For decades the Caribbean Explorer has been The liveaboard to dive the steep walls and pinnacles of the Saba Marine Park and the reefs of St. Kitts on a single trip. Operating as a favoured base for scuba divers in the Northeastern Caribbean, this 115-foot / 35m aluminium motor yacht is built for the rhythms of the sea and the needs of underwater photographers and recreational divers alike. On a 7-night cruise, the M/V Caribbean Explorer II liveaboard carries just 18 guests through some of the region’s most protected and pristine waters, blending the ease of a dedicated dive platform with the intimacy of a small group.
The diving experience here is shaped by efficiency and a respect for the marine environment, a philosophy underscored by the Caribbean Explorer’s Green Fins certification. The expansive dive deck has personal gear lockers, a camera table with low-pressure air, and separate freshwater rinse tanks for both equipment and sensitive electronics keep everything clean. 2 sturdy ladders lead down to the water's edge, making entries and exits unhurried. With up to 5 dives scheduled each day, all conducted directly from the mothership, the focus remains entirely on the underwater world from the razor-edged drop-offs of Saba to the historical wrecks and coral reefs surrounding St. Kitts.
Between dives, life onboard the Caribbean Explorer II liveaboard centres on the semi-enclosed, air-conditioned saloon on the upper deck. It is a space designed for natural social interaction, reviewing images on the television, sharing notes on the day’s encounters over a drink from the complimentary bar, or simply watching the silhouette of a neighbouring island take shape through the windows. When the sun is high, the upper sundeck with its loungers offers a quiet place to let the Caribbean warmth sink in, the only interruption being the call to another dive or a freshly prepared snack from the galley.
Accommodation across the 9 standard cabins reflects a practical approach to liveaboard life. Located across the main and lower decks, each cabin is equipped with private bathroom facilities, ample storage, and either windows or portholes to let in natural light. The cabin configurations vary from twin and double setups to queen beds and bunks, allowing the Caribbean Explorer to suit couples, friends, and solo travelers alike. Attention to detail, such as the 110V outlets in every room and the use of desalinated water throughout, ensures that comfort never gets in the way of the primary objective: getting into the water.
What truly distinguishes The Caribbean Explorer II liveaboard, however, is the cumulative expertise of the crew. This is a team of divers who understand that a successful trip relies on more than just navigation and filling tanks. They are present to offer local knowledge on the best entry point for a particular pinnacle, to share insights on Saba’s protected marine life, and to manage the day’s schedule with a steady hand. Their familiarity with the quirks of these dive sites - from the currents around Tent Reef to the macro life hiding in the slopes of St. Kitts - adds a layer of confidence and discovery to every dive.
After the final night dive and a last chance to savor a pastry under the stars, the cruise reveals its true gift: a blend of 2 distinct Caribbean characters. Saba’s unspoiled, Dutch-influenced terrain rises sharply from the sea, its marine park a benchmark for conservation. A short sail away, St. Kitts offers a different flavor, with volcanic formations and the well-known River Taw wreck adding variety to the roster. For scuba divers who appreciate a well-paced journey, consistent service, and access to sites that demand respect, the Caribbean Explorer II liveaboard remains a benchmark in the region.
The Caribbean Explorer II comfortably accommodates 18 guests in 9 Standard air-conditioned staterooms each with a private bathroom. The 4 staterooms on the main deck have windows. 1 stateroom has a queen bed; 1 has upper and lower twin beds and 2 have a queen bed and a single upper bed. There are 5 lower deck staterooms with portholes. 2 staterooms have twin beds that can convert to a queen bed; 1 has a double bed and 2 have a lower double bed with upper single beds.
All the liveaboard staterooms have:
- Individually controlled air conditioning
- Windows / Portholes (except 3 cabins on the lower deck)
- Private bathroom with toilet and hot water shower
- Hand basin, towels, toiletries
- Cabinet and mirror
- Mains outlet 110 volts (US standard) - 24 hours per day
- Adapters are not provided, guests are advised to bring their own
No. of bathrooms / showers - 9 / 9 - hot water
Saba & St Kitts (8 Days / 7 Nights - 25 Dives)
Trip highlights: shark action, great macro life/ marine diversity
Diving environment: beginner divers, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, wall diving, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: Saba: Diamond Rock, Man O'War Shoals, Custom's House, Tent Wall, Tent Reef, Ladder Labyrinth, Torren's Point, and Third Encounter; St Kitts: River Taw Wreck, Old Anchor, Corinthian, Camps Reef, Old Road Bay, Paradise Reef, Anchors Aweigh. Optional Saba island tour during the trip.
Day 1
Your week begins at Bobby’s Marina in Philipsburg, St. Maarten, to board the Caribbean Explorer II liveaboard. Once settled, there’s a welcome dinner followed by the captain’s safety and itinerary briefing. Around 10 pm, the vessel slips its mooring lines for the two-and-a-half-hour crossing south to Saba, with the first dives scheduled for the morning.
Core Days
The next days are a balance of reef, wall, and wreck diving across 2 distinct islands, with up to 5 dives offered daily. Saba’s diving is defined by its dramatic submarine topography. As the tip of a dormant volcano, the island’s steep walls and pinnacles begin in shallows and drop into the blue. You’ll navigate lava tunnels, swim through rocky arches, and drift past spur-and-groove formations thick with coral. At Diamond Rock, a seamount rising from the depths, schools of horse-eye jacks and barracuda circle in the current. Man O'War Shoals offers a mix of coral grottoes and sandy patches where garden eels sway and turtles rest. The wall at Tent Reef is layered with sponges and gorgonians, while Ladder Labyrinth and Torren's Point reveal the island’s volcanic bones: canyons, swim-throughs, and overhangs sheltering lobster and glassy sweepers. At Third Encounter, a pinnacle juts upward, often wrapped in silvery baitfish balls that attract hunting trevally. Reef sharks and curious nurse sharks are common sights, and the fortunate might spot an eagle ray gliding past.
