Liveaboards are an increasingly popular way for avid divers to explore the underwater world. They provide an opportunity to visit locations that may be difficult or impossible to access from land. But while this mode of travel has become a favorite among many, solo travelers may hesitate to embark on a liveaboard diving vacation.
Feeling nervous about going on a liveaboard by yourself is completely understandable. You may worry that you won’t find anyone to talk to or that your safety will be compromised. But we are here to show you that a solo trip on a liveaboard can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life!
In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about liveaboard diving for solo travelers. From what to expect to tips on making the most of your trip, we will have you feeling confident and prepared for your solo adventure.
Table of Contents
Liveaboards Reviewed in this Post
For a brief overview of the best liveaboards for a solo trip, look here. For more details, have a look at the individual sections below.
The Best Liveaboard For a Comfortable Solo Trip: Adora Liveaboard
The Adora liveaboard offers one of the nicest single cabins around, meaning you can dive in comfort and style!
The Best Liveaboard for Luxury Solo Vacations: Nautilus Belle Amie
Ideal for solo dives who love luxury, the Nautilus Belle Amie liveaboard offers a range of amenities to make your trip one to remember.
The Best Liveaboard for Solo Travelers on a Budget: Snefro Pearl
The short but sweet itinerary and low surcharge fee make the Snefro Pearl an excellent option for solo travelers on a budget.
The Best Liveaboard for Adventurous Solo Divers: Lady Denok
With so much marine life to explore, the Lady Denok liveaboard is perfect for solo travelers who want an adrenaline-fueled experience.
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Why You Should Go on a Solo Liveaboard Trip
You may have heard liveaboards are full of couples and families, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy this experience alone. Actually, liveaboard diving is great for solo travelers! In fact, many solo travelers find the liveaboard experience more enriching than traveling with others. There are so many benefits to traveling solo on a liveaboard, and many divers make it a regular part of their lives.
But if you have never been on a liveaboard diving trip before, you may be unsure about what to expect. Here’s why a solo liveaboard adventure might just be the best decision you ever make:
Enjoy a Unique Experience
From the moment you step onto your liveaboard, you’ll experience a whole new world. There won’t be any distractions from friends or family, so you can immerse yourself in the experience and take it all in. You’ll have more time to explore, learn and grow as a diver.
Whether you’re wreck diving in the Red Sea or shark diving in the Caribbean, you’ll experience a unique trip that will stay with you forever.
Choose Where You Go
When traveling solo, you can choose exactly where you want to go. You can browse different liveaboard routes, decide which dive sites you want to explore, and ensure it fits your schedule. This is a great opportunity to try something new and really push yourself to explore unknown waters.
Meet New People
Liveaboards are a great way for solo travelers to meet like-minded people. Many liveaboards are full of people from around the world, so you’ll have plenty of chances to make new friends and exchange stories. You might even find yourself forming bonds with fellow divers that last a lifetime.
Travel on Your Terms
When you travel solo, you can choose to do what you want, when you want. You won’t have to worry about splitting your time between different people with different interests. Instead, you can focus on exploring the underwater world at your own pace.
If you want to skip something in the liveaboard itinerary, you don’t need to worry about compromising with your dive buddies.
Disconnect From Home
Solo traveling can be amazing self-care. It can be an opportunity to take a break from your day-to-day life and disconnect from all the noise around you. While you may be out of reach for a few days, you can take comfort that you’ll come back feeling refreshed and invigorated!
And don’t worry – many liveaboards offer WiFi, so you can stay connected to the outside world if you need to.
Gain a Confidence Boost
You might not realize it, but solo trips can improve your self-confidence. By putting yourself in new and uncomfortable situations, you can gain the confidence to take on any challenge. Plus, you’ll be satisfied knowing you did it completely alone!
Things You Should Know Before Going on a Solo Liveaboard Trip
While liveaboard diving for solo travelers can be a fantastic experience, you should keep a few things in mind before embarking on your journey. You want to ensure you have the best time possible, and that can be achieved with a bit of preparation.
Research the Destination Thoroughly
Before you book your trip, make sure to do your research on the destination. Check out local dive sites, learn about which creatures you may encounter, and read reviews from other solo travelers. Research will help you get the most out of your liveaboard adventure.
Understand You May Need to Pay a Supplement
Most liveaboard operators have shared cabin options for solo travelers, where you will be boarded with another diver (usually of the same gender). Some even have single rooms designed specifically for those traveling alone.
