This was my first liveaboard scuba trip and I loved it!
Brandon Meddaugh
All Star Dive Liveaboards
Scuba Diving Liveaboards around the World
When we started in the dive liveaboard business over 40 years ago, we chose Bimini, Bahamas as our first destination. The Bahamas welcomed not only our business but our diving customers. Today our home port is Nassau, Bahamas with easy access and affordable flights. Our four (4) Bahamas dive liveaboards now go to the Exumas and the Exuma Cays, occasionally cruising into Eleuthera, where we travel to reefs and dive spots only accessible by dive liveaboards.
We entered the dive liveaboard industry with just a single vessel. We’ve always believed that scuba diving travel needs to be within reach of the next generation of divers, as it’s been for our own family. So we have worked diligently to keep the very popular Blackbeard’s Cruises at an entry-level and affordable price for an inexpensive dive vacation. We understand the need and value of family dive trip outings as well as educational programs for maturing Boy Scouts. Blackbeard’s isn’t about the price tag as much as the adventure as evidenced by those who return again and again simply to escape.
When we were ready to grow the business, we listened to our customers. Many shared an interest in diving with family and friends and we responded. The charter yacht Cat Ppalu joined our fleet to handle private dive vacation charters. Still other customers who advanced in their careers requested a bit more luxury when diving, prompting the arrival of Aqua Cat. We also diversified further to include shore excursions and eco adventures.
When our guests began requesting other destinations offering the same great diving, great service and knowledgeable crew they had grown to expect from our fleet, we ventured into the British Virgin Islands (BVI) knowing it maintains many of the same visitor services – flights, accommodations and a common language, plus proximity to the U.S. Virgin Islands. The number of dive sites within short distances of each other make it a diver’s dream vacation. Sailing, a popular mode of transportation between the islands, made bringing on a trimaran Cuan Law a natural fit. It allowed us to meet the growing demand for diving with additional perks like gourmet meals.
Eventually, our clients that are “bucket list” divers, who seek to expand the types and diversity of each experience, asked us to consider other destinations. After much research, we expanded into Indonesia with itineraries featuring Raja Ampat, Banda Sea, Komodo and the Forgotten Islands. With the arrival of a second vessel, in February 2020, Wakatobi National Park was added to the mix. The pelagics and coral reefs in Indonesia are astounding and only rivaled by our bases of operations – a magnificent Pinisi-style wooden sailing yacht and a newly revealed, sleek, ultra-luxury vessel.
Diving in Cuba is now open to U.S. divers thanks to the Blue Sanctuary sustainable management program which governs Cuba’s Jardines de la Reina Marine Park (Gardens of the Queen). It’s all here: six (6) species of sharks, an abundance of adult fish, macro-critters, corals of all shapes and textures, crocodiles and migratory wetlands for birds.
Before or after your dive excursion, many dive guests visit Egypt’s renowned attractions – The Pyramids, a Nile River Cruise via Luxor or Aswan, and cultural and historical sites in Cairo.
Today, all of the dive vessels in our fleet are housed under the All Star Liveaboards’ umbrella. Throughout the years, one constant always remains. Every member of our dive management team-family is a scuba diver and has a passion for diving. We understand the unique needs of the industry and our customers. We thank you for allowing us to be a part of your dive adventures.