Need liveaboard suggestions

[outofofficebrb]

Hi,

I'm an AOW with approx 20 dives under my belt and I'm trying to find a nice dive location that would be within my capabilities. I would like to take a liveaboard somewhere with large pelagics and an abundance of marine life. I'm having trouble finding a good spot because the most of the ones I have come across are only recommended for more advanced divers. I don't really have any other critera other than wanting to find the very best site I can.

I would love to dive Galapagos, however I know that would probably be irresponsible given my experience level. I do feel extremely comfortable in the water, but I don't have much experience with strong currents. Are there some nice destinations that can deliver a similar experience to Galapagos without quite as hazardous currents? Or maybe a destination with sites that offer a wide range of difficulty levels that would allow me to gradually test my limits during the trip and then just sit out on a few of the more advanced dives?

Thanks in advance for the help!

Spirit of Freedom to the Ribbon Reefs, Cod Hole, Osprey Reef/Coral Sea was very beginner friendly. I researched this and Mike Ball when I first started diving. I was not confident on heading on my own with just a buddy so we followed the DMs in the water. Lots of great sharks to see as well. They also do a shark feed out at Osprey Reef, as does Mike Ball.

Similan Islands in Thailand might be a good option for a liveaboard - whale sharks are there.

As for schooling hammerheads, none of the places I know of that have them are beginner friendly - usually deep, remote, and with current.

 

[Mr. Sunday]

Maybe look at Apo Reef or Tubbataha. I have not been myself but it might have what you are looking for.

 

[drrich2]

I love live-aboards, but that might not be the most practical way to get 'large pelagic' action in the region. Some threads might be of use:

Don't write-off land-based too fast.

1.) North Carolina - it's deep wreck diving, AOW and especially nitrox would be wise. That said, when the weather's good and the right time of year, you can see plenty of sand tiger sharks.
Morehead City, NC August 2015 - http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/no...us-dive-center-aug-9-13-2015-trip-report.html

2.) Jupiter, Florida - goliath grouper in late summer, lemon sharks in winter. When you're further along in your diving we can discuss the controversial shark feed diving trips (also an option at 'Tiger Beach' off Grand Bahama island), but I don't recommend any of that yet.
Jupiter 2014 - http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/florida-diving/491927-jupiter-trip-report-9-7-14-9-11-14-a.html

Live-aboards: I saw reef sharks in live-aboard diving out of Belize, Grand Cayman and Turks & Caicos. T&C it was reef sharks and nurse sharks; same for the other two, though T&C had more.

Sun Dancer 2 (Belize) May 2015 - http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/li...ving-belize-via-sun-dancer-2-may-2nd-9th.html
Cayman Aggressor IV May 2016 - http://www.scubaboard.com/community/threads/cayman-aggressor-iv-trip-may-2016.527640/
Turks & Caicos Aggressor II Report Apr. 2018 - Turks & Caicos Aggressor II 4/21-4/28 Trip Report

Picking a Caribbean Live-aboard - http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/li...ats/495738-picking-caribbean-live-aboard.html

2 Places I've not been that are often done via live-aboard, and may interest you when you're farther along, are Cocos Island and the Socorros. Since the Galapagos caught your interest, I figured they might, too, for later.

Richard.

 

[outofofficebrb]

Oh, Bahamas has easy diving. That's another good option with lots of Caribbean reef sharks. Nice and close. You can do land based or you can do a liveaboard. Lots of options from budget Blackbeard's and up.

 

[outofofficebrb]

PS Aggressor just announced their 35 anniversary 35% sale today. You can get Bahamas Aggressor for 7 days for $1687 or Belize at $1947. Cayman for $1817, Kona for $1843...on and on. Check it out and book ASAP. You book between July 30-Aug 15 and must travel Aug 4 - Jan 6, 2019. There are a few exceptions to certain boats but I think you will be fine. Check it out! It's a great time to book one.

/end enable. LOL

 

[KathyV]

As others have said, most of the time in the Caribbean you see reef sharks and nurse sharks - usually singly or in pairs but occasionally in groups. Once on a night dive in the Turks and Caicos we were surrounded by a group of Caribbean Reef Sharks that kept circling and buzzing us.

By the time you finish your first LOB trip you will likely have more than twice the number of dives that you have now. The suggestion that you do something nearer and easier for the first LOB sounds like good advice to me. You will gain more experience, see some sharks, and get a chance to decide whether or not you like liveaboard diving (and living!) I don't think that the T&Cs would be too deep unless you tend to go through your air quickly.

You will regularly see sharks in the Bahamas and T&Cs and usually in Belize and Cayman, too. We saw some sharks in Hawaii, too.

You are also likely to see sharks in Baja in the Sea of Cortez, and sea lions, and there's a good chance of seeing whale sharks in that area during winter and spring; but the liveaboards in the Sea of Cortez are often set up for drift diving, so you should get comfortable with current first.

The Red Sea is a good place to see sharks and there are lots of LOBs available, but they may also be offering drift dives.

