Liveaboard diving is likely one of the finest scuba holidays. There’s no higher approach to eat, sleep, dive, repeat. However is it proper for rookies? We expect it is perhaps! One among these newbie liveaboard locations could possibly be the best spot for you.
“Newbie” diver can imply one thing totally different to everybody. You could possibly be contemporary out of your Open Water course with minimal dives logged after your certification. You may need taken a course a number of years in the past and nonetheless contemplate your self a newbie. Or, you is perhaps a extra seasoned diver simply searching for someplace with much less difficult, however nonetheless pleasing, diving!
Whichever class you match into, we’ve obtained a ship for you right here.
Why go on a liveaboard as a newbie?
Liveaboards typically provide as much as 4, even 5, dives per day. It’s an effective way to construct up your expertise in a concentrated period of time. Being surrounded by different divers can be a superb alternative to study from others.
If studying is your goal while on a liveaboard, all the boats we discuss right here provide the possibility to develop your abilities with programs on board.
What ought to I search for in newbie liveaboard locations?
There are some parts to look out for to know whether or not a liveaboard, and a vacation spot, is appropriate on your diving degree. Listed below are some factors to consider in terms of the diving:
- Simple situations. You’ll need to search for someplace with out an excessive amount of present, though a little bit of drift is perhaps good for growing your abilities. Good visibility can be useful, and hotter water can imply much less cumbersome publicity fits and extreme weight.
- Applicable depths. Selecting someplace with a number of deep wrecks most likely isn’t going to give you the results you want simply but.
- Attention-grabbing marine life. You need there to be stuff to see, BUT, watch out of checking off these bucket listing locations too quickly. In the event you soar straight to these dream dive websites, you run the chance of spoiling your expectations when diving elsewhere. Construct as much as the Raja Ampats and Socorros of the world and save them for whenever you’ve obtained extra stable abilities.
Selecting the best boat is simply as vital as the fitting vacation spot. Look out for the next:
- Gear rental on board. We’re large advocates of everybody having their very own gear, however that isn’t at all times life like for newer divers. In the event you’re travelling with simply your newbie dive package, be sure that to request your gear leases forward of time. On liveaboards, rental gear is commonly saved on land on account of area constraints.
- Instructors on board. Even should you don’t need to take a course in your journey, having instructors as a part of the dive crew can actually assist with growing your abilities – they’ll typically provide you with suggestions and tips to turn into a greater diver.
1. Bahamas – Blackbeard’s Cruises
The Bahamas provide incredible situations for newer divers. Assume brilliant blue ocean, crystal visibility, predominantly shallow dive websites, and minimal present. Plus, there’s even the possibility to see tons of sharks. The spotlight for this specific itinerary is hanging out with an abundance of Caribbean reef sharks.
For newbie divers, we’d advocate Blackbeard’s Cruises, which supply a “low frills, excessive enjoyable” method to diving. Spending 6 nights on both their Morning Star or Sea Explorer vessels, you’ll expertise a “tenting on water” model of journey. The dorm model lodging provides us floating hostel vibes, which is good for solo travellers.
Blackbeard’s have gear rental out there (should be pre-ordered at a further price), in addition to certifications on request. There’s no minimal certification required – you may even full your certifying Open Water dives on board. Or why not deliver alongside a non-diving pal and get them licensed to achieve a brand new buddy?
Different liveaboards within the Bahamas could also be extra suited to divers with greater certification and extra logged dives.
2. Turks & Caicos – Turks & Caicos Aggressor
You is perhaps noticing a theme right here – a number of Caribbean locations are perfect for newer divers. Turks & Caicos isn’t any exception, with common water temperatures from 25-29ºC (78-84ºF), and dive website depths as shallow as 11m (35ft). The barrier reef within the space is house to an abundance of vibrant reef fish, coral, sponges, turtles, and even some sharks and rays.
In the event you’re searching for a barely extra elevated model of boat than Blackbeard’s, the Turks & Caicos Aggressor is perhaps for you. A mix of dual bunks and queen cabins, all en-suite, hosts as much as 18 passengers. There’s even a scorching tub on board. Operating between April and December, you’ll be able to get pleasure from as much as 27 dives on their 7 night time itinerary.
