Recommendations for liveaboards

[Jo B. Killie]

Looking for recommendations for liveaboards in Indonesia, Fiji, or Maldives. We were originally looking at the Aggressor Fleet but discovered they don't have dive guides, which I would prefer. Any advice or recommendations is welcome. Thank you in advance.

 

[BDSC]

While I have not actually been on the Samambaia yet, I have the boat booked for a future trip to Raja Ampat. I have heard many great things about them and know a few folks on ScubaBoard who are booked on their boat. All the reviews have been top notch. I have been on the NAI'A in Fiji. Incredible experience. Would go again in an instant. It's the finest livebaoard in Fiji.

 

[Aviyes]

What services are you expecting/wanting from a dive guide? Most have a crewmember in the water that you can follow. At least that was my experience on the Belize Aggressor and the Know Before You Go for the Maldives and Fiji Aggressor boats read about the same.

 

[Lorenzoid]

What services are you expecting/wanting from a dive guide? Most have a crewmember in the water that you can follow. At least that was my experience on the Belize Aggressor and the Know Before You Go for the Maldives and Fiji Aggressor boats read about the same.

Right. They don't REQUIRE divers to follow the guide, but there is a DM in the water whom you can follow if you wish, if for no other reason than they're usually very good at pointing out the marine life to you.

 

[Jo B. Killie]

While I have not actually been on the Samambaia yet, I have the boat booked for a future trip to Raja Ampat. I have heard many great things about them and know a few folks on ScubaBoard who are booked on their boat. All the reviews have been top notch. I have been on the NAI'A in Fiji. Incredible experience. Would go again in an instant. It's the finest livebaoard in Fiji.

Thank you!

 

[Jo B. Killie]

What services are you expecting/wanting from a dive guide? Most have a crewmember in the water that you can follow. At least that was my experience on the Belize Aggressor and the Know Before You Go for the Maldives and Fiji Aggressor boats read about the same.

I'm not terribly confident at navigating new dive sites. So basically I would like someone who knows how not to lose the boat and possibly also point out cool things.

 

[Lorenzoid]

I have only been on two liveaboards, but neither put us on a site that required navigation skills. One was mostly drift diving, so the plan was to drift with the current, then get picked up at the other end by the RIB. The other was mostly wall diving, so the plan was to follow along the wall for X minutes, then turn around and follow it back or, in some cases, get picked up by the RIB. I get the impression liveaboards generally do not require great navigational skills, as a LOT of their customers might find that too demanding. In both instances, not being able to make it to the exit point--whether the mothership or an RIB pick-up point--was not the end of the world, as a diver could shoot an SMB and get picked up by the RIB, no questions asked.

 

[Wingy]

I'd recommend Tambora - great boat, great crew and you will always have an eagle eyed dive guide making sure you find your way back to the boat. Very professional operation.

 

[Jo B. Killie]

I have only been on two liveaboards, but neither put us on a site that required navigation skills. One was mostly drift diving, so the plan was to drift with the current, then get picked up at the other end by the RIB. The other was mostly wall diving, so the plan was to follow along the wall for X minutes, then turn around and follow it back or, in some cases, get picked up by the RIB. I get the impression liveaboards generally do not require great navigational skills, as a LOT of their customers might find that too demanding. In both instances, not being able to make it to the exit point--whether the mothership or an RIB pick-up point--was not the end of the world, as a diver could shoot an SMB and get picked up by the RIB, no questions asked.

Thank you. This is very helpful and reassuring.

 

[Manneca]

I don't know what your budget is, but Damai goes all over Indonesia. I really liked it. The guides have a maximum dive time of 1 hour, but you can stay longer if you want. It's pricey, though.