Are Live-Aboard Dives Generally Guided?

[johnspierce]

This is a very important point for me. I have been thinking of going on a 12 day Bilikiki cruise through the Solomons this summer...BUT: (a) I note from their web page that they dive off a skiff rather than off the dive platform on the boat; (b) I absolutely refuse to go anywhere that I have to stay in a group and follow a DM. So...does anybody know if Bilikiki follows the policy mentioned above?

Bruce

Yeah, you better email them. I've done two liveaboards that used skiffs for some dives and they definitely made us stay with the group. I kind of understand their point since some of the dives were up to a 1/2 mile from the boat and in fairly strong surge near rocks; could be a real problem for them if they had to motor around gathering divers strung out up and down the reef.

JP

 

[drl]

I've only been on one liveaboard, Mike Ball in Australia. Guides were available but only inexperienced divers were required to go with them. The dives we did from RIBs took us upcurrent so we were supposed to end up back at the mothership (though if you missed it or overshot, as a few divers did, they would come and pick you up). We weren't required to follow guides for those either, but it was useful to be with someone who knew where the boat was!

 

[zippy]

I will be on the CEXII this weekend, but I can tell you I have been on all of their Carribean boats a number of times and they do put a DM in on every dive. You do not have to follow them but you can if you want.

 

[Andrew Jones]

Rand, I notice that you have up to 25 dives shown on your profile.

On most liveaboards that I have done the initial paperwork that is done along with the boat briefing ( usually on the way to your destination ) asks how many dives you have done, last dive, certification level etc. At this stage if you are feeling rusty because its awhile since you dived, a bit out of your comfort zone because its your first time on a liveaboard or just relatively new to the sport, take the time to explain these things to the Dive crew, and they will cater for this.

Before each dive the dive brief is usually done on a white board explaining currents, fish life you can expect to find, depths of the dive and a guide is offered.

Yes they know the best spots for photo's or territorial marine life, however I agree that diving in packs can be a real downer when exploring caverns, or encountering fellow divers with buoyancy problems or high rates of air consumption.

I find that listening to the briefing gives me sufficent information to decide if me and my buddy are off on our own, or hanging right off the back of the pack to try and get the best of both worlds.

Anyway, good luck buddy. One thing I do know is its going to be a blast and a great way to increase those dives.

Andrew