Destinations
Bahamas · Choose your liveaboard · 2026
Your boat, your cabin, your kind of adventure
A shared bunk and new dive buddies, or an en-suite cabin with a little more room to unwind? There’s more than one way to enjoy a week at sea in the Bahamas. Start with the places you’d love to dive, then find the boat and budget that suit you.
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Start with the Bahamas liveaboard guide · Sites and seasons · Flights and travel
Which boat fits your holiday?
| Your priority | Start with | The trade-off to check |
|---|---|---|
| A lower cruise subtotal | Blackbeard’s Morning Star / Sea Explorer | Communal bunks, shared bathrooms and modest personal space |
| An en-suite cabin and more shared space | Aqua Cat | Higher fare; exact bed layout and occupancy matter |
| A sailing trip from Miami | Juliet | Crossing logistics; Nitrox certification required |
| Different cabin categories on a dedicated dive yacht | Bahamas Aggressor II | Confirm the route and mandatory extras; it is not the original Aggressor |
| A small-group charter from Nassau | Cat Ppalu | Check individual weeks versus a half-boat or full charter |
| A specialist wildlife expedition | Dolphin Dream / Shear Water | Exact programme, current availability and total cost need a written quote |
Dreaming of Tiger Beach? Start with a departure that actually goes there. A lovely cabin on an Exumas cruise won’t get you to the shark site on your wish list. Use these suggestions to find the trip that fits you.
Prices on a comparable basis
All amounts are USD per person at the stated sharing arrangement, checked 5 October 2026. Six- and seven-night trips are separated. No row includes your flights, hotels, insurance or gratuities. Published promotions may differ.
| Boat / basis | Nights | Fare | Mandatory charges | Known cruise subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning Star or Sea Explorer, shared bunk | 6 | $1,195 | $210 | $1,405 |
| Cat Ppalu, individual fare sharing | 6 | $1,845 | $265 in the 2026 tariff | $2,110 |
| Juliet, standard / en-suite, sharing | 6 | $2,100 / $2,300 | $160 port charge included | $2,100 / $2,300; Nitrox included in current rates |
| Aqua Cat, ocean-view double occupancy | 7 | $3,395 | $395 | $3,790 |
| Aqua Cat, cabin 11 skylight / twin bunks | 7 | $2,895 | $395 | $3,290 |
| Bahamas Aggressor II, Twin / Deluxe / Balcony Suite | 7 | $3,495 / $3,695 / $4,095 | $299 port + park fees for this 7-night Exumas reference | $3,794 / $3,994 / $4,394; optional Nitrox +$100 |
| Dolphin Dream / Shear Water | By charter | Quote required | Confirm all charges | Not established |
| Bahamas Master | Current sailing unconfirmed | No verified current quote | Unconfirmed | Excluded from price ranking |
Read the fine print: Cat Ppalu’s introductory paragraph still mentions $235 in fees, while its dated 2026 tariff says $265. We use the dated tariff and flag the discrepancy. Juliet’s current rates include Nitrox, but older travel wording differs; have the inclusion confirmed. These discrepancies are reasons to obtain a written invoice.
Two fairer budget comparisons
Six-night trip: a Blackbeard’s shared-bunk subtotal of $1,405 versus Juliet’s standard shared-facility fare of $2,100 is a $695 difference before travel. The departure cities, vessel style, gas inclusions and sleeping arrangements differ, so this is a budget comparison rather than an identical package.
Seven-night comfort comparison: Aqua Cat’s ocean-view double subtotal is $3,790 before optional Nitrox. Adding its published $150 Nitrox package gives $3,940. Bahamas Aggressor II’s Deluxe reference is $3,695 + $299 port/park fees + $100 optional Nitrox = $4,094 for seven nights. That is $154 above Aqua Cat’s $3,940 reference with Nitrox; cabin layouts and inclusions differ, and travel and other extras remain additional. These are dated tariffs, not live quotations.
Travelling as a couple? Check whether “double occupancy” means a double bed or two separate berths. Going solo? Ask about sharing and the cost of a cabin to yourself. For a group trip, divide the full charter bill by the number of friends actually coming, rather than the boat’s maximum capacity.
Boat-by-boat details
En-suite comfort
Aqua Cat
Built for space and stability, the Aqua Cat offers a flexible layout and suits larger groups. Choose this catamaran for a comfortable Exumas week, generous shared spaces and the convenience of an en-suite cabin.
Cabin question: Double occupancy; en-suite. Confirm your exact berth and bathroom arrangement.
Shared-bunk sailing
Blackbeard’s Morning Star
Blackbeard’s Cruises have long offered fun, affordable cruises to the Bahamas Out Islands. Morning Star suits divers who would happily trade a private cabin for a lively group, simple living and plenty of time underwater.
Cabin question: Single or double upper/lower berth. Confirm your exact berth and bathroom arrangement.
Shared-bunk sailing
Blackbeard’s Sea Explorer
Blackbeard’s Sea Explorer and Morning Star offer a friendly, informal way to discover the Bahamas. Sea Explorer is a strong shortlist choice when the diving matters more to you than a private bathroom or a large cabin.
Cabin question: Single/double bunks, including upper berths. Confirm your exact berth and bathroom arrangement.
