Everything you need to know about liveaboards
Are you an avid diver and planning your next diving vacation? Then a liveaboard might be for you. In this blog we explain everything about liveaboards: what to expect, what to bring and what to look out for. That way, you’ll know exactly whether a liveaboard suits you.
What is a liveaboard?
A liveaboard is a boat fully equipped for divers, where you stay on board for several days to dive, sleep and live. With a liveaboard, you can often reach remote dive areas because the boat does not return to port every day. The boat sails a specific route and allows you to make several dives during the day, usually 3, but sometimes up to 5 per day.
How to choose the right liveaboard?
The range of liveaboards and itineraries available is enormous, which can sometimes make it difficult to choose. The most important thing is to choose a boat where safety comes first. In addition, it is good to look at your own experience: what certification level do you have and which route fits that? Your personal preferences also play a role: do you want to dive wrecks, spot sharks or discover special reefs? We are happy to help you find the liveaboard trip that suits you perfectly.
Is a liveaboard expensive?
The price of a liveaboard depends greatly on where you go. Trips to Egypt are often a bit cheaper than to the Galapagos Islands, where you pay for the special destination. With many trips, everything is all-in: food, accommodation and diving are included. Additional charges may be for alcoholic beverages, tips or sometimes a marine fee. The type of boat also plays a role in the price. The most important thing is to never compromise on safety: always choose a reliable boat.
How do you make a good price comparison?
When comparing liveaboards, don’t just pay attention to the price you see. Additional fees you have to pay locally, such as marine park fees or gratuities, can significantly affect the final price. It’s also important to look at what is included in the price: are Nitrox, dive equipment or special dives such as night dives included, or do they come on top? So sometimes a particular boat seems cheaper, but you still have to pay quite a bit locally.
In the Maldives, it is also the case that you pay an additional fee when you pay by credit card and there are local taxes. So it can be quite expensive if you still pay things locally there.
The biggest differences between boats are often precisely in these extras. We’re happy to help by sorting it all out for you, so you know exactly what you’re getting. Be careful when comparing prices: cheap can sometimes be expensive if important costs or services are not included.
The different options: budget, mid-range and luxury
Liveaboard boats can be roughly divided into three categories: budget, mid-range and luxury. The main difference is in the size and comfort of the cabins, the quality and variety of the food, the service on board and the extra facilities, such as a spa, jacuzzi or spacious lounges. The size of the boat also varies, which can affect the atmosphere and how many fellow divers you meet.
Whatever your boat, in terms of diving you won’t compromise. The itineraries lead you to the same beautiful dive sites and the guides are always experienced and professional. This allows you to fully enjoy the diving, regardless of whether you choose a more basic or luxury experience. Moreover, a luxury boat often offers just a little extra comfort between dives, while a budget boat focuses on efficiency and an intimate atmosphere.
Below we give you 3 examples of the different categories for boats in the Maldives.
Budget option
Budget option
A good example of an affordable liveaboard in the Maldives is the Princess Dhonkamana. You will stay on board here for seven nights and can make up to eighteen dives. The stay is on a full board basis, including coffee, tea and water, so you don’t have to worry about anything. The boat is small and comfortable, with cozy social areas and cabins with private bathrooms and air conditioning. Despite being one of the more affordable options, you don’t compromise on the diving: you are accompanied by experienced guides and sail to the same beautiful dive sites as on larger and more expensive boats.
Mid-range option
Mid-range option
The Carpe Novo is a fine mid-range liveaboard for those seeking comfort without a luxury price. You will stay on board for seven nights and make up to seventeen dives, with full board included. One evening there is even a special beach BBQ. Cabins are comfortable with private bathrooms and air conditioning, and on board there are spacious lounges and a sundeck to relax between dives. This way you combine intensive diving with a pleasant stay at sea.
Luxury option
Luxury option
The White Pearl offers a comfortable seven-night liveaboard trip with up to 17 dives. You stay on a full board basis, so you don’t have to worry about anything. The boat is elegantly designed and has stylish air-conditioned cabins with private bathrooms. On board, you’ll find a lounge area, camera room and sun deck to relax between your dives. Thanks to professional guides and extensive diving frequency, you combine your underwater adventure with peace and quality on board.
What does a day on a liveaboard look like?
A day aboard a liveaboard revolves entirely around diving. Herewith a sample daily program:
- 06:00 Wake up
- 06:30 Dive briefing 1 & dive 1
- 08:30 Breakfast
- 09:30 Dive briefing 2 & dive 2
- 12:00 Lunch
- 13:30 Dive briefing 3 & dive 3
- 15:00 Snack
- 16:00 Dive briefing 4 & dive 4
- 18:30 Supper
Other frequently asked questions about a liveaboard
Where can you take a liveaboard trip?
You can take a liveaboard trip in a surprising number of places around the world. Egypt, the Maldives and the Galapagos Islands are perhaps the best-known destinations, but certainly not the only ones. The Bahamas, the Philippines, Indonesia, Oman and Belize also offer wonderful trips where you dive from the water every day. In total, you will find liveaboards in about 20 countries on our website, all with their own character and underwater world. You can find the liveaboard destinations here.
From what level can you take a liveaboard trip?
You can take a liveaboard trip even with an Open Water certification. Because you do a lot of diving in a short time, you often find that your underwater skills improve quickly. On some boats you can also take follow-up courses, although you have to arrange this in advance.
There are additionally liveaboards for which you must be at least Advanced Open Water certified and require at least fifty logged dives. This is because the dive profiles are more challenging. Think deeper dives, currents or diving with sharks. For the safety of the entire group, it is important that everyone has sufficient experience.
However, we do recommend having made at least 20 dives before going on a liveaboard trip. You will not truly enjoy a trip like this until you are comfortable in the water. Together we can look at a boat and/or itinerary that best suits your level of experience.
