Top 14 Tips for a More Enjoyable Liveaboard Trip

Sooner or later as a passionate scuba diver, you will come across the idea of doing a liveaboard trip. You are not a beginner diver anymore and you´ve seen some great underwater stuff during day trips or shore dives. But now you´re seeking some new and special adventures. You want to visit places that are not accessible by a day boat. Or you want to “clock” as many dives as you can in a short period. For all those reasons a dive safari on a liveaboard is the perfect option. But because it is such a special way of a scuba diving vacation, you should be well prepared. No problem! We share with you our 14 top tips to make your liveaboard trip an enjoyable and exciting dive holiday.

 

What is a liveaboard anyway?

Eat, sleep, dive, repeat – that´s basically the daily routine of a dive safari. Liveaboards are special boats made for divers’ needs, cruising around famous dive areas all over the world. The big advantage of a dive liveaboard is that these ships reach more exploited dive sites and remote areas, where daily boats can´t go. For example the Galapagos. The most popular dive sites Wolf and Darwin Island are between 270 and 310 kilometers away from the most inhabited island Santa Cruz. It would be impossible to reach these dive spots in one day.

 

Depending on the region of the world, the ships come in different shapes and sizes. Some of them are solid steel boats, made for heavy water conditions and some are beautiful traditional sailing schooners as you can find in Indonesia. Most boats carry between 10 and 24 guests. And there are all variations of budget. From an affordable basic liveaboard to a super luxury ship, pick a boat for your needs.

 

Now, your main reason to join a liveaboard cruise is to dive. On a scuba diving safari, you will do between 3 to 5 dives per day, starting with an early morning dive before breakfast and often end with a night dive before dinner.

 

Be prepared

As you will be on the sea for around 7 to 14 days, you should be well prepared for this trip. Going back on land to pick up something you need? Did you forget your swimsuit? You don’t know how to deploy an SMB? Or your mask strap broke and you want to turn around to buy a new one? Not possible. Preparation is key for a liveaboard trip and our 15 top tips for a liveaboard trip will help you.

 

#1: Do Your Research

The choice of liveaboards is uncountably high. In almost every region of the world, you can do a dive safari. But every region has its own specialties. Do you prefer to see big stuff underwater or are you a macro lover? Do you love corals or caverns and caves? Are you okay with diving in strong currents or are you more the diver who prefers easy scuba diving? Cold water or warm water?

 

Do good research about the region you want to go to. And check also the weather and sea conditions as well as the travel restrictions for the country. Our destination guide can help you to find the region that fits your expectations.

 

#2: Find the Right Liveaboard

You have found the perfect dive destination and you found the right time. But you don’t have the right boat yet. Depending on the region this can be another tricky part, as there are tons of boats especially in popular regions like Indonesia or Egypt.

 

So think about things that are important to you. Do you prefer to travel in a bigger or smaller group? Do you fancy a more luxurious boat with some extra amenities like a spa? Do you want to dive as much as you can or do you also want to do some kayaking and land excursions? There is almost nothing that you can´t get. 

 

Besides all the questions about the boat amenities and the itineraries, you should know your budget for this trip. We make it easy for you to find the right liveaboard. After you choose your dream destination in the search bar, you can filter the results by your specific budget and you will get all the boats that fit the requirements. Now, dive in and find your dream boat.

 

By the way, please make sure your selected boat meets high standards of safety. Life vests and rafts, as well as emergency oxygen and first aid kits, are the minimum on any liveaboard. All the boats on our website are well equipped with safety and navigation equipment.

 

#3: Choose Eco-Friendly – Be Eco-Friendly

As we all know, our planet and especially our ocean ecosystem is fragile and at risk. That’s why we should choose our activities wisely. There are more and more boat companies that understand this problem and they try to make some things a bit different. Instead of plastic bottles, you get a reusable water bottle. Guests are provided with eco-friendly toiletries and straws are not allowed on the boat.

 

If your favorite boat is not ready yet for a more sustainable dive safari, be a role model for them. Bring your own water bottle, your eco-friendly toiletries and try to use less plastic. Maybe you are the reason to make them think more about our nature and ecosystems and eventually for a change.

