Recent Blackbeard Experiences

[drbill]

I did a search on the Blackbeard cruises out of the Bahamas and found nothing recent. Most of the threads were several years old.

I have a free flight to Nassau if I chose that destination and am looking at options to dive there. My impression of Blackbeard is that it is a fun cruise, but that the diving experience may not be as great as that offered by other operators. However, I'd be interested in comments from those who have taken recent (last 12 months) trips with them. I enjoy having a good time... but am pretty serious about my diving and underwater videography.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Tjack]

Hey Dr. Bill, I have not done Blackbeards recently but I can tell you they do some fine diving. Close encounters with huge Loggerhead Turtles stand out in my memory of the two cruises I did with Blackbeards. One strong suit of a Blackbeards cruise is they cover long distances, taking divers to remote sites which can be quite pristine. The last trip I did we put a mooring in at a new dive site which we dubbed Red's Head, a small sea mount which had schooling Jacks and beautiful reef structure. A shark feed is included in each trip so Reef Shark is pretty much guaranteed. Wrecks are likewise part of the trip.

On the other hand Bahamas diving tends to be coral heads with sand bottom, not the most dramatic topography, but great light. Likewise many dive sites are not particularly deep, and there tend to be many beginner divers on board. Not a big deal as the dives are independent, not DM led, and I do not recall a limit on bottom time. Fish populations will be low compares to SoCal or Philippines.

Blackbeards boats are not big on luxuries compared to some, but will be similar to the SoCal boats with bunks and limited hot water. The close confines provide for great comradery, and shore leave is frequent. Nights are spent either underway or in port. I would consider a Nassau departure as I have only sailed from Miami and Freeport. Blackbeards seem to change there itineraries frequently providing a sense of adventure.

Hope this helps, I would likewise be interested in more recent reports describing the diving in detail.

 

[wmperry]

I have been doing Blackbeard's over spring break with my son for the past 3 years and will be going back this year as well.

The diving has been great and different on each trip. The weather dictates where you go, but the captain can almost always find a good place to dive even when hiding from the wind.

There are some good wall dives, but that depends on the weather. The walls can get blown out more easily. Even the shallower stuff is tons of fun. And free diving for lobster and crab at the shallower sites is a lot of fun.

Blackbeard's is definitely cozy but I like the enforced camaraderie. On some fancier boats folks tend to disappear into their cabins between dives and you don't get to know folks as well.

The various crew I have had over the last 4 cruises in 3 years have been great. Fun, knowledgeable folks that make sure you stay safe and have fun.

The beer tap on deck is just mean though. It's right next to the gear stations and looks VERY inviting after every dive!

 

[Allan C Smith]

If camping at sea is not your gig the same company run's the Aqua Cat. A larger boat with private rooms and showers. Though for my money the black beards gig sounds like more fun. Especially if you are traveling alone.