However, in some cases, you may need to pay a single supplement if you don’t want to share your cabin with a stranger. This additional cost is imposed to compensate for the lost revenue from not having another person in the room. If you’re traveling on a budget, make sure to look into this when booking your trip.
Don’t Worry About Finding a Dive Buddy
The number one rule of scuba diving is never to dive alone. While this may seem challenging for solo travelers, it’s not a problem on liveaboards. Your dive master will pair you with another solo diver, or possibly a pair of divers, who are compatible with your experience level. Often, single divers are buddied with one of the dive guides, which allows for a more personalized experience.
So don’t worry about not having a dive buddy – you’ll always be in good hands!
Be Physically Prepared
Liveaboard diving trips can be intense and physically demanding, so ensure you are physically fit and prepared. As you won’t have a friend who knows your limits, solo travelers must be aware of their capacity and dive according to their skill level.
Put Your Safety First
Safety is always a priority, and this is especially true when solo liveaboard diving. Familiarize yourself with the emergency procedures and always follow the dive briefings. Keep yourself hydrated and practice safe diving protocols. And don’t forget to tell a family member or friend where you are going and when you plan to return!
Make Friends Onboard
If you’re worried about getting lonely on your solo trip, don’t be. While it is easy to feel alone when traveling by yourself, you will find that many other travelers will be eager to meet you. Liveaboards almost always have a sociable atmosphere, and you’ll quickly find yourself making friends with your fellow divers. That is one of the key reasons why liveaboard diving is a great way to travel for solo travelers.
Know When to Ask for Help
When traveling solo, there may be times when you need help or simply don’t know what to do. Don’t be afraid to ask the crew or other divers for assistance. Most people are more than happy to help and will be glad you asked!
Embrace the Adventure!
Liveaboards for solo travelers can be a great way to explore the world and see incredible sights. Whether you are heading to a remote destination or simply want to spend some alone time underwater – embrace the adventure ahead of you and enjoy every moment.
Do not let fear or worry stop you from taking this amazing journey. With some preparation, your solo liveaboard experience will be one to remember!
What You Should Look For When Booking a Solo Liveaboard Vacation
Choosing the right liveaboard vessel and destination can make or break your experience. Here are a few key things to look out for when booking a liveaboard trip as a solo traveler:
Single Rooms
If you’re somebody who likes their privacy, look for liveaboards that offer single rooms. These are ideal for solo travelers who don’t want to worry about sharing their cabin with someone they don’t know. Solo rooms used to be a rarity on liveaboard cruises, but now more and more vessels are offering them.
Low Single Supplement Fees
Not all liveaboards offer single rooms, so you may need to pay a single supplement fee if you want a cabin for yourself. This fee can be expensive, so choose a vessel that offers a reasonable single supplement fee.
Boat Size
There isn’t really a ‘right’ size for liveaboard vessels, but larger boats often offer more amenities and activities than smaller ones. If you’re looking for a more personalized experience, you might want to consider a smaller boat. But if you’re looking for something with a bit more variety and more divers, which might apply to most solo travelers when liveaboard diving, then take a look at some larger liveaboards.
Liveaboard Itinerary
As we mentioned earlier, you won’t have to worry about diving alone as you will be assigned a dive buddy.
However, this doesn’t mean you should book on any itinerary – be sure to research and choose an itinerary that suits your experience level. The currents, depths, and obstacles will differ from region to region, so ensure you understand the conditions before booking.
Reviews From Solo Travelers
Before booking a liveaboard, take the time to check if there are any reviews from other single travelers. These will be invaluable in giving you an insight into what to expect from the vessel and crew.
If there aren’t any reviews for the liveaboard you’re looking at, don’t be afraid to ask around. There are many online forums, social media pages, and groups dedicated to diving and liveaboards, so you should be able to get some advice from fellow travelers.
Onboard Facilities
As a solo diver, you’ll want to consider the available facilities onboard. If you’re staying in a single room, are the doors lockable? Or if you’re sharing a cabin, is there an en suite? Liveaboard operators take the safety of their guests seriously, but it doesn’t hurt to do your due diligence.
The Best Liveaboards for Solo Travelers
Liveaboards offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience to divers and solo travelers alike. With the right boat, crew, and itinerary, you can make some incredible memories. There are so many great liveaboards for solo travelers out there, but here are our top picks:
Adora Liveaboard, The Maldives
Solo Cabin: Yes Maximum capacity: 21 guests Surcharge: Yes, 65% Price: $$
The Maldives offers some of the best diving in the world, with its incredible coral reefs, wrecks, and pelagic marine life – and the Adora liveaboard is a great choice for solo travelers. This boat offers two types of shared accommodation and a single room with en suite bathrooms.
