It was 7 a.m. I had just been served a steaming cup of tea and had settled into my chair in the liveaboard’s dining salon when one of the crew members burst into the room. “Orcas!” he yelled. “They’re hunting here! Grab your snorkel gear now — the tender is leaving in 5 minutes!”

A small knot of divers had gathered by the salon’s expansive windows overlooking the Indian Ocean, pointing excitedly to where you could see the backs of orcas breaking the surface of the water. For a moment we were too mesmerized by the beauty of these animals to move.

“Hurry,” one of my companions said. “We gotta grab our gear.”

We all rushed to the dive deck to grab our gear from our individual storage bins. We jumped into the tender, racing to wiggle into wetsuits and set up cameras. Less than 15 minutes after first spotting the pod, the tender driver positioned the zodiac in front of the orcas and cut the engine. We slipped into the water and duck-dived down, with the orcas sprinting within 200 feet of our group. Just as it seemed as if they’d crash into us, the pod split, four orcas to our right and three to the left. It was barely enough time for the more experienced underwater photographers to fire off a few photos.

We repeated the encounter two more times before the orcas left, most likely in search of hunting grounds without the annoying presence of a human pod. Wet, happy and chattering nonstop about the experience, our group came back to the yacht where warm towels and a chef-prepared hot breakfast were waiting. As the dive vacation cliché goes, “just another day in paradise.”

Not All Liveaboards Are Created Equal

My orca experience is only one reason I tell divers why I love liveaboards — you never know what will show up, but when it does, you’re in the perfect place to make the most of it. (My liveaboard experience with the orcas was in the Indian Ocean. Check out all the authentic and mind-blowing experiences in the Maldives aboard Explorer Ventures’ Emperor Explorer.) That’s especially true on a liveaboard because your gear is onsite and ready to go.

Not every liveaboard destination features potential encounters with big animals. Not every liveaboard has tender diving. A liveaboard may not have enough room to offer individual gear stations. While it can be said that every liveaboard is a floating hotel, not many would earn a five-star rating. Not every liveaboard crew provides boutique hotel amenities, such as warm towels, gourmet meals, turndown-bed service and between-dive snacks. And what about that steaming-hot cup of tea (or coffee) as soon as you wake up? Breakfast is served in a variety of ways, depending on the vessel and the itinerary. Heck, not every boat crew will jump into action for an unscripted encounter like ours with the orcas. That memorable morning everything was delayed — breakfast, the first morning dive, post-dive home-baked chocolate chip cookies — but the crew managed it all effortlessly and with a smile.

There is a host of things to consider when choosing a liveaboard that’s perfect for you, which depends on your experience, type of diving you prefer, amenities you desire and vacation budget. When evaluating liveaboard companies and their itineraries, first check the company’s website, which will usually be organized by destination, such as what you’ll find on Explorer Ventures overview page.

Planning a liveaboard dive vacation can be smooth and nearly effortless, so long as you do your research. To save you the need for diligent research, we’ve put together a list of questions you should ask before spending your hard-earned money on your next dive holiday.

1. What will the diving be like?

This question is especially important because it involves a number of considerations, such as skill level, dive conditions, seasonal factors, and your expectations for a particular destination in terms of marine life. A reputable liveaboard company will provide the details for each vessel they operate — for example, Explorer Ventures’ Turks & Caicos Explorer II has an overview page and pages devoted to the type of diving, itinerary, vessel info, photo galleries, and commonly asked questions.

Ask these questions:

• What is the minimum skill level/number of dives recommended for the itinerary?
• How many dives are offered each day?
• What are conditions like (water clarity, currents, water temp, etc.)?
• What marine life do you usually see in this destination and when is the best time to see it?
• Finally, what are the options if the planned itinerary becomes impossible (due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances)?

2. What gear do I need for the trip?

Packing the right gear (and making sure it’s all working) is crucial on a liveaboard trip — and knowing where it will be stored when you’re not diving is important for your peace of mind. I always recommend bringing your own gear and accessories (along with some replacement pieces and parts, such as mask straps and camera batteries) because it’s familiar. But sometimes bringing all your own gear is not practical or desirable. Plus, packing doubles of everything adds to your luggage weight (and trip cost), so you’ll want to know what kind of rental gear the liveaboard keeps on hand. And of course, there are some destinations that require specialized equipment and accessories, such as safety sausages.

