Blackbeard's Cruises, based for many years in Freeport, Grand Bahama Island, is highly regarded for their live-aboard dive cruise business. A member of the Bahamas Diving Association (chartered by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism), in 2003 they received a Readers Choice award from Scuba Diving magazine.

For its second year, in conjunction with REEF (Reef Environmental Education Foundation), Blackbeard's is running two Lionfish Expeditions to study and document the unusual Red lionfish or Pterois volitans. Focused on dive sites between Freeport and Great Exuma, REEF scientists working with staff from the NOAA National Ocean Service and the Washington DC National Aquarium will supervise the documentation and collection of lionfish at various depths and habitats to understand their reproductive status.

The first of the 2008 "Dive with a Purpose" expeditions sails in March. Participants must be certified in SCUBA and fish identification skills are a plus; the onboard researchers will provide all other necessary training.

If your skills are not up to this, Blackbeard's runs week-long cruises all year round with an opportunity to cage dive with the tiger sharks on Tiger Beach in Grand Bahama. From the safe vantage of a sealed metal shark cage, you can study and photograph tiger sharks up close, and see lemon, reef and possibly hammerhead sharks. From the divemasters and crew aboard, certified divers can learn about shark behaviors by observing them in their natural habitat from a safe environment.

Blackbeard Cruises' three sailboats: Sea Explorer, Morning Star and Pirate's Lady, offer up to 23 participants a variety of Caribbean diving and snorkeling cruises to the Biminis, Grand Bahamas, Berries, Andros, Cay Sal Banks, or Nassau areas all year long. Sailors will enjoy the 65-foot sloops with their beautiful sails hoisted to take advantage of Atlantic breezes whenever possible.

On a typical cruise, you can expect to do three dives per day, plus three night dives during the course of the week. Divers can experience deep sea diving on the many beautiful walls, yet there are colorful reefs teeming with marine life at depths of 15 to 80-feet, so divers of all levels can enjoy the scuba diving.

Those without certification can take a Resort Course with the onboard scuba diving instructor. This will allow guests to make two dives under the supervision of Blackbeard's dive instructor, but will not qualify participants for certification. Gear is included with a resort course, for a fee of $35. If you have completed some of their NAUI or PADI training prior to a cruise, open water checkouts can be done with their dive instructors (with advance notice.) For a $15 fee per dive, plus cost of the certification form if not provided, guests can complete their certification in the clear, warm waters of the Bahamas.

Whether you're going to help the marine environment or diving for your own fun with family or friend on Spring Break, Blackbeard's week-long cruises are $929 per person, which includes all diving, meals, beverages/bar, lodging. (The two REEF trips will donate $200 of every participant's fee to the organization.)

Most divers bring their own gear, but there is a variety of dive and snorkel equipment available for rent. Weekend trips that board in Freeport on Friday evening and disembark Tuesday morning are available for the rate of $667. Note that these rates do not include port tax, park fees or crew tips (typically 15%). Blackbeard Cruises can assist you in booking a hotel in Freeport prior to, or following, the cruise/dive experience.

Sound like fun but afraid to dive? Yes, there is room on the company's live-aboard catamarans for non-divers, too, but this is not a cruise for the faint-hearted. Instead, according to the company, non-divers can enjoy swimming, sun tanning, beach combing, fishing, snorkeling and just plain relaxing. And to quote Blackbeard: "If they are happy hanging out on a boat with other adventurous souls they will be fine...if shopping and island hopping is on their mind, then remember -- our cruises are destination and activity oriented, not amenity."

For reservations and more information, call 800/327-9600, 305/888-1226 or visit blackbeard-cruises.com.

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