Are you ready to plan an unforgettable trip? Read this guide to find out what is a liveaboard trip and find some of the best liveaboards in the world.
Scuba diving trips around the world take you to the most breathtaking places. A liveaboard diving trip takes it up another notch and lets you visit some of the most secluded, and therefore even more special places, diving destinations.
Break the word down and it speaks for itself. A liveaboard is a type of boat whereby the passengers stay and sleep on it throughout the seafaring trip.
Many scuba divers prefer a liveaboard trip because it lets you dive more (incl. night dives) and takes you to more secluded dive sites. Dive liveaboards are a great way to earn your scuba diving certifications in a short time, meet new people and log in as many dives as possible.
There are different types of liveaboard scuba diving experiences. You can go on luxury dive safaris with an itinerary that also lets you explore the nearby islands or go on a budget dive liveaboard with fellow beginner divers and share dorm rooms.
There is something for every kind of diver and lover of marine life.
There are three main kinds of dive liveaboards but even though the type of boat is different, this doesn't necessarily say anything about the type of liveaboard trip it offers.
This is the most common type of liveaboard dive boat. Imagine a yacht that can fit a group of people for overnight stays.
Divers that want more comfort without paying luxury prices tend to reserve spots on these. They are excellent for more remote liveaboard diving destinations because they can move faster and are more stable out in open water.
There are more luxurious liveaboards that offer its scuba divers a liveaboard cruise experience. The rooms are private, often larger and might even have a private balcony.
There are more features and activities available for example jet skis, a spa and guided day trips on land. This type of liveaboard might also attract non-divers so maybe you'll be sharing the marine life with fewer divers.
Many Asian liveaboard diving destinations have a rich seafaring history with a long tradition of handcrafting ships. Examples include the 'junk' boats of Hong Kong and the 'phinisi' of Indonesia.
Whether you choose a budget dive trip or a more luxury one, these traditional ships make for truly unique liveaboard diving holidays.
A good place to start when choosing the type of liveaboard vessel you want to spend your time on is its facilities. Think about what is essential for your comfort and what is not necessary for you to enjoy your trip.
Budget liveaboard dive boats will likely have the following:
This kind of liveaboard diving trip is great for beginners and are a fun addition to backpacking trips. They are excellent for a shorter dive safari to explore some of the more remote islands of a country.
A luxury motorized or traditional scuba liveaboard might have the following facilities:
Liveaboard boats that focus on PADI or SSI certification will often also have an instruction room where they can teach skills and give a proper dive briefing. Of course, there will also be a dive master on board and in some nature reserves it is a requirement to be accompanied by naturalists, too.
Always check on the listing (and then confirm during your reservation) what is and what is not included in the package. A liveaboard diving trip package is almost always full board (sleeping quarters + 3 daily meals) with 3-4 daily dives already included.
Also, remember that despite being full board, (alcoholic) drinks and snacks are often charged separately. This will be added to your bill at the end of the trip.
Common extras that you can book on top of that include:
Also keep in mind that some areas require additional entrance fees or tourism taxes. They might already be included with the package price but check with your land based dive operator beforehand.
Both experienced divers and newbies are welcome on a liveaboard diving trip. Certain liveaboard boats are even planned to also entertain non-divers that would prefer to snorkel at dive sites.
Many choose to take PADI or SSI courses during a scuba diving trip while more advanced divers take the opportunity to log more dive hours. Don't worry, each dive is optional so even if you don't want to be underwater 3x per day, you can find suitable liveaboard dive trips.
Before booking, check the itinerary and facilities to get a better picture of the liveaboard dive experience you can expect and what type of people you will likely meet.
Still need a few more tips to decide on the best liveaboard diving destinations for you? Here are a few common questions people ask about liveaboard diving.
Because of the limited storage space it is best to pack only the essentials such as comfortable clothing, the personal dive gear you don't want to rent, (underwater) camera, something to read, iPod, journal and your scuba diving license.
Bring clothing that is appropriate for the climate of the liveaboard destination but always bring a sweater, even if you are staying in a tropical climate.
It is common etiquette to tip the crew at the end of your liveaboard diving trip. Most tip 10%-20% of the total scuba diving package cost which will then be divided among the staff.
A liveaboard dive trip is beyond worth it because you get to visit the most remote dive sites and have the entire trip taken care of by attentive crew. It is a truly unique experience that is much more immersive than staying at a dive resort.
Do not hesitate to book a scuba diving trip if you have already spotted liveaboard destinations that you would like to add to your bucket list. They are a scuba diving dream, no matter what level you are.
There is a wide variety of scuba diving liveaboard itineraries, there is bound to be one for you.
