Six Awesome Liveaboard Destinations
Liveaboards provide a one-of-a-kind experience for travelers looking to fully submerge themselves into a diving adventure. Guests are able to spend a week (or more!) filling their days with diving and their nights watching the sunset across the open water. Liveaboards can provide all of the same luxuries as a typical on land resort such as spa treatments, snorkeling, gourmet meals, and excursions. Here are our picks of some of the six best destinations for a liveaboard vacation.
1) Galápagos Islands - Ecuador
The Galapagos Islands are scattered across the equator and have warm weather year-round. While diving in the Pacific waters surrounding the islands is great all year, December to May is the warmest season with the calmest waters and highest visibility. Divers during this season most often see hammerhead sharks and manta rays. July to November is ideal for more advanced divers hoping for more intense, choppier waters. Although the ocean is generally a bit colder during this season, it is known for nutrient-rich water that attracts all kinds of sea life, specifically whale sharks. Diving in the Galapagos is done on liveaboards from tenders or Zodiacs, and guests are able to have a unique experience living out on the open waters.
2) Socorro Island - Mexico
Socorro Island is the largest island in the Revillagigedo Archipelago and is famous for its vibrant wildlife, both on and off the shore. The volcanic island does not have an airport, making it a popular spot for liveaboards. The diving season lasts from November to May as that is when the water is at its calmest. Throughout this season, divers often get to see hammerhead sharks, manta rays, whale sharks, and humpback whales. From January to March, there are even frequent sightings of bottlenose dolphins. In addition to these, sightings of silky sharks, Galapagos sharks, whitetip reef sharks, and silvertip sharks are possible as well. Getting to the Socorros requires an open ocean crossing about 22 hours from Cabo San Lucas, Baja California.
3) Raja Ampat - Indonesia
Located off the coast of Bird’s Head Peninsula in West Papua, Raja Ampat is an Indonesian archipelago that is known for its extensive biodiversity. The islands form part of the Coral Triangle — an area known as a home to 76% of known coral species. In Raja Ampat’s waters, there is countless marine life and stunning coral reefs to see. The most popular sights include manta rays, reef sharks, walking sharks, turtles, nudibranchs, and so much more. Diving in Raja Ampat is ideal from October to April as it has the driest weather with calm seas that make for smooth liveaboard sailing. The clear waters consistently have a visibility of 80-100 ft all year long, which is perfect for spotting even the smallest of critters.
4) Tubbataha Reef - Philippines
Tubbataha Reef is a protected marine park in the Philippines’ Sula Sea. It is known for being a nesting ground for green sea turtles and is made up of a northern atoll, southern atoll, and the Jessie Beazley Reef. Visitors can only explore the clear waters from a liveaboard as it is located over 10 hours away from land. The diving season takes place from mid-March to mid-June as that is when the water is at its calmest and clearest with a visibility of up to 114 feet. The reef is known for its vast biodiversity as it is reported to have over 1,200 species — 181 of which are threatened.
5) Solomon Islands - Oceania Pacific
Diving in the Solomon Islands is perfect for visitors hoping for a more private, secluded experience with untouched reefs. There are nearly a thousand islands in the archipelago, and almost all of them are uninhabited. The water temperature is consistently in the low to high 80s, making it comfortable to dive in year-round. However, January through April is monsoon season, which brings the greatest amounts of wind and rain that could disrupt diving. What makes the Solomon Islands so unique is that their waters hold a time capsule that sends divers back to World War II with its numerous plane and shipwrecks at various depths. In addition to these one-of-a-kind wrecks, divers can also explore reefs, walls, slopes, pinnacles, and more. Visitors can choose to spend their time in the Solomon Islands on a liveaboard or from a resort on land.
6) Chuuk Lagoon - Micronesia
Chuuk Lagoon is a mountainous island that was once a former Japanese naval base during the second world war. The island’s history has been kept alive in its own waters with its array of sunken treasure, submerged ships teeming with marine life, and even human remains. Divers in the Lagoon’s Pacific waters get to explore part of this history, and often even find artifacts such as ammunition or guns. The wrecks vary in their depth, making them accessible for just about any level of diver. The temperature is consistently warm year-round; however, December to April is ideal due to the lack of rainfall and wind during this season.
Calipso Galapagos Liveaboard
2021 Discount $1700 Off All Year
This is a bucket list destination and a super discounted deal. You can book any of the available charter dates throughout 2021 and get a $1700 USD per person discount. Also get FREE nitrox and a 1-night stay in Quito or Guayaquil for ease of transit. These dates must be booked before February 14, 2021.
- Jan 14th to July 8th, 2021: was $5495 now $3795 p.p
- From July 8th to Dec 31st, 2021: was $5696 now $3995 p.p
Trip Report - Nautilus Belle Amie - Socorro Islands Dec 2020
"A Picture is Worth 1000 Words"
Photographer Brandi Mueller
Galapagos Master Liveaboard
March 2021 - 30% Discount
Dive Travel "Bucket List" Adventure
We have cabins available on the Galapagos Master Liveaboard for March 2021 with a 30% discount. Travel dates and rates are as follows:
- 01 - 08 March 2021 7 Days Was $6150, now $4305 USD
- 08 - 15 March 2021 7 Days Was $6150, now $4305 USD
- 15 - 22 March 2021 7 Days Was $6150, now $4305 USD
- 22 March - 01 April 2021 10 days Was $7820, now $5474 USD
Rates are per person double occupancy. Other fees:
- Marine Park & Port Fees: $100 USD Galapagos National Park Fees (upon your arrival in the San Cristóbal)
- Tourist Card: $25 USD (before boarding your domestic flights to the Galapagos visit the INGALA booth at Guayaquil airport)
- Chamber Support Fee: $35 USD
The Galápagos Islands are an Ecuadorian archipelago of volcanic islands straddling the equator about 970 km west of continental Ecuador. The Galapagos are a UNESCO World Heritage site, an official Ecuadorian province, an Ecuadorian National Park as well as a biological marine reserve.
