Your first liveaboard: what life on board is really like

An early-morning dive, breakfast, a second dive, lunch, an afternoon dive and sometimes a night dive — up to four a day. Between dives you eat, rest on deck and fill in your logbook. Many divers are asleep soon after dinner.

Each briefing covers the site, the current, entry and exit, and the safety procedures — PADI calls it the one thing not to be late for. On arrival the crew also shows you where the emergency and first-aid equipment is.

• A soft, foldable bag — cabins are small.
• Travel-size toiletries and a few changes of light clothes.
• A save-a-dive kit: spare mask strap, O-rings, fin strap.
• A multi-plug adapter: cabins may have one or two sockets to share.

PADI is frank: if you're very prone to seasickness, think twice about a liveaboard. If you're determined, bring your usual remedy and take it before you need it — see our seasickness article for the options.

All meals, soft drinks, tanks, weights, guiding, marine park fees and port taxes; Nitrox, alcohol and equipment rental are extras. Routes and weeks are on our Liveaboards page.