Scuba diving cruises, sometimes called liveaboards, combine diving and cruising into a single vacation, putting you right above the flora and fauna you wish to explore. With a range of destinations and price points, nearly any diver can find a cruise fit for his needs.
Benefits
During most scuba diving excursions, you take a small boat to the dive site or swim to the site from the beach. Dive cruises cut down on travel time by allowing you to live on the boat instead of in a hotel on land. Instead of hauling your gear around, everything is waiting for you when you wake up, letting you fit more diving into one day. Most diving cruises let you dive as much as you want within the safety guidelines, with the average four dives each day.
Gear And Requirements
Most liveaboards provide tanks, weights and weight belts for guest divers. You will need to provide your own buoyancy control device, regulator, wetsuit, fins, snorkel and mask. Depending on the vessel, you may need to provide your own dive insurance for the duration of the cruise. You must be at least 15 years old to become open water certified.
Cruising Options
Liveaboards are available throughout the world, at dive sites ranging from Thailand and Indonesia in Asia to the Red Sea, Maldives and Galapagos Islands. Each cruising destination typically offers expeditions for many budgets. You can spend a few days on a no-frills boat equipped with basic equipment and simple meals or opt for a five-star luxury yacht to carry you on your way.
Planning Trip
Dive cruises tend to have small passenger limits, so it's best to book ahead. Keep in mind that dive conditions can vary widely throughout the year, so some locations will only offer cruises during a few months. If you plan to travel with non-divers, most liveaboards offer discounted fare, and non-divers can bring snorkel gear to enjoy the dive sites from the surface. As with any scuba diving trip, plan so that you have at least 24 hours between your final dive and your flight home.
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