Blue Force One Maldives Liveaboard
Premium Scuba Dive Adventure
Book with us Now - The Maldives is Open for Divers
The Maldives Blue Force One was awarded as the best Maldivian liveaboard boat in 2018. The ship has two outdoor jacuzzies, solarium sun decks with loungers, an outdoor bar, a large lounge, and modern cabins.
Blue Force One has eleven cabins that accommodate up to two guests per room. The eleven cabins include seven deluxe, one master cabin, one junior suite, and two master suites. All of the cabins feature an ensuite bathroom, hairdryer, remote control for lights, air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite connection, onboard phone, a safe, and towels. The lower deck has one master cabin with a couple bed and six cabins with a double bed and a single bed. The main deck has two master suites with a double bed, jacuzzi for two people, and a sea view window. The upper deck has one junior suite with a double bed and a single bed as well as one cabin with two single beds.
Rates Per Person Double Occupancy: Deluxe $1990 USD - Master Cabin $2090 USD - Junior Suite $2190 USD
Nautilus Belle Amie
LAST MINUTE DEAL
Socorro Islands for 9 Days 8 Nights
Departs Nov 2, 2020 - $1795 PPDO
2 Remaining Cabins
Nautilus is giving up on the Guadalupe Island Park officials for this year. For months they have been telling us to standby, we can expect good news within the week on the opening of our favorite great white shark destination. But the good news never comes. We say “screw it”. Let’s go diving. Nautilus is repositioning their boats to Cabo San Lucas and let’s get out to Socorro and start diving. The incredibly friendly giant mantas and dolphins as well as 10 species of shark are waiting. Water temps are in the low to mid 80’s. The diving is going to rock!!!
This discounted rate is for Stateroom accommodations, meals, and as many as four dives per day. Get this deal fast $1795 per person shared cabin occupancy. Rate does not include 5% tax or $65 Port Fee.
Tiburon Explorer Liveaboard
Galapagos, Ecuador
$2150 USD Discount
Departure Dates:
- November 7, 2020
- December 19-26, 2020
- January 2, 2021
- January 30, 2021
The Tiburon Explorer, launched in September 2020, accommodates 16 passengers in 9 air-conditioned staterooms. All staterooms are located on the main and lower decks and have windows to maximize views of the renowned Pacific Ocean and Galapagos Archipelago. In addition, each stateroom has twin beds that can be converted to comfortable queen beds for couples, and include private bath and shower facilities, dressers, and closets. When not dreaming about whale sharks and their next dive, guests can enjoy the air-conditioned salon on the main deck, furnished with dining tables and TV/lounge area. Sunning and viewing areas on the top deck offer ample seating and a hot tub where you can regale stories of hammerheads from your day.
Book this liveaboard with us and get a $2150 discount on the selected dates. Book fast!
NAD-Lembeh Resort
Blackwater Dive Adventure
February 5-15, 2022
* * 4 Bungalows Available * *
NAD-Lembeh Resort and the Lembeh Strait are famous all over the world for the peerless macro and muck diving. NAD-Lembeh is expert in photography, nitrox, rebreathers – this resort does it all. The dive team is second-to-none, with 15 full-time dive guides who between them have over 100 years of experience diving in Lembeh. NAD-Lembeh offers a 2:1 diver to guide ratio, and is handicap friendly. We have selected the Beachfront bungalows because of the easy access for our mobility-challenged divers.
Lembeh Strait offers a stunning variety of dives and there are more than 70 individual named dive sites. Divers visiting Lembeh are likely to see a vast list of critters. Frogfish, rhinopias, a huge array of nudibranchs and octopus, the Blue-Ringed Octopus and Mimic Octopus, being a highlight. Lembeh is not just muck diving though! On this adventure we will explore all around the island and beyond to find some of the best reef diving in South East Asia.
This trip is timed to coincide with the new moon phase in February to offer the best opportunities for spotting critters during the Black water Night Dives. Our unique adventure offers 10 nights Beachfront bungalow accommodation, 3 meals a day (plus snacks, water, coffee, espresso, tea), evening dinner on day of arrival and breakfast on day of departure, 3 dives per day (total 26 dives), unlimited house reef dives, nitrox for certified divers, airport transfers, and all taxes. There is the option to upgrade the 3rd dive of the day to a Night/ Mandarin Dive for an additional $20 (not applicable for Blackwater Night Dives).
Cost: $2,102 USD per person double occupancy includes our 5% DISCOUNT
Long Beach Scuba Show - Damai I Liveaboard
Emperor Harmoni Indonesia
New Luxury Liveaboard
* * * Expected Launch July 2020 * * *
The MY Emperor Harmoni is currently under construction and ready to launch in July 2020. Emperor Harmoni is Emperor Divers Indonesia's brand new liveaboard, the second for Emperor Indonesia. One of only a select few liveaboards in this region to have two engines, at 48m the ship happily welcomes 20 guests in spacious surroundings.
Emperor Harmoni's three decks have six guest cabins on the lower deck and four on the upper. The main deck features a spacious restaurant, lounge area with a 49" HD flat screen, digital movie and music library, board games, bar and a camera suite.
Contact us to book a cabin on this luxury ship now...!