What a Week on Blackbeards REALLY Looks Like (Morningstar & Sea Explorer)

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Divemaster Austin
Liveaboards
June 10, 2026

In May of 2022, the AllStarLiveaboards team took me out on a 1 week diving cruise via the Blackbeard Liveaboard Duo – The Sea Explorer and The Morning Star.

I sailed on the Sea Explorer, but the Morningstar is nearly identical (same layout, same vibe, just different crew).

Big thanks to Kevin and the AllStarLiveaboards team for hosting me on this trip.

In this guide, I want to share my experience on Blackbeards, so you can get a better idea of whether it's the right Bahamas liveaboard for you.

Trip Details

  • Price: ~$1,055 + 15% gratuity ($1,215 total)
  • Duration: 6 days, 5 nights
  • Total Dives: 19 dives (average 3-4 per day)
  • Boat: 65' sailboat built in 1979
  • Capacity: 10-17 divers + 5 crew
  • Departure: Nassau, Bahamas
  • Dive Sites: Exumas
  • Skill Level: All levels (OW certification required)

What Are Blackbeard's Liveaboards?

Blackbeard's runs two 65-foot sailboats – the Sea Explorer and the Morningstar – that depart from Nassau and cruise the Exumas for a week of diving.

These boats have been running since 1979, and they've built a reputation as the most affordable liveaboard experience in the Caribbean.

The crew themselves call it camping at sea, and it's pretty accurate!

If you're looking for luxury cabins with ensuite bathrooms and crisp linens, this isn't your trip.

If you want to dive your brains out for less than $200 per night with unlimited food and drinks included, keep reading.

Overall Impressions

Dive Conditions

  • Depths: Most dives ranged from 30-80 feet
  • Visibility: Typically 60-100+ feet
  • Water Temperature: 78-82°F depending on season
  • Currents: Generally mild, but some sites had moderate current

This was my first liveaboard, so I wasn't sure what to expect.

In many ways, Blackbeard's exceeded my expectations.

What Makes It Great:

  • The diving is incredible – 19 dives across diverse sites in the Exumas
  • The crew is knowledgeable, friendly, and clearly loves what they do
  • The food is surprisingly good (all freshly cooked onboard)
  • Unlimited drinks (including alcohol after diving is done for the day)
  • The price point is unbeatable for what you get
  • The other divers create an awesome community vibe

If comfort is your top priority, you may want to check out their other liveaboard boats, the Cat Ppalu, and Aqua Cat.

They cost more money but offer significantly better accommodations.

But if you're the type of diver who cares more about what's underwater than the bed you're sleeping in, Blackbeard's is incredible value.

The Boat: Sea Explorer & Morningstar

The Sea Explorer and Morningstar are 65’ Sailboats with a spacious deck, and a below deck arrangement as seen below:

Topside:

  • Spacious deck with plenty of room to relax between dives
  • Covered galley area for meals
  • Dive deck with tank racks and camera table
  • Rinse stations and gear storage

Below Deck: The layout includes 9 bunk areas sleeping 2 people each (total capacity: 18 guests).

Bunks 5-9 were the most spacious with Bunks 1-4 are noticeably smaller.

I stayed in a top bunk, and I couldn't sit up straight without ducking my head – and I'm 5'6".

To give you perspective: you'll have just enough room to sleep and store a small bag.

The cabins do have AC, but it's not strong. Pack light, breathable sleepwear and expect to be warm.

View Boat Layout

The Crew & Fellow Divers

Here's a selfie of me in the galley with Bennie (Engineer) and Santiago (Deckhand).

You'll have five crew members onboard:

  • ⚓ Captain
  • 🛟 Deckhand
  • 🔧 Engineer
  • 🤿 Dive Instructor
  • 👨‍🍳 Chef

The crew I sailed with was phenomenal. They're up from 6 AM to 11 PM running the boat, prepping dives, cooking meals, and keeping everything running smoothly.

Here's something that surprised me: besides one group of three, every single diver on my trip came solo.

Including me.

So if you're worried about doing this trip alone – don't be.

The divers on my trip ranged from newly certified Open Water divers to with thousands of dives.

The Diving: What to Expect

The crew gives thorough dive briefings before each dive with site maps, entry/exit points, & more.

Typical Daily Schedule:

  • 🌅 Post-breakfast dive (usually 9-10 AM)
  • ☀️ Pre-lunch dive (around noon)
  • 🌤️ Pre-dinner dive (late afternoon)
  • 🌙 Night dive (most nights)

You can sit out any dive you want.

Some people skipped the night dives, others skipped the early morning dives to sleep in.

It's completely your choice.

All diving is unguided and done with a buddy.

If you're traveling solo, you'll buddy up with another group.

Dive Sites We Hit:

  • ⚓ Shipwrecks: Multiple wreck sites including intentionally sunk vessels now covered in coral and marine life
  • ✈️ Smuggler Planes: A Cessna that went down during drug running operations – now home to groupers and nurse sharks
  • 🕳️ The Blue Hole: A dramatic drop-off with incredible depth and visibility
  • 🪸 Coral Gardens: Massive coral head formations with tons of Caribbean reef fish
  • 🦈 Shark Feed Site: The highlight – you sit on the bottom while the crew feeds reef sharks above you

Certifications Offered

If you want to knock out a certification during the trip, Blackbeard's offers:

Available Certifications:

  • 🤿 Open Water checkouts
  • 📊 Advanced Open Water
  • ⬇️ Deep Diver
  • 🌙 Night Diver
  • 🐠 Underwater Naturalist
  • ⚓ Boat Diver

Notably missing: Rescue Diver

Blackbeards Liveaboard Itinerary

Day 1 (Saturday) - Departure:The boats are heavy and slow (5-6 mph), so the 30-mile trip from Nassau to the Exumas takes about 6 hours.

