MV Caribbean Explorer II

Photographs: Explorer Ventures / LiveAboard.com; existing Divezone boat gallery.

A familiar Caribbean dive boat

Caribbean Explorer II belongs to the Explorer Ventures fleet. The vessel dates from 1978; the partner specification lists a 1999 renovation, which should not be confused with a new build. She measures 115 ft long by 20 ft across, approximately 35.1 × 6.1 metres.

The appeal lies in the combination of a dedicated dive deck, a modest guest count and access to two quite different islands. Saba brings dramatic underwater relief, while St Kitts adds reefs and wrecks. A week here has more variety than returning to the same resort jetty each afternoon.

Finding your cabin

All nine cabins have air conditioning and private bathrooms. Four are on the main deck and five below; the bed arrangement matters as much as the deck when choosing a room.

The published single-occupancy supplement is 65% of the retail fare. A solo booking for shared accommodation depends on the available cabin and sharing arrangements; there is no dedicated solo cabin category in this layout.

Life between dives

Moving to the upper deck, there is a sunning area with chairs and loungers where you may while away a surface interval in the Caribbean sunshine. The partially enclosed dining space and air-conditioned salon offer a change of pace when a little shade sounds better. With nine cabins, meals are also a natural chance to catch up with fellow divers.

The camera facilities are especially useful on a busy dive schedule: a dedicated table, charging points and separate rinsing arrangements keep photographic equipment away from general gear washing. Individual gear storage and freshwater showers help make the return from the water straightforward.

What’s on the menu?

Meals combine local and Western cooking, generally served buffet-style. The published menu examples include eggs and pancakes at breakfast, soup or sandwiches at lunch, and meat or fish with vegetables, rice or pasta for dinner. Snacks bridge the gaps between dives. Dietary requests belong on the booking form; island provisioning can limit specialist ingredients.

Diving from the main deck

Diving into the warm, blue waters of the Caribbean is why you’re here. The dive deck has individual gear storage, camera facilities and rinse tanks, with access directly to the water rather than a tender ride for every dive. Nitrox, equipment rental and onboard training carry additional charges where applicable.

The programme offers up to 27 dives in a week, including night dives, subject to weather and the individual diver’s profile. That is an opportunity, not a target everyone has to meet. Deeper sites and night dives depend on personal qualifications and the briefing.

Recognised Open Water certification is the starting requirement. Explorer Ventures recommends a dive within the previous 12 months or a refresher after a longer break. A surface marker buoy is required, and the guest booklet also requires each diver to have an individual dive computer. The operator strongly recommends dive-accident insurance and requires it for divers under 18. Rental equipment needs advance confirmation, and night dives require primary, backup and marker lights.

Play Caribbean Explorer II film

Explorer Ventures boat and diving film. Earlier footage; the itinerary for a booked departure takes precedence.

Two directions, different flight plans

Southbound weeks embark at Bobby’s Marina in Philipsburg and end at Port Zante in Basseterre. Northbound departures reverse those ports. This makes the arrival and departure islands different: flights need to follow the actual sailing direction. An overnight arrival buffer leaves more room for flight disruption before a fixed departure.

What the week costs

The regular 2026 reference fare is US$2,995 per person for seven nights, on the shared-accommodation basis. Promotions and cabin availability may change the quote. The following is a cruise subtotal, not the entire holiday budget.

Meals, drinks, diving, tanks and weights are included under the published package. Flights, airport transfers, the final Friday dinner ashore, optional island tours, insurance, tips and rentals are separate. Nitrox is listed at US$150 for the week. Onboard charges can change, so the dated booking quotation remains the basis for payment.

Travelling with a non-diver?

Explorer Ventures publishes a 10% non-diver reduction on the regular package price. Optional island tours give companions time ashore, but they are separate from the fare; a diving itinerary does not promise snorkelling at every site. The booking quote should show the applicable discount and fees.

What guests loved — and what could be better

Questions before booking

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Information checked 9 November 2026. This is an editorial guide based on vessel information and attributed guest feedback, not a new firsthand inspection. Existing visitor votes remain unchanged.