A Beginner’s Guide to Liveaboard Diving

By Jaruda Suppakarnpanich Date 12 Aug 2024

Discover liveaboard diving for beginners in Thailand with Giant Stride. Learn what it is, how it works, and why you should book with us.

If you’re a scuba diving enthusiast who wants to take your underwater experiences to the next level, liveaboard diving might be the perfect adventure for you. This guide will help you understand what liveaboard diving is, how it works, and how to make the most of your experience.

What is a Liveaboard?

A liveaboard is a type of dive trip where you live aboard a vessel for the duration of your diving adventure. Instead of returning to shore after each dive, you stay on the boat, which travels to various dive sites. This gives you a more immersive and convenient diving experience.

Liveaboard diving trips typically last 3 to 10 nights, depending on your itinerary and chosen package. During the trip, you’ll travel to different dive sites, with all meals and accommodations provided on board.

Advantages of a Liveaboard Trip

Liveaboard diving trips come with numerous benefits for beginners and experienced divers alike:

Multiple destinations: You can visit several dive sites without having to worry about the logistics of traveling to each one.
Exotic & remote locations: The liveaboard can reach remote dive sites that are more pristine and less crowded and may not be accessible to day trip divers and snorkelers.
More dive time: The convenience of living on a boat gives you more diving opportunities, allowing you to gain more experience in a shorter time.
Convenience: On a liveaboard, divers experience less hassle as they don’t need to travel from the shore to the dive site and back or embark and disembark from the boat every day. Divers can rest straight away after their dive.
Cost-effective: It can also be more cost-effective as all-inclusive trips can be more economical than booking separate dives and accommodations.
Community: Aboard a diving boat, you get to be a part of a community of diving enthusiasts and make new friends.

Choosing the Right Liveaboard

Here are some factors to consider when choosing a liveaboard:

Type of Vessel

Sailing yachts: Ideal for a more traditional and serene experience.
Catamarans: Known for stability and spaciousness, they’re great for those prone to seasickness.
Steel-hull boats: Offer durability and often have more amenities.
Phinisi: Traditional wooden boats that provide a unique cultural touch.

Amenities

Cabin comfort: Look for cabins with air conditioning, private bathrooms, and sufficient storage space.
Dining: Consider your diet and food preferences and whether the liveaboard will serve local, international, vegan, or halal options.
Onboard facilities: Consider the availability of dining areas, lounges, sun decks, and entertainment options.
Diving facilities: Ensure the boat is equipped with proper diving facilities such as gear storage, rinse tanks, and dive decks.

Itinerary

Dive sites: Research the dive sites in the itinerary to ensure they match your interests and skill level.
Trip duration: Choose a trip length that fits your schedule and diving goals.
Additional activities: Some liveaboards offer extra activities like snorkeling, island excursions, or photography workshops.

Group Size

Diver-to-guide ratio: Smaller groups often mean more personalized attention from dive guides.
Social environment: Consider whether you prefer a more social environment with larger groups or a quieter experience with fewer divers.

Requirements for Liveaboards

Before embarking on a liveaboard trip, you’ll need to have undergone some training in scuba diving and have a minimum number of logged dives. Most liveaboards require their passengers to have an Open Water certification. You may also be required to provide a medical certificate showing that you’re fit to dive, as well as proof of travel and diving insurance.

Liveaboard Logistics

Liveaboards typically depart from larger port towns with easy airport access. Here’s a typical process:

Getting Onboard

Arrival: Meet the team at the airport, who will shuttle you to the harbor.
Boarding: Once at the harbor, you’ll board the vessel and settle in. The crew will give you a tour of the boat and explain the schedule.
Safety briefing: Attend a mandatory safety briefing to learn about the boat’s safety features and emergency procedures.

Departing

Final dive: Depending on your itinerary, you will go on a last dive to end your trip.
Packing up: After your last dive, you'll have time to rinse and pack your gear.
Disembarkation: The crew will assist you in returning to the harbor. From there, you’ll be shuttled to the airport or your next destination.

Tips for First-Timers

If you’re new to liveaboard diving, here are some tips to ensure a smooth experience for beginners:

Pack the essentials: Bring only the necessary gear, clothing, and personal items. Include sunscreen, motion sickness medication, a hat, and a light jacket for cooler evenings.

Bring your own dive gear: Familiar equipment can enhance your comfort and safety. If you don’t have your own gear, ensure that the liveaboard provides quality rental equipment.

Do a check-out dive: Before the trip, make sure all your gear is functioning properly. Most liveaboards have the check-out dive as the first dive. Doing a pre-trip check helps you get comfortable with your equipment and ease any pre-dive jitters.

Stay hydrated and well-rested: Liveaboard trips can be physically demanding, so take care of your health. Drink plenty of water and get sufficient sleep before your trip.

Plan for limited connectivity: Liveaboards often have limited or no internet access. Inform your family and friends about your itinerary and enjoy a digital detox.

Respect marine life: Follow guidelines for interacting with marine life to ensure your safety and the preservation of the delicate underwater ecosystem.

Be social: Take the opportunity to socialize with fellow divers. You can learn a lot from more experienced divers and make lasting friendships.

Stay organized: Update your diving logbook and store your gear properly after each dive to prevent damage or loss.

Plan Your Liveaboard Diving Trip with Giant Stride

Aerial shot of a liveaboard boat near The Similan Islands in Thailand

Planning your first liveaboard diving trip can seem daunting, but Giant Stride is here to help. We offer liveaboard trips to top diving destinations, providing a seamless and stress-free booking experience. We have a wide selection of trips from service providers in Thailand, with the same prices as booking directly with them. As a one-stop booking service, we provide excellent customer support.

Explore our liveaboard diving trips and discover what the experience is all about. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced diver, our liveaboard diving trips in Thailand promise memorable underwater experiences. Plan your trip with Giant Stride today.

Don’t Forget to share this post