Whether you're a seasoned veteran diver or if you are brand new to the sport, you've probably experienced some of the hassles that just seem to be an everyday part of dive travel. What if you could enjoy meals and entertainment, topside tours, and nearly unlimited diving, all with a minimum amount of effort on your part? With liveaboards, you can do just that. You'll find liveaboard dive tours are available at many locales; as with most things, some destinations stand head and shoulders above the rest. At Just Gotta Dive (JGD), we're dedicated to providing you with the very best information relevant to dive travel - with this in mind, we've compiled this report on the world's best liveaboard destinations. Pack your bags (just once!) and hop onboard; great diving adventures await.
Egypt
If you are looking for plenty of diversity and a great value, Egypt offers that - and more. Egypt's liveaboards offer everything from trips to outstanding archaeological dive sites to encounters with impressive marine life, to the opportunity to enjoy topside views of classic Egyptian architectural monuments such as the Great Pyramid and the Sphinx.
One thing we love about diving in Egypt is that there is something for everyone. Placid reefs beckon newer divers, while walls, wrecks, caves, and other underwater wonders are certain to hold even the most jaded diver in thrall. We also love the fact you can dive Egypt all year round; temperatures are quite steady, normally ranging from 26 to 32 degrees Celsius, with water temperatures ranging from 22 to 30 degrees Celsius. Visibility at the 200+ Egyptian dive sites tends to be between 20 and 40 meters, so if you love underwater photography, this is a great place to capture some incredible images.
When planning, keep in mind that the months of April through October tend to be busiest, and during the months of November through January, water conditions tend to be rougher. No matter when you visit though, you'll find a dive holiday in Egypt is unforgettable.
Australia
Whether you want to dive the Great Barrier Reef or Ningaloo Reef, or if you're more interested in diving Australia's wrecks, such as the fabled Yongala, you're certain to enjoy liveaboard travel around this incredible continent. We love diving in Australia not just because of the thousands of incredible named and unnamed dive sites which are available, and not only because of the abundant and diverse marine life found in most places here, but because dive infrastructure is top-notch.
Here, you'll find thousands of individual reefs (the Great Barrier Reef alone boasts 2,900 individual reef structures), huge schools of pelagics including schooling fish and big sharks around gorgonian-laced pinnacles and sheer walls that rise up from the abyss thousands of feet below, and of course, zillions of tiny creatures vying for your attention, no matter where you dive.
Four day and seven day packages are available, along with longer liveaboard stays for those with even more time to spend enjoying the wonders underwater Australia offers. Whether you want to witness coral spawning, encounter rare aggregations of mating groupers, swim with whale sharks and minke whales, experience helidiving adventures, or simply relax, you can do it in Australia - a special place you'll remember forever.
Maldives
Whether you want to dive the Maldives to encounter Whale Sharks, or if you simply want to enjoy the opportunity to increase your familiarity with some of the most interesting marine species the world has to offer, you'll find the best way to do it is via liveaboard. We love the fact that liveaboard operators in the Maldives are so very flexible; you can choose to spend anywhere from between just a few days to more than two weeks enjoying unlimited diving, excellent cuisine, and the company of the like-minded travelers with whom you'll be sharing this fascinating journey.
While planning your trip to the Maldives, keep in mind that while the diving is fantastic all year, there are two main seasons - the Northeast Monsoon Season, spanning the months of December through April, and the Southwest Monsoon Season, which occurs from May to December. During the Northeast Monsoon Season, conditions are drier, and visibility is best along the atolls' eastern sides. During the Southwest Monsoon Season, brief storms occur daily - usually lasting no more than two hours. Hot, sunny weather is to be had daily during this time, and Manta Ray and Whale Shark activity peak. You'll find these animals, along with eagle rays, blue spotted rays, devil rays, and huge black spotted rays, along with a variety of sharks and an endless parade of colorful fish, invertebrates, and crustaceans here year round though; there is never a "bad" time to plan for this awe-inspiring experience.
Galapagos Islands
If you want to dive the Galapagos, then your chances of encountering hammerhead sharks, great whites, and the many other creatures living in this unique range of habitats increase greatly when you choose to do so via liveaboard. A World Heritage site, not to mention the world's second largest marine reserve, the Galapagos consist of fifteen main islands, a trio of smaller islands, and more than 100 rocks and inlets swarming with life. You will be amazed at the sight of flamingos and penguins, subtropical fish species and tropical fish species, and of course topside species such as tortoises, all living in harmony here, where cold and warm currents converge near the equator; and you will find the number of dive sites available to be equally incredible. The oceans surrounding the Galapagos span over 45,000 square kilometers, and there are sites here for every level. Whether you want to avoid the crowds that can sometimes swarm popular Galapagos dive sites, or save money on the vacation of a lifetime, you can do so. The best time to plan a dive trip to the Galapagos is between February and June, due to better weather; however the greatest chance of encountering Whale Sharks and schooling hammerheads here occurs between the months of December and May; endemic species are seen all year round.
Indonesia
With more than 17,000 islands, it's not surprising that Indonesia is among our favorite liveaboard destinations. Most of these islands are uninhabited, and in all, there are more than 80,000 kilometers of coastline to explore. Fish are healthy and abundant here, the water is consistently warm no matter what time of year you visit, and if you love macro life, you'll find this is one of the best places in the world to experience encounters of the tiny kind - whether you're after pygmy seahorses or mandarinfish, you'll find them here.