Why is diving with nitrox recommended during a liveaboard?
During a liveaboard, you often make several dives a day. That’s exactly why nitrox is recommended. Because of the higher oxygen content and lower nitrogen content in the air you breathe, you build up nitrogen less quickly. As a result, you can usually maintain slightly longer zero times and often feel less tired during such an intensive week of diving.
It is not an obligation, but it is a fine way to dive more comfortably if you make many consecutive dives.
You can also take the nitrox specialty on many boats.
How long does a liveaboard trip last?
The duration of a liveaboard trip depends on the destination and itinerary. In Egypt, most trips last about 7 days. In Thailand, there are also shorter itineraries where you spend 4 days on board. Each destination has its own options, ranging from a few days to a full week or longer.
How many dives do you make per day?
During a liveaboard, you usually make at least 3 dives per day. Depending on the destination and itinerary, it can sometimes be 4 or even 5. Often you start with a dive before breakfast, and on many trips a night dive is also included. Whether that is possible depends very much on where you are going. In areas with sharks, for example, there is usually no night dive.
Where do you leave your scuba gear?
Every liveaboard has a dedicated deck for dive gear. Often you have your own spot for the week and get a crate where you can put the loose gear. Your trim vest is left around the bottle and the regulator is removed from the bottle. That way, the crew can easily fill your bottle.
Where do you sleep during a liveaboard?
During a liveaboard, you live aboard the ship and stay in a comfortable cabin. You can usually choose whether you want a cabin at the bottom of the ship or prefer to sleep on the first deck. The main difference is in the amount of natural light and space in the room. Each cabin has a private bathroom. How luxurious it all feels depends on the boat you choose and the country you are sailing in.
Most boats have about 12 cabins, thus accommodating about 24 divers. This can vary from boat to boat. There are larger liveaboards that take more than 30 travelers and smaller boats where you are on board with a more intimate group.
How is the food on board?
The food on board is often of excellent quality. Exactly how it is depends on the boat you choose. Some boats even have snacks available throughout the day.
Some liveaboards offer wine and beer with meals, and the Aggressor boats even offer table service. Other boats work with a buffet. For example, you can enjoy an omelet or other dish of your choice in the morning after your first dive.
What do you take on board?
Besides your scuba gear, you actually need surprisingly little. You walk on almost all boats without shoes, so you really only need to bring the pair of shoes you already wear on the outward journey.
In addition, it is good to check what is already present on the boat. Towels, bathrobes and sometimes even shampoo may already be there. Consider further:
- Sunscreen (reef safe)
- Cap or hat
- Sunglasses
- Easy clothes in which you are comfortable
- Clothing that is warm in the evening
- Games or books (sometimes there is no internet)
- Medication for seasickness
- Spare parts for your diving equipment
- Chargers
Why choose a liveaboard?
There are lots of reasons to choose a liveaboard, but these are our reasons to choose a liveaboard trip!
Lots of diving
On a liveaboard, your entire vacation revolves around diving, so you’re often in the water. You will make at least three dives a day, but often it will be four or even five. Exactly how many dives you make depends on the itinerary you choose, so you can influence this in advance. It is the ideal way to quickly improve your diving experience and see a lot of the underwater world.
Remote areas
With a liveaboard, you can reach dive sites that are too far for a day trip. Consider Wolff and Darwin near the Galapagos Islands or the Cocos Islands. These remote locations often offer spectacular underwater experiences with rich biodiversity and few other divers around you. On a liveaboard, you can spend several days diving in the same spot, giving you the chance to really dive the area and not miss special encounters with large marine animals or unique coral formations. It is a perfect way to discover places that would otherwise be almost inaccessible.
Just divers around you
During a liveaboard, you spend a week surrounded by other divers. Even though you come from different countries, you always have something to talk about: diving. It’s the perfect way to exchange experiences, get tips and find new dive buddies, all while sharing the same passion.
Relaxing on board
Between dives you don’t have to worry about anything. Everything is taken care of for you: your food, your sleeping place and transportation to the dive sites. That means you can fully concentrate on diving and enjoy the surroundings. Between dives you can relax on the deck, read a book or just enjoy the view of the sea. The rhythm of the day is all about diving and relaxation.
On some boats you can do other water sports besides diving, such as supping or kayaking. And there are even boats with a jacuzzi on deck!
Unique underwater experiences
Liveaboards often offer dives you won’t make on a regular day trip. Think night dives where the underwater world comes alive in a totally different way, or encounters with large marine animals such as sharks, manta rays or even whale sharks. Moreover, because you can dive in the same spots for several days, you have the chance to spot unusual species and explore your favorite dive sites quietly, without the crowds of other divers.
Travelogue of a liveaboard trip in the Bahamas
Margriet was recently in the Bahamas aboard a liveaboard to dive with tiger sharks. In addition to tiger sharks, you will also see Caribbean reef sharks, lemon sharks and nurse sharks during the dives. Wondering what the trip was like? You can read about it in her trip report.
Our favorite boats
There are so many beautiful liveaboards that it is sometimes hard to choose, but a few boats really stand out for us because of their unique experience, service and atmosphere:
- Mermaid – Known for the perfect diving experience, with super experienced local guides and delicious food. The cabins are basic, but the diving makes up for that.
- Aggressor – Excellent service and all-inclusive. Ideal for those who want to concentrate fully on diving without worrying about additional costs.
- Emperor Raja Laut – A charming sailing ship with an intimate atmosphere. Perhaps a little less luxurious, but a special experience you won’t soon forget.
- Galaxy Divers II – Perfect for those visiting the Galápagos. Experienced guides and the best itineraries ensure an unforgettable underwater experience.
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