Whenever I hear someone say "California liveaboard" I cringe a little wondering if they understand what our boats are all about. We have lots of great boats and the diving is lots of fun. But our boats are way different than typical tropical liveaboards. Ours are more like boats with bunks that let you sleep overnight. A few boats (Great Escape, Pacific Star) have a few staterooms that give some privacy but are still basically bunks with doors. Most boats simply have a small curtain across the bunk opening. And most boats have only two heads for the 20-30+ divers on board.
When I sleep on the boat all night I bring my own pillow, small blanket or sleeping bag and sometimes even a sheet for the bunk. Our bunks have vinyl covered thin pads to sleep on. They are actually surprisingly comfortable but I prefer sleeping on a sheet. And while our crews here are great they are usually a bunch of guys so how often do you really think they clean the blankets and pillows they provide? And I bring ear plugs, they really help keep out the engine sound as the boat motors out to the islands. A real small flashlight comes in handy trying to find things in your bunk once the lights are off.
Luckily the food is usually surprising good, or maybe I'm just so hungry after diving it seems good.
We don't have divemasters in the water usually, buddy pairs are on their own finding their way around. Most sites here are fine for beginners but if your navigation isn't very good don't go far from the boat, particularly if there is much current. And if there is much current really try to stay up current from the boat.
Once wet you usually can't go below deck until you're dry so keep your wet gear on deck and your dry gear you don't need until the end of the diving day down below. Keep your gear bag on the sides or bow, and keep clear of the dive benches except when you're ready to gear up, and then gear up quickly and get out of the way (jump in!). Make sure you know which bucket is for masks (usually the small one) and which one is for cameras (the bigger ones). Don't rinse your mask in the camera tank. Pay attention to the dive briefing and if you don't understand something or have questions then ask. Our crews are really good here and usually very friendly. And make sure to tip the crew, they deserve it!