The Adora is also designed with a spacious sundeck and plenty of modern amenities – plus, the crew is friendly and experienced. There is paid internet, a leisure deck, and video entertainment available on board, so there’s no worry you’ll get bored between dives!
Nautilus Belle Amie, Mexico
Solo Cabin: Yes Maximum capacity: 32 guests Surcharge: Yes, 100% Price: $$$
When booking a solo liveaboard trip, you really can’t go wrong with boats that have been custom-built for divers. They more than often consider the needs of solo travelers, and Nautilus Belle Amie is no exception.
You can book a private room or share with up to 2 other people and reap the discounts – although, there is a hefty surcharge if you want to take a multiple occupancy room for yourself. This large vessel is ideal for solo divers who want to get involved and meet new people from all over the world. There are plenty of activities to enjoy, including snorkeling and kayaking – plus delicious food!
Snefro Pearl, Egypt
Solo Cabin: No Maximum capacity: 12 guests Surcharge: Yes, 35% Price: $
There might not be any single cabins, but the Snefro Pearl makes up for that with its low single surcharge fee. Even with the surcharge, you will still be getting a great deal! The Snefro Pearl liveaboard is ideal for divers who want to take a short, solo trip on the Red Sea without paying too much.
The boat is small and intimate, creating a nice atmosphere for making friends. But don’t let the small size fool you; there are still plenty of modern amenities and creature comforts available on board. With free nitrox and WiFi included, you can stay connected and dive to your heart’s content!
Lady Denok, Indonesia
Solo Cabin: Yes Maximum capacity: 12 guests Surcharge: Yes, 50% Price: $$
If seeing a range of biodiversity is your aim, then Lady Denok might be for you. This liveaboard in Indonesia offers the coveted Raja Ampat itinerary, with some of the best macro creatures and rare sightings around! Depending on your preference, there is a choice of shared cabins or a single room.
There is a nearly 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio, so you’ll always be well cared for. The Lady Denok also offers excellent amenities, including air-con, a library, an observation deck, and DIN adaptors. So not only will you see some incredible marine life, but your time on board will be comfortable and enjoyable too.
Liveaboard Tips for Solo Travelers
You now know the best liveaboards for solo travelers, but here are a few tips to make sure your experience goes off without a hitch:
Be Open to Making New Friends
You never know who you might meet on board, so be open to making new connections. Even if you’re a bit shy, there will always be people on board who can relate to your situation and will be willing to chat. Trust us; you’ll make more memories if you’re willing to meet new people!
Don’t Compromise Your Safety
Just because you’re alone doesn’t mean you should compromise on safety. Don’t let anyone pressure you into doing something that makes you uncomfortable. If your designated buddy is incompatible with you and your ideals, speak up. The crew will always be happy to help and ensure you’re safe and comfortable.
Consider Learning the Local Language
We don’t mean becoming fluent – but having a few key phrases in the local language can go a long way. There may be times you need to communicate with the locals, like during transfers to your boat or land excursions. Being alone can make these situations intimidating, so having a few key phrases can help ease the anxiety.
Understand Your Itinerary
You won’t have anyone there to remind you what time breakfast is or if there’s an extra dive – at least not at first. Even when you have made friends, it’s important to understand the day-to-day logistics. This way, you won’t miss out on any of the great opportunities.
Pack Emergency Cash
You should be careful not to overpack, but as a solo diver, you don’t have anyone else to rely on. Consider packing extra cash in case of an emergency or unexpected fee – you don’t want to be stuck without money away from home!
Respect Other Peoples’ Space
You won’t be the only diver aboard, and you might not be the only solo diver either! You’re just as much a stranger to the other guests as they are to you, so be mindful of everyone’s space and respect their privacy.
Bring Entertainment
Your liveaboard itinerary will include plenty of time to relax but don’t forget to bring some entertainment. A good book, some music, or a few movies can help break the silence and make the journey more enjoyable.
Even if you’re a social butterfly, there will be times when the boat is quiet, and it helps to have something to do!
Final Thoughts on Liveaboard Diving for Solo Travelers
Liveaboard diving is a unique and exciting way to explore the ocean – and solo travelers don’t have to miss out! You can have an amazing solo adventure with careful research, the right liveaboard, and a little preparation.
Always keep your safety and comfort in mind, and don’t be afraid to make new friends. But most importantly, have fun! With the right boat, you can create a unique and unforgettable experience that you’ll remember for years to come.