Aggressor Adventures run dive cruises in lots of locations, and so they solely require Open Water certification with no minimal logged dive quantity. Nevertheless, a few of their itineraries are way more suited to newer divers than others.
3. Thailand – The Junk & The Phinisi
Thailand is one other vacation spot which is ideal for rookies. You’ll get a glimpse of the unbelievable diving that Asia has to supply, even perhaps encountering manta rays or whale sharks on the proper websites!
But the situations are largely good and simple, with comfy water temperatures of 28-30ºC (82-86ºF), and many to see all the way down to 18m (59ft) for Open Water degree. There are deeper websites to discover (35m+, 115ft+) for extra superior divers. Beware that there’s a risk of currents – we’d counsel brushing up in your information to arrange.
Very similar to our Bahamas suggestion, The Junk affords easy, dorm model lodging. The boat hosts 18 company in a mixture of double, triple and quad cabins, all in bunks. They provide 7 day 6 night time journeys with as much as 19 dives, or a 5 day 4 night time possibility with as much as 14 dives. A shorter journey could possibly be a really perfect approach to ease into liveaboards, particularly should you don’t know whether or not you get seasick!
Rental gear and programs can be found, and also you’ll want your Open Water certification however there’s no minimal dive quantity requirement. Their sister boat, The Phinisi, affords all the identical advantages for newer divers however on a barely extra spacious vessel. Some cabins are nonetheless triple or quads, however there’s more room general, and a wider selection of routes.
There are tons extra liveaboards to select from within the Phuket space of Thailand, a lot of which can be appropriate for newbie divers.
4. Australia – Professional Dive & Divers Den
Spend sufficient time chatting to divers, and also you’ll meet loads of individuals who obtained certified while backpacking Australia. There are many liveaboards on the Nice Barrier Reef that are nice choices even for yet-to-be-certified divers!
Water temperatures within the space range from 24-29ºC (75-84ºF) relying on time of yr, making for comfy situations. There are some deeper dives to discover, however a lot to see all the way down to 15m (49ft) the place you’ll additionally profit from the pure mild on the floor.
The boats within the space are usually massive motor catamarans, and have bigger visitor numbers than liveaboards in different elements of the world. Nevertheless, they provide a fantastic introduction to liveaboard diving. Professional Dive’s ScubaPro liveaboards and Divers Den’s Ocean Quest vessel come extremely really helpful by Ladies that Scuba members.
Each operators host between 30-45 company relying on the boat. Cabins are sometimes twin or double. Don’t count on something luxurious, however you’ll have a cushty keep on a ship like these. Rental gear is included within the journey price for each of those operators, and each provide an enormous number of programs on board. There are additionally a number of choices for journey size, so loads of choices to suit a number of journey itineraries. Count on to dive 2-3 occasions per day, with the potential for night time dives.
Be aware when reserving that dives are sometimes NOT guided for licensed divers. The native websites are simple to navigate, so you’ll obtain a dive website briefing with everybody on board the boat however gained’t be guided in water by a Divemaster. You’ll conduct your personal dive along with your buddy. Be certain that you’re assured in managing your depth, maintaining a tally of your no decompression limits, ascending safely, and conducting a security cease along with your buddy.
5. Roatán – Roatán Aggressor
We’re rounding up the listing with one other Caribbean vacation spot, and an alternative choice from Aggressor Adventures. The Roatán Aggressor is the one liveaboard within the space – and what an space it’s to discover!
Roatán’s waters provide lovely shallow reefs with comparatively simple situations and little present. You may get pleasure from heat water temperatures from 24-28ºC (75-84ºF), and with dive websites as shallow as 9m (30ft) there’s one thing for everybody.
On board the Roatán Aggressor, you’ll be able to count on comfy en suite cabins in both double or twin bunk configurations. The boat hosts as much as 18 company on 8 day 7 night time journeys, and also you’ll full as much as 27 dives.
As beforehand talked about, there’s no minimal dive or certification requirement for Aggressor liveaboards. Nevertheless, just like the Australia choices, dives on board this boat aren’t guided as normal. You’ll be briefed on board after which dive independently along with your buddy. Rental gear and programs can be found on board, so there are alternatives to study and develop abilities alongside an teacher should you’d like.
Which newbie liveaboard locations will you be visiting? Head to the Ladies that Scuba group and tell us!
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