Scuba Diving Basics: A Divers Ultimate Guide To Liveaboard Diving

[@JaneWade-l2h]

That was incredible 👏👏👏 I have only been on one liveaboard in Komodo. I was apprehensive about going and wished I’d listened to this first. So detailed and spot on! Of course I ended up love the whole liveaboard experience and am planning my next trip. Thank you 🙏

[@wildsurfer12]

I’m now watching this after doing my first Liveaboard in Australia!

[@robbchadwick2793]

Thanks, Mark! Great insights on the liveaboard experience. I am currently stationed in Hawaii (Oahu) and am hoping to have my first liveaboard trip on the Big Island post-COVID and before I transfer. This video will be one of my go to resources.

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

Glad it was helpful!

[@leopoldbloom4835]

Cruel. Every mention of the Thistlegorm was a stab in my heart. I had booked a (quite affordable) liveaboard - and then came covid19. 😢

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

Noooo! You'll get their soon.

[@leopoldbloom4835]

The third time I wanted to go there and it didn't work out. That bloody ship is lying down there laughing at me!11!

[@wallybrown9509]

Leopold Bloom I was booked for Oct. for the Red Sea also... bummer. Maybe next year.

[@leopoldbloom4835]

Wally Brown I was booked for March and postponed for August. Because for sure it‘ll be over in August, won‘t it?

[@wallybrown9509]

Leopold Bloom I feel your pain brother. Hopefully next year will work out for both of us.

[@HNM69]

When I was on a Liveaboard near the Similan islands, we had to swap our tank for every dive. I guess it depends on the boat... But great video! I hope to be back in the ocean this year.

[@pellelidell007]

Thank you Mark for a great YT-channel and clip! In December my wife and I will know if we'll be on a liveaboard in either Raja Ampat or South Maldives in Feb 2021. We're counting the days, the craving for diving is slowly killing us both...

[@kimberlybuyer745]

We are doing Raja Ampat. Did you go? Any tips, if you did?

[@pellelidell007]

@@kimberlybuyer745: We couldn’t get into Indonesia in 2021 so went to Maldives instead which was spectacular! Next month we’re off to Komodo, Indonesia, followed by Kusu in Halmahera. We’re planning Raja Ampat in Jan ‘23. Happy diving, Kimberley👍

[@laurabarbato3204]

Fantastic run down on the real stuff!!! Thank you!

[@annemeyer9817]

Another awesome Video thank you! I am just getting ready again for a liveaboard..done it before but still some more informations to take in! You must be an awesome instructor paying amazing attention to detail!

[@MrReivilos]

Thank you for the quality introduction videos of the channel.

[@Only1jen808]

Thanks for the informative vid!

[@edwinh.3381]

Thank you sir. Very informative!!! ☺️☺️👍

[@pamsheets2939]

Thank you for the video! We are getting ready to go on a live aboard trip & I have never even been on a cruise so I am mildly anxious about being on the boat for 5-6 days solid 😁

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

You will love it! Liveaboards are my favourite type of dive trip! Enjoy!

[@robertelzey9810]

My first dive trip was a live aboard spear fishing trip. I had just got certified open water on Sunday and Thursday I was on a live aboard heading to the dry Tortugas. It was amazing. We were dropped off told what direction to dive in and when you were ready to come up to our safety stop. Then we deployed our SMB and wait for the boat to pick us up. Enjoy your self it is fun.

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

That is awesome!

[@wanjiruwainaina4520]

Hi!!! Thank you for the very informative video. Might there be a video on recommended liveaboard in the various diving sites?

[@patrickcarnathan5862]

Hopefully going on my first Liveaboard end of October. See how the Bahamas, the US, and the pandemic are at that time. Thanks, Mark for the timely video.

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

Best of luck!

[@Toumime]

Great Video Mark, Thank a lot for all the value information you shared in here

[@antoniomelchor7003]

Love this video. I dream about taking part in a liveaboard as soon as I can. One of the reasons that have prevented me from booking one is because my wife doesn't dive

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

There are liveaboards out there that cater to both divers and non divers with spas and other watersports activities.