Sailing from Miami
Juliet Sailing & Diving
The almost 32-metre Juliet is a schooner dating back to 1974, later converted for dive cruises. Her character is a big part of the appeal: a small-group sailing atmosphere and a Bahamas itinerary that starts in Miami.
Cabin question: Shared facilities; exact berth by cabin. Confirm your exact berth and bathroom arrangement.
Specialist · quote required
Dolphin Dream
The 25-metre Dolphin Dream is a charter liveaboard associated with Bahamas dolphin encounters and shark expeditions. These are different trips: a dolphin programme may focus on snorkeling, while a shark expedition has its own scuba requirements.
Cabin question: Six cabins / up to 12 passengers. Confirm your exact berth and bathroom arrangement.
Specialist · quote required
Shear Water
The MV Shear Water is a 20-metre liveaboard associated with Bahamas and Florida expeditions. Its appeal lies in the specialist shark programme and small group rather than hotel-style accommodation.
Cabin question: Three twin-share cabins and one quad. Confirm your exact berth and bathroom arrangement.
Historical · sailing unconfirmed
Bahamas Master
Bahamas Master joined the Bahamas dive scene after a 2017 renovation. The original review describes a 35-metre vessel with space to relax between reef, wreck and shark dives. Those historical features should be checked against any current charter offer.
Cabin question: Eight cabins / 16 guests. Historical specification: confirm a current plan.
Bahamas Aggressor II
The 20-guest vessel has 10 en-suite cabins: three Twin, five Deluxe and two Balcony Suites. Compare the exact itinerary and port. Read the full Bahamas Aggressor II guide. The original Bahamas Aggressor moved to Belize in 2026: its old photographs and six-cabin layout do not describe this vessel. Check Bahamas Aggressor II dates and cabins →
Cat Ppalu
A useful additional option for a Nassau-based group or an individual sailing on selected weeks. The operator offers individual, half-boat and full-boat arrangements. Six private cabins sleep 12 guests: four doubles and two twins, with two shared heads and showers. Nitrox is not available. The 2026 full-charter reference is $18,450 + $3,180 fees = $21,630 total; sole use carries the operator’s published 30% supplement on fare and applicable fuel/port charges. Read the Cat Ppalu cabin and booking guide. Read the operator’s current charter terms.
The original Bahamas Aggressor
This historical vessel is not ranked as a current Bahamas choice. Aggressor announced its final Bahamas charter for 20 June 2026 and relocation as Belize Aggressor V. Read the historical profile and relocation note.
Diving requirements: match the route to your experience
| Programme | What to verify |
|---|---|
| Blackbeard’s / Aqua Cat / Cat Ppalu | Certification, recent experience, supervision and suitability for deeper, drift or night dives. Do not assume all sites suit every certified diver. |
| Juliet | Nitrox certification required; dive-accident insurance required by the travel instructions. |
| Bahamas Aggressor II | Current joining guide for the booked route, insurance, equipment and gas requirements. |
| Specialist shark expeditions | Minimum age, card level, logged dives, buoyancy, equipment restrictions and shark briefing procedures. |
| Bahamas Master | Confirm current operator and sailing first; historical trip documents are not a current acceptance decision. |
Tell the operator where and when you last dived. Shallow shark sites still call for good control and attention; wildlife encounters are never guaranteed. An ordinary recreational qualification does not cover cave penetration.
Before paying a deposit
- Choose the named itinerary: Exumas, Tiger Beach, Bimini or another programme.
- Confirm the actual vessel, dates, nights and diving days.
- Specify cabin number, bed layout, occupancy and bathroom access.
- Obtain a total with all compulsory charges and chosen extras.
- Check both ports and airports, crossing buffers and the final no-fly interval.
- Read cancellation, weather-disruption and insurance terms.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the cheapest Bahamas liveaboard?
Among the published references here, Blackbeard’s has the lowest known six-night subtotal at $1,405 per person for a shared bunk. That does not establish the cheapest available departure or the lowest total holiday cost.
Which boat is best for a private bathroom?
Aqua Cat has en-suite cabins. Juliet sells an en-suite category. Compare the actual cabin offer on Bahamas Aggressor II too, and verify the bed arrangement rather than relying on a “luxury” label.
Can I see Tiger Beach on any boat?
No. Book a departure whose itinerary explicitly includes the northern Bahamas shark area. Daily sites remain dependent on weather and the captain’s decision.
Are these live prices?
No. They are dated operator tariff references. Search your travel dates and ask for a written full quote.
Why are some boats not price-ranked?
A current fare or confirmed future sailing was not established. Keeping that distinction is more useful than comparing an old starting price with a current tariff.
Sources and method
Checked 5 October 2026 against Blackbeard’s, Aqua Cat, Cat Ppalu, Juliet rates, Juliet joining information, Aggressor II rates, Exumas joining guide and fees, Nitrox tariff, Cat Ppalu cabins, Cat Ppalu FAQ and Aggressor’s relocation announcement. Specialist boat sources and limitations are linked in their individual reviews.
Ready to choose your week at sea?
Pick two or three departures you’d love to join, then put the cabins and full prices side by side. That’s where your week at sea starts to take shape.
About this guide
Research checked 5 October 2026. This guide draws on published sources, rather than a new firsthand inspection. Prices are dated references, not a live availability feed. Photo credits remain beside the images; capture dates have not been verified. Original reader reviews, where present, retain their dates.