Crossing to St. Kitts introduces a change of pace. Here, the Caribbean Explorer II itinerary is shaped by conditions, but the mix of artificial and natural reefs is consistently engaging. The most famous site is the River Taw Wreck, a former freighter now cloaked in sponges and soft corals. Its open holds and decks are patrolled by tarpon and huge green morays, and at night, it transforms. This is one of the best spots in the Caribbean to seek out frogfish and longlure sea horses. The Corinthian is another wreck, smaller but equally encrusted, lying in sand near a reef. Reef sites like Anchors Aweigh and Paradise Reef are scattered with massive anchors and cannons, their ironwork hosting arrow crabs and blennies. At Old Road Bay and Camps Reef, fingers of coral radiate into sand, home to peacock flounder, flying gurnards, and resting nurse sharks. Visibility is reliably good, currents generally mild, and all diving is done directly from the Caribbean Explorer II liveaboard's spacious dive deck, no small tenders, just a giant stride into warm, clear water.
The final full day typically includes 2 morning dives in St. Kitts before the vessel returns to Port Zante. An afternoon island tour is offered for those wanting to explore Basseterre or the island's historic sights, followed by an evening ashore for dinner. You'll spend the night back on the boat, moored in the heart of the capital.
For those who wish to stretch their legs on land, optional island tours are offered; perhaps to explore Saba's historic villages or St. Kitts' Brimstone Hill Fortress.
Day 8
A continental breakfast is served on the liveaboard. Afterward, it’s time to gather your gear and say your goodbyes. Transfers to the airport or a local hotel are arranged, with the option to store luggage onboard if your flight isn't until later. These Caribbean Explorer II diving cruises runs on a weekly rotation, starting and ending alternately in St. Maarten or St. Kitts, so be sure to check your embarkation point when booking.
[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].
Your day onboard the Caribbean Explorer II liveaboard typically begins early. Breakfast is served from 7 am, a spread of eggs, bacon, pancakes, and fresh fruit that offers a solid start. There are also cold options for those who prefer a few more minutes in their cabin. By 8:30 am, you are usually in the water for the first dive. 2 morning dives follow, with a break in between for something fresh from the galley, often warm pastries or just-baked cookies, passed around as you discuss the reef below.
Lunch is at 12:30 pm. You might find homemade soups with fresh bread, substantial sandwiches, burgers, or a pasta dish alongside assorted salads. The liveaboard's galley crew bakes daily, so there is always something wholesome. 2 afternoon dives follow lunch, keeping the momentum, and then dinner is served around 6:30 pm.
Meals are a mix of American classics and dishes inspired by the Caribbean, always finishing with a proper dessert. After the night dive, a mug of hot cocoa is often the perfect way to end the day, enjoyed from the deck under a broad expanse of stars.
Between dives, the boat offers its own diversions. You have the run of the air-conditioned salon with its library and entertainment system, or you can stretch out on the sun deck. Unlimited soft drinks, juice, tea, and coffee are always available, and once the day's diving is complete, beer and wine are included a simple, welcome ritual to toast another day with the Caribbean Explorer II liveaboard beneath the waves.
MORE TRIP DETAILS
Dive experience: We welcome all Open Water certified divers (or equivalent) with 30 logged dives on these Caribbean Explorer II liveaboard cruises in Saba & St Kitts.
Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation with air-conditioning, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinking water, soft drinks, hot drinks, local alcoholic drinks, dives (as detailed in the trips above), experienced English-speaking divemaster(s) (max 18 divers per DM), SMB, tanks, weights and weightbelts, sales tax.
Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Dinner on the final evening, scuba equipment (USD 150 per trip), dive computer (USD 75 per trip), port and park fees (7 nights USD 135 per trip), fuel surcharge (7 nights USD 140 per trip). Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash or credit card).
Optional extras: Nitrox fills for enriched air certified divers (USD 150 per trip), torch (USD 20 per trip), dive insurance, boat transfers. 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: The Caribbean Explorer II liveaboard departs from either St. Maarten or St Kitts on alternating weeks. If your trip departs from St. Maarten you will disembark in St. Kitts, and vice versa.
For safaris departing from St. Maarten you should aim to arrive on Saturday by 3 pm. Transfers between the airport (either St. Maarten or St Kitts) and the liveaboard will be arranged on your behalf according to your arrival information. The cost will be approximately USD 20-30 per person. If you are already on the island, take a taxi to Bobby's Marina (St. Maarten) or Port Sante (St. Kitts). Safaris departing from St Kitts allow for later arrivals as the liveaboard remains in the port for the first night of the cruise.
On the last night of your cruise your Friday evening meal will be at a local restaurant for your account. After a continental breakfast, guests check out by 9 am on Saturday morning. The last dive of the tour will be around 12 noon on the second last day of the trip. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving.
Non-diver rate: 10% off the published price.
Single supplement (if you do not want to share accommodation): This is optional - single travelers may choose to share a stateroom, or pay a supplement of 65% of the normal published price for their own private cabin.
Dive clubs and group discounts: Normal season: Pay for 5 guests and 1 extra person can join the cruise in a Standard stateroom free of charge (total 6+ guests).
Whole boat charter rate (per night): Pay for 16 guests and 2 extra persons can join the cruise free of charge.
Click to view product. Special discounted trips highlighted in yellow