[@OrenNoah]

@@ScubaDiverMagazine Same situation as Antonio. Can you point us in the direction of a few of those? Thanks.

[@davidl6641]

Listening to your guide and comparing to my experience I had 3 weeks ago in Sharm el Sheikh I say that I would rather stay ashore, sign up with a diving center and take a day boat every morning. Conversely we were the first on Thistlegorm. One additional point is that it was in March before the season starts so the pressure on sites was lower. Which BTW was a very good decision: the air temperature was very comfortable and the water was always 22C. I could meet my team members in the city which positively impressed me if I wanted. But all this I guess is a matter of personal taste.

[@BlueHorizonDiving]

Will be really interesting to see how liveaboard will operate going forward during the pandemic. The rules we have in Bermuda on the dive boats are really strict which ensures everyones safety but these are only day boats. Assume other dive boats will have similar rules or will liveaboard be more in line with cruise ship safety protocols. Thistlegorm is epic.

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

All boats we know off are 50% capacity

[@tcoiler]

About charging batteries for cameras and perhaps a laptop now and then, what voltage do they run? How many should I plan on bringing? If I ever manage to get on a liveaboard, I figure I'll be recording almost full time under water. :-)

[@fotismanolopoulos4354]

Very informative. Excellent info. Thank you very much for your time and sharing your knowledge. Wishing you all the best for your future dives Fotis

[@Chogogo717]

Thanks for putting together such a detailed video on this. In plan on heading out into the Gulf of Mexico on the MV Fling when I get a little more experience.

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

Hey Caleb Mcelhaney, sounds like fun!

[@RichardSlater]

Booked an Egypt one for May 2021. Covid should be sorted... I hope.

[@andym1966]

Such an interesting video Mark, Thank you! Are non diving partners welcome/catered for on liveaboards? Have you ever come across that?

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

There are liveaboards out there that cater to both divers and non divers with spas and other watersports activities.

[@willsmooth45]

Headed on the Caribbean explorer II on the trip from st marten to st.kitts 9days I’m so excited by the time the trip come around I’m estimating I’ll be around 300 dives by then seeing that I’m at 150 rn and that’s only a year of being certified (I dive about 2-3 times a week) from what i read food drink AND alcohol is included in price😈😈 (for 4K it better be😅) oh and the trip is being put on by my dive instructor he’s trying to get the entire boat for our dive club if so it’s gonna be a freakin party 🎉 any tips on packing my back plate wing long hose primary setup etc I really wanna keep it in my carry on I don’t trust it being below Shit gets lost I won’t be bringing but 2 outfits of clothing basketball shorts and t shirt

[@Daveador876]

I've booked a liverboard round the Similan Islands in February, really looking forward to it, I've mostly only dived in Egypt and a few times in the UK.

[@normamercado8394]

Just curious is your liveaboard trip at the end of February?

[@Daveador876]

@@normamercado8394 yes, the 17th MV Gentle Giant

[@prashantravi5972]

Great video Mark! Do people generally bring backup kits on liveaboards? I’m nervous that in the unlikely scenario my bcd or Reg fails I won’t be able to dive. Can’t decide if it’s worth it to buy an inexpensive second set to bring with me ‘just in case’. I assume mask and fins can be borrowed more easily. It’s a once in a lifetime thing so want to make sure all bases are covered.

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

Back up light, regs and dive computer generally. BC rarely go wrong but if they do you can usually borrow mask, fins and BC. Probably regs as well but we don’t like the germs!

[@thatsidemountguy]

Great video Mark. One important item for divers to do before booking is to confirm that the liveaboard supports the type of diving that they want to do. For example, I recently had a discussion with a larger liveaboard organization that has a fleet of liveaboard boats. They advised that they do not support two-tank sidemount diving. Although Sidemount is becoming more and more popular, one of the biggest benefits of redundancy is lost when the liveaboard will only let you dive "monkey style". I wonder what their position is on single tank backmount with a pony-bottle?

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

Great point.

[@diveinstructordaniel1095]

Im not sure if I want to go on a liveaboard I hear mixed things about them 😄 maybe someday with my Diveclub. How is it to work on one ? Maybe that’s an option for me

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

Having never worked on one I couldn't say, but maybe a follower could.