 

And please don’t forget your reef safe sunscreen. Protect yourself from the strong sun on the sea and protect our corals by choosing reef safe sunscreen without oxybenzone or other damaging chemicals.

 

#4:  Practise your Diving Skills

You haven’t been diving for a while? You don’t know how to deploy an SMB? And your buoyancy skills are somewhat rusty? If your answer to all these questions is yes, we highly recommend practicing your scuba diving skills before starting your liveaboard tour. Ask your local dive shop for a refresher course or for some practice lessons in the pool. If you don’t know how to enter and exit the water from a boat or a tender, even ask them to show you these skills.

 

Depending on the region, the sea conditions on a dive safari can be a bit rough sometimes. For safety reasons, you should know the water entry skills and also how to deploy a surface marker buoy, as you often get picked up by the tender boats in the open sea. 

Most liveaboard companies do check dives at the beginning of a trip to repeat the most important diving skills. You can even do some scuba diving courses on board. But you will feel more confident and relaxed if you come prepared. 

 

#5: Get your Nitrox certification

Speaking about diving courses and skills. One certification you should really consider to get is the Nitrox or Enriched Air certification. This specialty allows you to dive with up to 40% oxygen (most common is 32% though) in your tank. The biggest advantage: You will have longer no-decompression limits, which means you can dive longer. 

 

Many people also feel fresher and less tired after diving because of the higher percentage of oxygen. As you will do up to 4 to 5 dives per day, this can make a huge difference and will let you enjoy your trip more.

 

You can do your Nitrox certification easily at home with your local dive shop or online as this is a dry course. But you can also do this course directly on the boat, either with some online studies in advance or on the trip itself. We always recommend you to do the course upfront, because who wants to study on holiday?

 

#6: Get a Travel and Dive Insurance

Don’t save money on insurance for your liveaboard trip. There’s always a risk that you have to cancel the trip because of sickness or whatsoever. But what insurance should you get for your dive safari? We recommend getting travel insurance that covers you in case you have to cancel your trip. Make sure your travel insurance covers also Covid19 these days. Many countries require these insurances upon entry.

 

Very important is also a specific dive insurance. Some boat operators even require to have this dive insurance. It covers you when you have a dive accident. Check if the dive insurance covers costs for hyperbaric chambers, because this can be financially crippling in case you need it. Check out Dive Assure and DAN. They offer both travel and dive insurance.

 

#7: Pack light

Don’t bring a lot of clothes if you are just flying in and out for a dive trip in the tropics. You will need hardly any clothes except a few rash guards and swim trunks or dive shorts. However, some divers always bring a hooded vest no matter what the water temperature is, as it can always change depending on dive sites. Also if you dive up to 4 times per day, you might get cold more easily.

 

Care also about your ears and bring a hat or headband that protects your ears. Why? If your ears are blocked because of a cold or the wind, you can’t equalize, which means you can’t dive. And what is more annoying than sitting on a scuba liveaboard without diving?

 

Also, shoes you won’t wear the whole time on board and if you do some land expeditions you will need a pair of trekking shoes or cross training shoes. Last but not least, pack one or two nice shirts for dinners and evening times. However even on the nicest liveaboards it’s very casual!

 

#8: Bring Your Own Dive Gear

Being comfortable in the water is the most important factor in diving. When you go on a liveaboard it might be the first time in new waters, new dive sites and overall new conditions. To be comfortable in new diving locations having your personal dive gear will help create a sense of familiarity. If you use all rented gear it might take 5-10 dives to be comfortable and used to how it all works, when to inflate and how much, make your mask fit if it’s leaking etc etc.

 

Even the best liveaboards stock their gear with entry level gear. But as an advanced diver you don’t choose your own gear only by the price. You will also choose comfort, safety and extra gadgets. You know every d-ring and every pocket. If you bring your own gear you can enjoy your dives from dive number one.

