Updated July 26, 2022
This is the forty-third in a series that introduces and describes the various dive services and sites for worldwide liveaboard dive safaris. This one focuses on the best luxury liveaboard dive boats. For other “Best” reviews of liveaboards and destinations, go to “Best Liveaboards & Destinations Lists” on the top menu.
Have you ever been diving on any of the boats or locations described below? If so, I’d love to know about your experience. What liveaboard did you use? How was the diving? Were the services and accommodations good? Please post your response in the comments section at the bottom and we’ll all learn something we can use.
Best Liveaboard Dive Boats for Short Trips
You are trying to plan for a liveaboard dive vacation but realize you don’t really have the 10-15 days that a good many of the best require. Transport time to and from the vessel and a safe surface interval after diving before flying are considerations that cut into the time available to dive. Before deciding to wait until you have more time take note that a number of very fine dive safaris are available in the 3-8 day range at bucket-list dive sites on reasonably priced yachts. Below are 10 great yachts that go to various locations, each with its own special flavor that may well suit your desires.
Best Liveaboard Dive Boats List
- MV Discovery Palawan – Philippines
- MV Scubaspa Yang – Maldives
- Tanaka – Indonesia
- The Junk – Thailand
- King Snefro 5 – Egypt
- Spirit of Freedom – Australia
- Solmar V – Mexico
- Oceane’s Dream – Madagascar
- MV Bavaria – Thailand & Burma
- Amelie – Egypt
Best Liveaboard Dive Boats (Short Trips)
MV Discovery Palawan – Philippines
- 5-day itineraries to the Visayas from October through December with some to the southern end and some to Malapascua in the north (thresher sharks)
- 5-day itineraries to Apo Reef and the Coron WWII Japanese wrecks from January to March
- 7-day itineraries to Tubbataha Reef National Park from March through June
- 32 guests/20 cabins
- Aircon cabins, en-suite bathrooms
- Many food options, buffet style
- Camera facilities
- Nitrox available
- Nitrox course available
For more information and details about liveaboard diving in the Philippines, please check out these reviews:
- Best Liveaboard Diving – Tubbataha Reefs National Park
- Best Coron Wrecks & Apo Reef Liveaboards
- Best Diving Philippines Visayas Liveaboards
- Best Liveaboard Scuba Diving Philippines
MV Scubaspa Yang – Maldives- 5 to 8-day itineraries to the best of the Maldives (central area) and the deep south
- Aircon cabins, en-suite bathrooms, laundry service
- 40 guests/19 cabins
- Free internet
- Al Fresco dining with many food options
- Spa with 3 spa therapists, jacuzzi/hot tub, yoga classes
- Separate camera rinse facility
- Kayaks, stand up paddleboards, non-diver (snorkeler) friendly
- Nitrox available
- Nitrox and scuba diving courses available
- Check the Price & Details
For more information and details about diving in the Maldives, please check out these reviews:
Tanaka – Indonesia- 4 to 7-day itineraries around Komodo
- Aircon cabins, en-suite bathrooms, laundry service, daily housekeeping
- 14 guests/5 cabins
- Internet available
- Al Fresco dining, set dinner menu, many food options
- Camera facilities
- Kayaks, stand up paddleboards, free snorkeling gear
- Scuba diving courses available
- Nitrox available
For more information and details about liveaboard diving in Komodo, please check out these reviews:
The Junk – Thailand- 3-day itineraries to southern Thailand
- 4 to 7-day itineraries to the Similan and Surin Islands
- 18 guests/6 cabins
- Aircon rooms, en-suite bathrooms, daily housekeeping
- Al Fresco dining, buffet style, many food options, full board option
- Kayaks on-board, non-diver (snorkeler) friendly
- Scuba diving courses available
- Nitrox available
For more information and details about liveaboard diving in Thailand, please check out these reviews:
King Snefro 5 – Egypt- 4-day itineraries to Ras Mohamed and Thistlegorm wreck
- 10 guests/5 cabins
- Aircon rooms, en-suite bathrooms, daily housekeeping
- Buffet style, many food options, full board option
- Non-diver (snorkeler) friendly
- Scuba diving courses available
- Nitrox available, sidemount diving
For more information and details about diving in Egypt, please check out these reviews:
- Best Red Sea Liveaboards Reviewed and Compared
- Best Diving in Hurghada Red Sea
- Best Dahab Diving Holidays
- Best Red Sea Marsa Alam Diving
Spirit of Freedom – Australia- 4 to 8-day itineraries to the Great Barrier Reef (Cod Hole, Ribbon Reefs, Coral Sea)
- Aircon cabins, en-suite bathrooms, TV in cabins
- 26 guests/11 cabins
- Free internet
- Al Fresco dining, buffet style, many food options, full board option
- Camera facilities
- Non-diver (snorkeler) friendly
- Nitrox available
- Nitrox and scuba diving courses available
For more information and details about diving on the Great Barrier Reef, please check out these reviews:
- 5-day trips to Guadalupe Island for great white shark cage diving from August through October
- 9 to 11-day trips to Socorro Islands (humpback whales & pelagics) from November through June
- Aircon cabins, en-suite bathrooms, daily housekeeping
- 22 guests/12 cabins
- Fine cuisine, many food options
- Camera facilities
- Nitrox available, sidemount diving
- Nitrox course available
For more information and details about diving on Guadalupe Island and Socorro Islands, please check out these reviews:
Oceane’s Dream – Madagascar- 6-day itineraries to the Mitsio Archipelago and the Radames Archipelago (mantas, whale sharks, pelagics)
- 8 guests/4 cabins
