If you are an avid scuba diver looking for new and exciting ways to explore the underwater world, you should look no further than liveaboard trips!
Whether you are a newly certified diver or a scuba veteran, liveaboards are the best option for scuba diving trips for many reasons. In this post, we will explore the top five reasons why liveaboards should be your go-to option for your next scuba diving adventure.
Liveaboard trips offer divers the possibility to access remote and unspoiled dive sites, more dive time and relax than regular dive resorts, a professional and personalized diving service, great value for money and a unique and unforgettable experience.
If you are keen to know more about liveaboard diving, check my ultimate guide, as well as my etiquette guide on what NOT to do on a liveaboard.
If you have just booked your trip, make sure you don’t forget anything at home thanks to my packing checklist for you next liveaboard.
If you have not booked your liveaboard trip and are still undecided, let’s now dive into the top 5 reasons why liveaboards are the best option for scuba diving trips.
Access to remote and unspoiled dive sites
Liveaboards offer access to dive sites that are difficult if not impossible to reach from land-based dive centers. This is because they can take you to remote and unspoiled areas that are far away from the reach of day-trippers.
With a liveaboard, you can explore untouched coral reefs, see marine life that you would not encounter in popular dive sites, and experience a level of seclusion and tranquility that you won’t find anywhere else.
Imagine diving in the crystal-clear waters of the Maldives, surrounded by vibrant coral gardens, or exploring the stunning wrecks of the Red Sea. Other examples of dive sites that are only accessible by liveaboard are:
- The Great Blue Hole, Belize
- SS Thistlegorm, Red Sea, Egypt
- Truck Lagoon, Micronesia
- The Yongala, Australia
- Cocos Island, Costa Rica
- Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Although many of these dive sites are accessible with daily boat trips, it would take you 3 to 5 hours just to get there. If you decide to go on a liveaboard, you will most likely reach those places while sleeping in your comfortable cabins and actually have the time to do multiple dives in each dive site.
Besides offering you the possibility to access remote and unspoiled dive sites, liveaboard trips also offer you the opportunity to optimize your dive and relaxation time.
More time for diving and relaxation
Compared to land-based dive centers and resorts, liveaboards offer more time for diving and relaxation. With liveaboards, you can wake up in the morning, gear up, and dive right into the water without the hassle of transportation to the dive site.
In most cases, the liveaboard will travel to the dive centers at night. In cases where your liveaboard trip includes different dive sites per day, the liveaboard will have a fully equipped speed boat to get you to the dive sites in the fastest time possible.
Additionally, you can take advantage of the downtime between dives to relax on the boat, read a book, take a bath in the jacuzzi, or simply soak up the sun. Many liveaboards offer amenities such as on-board SPA and gym, so in case you are a fitness addict you can be sure you won’t skip a single workout.
Liveaboards also provide a structured itinerary that maximizes the number of dives you can do each day. You can expect to do 3-4 dives per day during a liveaboard trip, which is significantly more than what you would do on a land-based dive trip.
Professional and personalized service
One of the best things about liveaboards is the professional and personalized service that they offer. You can expect to be greeted by a friendly and experienced crew who will take care of your every need.
The crew usually consists of a dive guide, boat captain, chef, and other support staff who will ensure that your trip is comfortable and enjoyable. In some cases, you also have dedicated dive instructors in case you would like to get some diving certifications or need to do a refresher course.
Largest liveaboards even have a doctor and a mini hospital onboard which can cater immediately for minor diving and non-diving related accidents.
Some liveaboards even offer catering that is tailored to your preferences. If you have a specific dietary requirement the crew will be more than happy to assist you.
Great value for money
Liveaboards offer great value for money due to their all-inclusive packages and longer duration.
When you book a liveaboard trip, you can expect all meals, accommodation, and diving activities to be included in the price. This means that you won’t have to worry about any additional expenses during your trip.
Liveaboards also offer longer duration compared to land-based dive centers. While land-based dive trips usually last for a few days, liveaboard trips can last for a week or more.
This means that you can get more diving done and explore a wider range of dive sites without breaking the bank.
Just to give you an example, as a Maldives veteran, I can definitely confirm that Liveaboards are cheaper than resorts to visit this paradisiac archipelago. A 7 days / 8 nights liveaboard with the Scubaspa Ying, which is the most luxurious liveaboard in the Maldives costs on average 280$ per person per night (all inclusive). An equally luxurious resort such as the LUX South Ari (not one of the uber luxury resorts) would cost you 420$ per person per night.
Unique and unforgettable experience
Last but not least, liveaboards offer a unique and unforgettable experience that you won’t find anywhere else.
Liveaboard trips offer a level of immersion in the marine environment that is unmatched by land-based dive centers. You can expect to see marine life that you won’t see anywhere else, such as manta rays, whale sharks, and hammerheads.
Liveaboard trips also offer unique experiences such as night diving, shark encounters, and exploring wrecks. These experiences will stay with you for a lifetime and make your scuba diving adventure truly unforgettable.
In conclusion, liveaboards are the best option for scuba diving trips due to their access to remote and unspoiled dive sites, more time for diving and relaxation, professional and personalized service, great value for money, and unique and unforgettable experiences. If you’re looking for a scuba diving adventure that will take your breath away, consider booking a liveaboard trip today.