Blackbeards Live Aboard

[Jakeev]

Anyone been on Blackbeards I'm going in May, interested in hearing first hand accounts!

 

[Rob9876]

Yes, my son and I went on Blackbeard's in Decembeer 2018 an had a good time. Happy to answer any questions you may have. It might be best to post your questions in the All Star Liveaboards sub-forum (All Star is the parent company of Blackbeard's Aqua Cat, and others) located at the link below so that you get the most viewpoints from others who have cruised with them:

All Star Liveaboards

Our company has offered liveaboard scuba diving for over 36 years and we’ve grown along the way. From our “camping” adventure cruises on Blackbeard’s to our luxury liveaboard, Aqua Cat. With very different experiences offered on each of our vessels, folks didn’t make the connection. All Star...

scubaboard.com

 

[Jakeev]

Appreciate it! I was just really trying to see if anyone had anything they would recommend and how the living arrangements were!

 

[rjack321]

Blackbeard's has been around, on the same vessels, for decades. Consider it crowded camping with nearly zero privacy on a motosailer. I enjoyed my trip in 1998 or 1999. The boat was a bit rough 26 years ago already.

I found the diving enjoyable, the crew was professional, and the food decent.

 

[USdiver1]

I've been several times: Grand Bahama / Bimini and Nassau/ Exumas trips. Accomodations are camping on the high seas, the head is hand pump, the berths have no privacy, most are centered around the galley, food is filling and good, but not gourmet. Diving is typical Bahamas: great viz, large animals [sharks, dolphins, etc], squid/cuttlefish, wall dives, a couple of current drift dives. All in all good for the $$.

PS BYOB as the onboard brew is not worth drinking.

 

[Rob9876]

Living arrangements were spartan but fine with me -- Blackbeard's is often described as "camping at sea" and I think it's actually much better than that, but you have to go in with the right expectations. The berths were comfortable, yet we did have to sleep with our duffle bags for clothing actually beside us on the bed (24" duffle, it ran lengthwise from my foot to around my knee or so) but that was really no big deal. Really the worst part was, to be blunt, sitting on the toilet -- their marine heads seemed even a tighter fit than an airplane bathroom, and I'm a big guy, so sometimes it was pretty awkward and uncomfortable in there. But that's a small part of the day.

The diving was good, the food was surprisingly good especially considering the tiny galley (even had some hot snacks in between dives), the crew and other passengers were all nice and interesting people to chat with (divers seem to be mostly good folks who enjoy travel and meeting people).

I will say that even though I love diving, the days with 5 dives a day started to seem a bit like work -- especially since we went in December and had brand new stiff 5mm wetsuits for the lower temps, which were a bit of work for new divers (we only had 9 dives when we boarded) getting in and out 5 times a day. So, if I go again I'd give myself permission to skip a dive or 2 here and there without feeling guilty. Overall it was a really good experience.

Oh, one other tip -- it was our first time in Nassau, so at the end of the cruise after disembarking around 8 or 9 a.m., we arranged to have a quick tour of the highlights of Nassau by Simply Dave Nassau Tours who then also took us to the airport (it's a decent distance away) all for a very reasonable price. Simply Dave has great customer service and Dave has a great personality that really will keep you smiling -- highly recommended (you can see his great reviews on TripAdvisor also). Our flight out was around 2 or 3pm I think, so at our request he took us to a local place for lunch (Curly's Restaurant) that is known for its conch with peas and rice -- good stuff!

 

[scubadada]

I did a week on the Spree in 2015 and a week on the Dolphin Dream in 2022. The small, bunk enclosures without bathrooms worked out OK but are probably better for younger divers rather than an old, beat up guy like me. I have been accustomed to a bit more privacy and comfort. Both of these trips were fantastic, would never exchange the experience. That said, I would not do a Blackbeards trip. To each their own. Perfect for some and the price cannot be beat.

 

[-JD-]

These are quoted from a previous DM conversation and threads, but covers most of my impressions from my Feb\Mar '22 trip.

