Liveaboard Boat Comparison

With so many amazing liveaboard diving destinations available, it is difficult to decide where to go first. This liveaboard boat comparison chart should help see what is important to you and plan the perfect dive getaway.
  Northeastern Caribbean Turks & Caicos Islands Galapagos Archipelago Maldives Red Sea Indonesia
Vessel Name Caribbean Explorer II Turks & Caicos Explorer II Humboldt Explorer Tiburon Explorer Emperor Explorer Grand Sea Explorer Blue Manta Explorer White Manta Explorer
Airport St. Kitts (SKB) St. Maarten (SXM) Providenciales (PLS) Quito, Ecuador (UIO) Guayaquil, Ecuador (GYE) Male, Maldives (MLE) Hurghada (HRG) Port Ghalib (RMF- Marsa Alam) Labuan Bajo (LBJ), Bima (BMU), Maumere (MOF), Tual (LUV), Ambon (AMQ), Sorong (SOQ), Ternate (TTE), Alor (ARD) Manado (MDC), Tual (LUV), Ambon (AMQ), Sorong (SOQ), Ternate (TTE), Berau (BEJ), Balikpapan (BPN).
Description 8-day trips only, departs either St. Kitts or St. Maarten on alternate Saturdays (see schedule online). An older 115’ vessel with comfortable rooms, each having its own bath & shower. Well-known with a large repeat clientele; repeatedly upgraded and renovated. 8-day trips only, departs Caicos Marina & Shipyard in Providenciales most Saturdays (2 different itineraries – see schedule online). A 124’ luxury vessel with space to spread out; unmatched in the Caribbean. Not “commercial” at all, this vessel is best described as a large yacht. 8 day/7 night trips only, depart San Cristobal and Baltra in the Galapagos Islands each Monday and Saturday . Well-appointed custom-built vessels for fast transits, these vessels boast large common areas for lounging and sunning, and great observation areas. 8 day/7 night trips only, depart San Cristobal and Baltra in the Galapagos Islands each Monday and Saturday . Well-appointed custom-built vessels for fast transits, these vessels boast large common areas for lounging and sunning, and great observation areas. 8 day/7 night or 11 day/10 night trips depart on Thursdays from Hurghada (occasionally Port Ghalib) . Grand Sea Explorer is a spectacular luxury liveaboard in all aspects. She provides ample space for dining, relaxing or enjoying the sun. 7 day/6 night to 12day/11night trips operating in Raja Ampat, Misool, Banda Sea, Forgotten Islands, Alor and Komodo. The M/V Blue Manta Explorer is one of the most luxurious steel boats sailing in Indonesia. Designed by divers, for divers, she is equipped with large and well-appointed cabins and ample space everywhere. 7 day/6 night to 12day/11night trips operating in Raja Ampat, Misool, Banda Sea, Forgotten Islands, Lemeh Straits and Derawan Islands. The M/V White Manta is one of the most stable steel boats sailing in Indonesia. Designed by divers, for divers with an amazing dive platform and dive deck.
Boat Capacity 18 20 16 26 28 (Only 22 guests required for full private charter) 22 24 (a minimum of 22 guests required for full private charter)
Accommodations Cabins are located on the main and lower decks. Each cabin is air-conditioned, with ample storage, private bathroom and shower. Large and spacious, with private bathrooms, dressers and closets; drawers under most of the beds. Each room has portholes or windows, and many have a desk with chair. Comfortable air-conditioned rooms are all located on main & lower decks. Each room has a private bathroom and 6 of 8 can be converted from twins to a queen bed. Comfortable air-conditioned rooms are located on the upper, main and lower decks. Each has a private bathroom, and can accommodate singles or couples. 2 spacious suites, 2 double and 10 twin cabins. Fridge, en-suite bathroom (with multiple jet showers in the suites only) and individually- controlled air-conditioners are standard in all cabins. 14 double luxury staterooms, all of which have ensuite bathroom, air conditioning, and most of which have king or twin beds. 14 very comfortable staterooms with spacious ensuite bathroom, air conditioning and double or twin beds.
Common Areas Upstairs main salon protected from the weather, with seating for all passengers; a large sundeck off the main salon and a carpeted bow area for sunning. Very large, air-conditioned full-width salon with table seating for all passengers and large sofa; huge sundeck; large flybridge with seating for 15; large bow with comfortable seating. Comfortable – the fully-enclosed dining area and main salon offers seating for sit-down meals, plus a bar area, TV/DVD. Huge, partially covered teak sundeck with hot tub. Very comfortable and accommodating indoor air-conditioned dining area and lounge/bar area with TV/DVD. Upper deck partially covered lounge area and a large sundeck, with deck chairs and bean bags. She provides ample space with her dining area and her main deck salon which is equipped with the latest in entertainment equipment and a library. Several outside and inside lounges allow guests many opportunities to relax between dives. There is a sundeck with lounge chairs for sunbathing and a covered area for shade. The vessel provides an open outdoor alfresco dining area and an indoor air-conditioned dining area. There is a huge sundeck with lounge chairs for sunbathing and a covered area for shade with day beds. The vessel provides an open outdoor alfresco dining area and an indoor air-conditioned dining area.
Dive deck Large and spacious, with large multi-level camera table and easy access via two staircases to the dive platform. The dive deck is a bit smaller than the other vessels, but has individual gear bins for all passengers. The dive platform, accessed by stairs on each side of the dive deck, is the largest you’ll find anywhere! Large, but not used in the same way as the other vessels since all diving is done from the dive tenders. There is space for individual gear storage, large camera table, and ample space for suiting up, and boarding the tenders. All diving is done from the 78’ custom-designed dive dhoni. The dhoni provides individual gear storage, camera table & rinse tanks, closet. The huge dive deck is at water level and can accommodate up to 28 divers with individual racks, charging stations and a bathroom.