Indonesia's conservation efforts are remarkable - the nation's coral reefs are pristine, with over 600 coral species and close to 4,000 fish species waiting to greet you. Wall diving, wreck diving, and drift diving are all possible here, and with over 500 named dive sites, you'll find the adventure never ends. We recommend you enjoy an extended liveaboard trip in order to truly immerse yourself in this experience. Most people try to stay for two to four weeks, and most aim for travel dates between April and December, as visibility is better during the "dry" season; sometimes, visibility reaches to 80 meters or further. No matter how long you stay though, you'll find Indonesia is one of those places you will remember into your golden years!
Thailand
With a year-round tropical climate, clear water, and an astonishing array of marine life, Thailand lives up to its nickname, "Pearl of the South." Whether the Phi Phi Islands, the Similan Islands, Koh Raja, Richelieu Rock, or other top Thai dive sites have made their way onto your bucket list, the best way to truly enjoy the experience of diving them is to do so via liveaboard. Huge schools of tropical fish and splendid Whale Sharks and Manta Rays can be seen here; plus, you'll get the opportunity to stop over at beach resorts if you choose to experience more than one itinerary.
Thailand's North Andaman Sea and South Andaman Sea itineraries vary, and we recommend you take the opportunity to enjoy about six days on each itinerary, back to back. This way, you only have to spring for air travel once, and nothing quite compares to a full two weeks in a tropical paradise.
Fiji
Fiji is famous for its abundance of soft coral, its big bommies, and its splendid reefs and walls, not to mention its nudibranchs, clownfish and anemone colonies, and plenty of larger marine life, too - giant groupers, Manta Rays, sharks, and turtles are abundant here.
While day trips are available, you'll find smaller groups and a better overall experience when you take advantage of liveaboard travel; huge sea fans, schooling pelagics, and other dazzling underwater sights are so much more enjoyable to see when you're not in "diver soup!"
You can dive in Fiji year round; during the winter months (April - October), visibility frequently exceeds 50 meters, but your chances of encountering big plankton feeders are lower. During Fiji's summer months (November - March), visibility is lower due to runoff from rain and due to blooming plankton, but your chances of whale shark and manta encounters increase greatly.
Belize
We love Belize for more than its fabled Blue Hole, and for more than its sheer walls, where massive crimson gorgonians and unbelievably enormous orange elephant ear sponges create a backdrop for marine life small and large alike; the availability of liveaboards makes the experience of diving Belize even better. There's no question that this is a paradise for divers new and experienced alike; caves and tunnels, reef sites, and deep walls await, and most liveaboard operators offer some topside excursions too, such as a trips to the jungle for canopy zipline tours, and hikes out to the famous Mayan ruins.
You can dive Belize all year. While April, May, and June are the most popular months to visit, a trip during the rainy season (July-November) rarely yields two or more rainy days back to back. Surface chop can increase during this time, and dive sites closer to shore can have reduced visibility due to runoff. If your focus is Lighthouse Reef and the Blue Hole, however, you'll find visibility remains excellent all year. Belize's liveaboard dive operators do a great job of taking divers to suitable sites, no matter what the season - and non-divers are welcome to snorkel at many of them. Belize is very easy to access as most major airlines offer flights to Belize City, so if you've got a limited amount of time and want to wring the most enjoyment out of your vacation, then this is definitely the place to go.
Palau
Palau has earned mention as one of the Seven Underwater Wonders of the World, and just a few years ago, Scuba Diving magazine readers voted the planet's 14th smallest nation as a top dive destination. We agree! Not only do the waters surrounding this tiny nation offer eye-popping biodiversity, they also hold more WWII era wrecks than you could possibly explore on just a single vacation. Needless to say, all this is best experienced with the help of a liveaboard; your chances of encountering huge marine life are much better, and the number of dives and snorkeling experiences you can enjoy each day are limited pretty much only by your physical limits (and admittedly, a little bit of travel time - but less than required for day trips!)
Palau is at its best between January and April, with the wet season extending from May to November. Even, so, you can dive here all year; just be aware that typhoons, though rare, can hit the nation, normally between July and November. No matter when you visit, you'll find yourself surrounded by more than 700 coral species and sharing the water with over 1,200 fish species, including dolphins, turtles, sharks, and rays. So, whether you're a wreck diving enthusiast or if sightseeing dives with an emphasis on natural wonders are your favorites, you'll find Palau to be the perfect destination.
Cocos Islands
Cocos Islands is a dive destination you can only access via liveaboard - there are no day trips available! Offering some of the most spectacular dive sites on the planet, populated by big pelagics including schooling hammerheads, dolphins, whales, and whale sharks, sailfish, manta rays, and more, and also offering outstanding drift dive opportunities, the Cocos Islands are about 35 hours each way from mainland Costa Rica. Though rocky, with very little in the way of sponge and coral cover to add color to the underwater environment, the Cocos Islands are one of the sole remaining spots on the planet where you can encounter such enormous numbers of fish - particularly big fish.
If you have yet to add the Cocos Islands to your bucket list, you might want to do so. Just be sure to set two weeks aside for what is sure to be one of your life's "pinnacle" experiences.
Be sure to do your homework regarding necessities, from vaccinations to equipment, required for liveaboard travel. It is important to pack a bit of redundant gear, including items that are frequently broken or lost (straps, lights, batteries), and anything else required. Learn a bit about the fleet you are considering, and be sure your travel insurance is up to date. Finally, if you have non-diving friends or family who might like to accompany you, check to see whether they're welcome on board. Many liveaboard companies do welcome people who want to snorkel or work on the best tan of a lifetime, and quite a few companies offer basic instruction. Forge new friendships, relax and enjoy superb dining, and most of all, dive - liveaboard travel is something you've got to experience at least once.