The "stories" are absolutely true - Blackbeard's is a non-luxury cruise. They call it camping at sea and that is close, maybe "glamping" would be closer since you get a mattress(bunk), flush toilets, and a shower (sort of - all the salt water you want, but only 30 sec. of fresh per day to rinse unless you shower on deck and use the AC and compressor condensate). FWIW, there is little personal space if that is a thing for you.

Food is good, not fancy - you shouldn't starve, but don't go looking for Michelin stars either. There is water, lemonade, and a bar-gun for drinks. After diving there is beer on tap and they will make a "punch" of some kind most evenings.

Entertainment is what the group makes of it. Chat with each other and the crew, read a book, download pics/logs, take a nap, watch the waves/flying fish/scenery.

Your gear (bc/regs) gets put on your tank and stays on deck for the duration of the trip. You also get storage for fins/masks/boots etc. under the deck seating. Exposure gear/towels/suits are clipped on the lifelines to "dry".

Unless you are taking a class with the instructor, diving is on your own with your choice of buddy team/group. Generally as long as your air/ndl will support, with a few "be back in xx minutes as we need to move after the dive". My dives averaged around 50min. (40-70) and as deep as 114 on one wall (not necessary to go that deep, just following some interesting stuff). I don't have a ton of warm water experience (a little FL and GC, Cozumel 2x), but I found the diving interesting with a good amount to see and explore - black corals, some sharks, and a decent amount of fish. We also got to go further south than they usually do and had some great dives in a "new" location that was among the best of the trip.

There were three special dives on the trip.

• They do a frozen-fish-ball ("chumsickle") shark feeding dive where you kneel on the sand and the sharks go after the bait up and away. Wasn't my thing and next time I'd go off exploring if I could find a like-minded buddy.
• There is also the Washing Machine. It is where the tidal currents rush through a gap between two islands. If you catch it just right it will spin you around (barrel rolls) pretty good. I missed "the spot" by a little bit so didn't get the full experience, but the current was really ripping that day and it was still an awesome dive - like flying in a squirrel suit.
• Last dive-day on the way back to Nassau we did the Bahamas Blue Hole. It is an interesting dive, but there was a lot of suspended particulate in the hole, so the experience of the vast pit was hampered by limited visibility. Interesting stuff and good viz around the hole, though.

Would I go again? - in a minute. When I left, I asked if I could do a work-stay and not leave - I would be happy to do so if not for - responsibilities.

Blackbeards specific:

• You need to completly unpack and give them your bags\suitcases for shore storage before departing.
• Putting your clothing and other items in small soft bags or packing cubes that you can stuff around your bunk is helpful. Your bunk is the only space you get for you AND your stuff.
• (Note that this is as of when I went in Feb '22. - Check the current policy to see if they have implemented a centralized charging station under watch) You can only charge devices with you, while you are IN your bunk. Consider a multi-tap extension cord with both outlets and built-in USB ports for simplicity. I put everyhing in an open reg-bag for charging and just (un)plugged the cord at the outlet as appropriate.
• Buy a big multipack or two of plastic spring clamps (not clothespins) from a hardware store, Lowes, HD or Amazon. All of your wet stuff (wetsuit, hood, towels, rashguard\bathing suits, etc.) are going to spend the trip on the lifelines aroud the boat. Always fold things over the line in-balance and use at least 2 clamps per item; if it goes overboard, it is gone for good.
• Shower is located in the main salon and freshwater for rinsing off after a saltwater shower is limited to 30sec\day. If you are located in one of the forward compartments, that means carrying your stuff up over and down and then back. Consider just doing a "crew shower" with the warm "unlimited" condensate hose on the rear deck after stripping off your wetsuit after your last dive.
• Keep in mind that it really is rustic "camping at sea" with a pile of new friends that you dont know yet. There is limited space and you will get in eachothers way. Go out of your way to be mindful of, generous to, and forgiving of your other passengers and the crew. It will pay dividends.
• If you are flying back home on Friday, consider the added weight of your wet stuff. It will not be anywhere close to dry by morning on its own (even assuming no rain). I ran my stuff through the marina's dryer a couple times on low upon returning to port.

@Wookie is right. If you are ok with local color and flavor, and assuming that you are staying at the marina or otherwise close-by, walk down to the bridge where the seafood shacks are. Lots of options.