Ask these questions:

• Is rental gear available (in case an item breaks or fails or you don’t want to lug your gear halfway around the world)?
• Do divers have individual dive stations and/or storage bins?
• Is there a freshwater rinse tank?
• Is there a place to hang wetsuits and towels?
• Is there a dedicated camera table and rinse tank?
• Will a crew member hand me my camera once I’m in the water (and take it from me at the end of the dive)?
• Do I need any specialized gear for the itinerary?
• What is the recommended exposure protection (e.g., 3mm wetsuit, hooded vest, booties, etc.)?
• How spacious is the dive deck?
• Are there freshwater showers on the dive deck?

3. What safety features does the liveaboard have?

While you may have visions of hammerhead shark encounters and nights spent on an open-air deck gazing at the stars in the middle of the ocean dancing in your head, safety on a liveaboard is hands down the most important factor when choosing a liveaboard. In the rare instance that there is some sort of onboard emergency, you want to ensure that the vessel has made every effort to handle them and that the crew is trained in safety protocols.

Ask these questions:

• How many crew are on board?
• How many have received first-aid and rescue training?
• Does the liveaboard carry oxygen and emergency first-aid equipment?
• Is the vessel inspected and current with all licenses and inspection requirements?
• Does the boat have a fire detection and suppression system on board?
• Do they allow charging devices in individual cabins and are Lithium batteries allowed on the vessel?
• Does the boat have fire extinguishers and alarms in or near all cabins and rooms?
• Is there a mandatory security night watch aboard the boat?
• Does the vessel crew do regular safety drills?  

4. Are there any special travel considerations for this destination?

Traveling to and from a destination can be the hardest part of a liveaboard dive vacation. It’s essential that you understand how the liveaboard company will assist you and what all the requirements are — show up without an appropriate visa, for example, and you probably will be stuck on the dock when the liveaboard departs. Explorer Ventures maintains a page on its site that keeps guests informed about the latest travel advisories and entry procedures for each of its destinations, which is invaluable to know.

Ask these questions:

• Are there passport, visa or entry form requirements (for example, many destinations require that you have 6 months remaining on your passport before it expires)?
• Does the trip depart from and return to the same port? 
• What are the trip cancellation protocols?
• Does the travel require any layovers?
• Does the company offer airport transfers, and if so, do they need to be paid in local currency?  
• How soon can I board on the day of departure?
• Are there any land excursions that have separate fees, dress code requirements, etc.?
• Are any vaccinations required?
• Are there any travel advisories for the destination?

5. What are the facilities and services like?

On a liveaboard dive vacation, the yacht is your home for the week (and sometimes longer), so it’s important to know what the facilities are like and to decide what matters to you (for example, having a cabin to yourself). You also need to be realistic about your budget.

Ask these questions:

• Are the bathrooms en suite?
• Is there daily housekeeping?
• Will I have a roommate?
• Is there storage inside the cabins?
• Are the cabins air-conditioned? 
• Does the boat have a separate dining area and salon?
• Is it possible to dine alfresco on the deck?
• Is there TV in every guest cabin?
• Is WiFi available?
• Can the chef accommodate special diets, such as vegan or gluten-free?

6. Is the liveaboard company known for its sustainability, quality, reliability and safety?

When you book a liveaboard dive trip, you’ll be interacting with the company’s reservations staff. Like any service-centric industry, liveaboard companies have a corporate culture that should be apparent in your communications with the team that’s handling all the up-front logistics.

Ask these questions:

• How long has the company been in business, under the current ownership, operating in this destination?
• If there is any issue with my trip, when and how can I reach someone to help resolve the issue?
• Are sustainable practices in place on board? Are they verified/certified by a third party in the industry like Green Fins and/or PADI Eco Center?
• What are the amenities that are included/excluded?

Related Reading: Explorer Ventures’ Sustainability Promise

The Explorer Ventures Fleet Difference

As an experienced liveaboard diver, I can tell you that not every liveaboard company is alike, which is why doing your homework is so important. Answers to many of these questions can be found on the liveaboard operator’s website, so check there before sending the questions you have. For example, the respected liveaboard fleet Explorer Ventures includes an overview of each destination it offers, including sample itineraries (with maps) and commonly asked questions about the vessel and diving. They describe their sustainability practices and clearly spell out the terms of their packages. They also clearly define their corporate culture. If the liveaboard company you’re considering has a website with incomplete or outdated information, look for another company that offers the same destination.

Doing your research before you book can ensure that your next liveaboard vacation is a dream come true — and that the only surprises are the encounters you have underwater.

Related Reading: Dive the Globe with Explorer Ventures

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

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