktip reef sharks. Whale Tail is a breathtaking reef formation where eagle rays and reef sharks often make an appearance. Austin Smith Wreck is one of the Exumas’ rare wrecks, now transformed into a thriving artificial reef. Jake’s Hole, weather permitting, is a mesmerizing blue hole in Eleuthera with astonishing visibility.
Caribbean reef sharks and nurse sharks are common sightings across many of the dive sites, and each trip typically includes one exhilarating shark feed. Dive depths vary from 20 to 120 feet, catering to all experience levels, whether you prefer leisurely coral garden explorations or adrenaline-pumping drift dives.
When you’re not underwater, the adventure continues with a variety of activities, including sailing, halyard swinging, free-diving, fishing, and stargazing under the Bahamian night sky. You’ll also have the chance to visit remote islands, enjoy beach bonfires, and even swim with the famous Exuma pigs. A truly unforgettable experience.
Day 7
After a breakfast, you will disembark. If you’ve pre-arranged a transfer to the airport or a local hotel, this will be arranged for you.
[Information is best estimate in ideal circumstances and subject to changes beyond our control. The itinerary is a guide only and may be adapted to best suit the weather, tides, currents, availability and other prevailing events. Price is for the cruise, not for an exact number of dives].
3 complete meals are served daily (8 am, 12 noon, 6 pm) plus snacks. On Blackbeard's liveaboards you can expect typical American fare: baked chicken, pork loin, fish, tacos, lasagna and meatballs, with all the sides and dessert too. Meals are served buffet and eaten in simple picnic style, where guests find a quiet spot to sit inside the main saloon or on deck to enjoy their meals. Breakfast is a choice of fruit, fruit juice, eggs, pancakes, French toast, cereals, oatmeal, toast, and yogurt.
There is a ready supply of fresh fruit for those between meals snacks as well as cookies, chips, nuts, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. A selection of beverages is always on hand from soft drinks, tea and coffee, to beer, wine and rum punch.
The last night of the trip will be spent in Nassau where you can explore the big island with your new buddies. Dinner on Thursday is served on board at the dock.
Special dietary requests such as vegetarian, vegan or gluten free can be accommodated with advanced notice.
"Awesome crew, well maintained vessel (Morning Star), friendly relationship and support of all the crew. A few instruction signs or guidance upon arrival at the marina harbour, waiting zone etc, would be useful." - Patrick Masse, Canada, 13 June 2025 ...
"My spouse and I were on the Morning Star... it was brilliant, we loved every minute of it. The crew were very accommodating and approachable." - Sharon Draper, United States, 2 May 2025 ...
"Easily the best operator Ive ever been a part of. After 375 dives in my career, best professionals I've ever been associated with. Impeccable accuracy on every dive. Thato was an amazing dive master. She was as by-the-book diving professionalism. Ian was exceptional at conducting a great dive service with the sharks. Karen was an excellent help everywhere. Captain Jim was a perfect leader and exceptional host on his rig." - Smith Sinclair, USA, 29 July 2020 ...
DEPARTURE SCHEDULE & PRICES
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MORE TRIP DETAILS
Notes: The dives offered on Blackbeard's are unescorted. The instructor on board will give you a detailed briefing. A guide will be in the water for the check dive, first night dive, all drift dives and the shark feed! If required crew members can act as guides if available.
Dive experience: All Open Water-certified divers may join these Bahamas liveaboard trips.
Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinking water, soft drinks, hot drinks, alcoholic drinks, dives (as detailed in the safaris above), experienced English-speaking instructor, tanks (including some 15L tanks), weights and weightbelts, shore excursions, all taxes.
Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Scuba equipment rental (USD160 per week), dive computer (USD50 per week), scuba insurance, port and park fees (USD205) payable in advance. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash or credit card).
Optional extras: Transfers to the boat from the airport/hotel/port (USD18 one way), torch (USD30 per week), toiletries and towels (please bring 2 of your own) Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival. Note: prices of items purchased onboard are subject to change.
How to get there: You should aim to arrive Nassau either on Friday or on Saturday morning. Boarding Blackbeard's at Nassau Harbour Club Marina is at 12 noon on Saturday for an early afternoon departure to the site of the first dives. Return to port is on Thursday and you will dine on board in port. Check out is on Friday morning at 09 am. The crew can help you with transfers you to the airport or nearby hotels, if booked in advance. The last dive of the trip will be at around 2 pm on the second last day of the trip. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving.
Nassau Harbour Club Marina on East Bay Street is 30-40 minutes from Nassau International Airport. For more details, including airlines, see our Bahamas travel information section.
Non-diver rate: There is no discount for non-divers.
Single supplement (if you do not want to share accommodation): Single travelers may request a double bed at no additional cost but these are only subject to availability. Priority will be given to couples.
Dive clubs and group discounts: Pay for 10 guests and 1 additional person can join the cruise free of charge (total 11+ guests).
Whole boat charter rate (per night): Pay for 20 guests and 2 additional people can join the cruise free of charge (total 22).
Click to view product. Special discounted trips highlighted in yellow
