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If you haven't tried live-aboard diving, it's time to get onboard for the dive vacation of a lifetime. With more options, amenities, destinations, and non-diving possibilities, the live-aboard life is better than ever. If you've already experienced this great form of dive travel, it's definitely time to plan another exciting adventure.

Live-Aboard Advantages

|| |---| | | Of course, land-based dive resorts are great and will always hold a place in the hearts of every diver. But, if you love diving and dive travel, live-aboards are an appealing alternative or addition to a land-based vacation.

Some of the many draws to live-aboard diving may include:

• Lower overall cost.

• Unpacking just once (this includes clothes and dive gear).

• More daily dive offerings.

• Diving flexibility.

• Generally smaller dive groups.

• More remote, less-explored dive sites.

• Convenient onboard photography and video services.

• Advanced certification courses and other educational offerings.

Like taking a cruise, the all-inclusive cost of a live-aboard trip can be more economical than a land-based dive vacation. If you compare costs, the savings can (but won't always) include expenses for accommodations, food, beverages, diving, and other travel expenditures.

For gear-laden divers, you only have to unpack once on live-aboards, even though you're visiting many places. This means that, once onboard, you can take your clothes and dive gear out of your bag and not have to repack until the end of your trip. You also don't have to lug your dive gear around each time you go diving.

Live-aboards also offer more diving each day. The average is typically four or five dives a day, but it's really up to the individual diver (given proper surface intervals, of course). If you want to dive lots during your precious vacation time, the sheer quantity can be an advantage.

There's also great flexibility when it comes to live-aboard diving. If the conditions aren't good at a certain site, the ship can simply change locations. If the group tends to like diving on wrecks, that's where the live-aboard can concentrate.

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|| |---| | | The diving off live-aboards tends to be in smaller groups as well. This can be just because the boat doesn't carry many divers or it can be because they stagger dive groups, giving everyone a chance to explore dive sites with just a few others (sometimes just a dive buddy).

Live-aboards also tend to offer less-explored reefs, wrecks, and other dives land-based resorts can't reach. This is thanks to their ability to go to (and stay at) sites land-based dive boats simply can't reach in a reasonable amount of time.

Live-aboards typically offer full photography and video service to shooters, allowing participants of all skill levels to see their work and apply lessons to future dives. There are also frequent instructional opportunities or programs with professionals available for amateur underwater photographers wanting to enhance their skills.

Other educational programs and advanced certification courses make live-aboards floating classrooms. It seems like the perfect environment to learn if, like many divers, you're ready to go back to school.

Of course, there are many other reasons for planning your first or 50th live-aboard trip. These include, but aren't limited to: more enjoyable surface intervals (the amenities can be world-class); lack of tropical insects (they're generally not as bad at sea as on land); better reef conditions; the like-minded company of passionate divers; built-in socializing for single travelers; and generally more adventure above and below the surface.

Each live-aboard company and boat offers varied amenities and programs. From the bare necessities (and low costs) to every amenity imaginable, there's a live-aboard experience and boat to suit anyone's needs. Generally speaking, however, most live-aboard package prices will include a cabin, bathroom facilities, most or all meals, some or all beverages, and diving. The offerings will differ when it comes to things like airfare, airport transfers, land-based accommodations and meals, alcohol, special dives, tips, photography and video services, and additional instruction.

If the live-aboard options have you salivating saltwater at the possibilities, you should take your research online and on the phone. It's easy to check out a wide variety of web sites run by both dive travel operators and specific live-aboard companies. This process of research will easily lead you to the ideal live-aboard vacation.

• Equipment: mask, snorkel, fins, booties, regulator, BCD, alternate air source, dive computer, exposure suit(s), dive light, and gear bag.

Additional gear possibilities include: backup dive computer, compass, dive knife, gloves, weight belt, dive slate, log book, photography equipment, spare batteries, and film or video tapes.

You might also want to include manuals for any complicated or new equipment, as well as fish ID materials (many live-aboards have these).

• Paperwork: airline tickets, passport, live-aboard reservations, c-card, medical insurance proof, cash (don't forget crew tips, when appropriate!), and an international calling card.

• Clothing and personal items: appropriate medicines (possibly including seasickness tablets), casual clothing appropriate to the conditions, several swimsuits, appropriate footwear, beach towel, and sun protection.