- Fine cuisine, buffet style, set menu dinners, full board option
- Naturalist guide
- Non-diver (snorkeler) friendly
- Scuba diving courses available
For more information and details about diving in Madagascar, please check out this review:
MV Bavaria – Thailand & Burma- Many 4 to 10-day itineraries to the Similan Islands and the Mergui Archipelago
- Aircon cabins, en-suite bathrooms, daily housekeeping
- 24 guests/12 cabins
- Buffet style, many food options
- Free internet
- Separate rinse for uw camera
- Nitrox available, sidemount diving
- Nitrox and scuba diving courses available
For more information and details about diving in the Similans and the Mergui Archipelago, please check out this review:
Amelie – Egypt- 4 to 8-day itineraries to the Hurghada area
- 12 guests/6 cabins
- Daily housekeeping
- Fine cuisine, buffet style, many food options
- Free internet
- Camera facilities
- Naturalist guide
- Free nitrox
- Nitrox and scuba diving courses
For more information and details about diving in the Red Sea and Hurghada area, please check out these reviews:
- Best Red Sea Liveaboards Reviewed and Compared
- Best Diving in Hurghada Red Sea
- Best Dahab Diving Holidays
- Best Red Sea Marsa Alam Diving
Liveaboard Dive Boats for Short Trips Comparison Table
| Picture | Liveaboard | Location | Trip Duration | Length | Guests/Cabins | Nitrox | Price/Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | MV Discovery | Philippines | 5-7 Days | 49.2 Meters | 32 Guests 20 Cabins | $8-12/Day | $279 |
 | Scubaspa Yang | Maldives | 5-8 Days | 50 Meters | 40 Guests 19 Cabins | $100/Week | $330 |
 | Tanaka | Komodo (Indonesia) | 4-7 Days | 35 Meters | 14 Guests 5 Cabins | 8EUR/Tank | $279 |
 | The Junk | Thailand | 3-7 Days | 33 Meters | 18 Guests 6 Cabins | $25/Day | $147 |
 | King Snefro 5 | Egypt | 4 Days | 22 Meters | 10 Guests 5 Cabins | 5EUR/Tank | $89 |
 | MV Spirit of Freedom | Great Barrier Reef - Australia | 4-8 Days | 37 Meters | 26 Guests 11 Cabins | 75-100AUD/Trip | $276 |
 | MV Solmar V | Socorro Islands, Guadalupe Island (Mexico) | 5-11 Days | 112 Feet | 22 Guests 12 Cabins | $150/trip | $399 |
 | Oceane's Dream | Madagascar | 6 Days | 13 Meters | 8 Guests 4 Cabins | No | $149 |
 | MV Bavaria | Thailand & Burma | 4-10 Days | 28 meters | 24 Guests 12 Cabins | 200THB/Tank | $169 |
 | Amelie | Red Sea (Egypt) | 4-8 Days | 23 meters | 12 Guests 6 Cabins | Free | $95 |
| Liveaboard | Location | Length | Guests/Cabins | Nitrox | Price/Day |
What should you expect on a short Liveaboard?
Goals
What kind of diving do you want to do? Are you interested in wrecks, technical, or drift diving? Maybe certain wildlife like whales, sharks, rays, or other megafauna is what you crave. Perhaps photography is your niche and muck diving critters the target you are looking for. Certain liveaboards provide an excellent opportunity to get in some coursework like the Nitrox Specialty or the Advanced Open Water class. Also, what other activities are offered that would be interesting for you or your kids and family members like kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, snorkeling, and cultural shore trips. There is a lot of variation as to what’s available, so look through the information carefully and confirm with the agent before booking.
Location and Season
Some areas are more suitable for short itineraries due to easy accessibility to dive sites like in the Red Sea. More remote locations like Raja Ampat or French Polynesia are more suitable for longer trips. Also, keep in mind the seasonality in some areas. The wind and rain season can get in the way in Southeast Asia and the Caribbean while sites in the South Pacific, Australia, and the Indian Ocean generally have good conditions for diving year-round. Some locations will have limited availability at times which will affect pricing and booking opportunities.
Budget
There can be a big difference between budget and luxury tours. More expensive liveaboards should have higher levels of service in areas like laundry, housekeeping, food preparation, and assistance in preparing and maintaining your dive gear. Expect aircon cabins, en-suite bathrooms, more space, and more staff on luxury cruises. Technical capabilities related to photography and advanced and tech diving are more likely on luxury tours, as well as frills like hot tubs, massage, and the like.
Longer Trip Liveaboard Dive Boats
If you have an interest in longer liveaboard safaris, please check out these two posts:
- Best Liveaboard Destinations For Underwater Photography
- Best Liveaboard Destinations for Whale Sharks
- Best Liveaboard Destinations For Manta Rays
- Best Liveaboard Destinations For Wreck Diving
- Best Liveaboard Destinations For Diving With Sharks
- Best Liveaboard Destinations for Advanced Divers
- Best Liveaboard Destinations for Beginners
- Best Liveaboard Dive Boats (Low Budget)
- Best Liveaboard Dive Boats (Luxury)
Last Minute Liveaboard Deals & Special Offers
For greatly reduced pricing on special offers for a broad range of liveaboards in 18 countries around the world, please check out this post:
Scuba Diving Trip Insurance
A cushion for emergencies provides peace of mind when on vacation. I recommend this diving insurance as they have worldwide coverage and give scuba divers quality insurance and medical assistance service.
Feedback and Comments
I hope you found this post on the best luxury liveaboard dive boats interesting and useful. If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to share them in the comments section. I’d love to know of any experience you have. If there is no comments section directly below, click here: >>comments<<