Whether you're new to diving or have recently rediscovered it after an extended time, we're picking out four of the best liveaboard destinations for divers that are less experienced.
Along Thailand's Andaman coast are several dive sites perfect for beginners, and it's one of our top picks for learning how to dive from a resort in Phuket. For those looking for a liveaboard, Khao Lak is the gateway to the Similan & Surin Islands, home to some of the best dive sites in Thailand. The reefs here are incredible, the pelagic species prolific and the biodiversity astonishing. From leopard sharks to manta rays and harlequin shrimp to pipefish, there's plenty on offer, whilst for whale shark encounters you should choose an itinerary that visits the world-famous Richelieu Rock.
Requirements: PADI Open Water or equivalent, no minimum number of dives.
Find out more about liveaboard diving in Thailand.
For incredible, healthy and pristine reef diving look no further than St. John's in the far south of Egypt's Red Sea. Away from the majority of diving resorts, St. John's is only visited by liveaboards meaning it's the perfect choice for divers looking for the finest diving experiences away from the crowds. Suitable for all divers, no matter their experience level, you will surely kickstart your love for diving here. Underwater highlights include a variety of shark species, dazzling coral reefs bustling with fish life and the occasional manta or hammerhead.
Requirements: PADI Open Water or equivalent, no minimum number of dives. However, you may experience current on some dives so should be comfortable diving in current.
Find out more about liveaboard diving in the Red Sea.
Novice divers can still get a chance to dive the Best of the Maldives on board Emperor liveaboards! Visiting some of the most renowned sites in the atoll, beginners needn't miss out with plenty of action underwater to keep them and snorkellers entertained. Stopping off at North & South Male Atoll, Ari Atoll & Felidhoo Atoll, this promises to be a memorable experience as you encounter huge schools of fish, nurse, grey and white-tip sharks, manta rays and possibly even whale sharks. Surely there's no better place to tick off your first pelagics than in the Maldives?!
Requirements: PADI Open Water or equivalent, no minimum number of dives. However, you may experience current on some dives so should be comfortable diving in current.
Find out more about liveaboard diving in the Maldives.
In the north-east of the Caribbean, the islands of St Kitts and Nevis, Saba and St Maarten are a great choice. Topside it's stunning, and underwater the excellent visibility and calm conditions make less experienced divers feel at ease here. The marine life found around this chain of islands is plentiful with coral reefs, hawksbill turtles, barracuda and a host of critters such as frogfish and nudibranch all likely. A few dives at Saba Marine Park are typically included in Caribbean Explorer II liveaboard itineraries, offering remarkable biodiversity from its corals to fish life.
Requirements: PADI Open Water or equivalent. Regaldive recommends at least 20 dives for this itinerary.
All of these featured liveaboard adventures are possible to join as an Open Water diver, with a recommended minimum number of dives in some instances. Regaldive would always recommend that divers are comfortable in the water and have at least 20 dives to get full enjoyment from any liveaboard. If divers do not already have their Advanced Open Water qualification, this is also highly recommended to enjoy all dives offered. This course can be completed as part of many liveaboards including those mentioned above.
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