 

#9: Spare Equipment can Save Your Dive Trip

Bring two of everything! Murphy’s law will catch you every time. If something can break while at sea it probably will. Although it costs a bit to bring some spare equipment, think about what you spend in time, energy and money to get to a remote liveaboard. It is far worth spending a little extra to have backups of anything you can. If you have problems with your gear, it’s inevitable. Flying across the world on multiple flights, transiting hotels, cars, ferries and who knows what else your baggage goes through a lot to get to a liveaboard. So just that traumatic voyage is enough for somethings to be on their last leg when you arrive at your destination. 

 

We recommend you to bring at least spare mask, mask and fin straps, o-rings, mouth pieces and for underwater photographers: bring as many batteries as you can and even a second camera. You will thank yourself later.

 

Also, bring two dive computers. If one locks up because the battery died or if it fails you have to wait a whole day to know your true dive table. This is not something you want to have to risk or deal with in the middle of a trip. A computer is your lifeline. When you’re doing 4 dives a day you need to know your saturation. Full stop. You don’t want to risk your life.

 

#10: Check Your Dive Gear Beforehand

Speaking about diving equipment and failures. You can lower the risk of malfunction of your equipment if you get it checked before your dive trip. When was the last time your regulator got checked professionally? Scuba gear manufacturers recommend checking the regulator once a year. So if you haven’t done this in a while do it before your dive safari. It can save your life. Same applies for your bcd. Yes, you should get your bcd revised regularly too.

 

Check also your mask and fin straps and replace broken pieces. And don’t forget to look at the battery of your dive computer. For some models you can easily change the battery by yourself. But sometimes you have to send it to the manufacturer. So make sure you have enough time for all the checks.

 

#11: Care About Your Munchies

If you do have a comfort snack or item bring it with you. Americans bring potato chips and chocolate, Italians will bring cheese or salami, Koreans bring kimchi. As long as it’s legal to bring into the country, a few extra snacks or things you love – bring it! 

 

Most of the food on liveaboards are great. They want to keep their guests happy and you tend to eat 5 times a day on a liveaboard. But sometimes you’re craving for this special chocolate after diving and  as eating is one of the only activities you do besides diving, don’t be shy to bring your favourite snacks. 

 

Some people also like to bring some spirits like whiskey or scotch. Liquor is often not available on dive boats and mostly is very expensive and comes in very basic choices. If you fancy enjoying a good glass of wine or liquor after a day of diving, you should consider bringing a bottle. But check first with your dive operator, if this isn’t against their policies.

 

#12: Disconnect your phone and read a book

The daily schedule on a liveaboard is pretty simple: dive, eat, sleep, repeat. But sometimes you want to spend your surface interval also with a little bit of activity. There’s not always internet connection available, if you are in the open sea and a dive safari is anyway the best chance to switch off your phone and leave it in your pocket. If there’s a book that you always wanted to read, now it´s the time for it. Save your spot on the sundeck and spend your diving break reading and relaxing. Who knows when you’ll get another opportunity like this.

 

#13: Sleep Early

Now, since you are already in your relaxing mode, keep going and go to bed early. The days are going to start with an early morning dive before the sun is rising. With enough sleep you will be able to enjoy these special morning dives more. And you will not be one of these people, who skip the early morning dives and miss how the reef is waking up.

 

#14 Tip the Crew

The crew of the dive safari boats will do their best to create a great scuba diving holiday for you. They put a lot of effort in the service to make you feel comfortable. As a guest, you can honor their job by giving a good tip. In fact, almost every liveaboard has a tipping culture. Some boats will give you an envelope at the end of the trip, where you can leave whatever amount you feel the service was worth. Some operators also have a required amount of tips you should give. If you don’t know how much you should tip, ask some more experienced guests on the boat or even the cruise director. But, unless you had a nightmare of a trip, don’t skip the tips. The salaries of the crew members are often very small and with your gratuities, you can support them and honor their hard work.

 

Book your liveaboard trip

We hope our 14 top tips for a liveaboard trip will help you to make your next dive safari more enjoyable and relaxed. If you are wondering now, where you can go next, go ask us! We´re happy to help you with planning your scuba diving trip.