[@dtt3426]

did this dive if your go ask yourself one question are you sociable. if your not realize this is not a cruise ship. after the dives they do not go out of there way to make it sociable your own your own

[@johncarlson3713]

Great video! Really covered everything!

[@Daveador876]

My liveaboard is 2 weeks into a 3 month tour of S/E Asia where I'm going to relocating to Cambodia to become a dm so I'll have my whole life with me

[@darrenwesthead7667]

Thanks Mark. Very informative

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@fullmetal1002]

I got some questions. 1)Do they instabuddy you up? I ask because I'm mostly a solo diver which is kind of hard for me as everyone frequently request I need at least 2 people to dive. 2) do I need to do a night dive specialty because I want to join the night Dive? 3) what is the ideal plan dive week if you're on a budget?

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

Unless you are solo certified you'll need a buddy, and even if you are you'll need to speak with the operator as most will still want you to buddy for safety. Most liveaboards will offer a night dive each day. The last question depends on where you live, but there are usually good deals in every part of the world.

[@fullmetal1002]

@@ScubaDiverMagazine you didn't answer my 2nd question though. I 've already checked out all the liveaboard and they all do have night dives. I'm asking in your opinion, should I do the night dive specialty course if I want to go for the night Dive?

[@KevBristonMotors]

@@fullmetal1002 yes you must be verified for the type of dive you’ll be doing so you won’t be able to take part in any night dives without the certification

[@stucorbett]

Thanks so much for this, Mark. I've always wanted to do a liveaboard but I have insane sleep. I kick, snore talk, etc. Now I'm comfortable asking these operators if it's okay I sleep on deck. Thankfully, I don't sleep walk....that could be problematic.

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

Go for it!

[@Yggdrasil42]

Getting a private cabin is also an option of course, depending on price. I've been lucky enough to get a private cabin simply because not every spot was booked.

[@caroleaton1]

Hi Mark ... I'm planning on going on a live aboard in December or January 2022 to the Similan Islands. I'm a fairly new diver so I'm a bit nervous that every one else will have loads of experience and will not want to dive with me. How do I handle this? Also who and how much do I tip? This video was packed with great info. Thanks 🙏

[@alexanderfarkas6703]

@caroleaton Don't be nervous about that. Facts: 1. In Thailand (maybe entire south east asia) 99% of all dives are guided. This means although you will be put together with a buddy. You will be part of a bigger group that is guided by a dive guide (4-6 persons + guide). This means while you can not dive as freely as in other place, it also means your lack of skills won't affect the security or fun part as if you would dive with only your buddy alone. Most important thing is, you should be aware where your buddy is... 2. On a Liveboard to similian island, richelieu rock you will have a good chance to have some other noobs on the dive with you. 3. If air consumption is a concern you might want to consider to rent 15liter tank. (sometimes you must clarify this in front). 4. Everyone was a beginner once. Diving is a team "sport". If someone has a problem with that he has a problem not you. 5. Have fun. I was diving in 2019 there you will enjoy it. In case you stay some time in phuket. I can tell you the best dive guide there.

[@caroleaton1]

@@alexanderfarkas6703 thanks for the advice and your vote of confidence that I'll be okay. I got certified in Koh Tao in 2019. I decided to go to Phuket in January 2023 so any info about that area is appreciated. We leave from Khao Lak so I'll stay in that area a couple of days but then I want to island hop and explore before I go to the north to Chaing Mai, Pai, Chaing Rai, etc. I'll be in Thailand approximately 5 or 6 weeks before I head home to Florida.

[@edmoore4431]

A little bit of B roll would have broken this up a bit!

[@makgreen007]

Thank you, I just worry about security. How secure are my things while I dive or am not in my room? I am wary of leaving my passport, phone, or wallet in my room. I am planning my first liveaboard for next month.

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

I can't say I've ever heard of anyone being robbed on a liveaboard. I'm sure it has probably happened, but I would say its few and far between. Just be sensible and keep things out of sight and you'll not have a problem I'm sure.

[@nilotubes]

I like the idea of liveaboards, however, I have not yet figured out the value to price ratio, they all seem to charge like they where floating 5 star hotels (x2) and I so far have got enough value from the dayboats so to say.

