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Blackbeard’s Morning Star dive boat review
Bahamas · Boat guide · Reviewed 5 October 2026
A sociable week under sail
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.
Booking status. Current All Star programme reviewed 5 October 2026. Morning Star and Sea Explorer are sister vessels; obtain the actual vessel assignment before paying.
This is a researched editorial update, not a new onboard inspection. Original review details and guest comments are retained where useful; older comments and photographs should be read in their historical context. Divezone may earn a commission from affiliate bookings.
Accommodation and ratings. Budget sailing with communal bunks and shared facilities; a low accommodation score should not be interpreted as a safety assessment. The editorial score and cost label inherited from the original review are separate from visitor votes. Their scoring date and detailed criteria are not documented here; they are not a new 2026 inspection or safety rating. Guest votes and dated comments remain unchanged.
Cabins: choose the arrangement that suits you
| Option | Arrangement | Price or detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shared bunk | Single or double upper/lower berth | Shared bathrooms |
| Private cabin | Not a standard hotel-style cabin product | Ask about group charters |
Expect the atmosphere of camping at sea: communal accommodation, shared facilities, limited storage and sensible water use. Pack a soft bag. The reward is easy conversation over meals and a close-knit dive group.
Ask for the exact cabin number, bed arrangement and bathroom access. For a solo booking, confirm whether the fare buys a shared berth or sole use, and how any supplement is calculated.
All Star describes three shared heads, one in each sleeping area. These are communal berths, not private cabins. See the operator’s vessel layout.
What to budget
2026 six-night fare: USD 1,195 per person plus USD 210 mandatory fees, giving a USD 1,405 cruise subtotal. This is a bunk-based product, not the price of a private cabin.
Meals, snacks, specified drinks, diving, tanks and weights are included. Budget separately for flights, transfers, equipment rental, insurance and gratuities. Ask specifically about gas options and any training charges.
Compare the same dates, duration and occupancy. A lower advertised daily rate can conceal a different trip length or cabin; the full written quote is the useful number.
Itinerary and diving experience
Six nights from Nassau, with a weather-dependent route among the central Bahamian islands. The operator advertises up to 19 dives; that is a maximum, not a promise. A standard Exumas sailing is not a Tiger Beach expedition.
Before you commit
Bring your certification, dive computer and appropriate lights for night diving. Confirm acceptance of your certification and recent dive history; specialist or deeper dives may need additional experience.
Ask about emergency oxygen, evacuation arrangements and dive-accident cover. Keep within your training and the crew’s instructions, maintain buoyancy around reefs, and never chase or touch wildlife. No boat can promise a particular animal encounter.
Getting to the boat
Saturday boarding is from noon in Nassau, with return on Thursday afternoon and Friday disembarkation by 09:00. Follow your individual joining instructions.
See our Bahamas diving guide for sites and seasons and Bahamas travel guide for trip planning. Leave an appropriate interval between your last dive and flight; follow your operator, computer and DAN’s flying-after-diving guidance.
Get a feel for the experience
Blackbeard’s fleet film retained from our original review; it does not guarantee a particular vessel assignment. Video loads only after you press play. Open the film on its source site.
How does it compare?
Sea Explorer is the sister-boat option for the same communal Blackbeard’s style; choose by the confirmed departure and berth rather than assuming a comfort upgrade. Aqua Cat offers private bathrooms at a higher cruise budget. Juliet changes the departure to Miami and offers standard or en-suite cabins.
Compare Bahamas boats, cabins and full costs → · Bahamas liveaboard planning guide →
Before you book
Does Morning Star have private cabins?
The accommodation is communal, with single and double upper/lower bunks. A double bunk is not a private double cabin.
How many bathrooms are there?
The operator describes one head in each of the three sleeping areas, with a shower in the main salon and an on-deck shower option. Water and storage are limited.
Should I choose Morning Star or Sea Explorer?
Both offer the Blackbeard’s communal sailing style. Confirm the actual vessel, upper or lower berth, departure date and any group allocation; neither should be sold as an en-suite alternative to the other.
What does the USD 1,405 reference cover?
It combines the published six-night 2026 bunk fare of USD 1,195 and USD 210 mandatory fees. Flights, transfers, equipment hire, insurance and tips are separate.
What luggage works best aboard?
A small soft bag is easier to store near your bunk. Pack for shared spaces and check the equipment checklist before departure.
Find your next Bahamas adventure
Choose the route you want, then confirm your cabin and the complete price.
Check dates, cabins & availability →
Availability and terms can change. Affiliate links may earn Divezone a commission.
Sources and review notes
Checked 5 October 2026: operator rates / programme and vessel / joining information. Unconfirmed details are identified above.
Dived on Blackbeard’s Morning Star?
Share your travel date, cabin, favourite dive and anything you wish you had known before boarding. Your firsthand experience helps the next diver plan well.
Where does this liveaboard dive boat go?
Check out the fabulous places where this dive boat travels to.
Note: some destinations may not be listed below, please enquire for more details.
Jamaica
Local reef dives from Negril, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, with current operator and resort checks.
Aruba
The island of Aruba is surrounded by outstanding reefs, and has a number of wrecks.
Cuba
The marine protection programs in Cuba has resulted in pristine coral reefs.
U.S. Virgin Islands
The United States Virgin Islands – America’s Caribbean. Outstanding scuba diving in a vacation haven.
Cayman Islands
You can dive a different dive site every day for a year!
Bonaire
Bonaire has been voted the Best Shore Dive Destination 22 consecutive times by the readers of Scuba Diving Magazine.
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Kitts and Nevis has excellent scuba diving that is close to shore meaning short boat rides. Being a small island, dive boats can always find a sheltered dive site in poor weather.
The Caribbean
The Caribbean is one of the most dived destinations in the world. A great destination for beginners as well as experts. With thousands of dive sites it offers something for just about everyone.
Saba
Saba offers Scuba divers site sites that are pristine and loaded with marine life.
Turks & Caicos
The Turks & Caicos Islands provides Scuba divers with a dive experience not easily matched.
Saint Martin
A great selection of wrecks and reefs for divers of all skill levels.
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a lessor known dive destinations with outstanding diving from both the north and south coast. It is also the kick off point to the nearby Silver Banks.
Bahamas
The Bahamas offer a wide range of diving sites. There are sites that are great for learning to dive and others for experienced divers. Cave divers will find many opportunities.
- If you have been diving on board this liveaboard dive boat in Bahamas & Caribbean, please share your review and let us know what you thought. Please post your comments in the review section below, by doing so you will help fellow divers to plan their next diving trip
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