Grand Sea Explorer is specifically designed for divers looking for luxury and speed between dive sites.

 The dive deck is equipped with personal rinse tanks and a wide outdoor work table for underwater digital cameras. There is also a dedicated indoor camera room with plenty of space & charging stations. Dives are conducted from tenders (2 fiberglass & 2 rigid hull inflatables with ladder). The spacious dive deck is equipped with rinse tanks and a wide outdoor work table for underwater digital cameras. The dive platform is equipped with a camera table, 5 showers and rinse tanks for wetsuits only. Dives are conducted from tenders ( 3 rigid hull inflatables with ladder).
Dive Seasons The weather in the Eastern Caribbean is remarkably consistent year-round. Temperatures range from 70°F (21°C) or higher in the winter months to the low 90s°F (32°C) during the summer, with nearly constant sea breezes. The weather in the Turks & Caicos Islands is remarkably consistent year-round. The temperatures range from the 70°F (21°C) or higher in the winter months to the low 90s°F (32°C) during the summer, with nearly constant sea breezes. Galapagos is a cold-water destination. Regular water temperatures in Darwin and Wolf are 21-24 C (70-75°F) and often significantly cooler in other locations. High season is regarded as July to November when the Humboldt current is at is maximum force, bringing upwellings of nutrients from the cold depths. This is your best opportunity to dive with whale sharks in Darwin and Wolf. The Maldives have a tropical climate, hot all year round and influenced by the monsoons: the south-west monsoon, from late April to September, is stronger on the northern islands, and accompanied by the wind, higher humidity and more frequent cloudiness. The northeast monsoon, from October to December, is quieter and simply brings showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon or evening, especially in the southern atolls. In the southern Red Sea, when at sea, air temperatures peak at 82-90°F (28-32°C) between July and September. After these months the temperatures drop slightly to 80-82°F (27-28°C) in October and November. They continue to fall through February to 73-79°F (23-26°C). Temperatures then begin to warm up again to 75-80°F (24-27°C) between March and June. Water temperatures vary from a low of 73°F (23°C) during the winter to a high of 86°F (30°C) during the summer. The weather Indonesia can be hugely variable.For Komodo Archipelago and Alor, the weather is usually best from April – October (dry season). October to April is historically the most popular time (no wind) to dive in Raja Ampat and Misool. In the Banda Sea, the best period take place from April to May and September to December. Temperatures range from 75°F (24°C) to 90°F (32°C) during the summer in Komodo and Alor. In Raja Ampat and Banda Sea, the average temperature is constant all year round: 82°F (28°C). The weather in Indonesia can be hugely variable. For Derawan Archipelago, the weather is usually best from April – October (dry season). October to April is historically the most popular time (no wind) to dive in Raja Ampat and Misool. In the Banda Sea, the best period take place from April to May and September to December. Temperatures range from 75°F (24°C) to 90°F (32°C) during the summer in Komodo. In Raja Ampat, Banda Sea and Kalimantan, the average temperature is constant all year round: 82°F (28°C).
Diving Diving is done directly from the boat. Dive sites range from pristine offshore pinnacles, walls and sand gullies with reef heads, to historical relics encrusted with corals, sponges and sea fans. The marine life offers divers multiple sightings of moray eels, hawksbill turtles, jacks, barracuda and stingrays. Visitors will also find frogfish, seahorses and nudibranchs buried in the reef.

Diving is done directly from the boat. There is typically excellent underwater visibility along with high-voltage wall dives, and the profusion of marine life of all sizes.

Caribbean reef sharks are common, as are spotted eagle rays, jacks, grouper, and turtles. Hammerheads and blacktips are spotted on a frequent basis, and the occasional manta rays and dolphins make an appearance.