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

There are plenty of affordable liveaboards out there, offering good basic accommodation, amazing diving and excellent food.

[@tcoiler]

I went through a number of dive trips offered by various dive centers as well as personal experience. Non-liveaboard diving works out to about $100/dive. Liveaboards seem to be around the $400/day, so it's like paying the same for diving and getting free food and lodging. Edit: Given what Mark said, it sounds like each dive on a liveaboard is a single tank, so my calculations bay be off by half or doubled, depending on your perspective.

[@charg5583]

Thanks for the info Mark. My question is when doing a negative back roll on a rib and you have a camera with strobes, do you hold it while doing the back roll, or does the handler pass it over to you - which means you'd have to surface to take the camera rig?

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

Both methods have their pros and cons and which method depends on the diver and the conditions. Some photographers will never let the handler pass their camera because this is when it's most likely to be dropped. Others will never enter the water with their camera because it can shake off strobes. I know some divers to use a bodyboard leash on their wrist so they're always connected. Personally, I'd check each connection and tuck all of the arms in, hold it close to my chest and take it with me. I'll put a poll on the community, see what most divers think.

[@mxaexm]

Awesome video!

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

Thanks!

[@davidpittman4564]

What liveaboard did you use in the Red Sea. Sounds like you started a liveaboard in Hurgada Egypt. I used Blue Planet One and our time on the Thistlegorm went like this. We started on an afternoon dive, then a night dive, spent the night on location and did a morning dive. So 3 dives in total and it wasn't enough.

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

It is never enough, we could spend all week on it.

[@ivyoneel]

Can you please tell me what's with that tuft of hair on the side of your head. I thought it was just in one video but it seems to be there I many videos. Are you just rocking it as a hairstyle?

[@StrangerInAStrange]

Are there any offerings for 'mixed' couples? You know . . . diver and non-diver spouse?

[@utsovdhowan9611]

0:08 - Scuba diving usually takes place in the water 🤣🤣🤣

[@mako9324]

Wait is Mark cheating on simply scuba

[@wallybrown9509]

Mark, do people dive sidemount on liveaboards?

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

You would need to check with the operator as many don't allow it.

[@ian_jt]

@@ScubaDiverMagazine I've done a couple of liveaboards using sidemount with Blue O Two. Had to pay a surcharge for the additional cylinder but otherwise it was straightforward. Just be aware that you probably won't get handed cylinder valves though.

[@Yggdrasil42]

I've done it a few trips. Ask in advance. Never been denied though. You'll have to know how to deal with normal valves. Some will have a short stem, but make sure to ask so you can set up your regs and bungees before the trip. One Maldives liveaboard had a vertical staircase to the deck which was about a meter above the surface. For that one I made sure to prepare my tanks during the safety stop so I could hand them up to the crew. Gave them an extra tip for the help. Also make sure your comfortable donning your gear efficiently or you'll always be the last in the water. I made sure to have my gas analyzed and my hoses tidied before others started dressing.

[@ivoryjohnson4662]

Do they have mains (i am sure they do) onboard ? I use a cpap machine. Can I bring doubles? Do they have internet onboard?

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

You would need to ask each both oporator for the specific specs to their boats. A rule of thumb though is most won't have wifi, and will have some sort of charging facilities. These might not be in the cabins though.

[@sayittrue9570]

I usually go on hols with the Mrs .How private is it's on the board as a bit of holiday nooky is a must thing to do wink wink

[@CheekyMonkey888]

Can t stand the smell of diesel in the morning, or napalm for that matter How bad is the vibration and diesel smell on board a liveaboard?

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

That depends on the operator, usually with a good operation there is little to no issue at all. Even when bunk'd close to the engine room IMHO.

[@CheekyMonkey888]

@@ScubaDiverMagazine Thanks

[@jpbartra]

Minute 16, whats MOD?

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

Max operating depth

[@starkapoorz]

33 minutes of one person talking, no thanks harry potter

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

33 minutes of glorious tips, but I'm at least glad you found a few minutes to comment :op

[@qaszim2012]

Never a true comments section untill a racist comments. 😂