 

[Scuba_Smitty]

I love live-aboards, but that might not be the most practical way to get 'large pelagic' action in the region. Some threads might be of use:

Don't write-off land-based too fast.

1.) North Carolina - it's deep wreck diving, AOW and especially nitrox would be wise. That said, when the weather's good and the right time of year, you can see plenty of sand tiger sharks.
Morehead City, NC August 2015 - http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/no...us-dive-center-aug-9-13-2015-trip-report.html

2.) Jupiter, Florida - goliath grouper in late summer, lemon sharks in winter. When you're further along in your diving we can discuss the controversial shark feed diving trips (also an option at 'Tiger Beach' off Grand Bahama island), but I don't recommend any of that yet.
Jupiter 2014 - http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/florida-diving/491927-jupiter-trip-report-9-7-14-9-11-14-a.html

Live-aboards: I saw reef sharks in live-aboard diving out of Belize, Grand Cayman and Turks & Caicos. T&C it was reef sharks and nurse sharks; same for the other two, though T&C had more.

Sun Dancer 2 (Belize) May 2015 - http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/li...ving-belize-via-sun-dancer-2-may-2nd-9th.html
Cayman Aggressor IV May 2016 - http://www.scubaboard.com/community/threads/cayman-aggressor-iv-trip-may-2016.527640/
Turks & Caicos Aggressor II Report Apr. 2018 - Turks & Caicos Aggressor II 4/21-4/28 Trip Report

Picking a Caribbean Live-aboard - http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/li...ats/495738-picking-caribbean-live-aboard.html

2 Places I've not been that are often done via live-aboard, and may interest you when you're farther along, are Cocos Island and the Socorros. Since the Galapagos caught your interest, I figured they might, too, for later.

Richard.

When do you think I might be ready for Cocos, Socorros and / or Galapagos? I'm planning to do quite a bit of diving over the next month or so. Probably will log an additional 30-40 dives before September (which will bring my total to 50-60). Do you think that would be enough experience for any of those 3 islands or maybe maldives, french polynesia, etc?

 

[scubadada]

Hi @Scuba_Smitty

So, about half your current dives were your OW and AOW dives. Nobody here has any idea about your dive skills. I would think it might be better to defer Cocos or Galapagos until after you have more experience in a variety of environments. I can't speak to the Revillagigedos, I'll be going there next spring. Others will have to advise you regarding the Maldives or French Polynesia.

 

[outofofficebrb]

When do you think I might be ready for Cocos, Socorros and / or Galapagos? I'm planning to do quite a bit of diving over the next month or so. Probably will log an additional 30-40 dives before September (which will bring my total to 50-60). Do you think that would be enough experience for any of those 3 islands or maybe maldives, french polynesia, etc?

There is no set dive number, though there may be a set dive number that an operator has set as a minimum amount for you to join the trip. That doesn't necessary mean that you will be able to enjoy it for what it is. For what it's worth, I'm at about 190 dives and I still don't feel ready for Cocos/Socorro/Galapagos. First, it's a lot of money to plunk down, and second, it is in some colder water, some with not so great viz, and some in blue water (no references). Most of the liveaboards I have been on also do not have a mooring line for your ascent or descent. You use reference points or you have to be comfortable with blue water.

To be honest, I'm not worried about it from a skill level since I'm good with current, blue water, no reference lines, etc... but it is more of...there are so many incredible, amazing places to dive in this world apart from those 3 places you specifically asked about. You will eventually get there, I promise. I can assure you that you won't be bored diving everywhere else...and you will eventually get there when you feel ready. Only you know when you will be ready and I think it is one of those things that if you have to ask, you will likely not be ready. As you dive more and gain more experience, you will have a baseline on what is manageable, what is enjoyable, and what was more stressful and higher task loading than you would have preferred or liked. You then use that baseline to make a determination.

You have a lot of great options so go out, dive, and enjoy them. I love and appreciate your excitement and anticipation for your future diving endeavors.

 

[drrich2]

When do you think I might be ready for Cocos, Socorros and / or Galapagos?

One issue in Cocos is you may encounter tiger sharks. Not so long ago one killed a diver and injured a staff member in the area. As a matter of personal opinion, I don't think sizable tiger sharks are a good 'first shark' to seek out early in your diving. I've not been to Cocos; I've dove with 3 separate tiger sharks (not over 2 in one dive, none over 10 feet long) elsewhere, and it's an interesting experience.

I suggest getting some dive time in with sand tiger sharks (North Carolina) or lemon sharks (Jupiter, FL), to get a sense of your comfort level with fairly large sharks in your proximity.

As others indicated, readiness isn't a dive count. You might advance as a diver way faster than I have. But considering some of the sharks (e.g.: tigers) and environmental conditions (e.g.: deep, in some places/seasons cold, in some current), it'd be nice if you had an idea how long a tank lasts you, didn't have to constantly re-examine your SPG to see how much gas you had left, could maintain buoyancy without frequent BCD inflation/deflation, were experienced diving in whatever exposure protection you'd be using, etc...

Richard.