Top three destinations for a live-aboard scuba getaways
Most that are new to the thrill of scuba-diving are unfamiliar with the concept of the live-aboard scuba trip. Experienced divers know that the best way to save money and time when scuba-diving is by arranging a live-aboard boat that caters to scuba divers. Such trips allow divers to explore a much grander variety of dive spots, particularly those difficult to access from shore, making them a popular choice for divers who are ready to expand their horizons. Such boats provide accommodation and catering, leaving you to focus all your energy on the best part of the trip – diving. These trips are also ideal for those looking to make more friends in the dive community, and are perfect for those who want to spend their entire holiday under the sea. Liveaboards will generally advertise an itinerary, and you can find various ones that cater to different budget levels and trip lengths. Some liveaboards will even whizz you around for a couple weeks, though these are more uncommon. If you are looking to book a scuba dive trip this year, consider getting your fins wet with these three iconic destinations that can only be truly explored on a live-aboard.
Similan Islands
This archipelago sitting in the Andaman sea, is one of the most underrated dive locations in Thailand. It tends to go unnoticed as overnight stays on the islands remain prohibited to protect its abundant wildlife. With most visitors experiencing this paradise only on day trips, and with most of the dive spots being isolated in and around the 11 islands, diving this location is only possible via a liveaboard. The Similan Marine National Park is one of 9 marine national parks in Thailand and thus there is a small entry free to experience this wonder. One of the top dive spots in these islands is the world renowned Richelieu Rock, where divers can swim alongside the infamous whale shark. The wildlife here includes barracudas, turtles, manta rays, coral reefs and more. When planning your trip, be mindful of the marine park’s annual closure from May to October which gives its ecosystem a much needed reset.
Maldives
It is perhaps no surprise that the Maldives, with its islands and atolls that cover over 800 km of the Indian Ocean, has been included on a list for exceptional diving spots. However, the majority of tourists visiting the Maldives stay relatively close to the shore. Due to the size of the area, only 3-4 dive sites are typically accessible for divers staying at a hotel or resort and using a dive company or hotel boat to visit nearby sites. Many dive spots are populated at the far ends of the northern and southern atolls. Thus it is highly recommended for divers to explore both expanses of the Maldives freely upon a liveaboard. Divers will be able to see a variety of reef sharks, turtles, whale sharks. A must-see from the months June to October are the manta rays in Hanifaru Bay which is one of the largest global manta ray feeding hotspots.
Palau
This Micronesian country tends to be forgotten as its archipelago is nestled deep in the western Pacific Ocean. It is over 300 islands strong and is considered to have some of the last untouched coral reefs of the world. With the waters having stronger currents, Palau is more suited for more experienced divers in comparison to the novice. Liveaboards can transport divers through the +300 islands to the best sites which include the Blue Corner and German Channel. If you could only go on a liveaboard once, Palau is easily a top contender, with even greater biodiversity than the Maldives and potentially fewer crowds.
—– Notes
For my blog post, I decided to a listicle style piece of writing. I decided to focus it on a specific niche/or to answer a specific question. I envisioned my reader as being someone new to the concept of live-aboard experiences and explained why it is a good option for scuba divers.
I provided context on three top liveaboard locations, focusing on why these locations are better travelled via live-aboard and giving some general context about the locations instead of in-depth information. This is as I wanted my blog post to retain the attention of the reader, and I think breaking down the text into this style improves readability.