Juliet Liveaboard Review: A Bahamas Dive Adventure with Comfort and Convenience

I recently had the pleasure of spending a week aboard the Juliet Sailing and Diving Liveaboard, diving in the Bahamas. One of the big draws for me was the ease of access: instead of dealing with airports, security checks, and typical travel hassles, the Juliet departs right from Miami. After a smooth three-hour drive, I parked, unloaded, and simply walked back to the boat. Boarding begins at noon, with departure around 3 PM or as soon as all passengers arrive. The journey to the Bahamas, traveling at about 6–7 knots, takes around 10 hours, so we were well on our way by evening.

Unfortunately, our timing wasn’t ideal. Tropical Storm Rafael was forming in the Gulf of Mexico and pulling in surrounding air to fuel the storm, and we could feel the effects in the Bahamas. At one point, our captain reported wind speeds of 40 knots, with rough seas, surge, and reduced visibility affecting most dives. The crew, however, did an outstanding job finding sheltered spots and navigating us to diveable sites. We managed to dive every day, although we repeated certain sites for protection and, on a couple of days, had to skip a dive or two. Despite the conditions, the crew’s expertise and attentiveness made us feel safe at all times, and their effort to make the trip enjoyable was fantastic.

Vessel Overview:

The Juliet itself is a beautiful 104-foot (32 meter), three-mast schooner with a 9.5-foot (3 meter) draft, powered by a vintage Gardener diesel engine—a robust locomotive engine from Australia. Although the sails typically come out at least once during the trip (not for us due to the weather), it’s mostly ceremonial; the vessel stays under power throughout. The Juliet has six double-occupancy cabins, hosting a maximum of 12 passengers, and up to five crew members, including Rico, the ship’s charming resident cat. On our journey, the crew consisted of Captain Matt Scroggins; Liza Hash, the owner, engineer, occasional dive guide and master critter spotter; Chef Jeanot Mercier (who goes by "Frenchie"), and a fill-in crew member who prefers not to be named. Rico, Liza’s cat, is a popular addition and happily lounges around the ship; guests are asked to keep their doors closed if they want to keep their cabins fur-free.

Destinations and Seasonal Routes

From April to mid-November, Juliet departs from Miami and explores the dive sites around the Bahamas - Bimini, Cat Cay, Gingerbread Grounds (northeast of Bimini) and Orange Cay and Santaren Channel. For the winter season from mid-December to mid-March, the schooner relocates to St. Croix to dive around the U.S. Virgin Islands. There are also unique repositioning cruises during these transitions, where Juliet journeys from Miami to Turks and Caicos (or vice versa), allowing passengers to dive in lesser-known sites along the way—truly an adventure for those seeking uncharted waters.

Cabins: Simple and Comfortable

Juliet’s cabins are cozy and functional rather than luxurious but are equipped with all you need for a comfortable week at sea. Two of the cabins have ensuite bathrooms with both shower and toilet facilities, while the remaining four share a common shower and three marine heads (toilets) located around the boat. All cabins are air-conditioned, with individual thermostats for temperature control. Cabins also have outlets for limited charging but the crew requests that large lithium batteries are charged in the charging station in the saloon rather than in cabins. The bedding ranges from queen-sized beds to bunk-style arrangements, making it easy to settle in for a restful night after a day of diving. Note that there’s no daily cleaning service, so guests are responsible for keeping their spaces tidy (or messy if that’s the way you like it).

Dining:

Chef Frenchie serves up three meals daily, buffet-style, with a delicious homemade dessert every evening. Between meals, a variety of snacks are available, from fresh fruit to treats like home-made cookies, nuts and chips. All beverages, including sodas, beer, wine, and spirits, are included. Of course, in line with dive safety, once you have an alcoholic drink, diving is over for the day.

Diving Setup

The Juliet’s dive deck is well-equipped, with 12 dive stations (six on each side) and lockers to store gear. Once you’ve set up your BCD on your tank, it stays there for the duration of the trip. After each dive, the crew refills your tanks with whips. Nitrox is standard, with a 29% mix produced by an onboard membrane system, providing consistent results. The standard tanks are 80 cubic feet aluminum, but a few 100-cubic-foot steel tanks and 63-cubic-foot aluminum tanks are available for those who prefer alternatives. All tank valves can be converted to either DIN or yoke depending on your preference.

For photographers, there isn’t a dedicated camera station, but ample space on deck allows you to store your gear comfortably. The crew sets up two large, 50-gallon buckets of freshwater specifically as camera rinse buckets, and they provide plastic bins to hold cameras between dives, adding a helpful layer of care and convenience.

Up to four dives a day are offered, depending on weather and travel conditions. Briefings are scheduled at 8 AM, 10:30 AM, 4 PM, and 7 PM, with minor adjustments as needed. During our trip, the switch to Daylight Saving Time meant the third dive briefing shifted to 2:30 PM to allow us to finish in daylight.

Diving Experience

All dives are conducted directly from the ship, using a giant stride entry. For photographers, there’s an option to have cameras lowered into the water by rope after entry. The Juliet typically moors to reef pins, with dive briefings providing directions relative to these markers. Divers ascend the ladder on the port side when returning, and crew members are available to lift cameras back onboard via a similar rope system as used when entering the water.

Captain Matt added an extra layer of fun to each dive briefing by introducing a “Fish of the Dive” challenge. He would present the featured fish in an ID book and describe it in detail. Our challenge was to spot that fish during the dive and then mark it off on a sheet (using the honor system). At the end of the trip, the diver who spotted the most “Fish of the Dive” won a prize. I found it to be a fun lighthearted competition, enhancing the overall experience and encouraging everyone to engage with the marine life.

The majority of dives are unguided, allowing for a relaxed and flexible experience, with only drift dives requiring a guide. There’s no strict time limit; the only request is that divers return with at least 500 psi (about 50 bar) remaining in their tanks.

Conclusion:

The Juliet Liveaboard offers a unique blend of convenience, comfort, and adventure, making it an ideal choice for divers looking to explore the Bahamas or the Virgin Islands with minimal hassle. With its cozy accommodations, welcoming crew, and thoughtful touches for photographers, the Juliet provides a well-rounded experience that goes beyond just diving. Despite the unpredictable weather on our trip, the crew's commitment to safety and their resourcefulness allowed us to enjoy daily dives, even under challenging conditions. The “Fish of the Dive” challenge added a fun, interactive layer to each dive, creating a sense of camaraderie and excitement among guests. Whether you're a photographer, an avid diver, or simply looking for a relaxed and memorable dive adventure, the Juliet Liveaboard offers a trip that’s as enriching as it is enjoyable.