Blackbeard as buddyless diver

[Craine]

I’m looking at booking a trip on Blackbeard’s in August, but I would be traveling buddyless (young kids means my wife and I don’t get to dive together at this point in our lives).

Does anyone have any experience diving on the Blackbeard boats as a single/buddyless diver? Their FAQ says they encourage single travelers and you’d be paired with another diver if you don’t have one, but naturally I’m a little hesitant without any prior experience.

Any insight or firsthand knowledge anyone is willing to share would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Craine

 

[Scuba-74]

Hi Craine, welcome to the board.

I just came back from Blackbeard's a few days ago. Everyone on board came with one or more buddies, but when people's buddies wanted to sit a dive out, it was never a problem to pair a single diver with another buddy team. I personally dove as a single with at least two other dive teams, and me and my buddy dove with a different single guy a couple of times.

Since you come alone and naturally don't know anyone on the boat, the crew will probably suggest a buddy team to join for the first couple of dives, and since in a matter of hours everyone will know everyone else, you will be able to dive with other people as well.

I had an absolute blast diving and socializing with those guys, and I'm sure you'll have a great time too!

 

[svs]

Same experience for me. I was a single diver on Blackbeard's. Found another single diver on a boat and did most dives with him. On a couple occasions my buddy decided to skip a dive, I dove with other divers

 

[Mr. Manfrenjensenden]

I'll echo what's been said. Wasn't at all a problem to show up as a single. Only possible issue is that you get whoever is on the boat, and they may not prove to be a great buddy. Or they might prove to be terrific, as was my case.

 

[jmb]

Although it's been several years, I did a Blackbeards trip alone, and was paired with another diver - and it worked so well, we kept in touch and went on several other liveaboard trips together. Even though some of the divers on Blackbeards were a group who came together, everyone was very friendly and social - it was a great week !

 

[Rilelen]

Chiming in as someone who's had this same concern, magnified a bit by being a younger woman in my 30s - I worry I won't "fit in with the guys" as a single diver without a buddy in these kinds of liveaboard settings. But I'd really like to give it a shot one of these days...

 

[-JD-]

Chiming in as someone who's had this same concern, magnified a bit by being a younger woman in my 30s - I worry I won't "fit in with the guys" as a single diver without a buddy in these kinds of liveaboard settings. But I'd really like to give it a shot one of these days...

One of the advantages of crossing the half century mark is that I've been thrust into many a mixed-age environment both at the younger and older end of things. Fact is most folks between say 30 and 70 have a lot of common everyday experiences. I have developed a number of friendsips with folks a generation older and and will be happy to have some a generation younger. My advice, just be open to possibilities ...

As a new solo diver, also looking to do a Blackbeard's cruise in the near future, I'll be in much the same situation.

 

[Scuba-74]

Chiming in as someone who's had this same concern, magnified a bit by being a younger woman in my 30s - I worry I won't "fit in with the guys" as a single diver without a buddy in these kinds of liveaboard settings. But I'd really like to give it a shot one of these days...

I'm sure it would work out just fine from both the diving and the privacy points of view (as much as you can talk about privacy in the setting when none of the cabins are private).

 

[caruso]

I recently went on a weeklong liveaboard trip in Belize. I traveled with my girlfriend but she never dives as much as me so I brought my other buddy- my 19cf pony bottle and my Solo diving card. On the dives she sat out I did my own thing except for a couple of dives where another diver who had no buddy asked to join me. This typically happens on daily dive trips as well. If I'm not with a known buddy I'd much rather dive on my own it's a much better experience for me to be able to do my own thing and not have to be watching out for somebody else and go where they want to go.

 

[Hoag]

Chiming in as someone who's had this same concern, magnified a bit by being a younger woman in my 30s - I worry I won't "fit in with the guys" as a single diver without a buddy in these kinds of liveaboard settings. But I'd really like to give it a shot one of these days...

@Rilelen if I were you, I wouldn't let that deter me from a LOB. (Yes I know as a man, that is relatively easy to say.) I have been on a few LOBs where I either traveled alone or even when I was part of a larger group, I was the "odd man out". On my last LOB, I was on the Aquacat which is operated by the same company as Blackbeards. I was paired up with a female "insta-buddy" who was traveling alone. Her and I became very comfortable as buddies and she quickly was welcomed by everyone on the boat. If you are concerned that you may not have anything to talk about with the other older guests, don't forget, you all have at least one thing in common ... diving.