Who should join a liveaboard trip?

With incredible dive safaris gaining in popularity, more and more trips are becoming available and there's a dream itinerary for every guest. Liveaboards might seem like the realm of pro divers, but with so many choices, you’re guaranteed to find something that suits your budget and personal travel style.

If you are hoping to do a course during your liveaboard trip, you should start with finding out whether the boat is PADI or SSI friendly. These are the largest certifying organisations, and the best options for completing an Open Water, Advanced or specialty course. 

You'll also need to choose a destination and itinerary that are suitable for learning. Calm, clear waters are best for beginners, and if it's your first time at sea, you should select a quick trip of just three or four days - enough time to complete your course.

Destinations like Egypt's northern Red Sea, Thailand's Similan Islands, and Australia's Great Barrier Reef are ideal for beginners. You'll find calm currents, excellent visibility, and plenty of short itineraries to choose from. These legendary destinations are also ideal for non-divers.

Some liveaboard itineraries cater especially to non-divers, visiting the best snorkelling sites each day. Others are suitable for mixed groups, with dedicated snorkel and dive guides. If you have non-divers in your travel group, you should also choose a boat with onboard extras that might appeal, including watersports, reliable internet, and wellness offerings or spa. 

Because non-divers will be spending more time onboard, it's essential to choose a liveaboard with plenty of space for, along with a stable design for smooth sailing. 

Are liveaboards suitable for solo travelers? Absolutely! Shared cabin trips are the most common way for solo travellers to enjoy a liveaboard diving adventure, with twin accommodations assigned by gender. Other boats accommodate solo travelers in shared dorm-style cabins.

More luxurious boats might have a single cabin with just one bunk explicitly designed for solo guests. Or if you want a cabin to yourself, you can pay a "single supplement" - make sure you check the vessel's rates and policies before booking.

Not sure if you want to go it alone? Why not BYOB - bring your own buddy? You can find social media groups for single divers all over the internet, or consider finding someone through a local dive club. If you're searching for a travel mate, don't hesitate to reach out to the ZuBlu team. Our travel experts are in direct contact with divers from all over the world and we might just have the perfect person to connect you with! 

If you are travelling with family or friends, a chartered voyage might be the best choice. These customisable trips give you some freedom to choose the itinerary, activities, and other details of your journey. Because chartered cruises offer so much more flexibility, it’s easy for the crew to cater to the needs of every guest - ensuring the trip of a lifetime!

Chartered liveaboard trips are also perfect for dive travel in the ‘new normal’, minimising contact with anyone outside your family or group.

If you are a technical diver, then a dedicated tech liveaboard dive trip is ideal. The crew will be trained to handle tech diving equipment and you can enjoy a diving schedule built around the needs of your fellow tech divers, rather than joining mixed groups. Be sure to contact your boat of choice in advance so that they are aware of your requirements for gas blends or rebreather scrubbers.

Underwater photographers should look for a dedicated camera room with individual workstations and rinse bins. In-room charging stations, dive deck camera tables, and wireless internet also come in handy!

Whatever your passion, you'll also want to choose a liveaboard boat with the necessary experience required to make your dream dive holiday happen. For tech divers, this includes extensive knowledge of decompression diving, as well as guiding and support for divers exceeding recreational limits. For photographers, this means small dive groups, and local guides familiar with the dive sites.