Liveaboards, explained
Sleep on board, dive more, go further.
A liveaboard is a boat that serves as both transport and hotel for a multi-day dive trip. Instead of returning to shore each night, you cruise between sites and dive several times a day.
They're ideal for remote destinations — think isolated reefs, blue holes and pelagic hotspots that are impractical to reach from land. Many of the world's most famous big-animal dives are liveaboard-only.
Trips usually run 5–7 nights, and an empty tank is simply swapped for a fresh one so you can move between dives quickly. It's a more immersive, space-efficient way to cover a lot of diving in one holiday.
Top sites for this
12 recommended
Elphinstone Reef
Wall-and-reef diving with visibility up to 30 m, 4 standout species, liveaboard access, challenging currents — a strong choice for experienced divers.
Raja Ampat
Wall-and-reef diving with visibility up to 25 m, 4 standout species, liveaboard access — a great fit for most divers.
Komodo National Park
Wall-and-reef diving with visibility up to 25 m, 4 standout species, liveaboard access, challenging currents — a strong choice for experienced divers.
North Male Atoll
Wall-and-reef diving with visibility up to 25 m, liveaboard access — a great fit for most divers.
Flower Garden Banks
Reef diving with visibility up to 30 m, 4 standout species, liveaboard access — a strong choice for experienced divers.
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
Wall-and-reef diving with visibility up to 30 m, 4 standout species, liveaboard access, challenging currents — a strong choice for experienced divers.
Ari Atoll
Wall-and-reef diving with visibility up to 25 m, liveaboard access, challenging currents — a strong choice for experienced divers.
Osprey Reef
Wall-and-reef diving with visibility up to 30 m, 4 standout species, liveaboard access, challenging currents — a strong choice for experienced divers.
Layang-Layang (Swallow Reef)
Wall-and-reef diving with visibility up to 30 m, 4 standout species, liveaboard access, challenging currents — a strong choice for experienced divers.
SS Umbria
Wreck diving with visibility up to 30 m, 4 standout species, liveaboard access — a strong choice for experienced divers.
Namena Marine Reserve
Wall-and-reef diving with visibility up to 25 m, 4 standout species, liveaboard access — a great fit for most divers.
Similan Islands
Reef diving with visibility up to 25 m, 4 standout species, liveaboard access — a great fit for most divers.
Frequently asked
What is a liveaboard?
A dive boat where you live for the duration of the trip, sleeping and eating on board between multiple daily dives.
How long are liveaboard trips?
Typically 5–7 nights, though shorter and longer charters exist. Multi-week adventures are common in remote regions.
Do I need experience?
It varies by itinerary. Many liveaboards welcome Open Water divers, but strong-current or deep trips often ask for Advanced certification or a minimum number of logged dives.