You'll board in the afternoon, get settled, meet the crew and other divers, and cruise overnight.

Expect a welcome briefing, dinner, and some drinks as you get to know everyone.

Days 2-6 (Sunday-Thursday) - Diving

  • 9-10 AM: First dive
  • 11 AM: Back on boat, snacks, surface interval
  • 12-1 PM: Second dive
  • 2 PM: Lunch, surface interval, relax
  • 4-5 PM: Third dive
  • 7 PM: Dinner
  • 8 PM: Night dive (optional)
  • 9-11 PM: Hang out, drinks, stories

Between dives you can nap, read, edit photos, or hang out on deck. The boat moves between sites while you're eating or resting.

Weather and conditions sometimes change the schedule, but the crew adapts quickly.

Day 7 (Friday) - Return: Early morning sail back to Nassau. Disembark by 10 AM.

View Itineraries

Food & Drinks

Every meal is freshly cooked by the onboard chef. We're talking hot, homemade food – not pre-packaged stuff.

🍽️ Meal Examples:

  • 🌅 Breakfast: Eggs, bacon, pancakes, fresh fruit, coffee
  • ☀️ Lunch: Grilled fish, rice and beans, salad, pasta dishes
  • 🌙 Dinner: Chicken, steak, or seafood with sides and veggies

Everything is served buffet-style. You grab a bowl and load up on whatever you want.

Before the trip, you can request accommodations for dietary restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, kosher, etc.).

Keep in mind they're shopping on a remote island, so they'll do their best within reason.

Drinks Available:

  • Soda gun (Coke, Sprite, sparkling water, regular water)
  • Pineapple juice
  • Orange juice
  • Coffee
  • Milk
  • Hot chocolate

Alcohol: Unlimited beer, wine, and rum punch are included. BUT – the moment you take one sip of alcohol, you're done diving for the day. The crew takes this seriously.

Most people dive in the morning and afternoon, then crack open a beer after the last dive.

If you want to do the night dive, skip the alcohol until after.

What to Pack

⚠️ This is crucial because space is extremely limited.

🤿 Dive Gear to Bring:

  • Mask, snorkel, fins
  • Wetsuit or rash guard (3mm is plenty for most people)
  • Dive computer
  • Surface marker buoy (SMB)
  • Dive light (mandatory for night dives)
  • Underwater camera if you're shooting

⚓ What They Provide:

  • Tanks and weights
  • Rental gear available (BCDs, regulators, wetsuits) for additional cost

👕 Clothing:

  • Lightweight, quick-dry clothes
  • Swimsuits (bring 2-3)
  • Sandals or flip-flops
  • Light jacket for evenings
  • Sun protection (long sleeves, hat)
  • Minimal shoes (you'll be barefoot most of the time)

🧴 Toiletries:

  • Reef-safe sunscreen (IMPORTANT)
  • Biodegradable soap/shampoo
  • Seasickness medication (just in case)
  • Basic first aid items
  • Any prescription meds

📱 Other Essentials:

  • Headlamp or flashlight
  • Dry bag for electronics
  • Power strip (limited outlets)
  • Book or e-reader for downtime
  • Reusable water bottle

❌ What NOT to Bring:

  • Large suitcases (no space)
  • Excessive clothing (you'll live in swimsuits)
  • Hair dryers or styling tools
  • Fancy clothes (it's a sailboat, not a cruise ship)

💼 Pro Tip: Pack everything in a soft duffel bag that can be compressed and stored under your bunk.

💰 Pricing Breakdown

Let's talk money.

Base Price: $1,055

Gratuity (15%): ~$160

Total for Diving: ~$1,215

Additional Costs:

  • Flight to Nassau: Variable (depends on your location)
  • Ground transfer: $18 each way through AllStarLiveaboards
  • Gear rental: Contact AllStarLiveaboards for current rates
  • Nitrox: Additional cost if you want it
  • Merchandise: T-shirts and gear available onboard

The Math: You're getting 19 dives plus all food and drinks for $1,215. That's about $64 per dive including meals and accommodations.

For comparison, a two-tank boat dive in South Florida costs $100-120 without food or lodging.

The value is unreal.

Best Time to Go

📅 Best Time to Go

The boats run year-round, but timing matters:

☀️ Peak Season (December-April):

  • Best weather and calmest seas
  • Warmest water temps (80-82°F)
  • More crowded, book early
  • Higher flight costs

🌤️ Summer (May-August):

  • Still great diving
  • Warmer topside temps
  • Fewer divers
  • Cheaper flights
  • Slight chance of tropical weather

🍂 Fall (September-November):

  • Hurricane season (trips may be canceled)
  • Best deals on flights
  • Warmest water
  • Fewer divers

💡 I went in May, and conditions were excellent.

WiFi & Connectivity

There's no WiFi onboard. Cell service is spotty.

Consider this a digital detox.

Embrace it!

Ready to Book?

If Blackbeard's sounds like your kind of trip, you can book directly through AllStarLiveaboards.

Questions about the trip? Want to go with members from my scuba diving community: https://www.skool.com/scuba-divers

Let's Dive Together

👋 It's Divemaster Austin

I'm inviting you to Dive Club, my global scuba diving community.

What you’ll find inside:

🤿 Dive meetups & group trips
‍
🌍 Top dive sites shared by community members

⚙️ Gear tips & technique discussions

🤝 Diver's who’ve already linked up IRL

See you there!

Join Dive Club

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Austin Tuwiner

I'm a PADI Divemaster based in South Florida.

With over a decade of diving experience, I help readers become better divers, buy their next piece of gear, and plan their dream dive vacation!

Hear Austin's Story

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