 All dives are done from pangas (zodiacs) with an easy backward roll into the water. Your diving experience will generally include Galapagos sharks, silky sharks and lots of schooling hammerheads being cleaned by king angelfish. Marine turtles, schools of tuna and sea lions are very common. A wide variety of rays can be seen at many of the dive sites (including mantas, mobulas, spotted eagle rays, marble rays, golden rays and stingrays) along with schools of grunt, snapper, brown stripped salema, grouper and chevron barracudas. All dives are from a large custom-built diving dhoni (tender). Dive sites include many hard and soft corals, swim-throughs, and myriad pelagics. Particularly, the Maldives’ waters support the world’s largest known population of reef manta rays, and whale sharks are also seen year-round. Maldives is also known for unique underwater topography encompassing outer and inner reefs, small coral pinnacles known as thilas, caverns and walls. Dives are typically done from one of three tenders, however occasional dives may be done from the mother ship. Scuba diving the Red Sea’s Brothers Islands, Daedalus Reef, and Elphinstone Reef is one of the special itineraries with walls boasting huge pristine hard coral formations, sheer drop-offs covered with soft corals, and a frequent rush of pelagics. Sightings of thresher sharks, whale sharks, schooling tuna, mantas, grey reef sharks, oceanic whitetips, and schooling hammerheads are common. On occasion, the spectacular moonfish have also been spotted. Diving is done from tenders (2 fiberglass & 2 rigid hull inflatables with ladder). Indonesia is home to 17% of the worlds’ reefs and 80% of marine species can be seen, from the tiny pigmy sea horse to the majestic whale shark. In shallow waters, all along drop offs or in black sand lagoons, soft and hard corals, critters, rare fauna, reef sharks, manta rays, bump-head parrot fishes, carpet sharks, schools of jacks, barracudas and silversides are common. From September to December, schooling hammerhead sharks can be seen in the Banda Sea. Diving is done from tenders ( 3 rigid hull inflatables with ladder). Indonesia is home to 17% of the worlds’ reefs and 80% of marine species can be seen, from the tiny pigmy sea horse to the majestic whale shark. In shallow waters, all along drop offs or in black sand lagoons, soft and hard corals, critters, rare fauna, reef sharks, manta rays, bump-head parrot fishes, carpet sharks, schools of jacks, barracudas and silversides are common. From September to December, schooling hammerhead sharks can be seen in the Banda Sea.
Snorkeling Limited due to dive site depth; generally only Torrens Point and Diamond Rock/Man ‘o War Shoals in Saba are suitable locations. Very good options for snorkeling, easily accessible from the dive sites. Limited to pre or post trip time. Some sites offer excellent snorkeling. Snorkeling is not recommended as there are very few snorkeling opportunities. Good snorkeling opportunities in Raja Ampat (at least one or two per day). Limited in Komodo and Alor due to strong currents. Not recommended in the Banda Sea and during crossing trips. Good snorkeling opportunities in Raja Ampat and Derawan Archipelago (at least one or two per day). Not recommended in the Banda Sea and during crossing trips.
Suitability for beginners Very good, though diving conditions at certain sites may sometimes be more suitable for advanced divers depending on conditions. Excellent.. Not suitable unless you are willing to limit yourself to certain dive sites in exceptional conditions. Some dive sites and itineraries are better suited to beginners than others, but many dive options exist for beginners. Currents on many sites. Not suitable unless you are willing to limit yourself to certain dive sites in exceptional conditions. Not suitable unless you are willing to limit yourself to certain dive sites in exceptional conditions. Not suitable unless you are willing to limit yourself to certain dive sites in exceptional conditions.
Land tours Organized weekly and available up to 3 times during the week, for several hours each time - tours are at additional cost. Depending on flights, time is available to explore both St. Maarten and additional time in St. Kitts at the beginning and end of the trip. Limited to an occasional walk on the beach. There are two tours within the Galapagos National Park on the itineraries of the boats. Humboldt Explorer guests can organize a short tour ashore on departure day. Land tours can be arranged prior or after the trip to several unique areas in the Galapagos and/or mainland Ecuador. Many resorts are available to extend your stay. There is a beach BBQ hosted during most charters. Various tours from 2 to 6 or more nights can be arranged exploring Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan and/or the Nile River before or following the boat trip. One or several land excursions are included in the cruise price (depending on itinerary) and will be offered as options to the guests. One or several land excursions are included in the cruise price (depending on itinerary) and will be offered as options to the guests.
Home Port St. Maarten is a bustling island with many duty-free, casino and resort options within walking distance of the dock. St. Kitts has fewer options easily accessible, with most restaurants/hotels reachable via taxi. Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands, hosts many very nice resorts; history and culture is more hidden than at many other places. No downtown area to browse around. Depending on available dockage, taxi ride will be necessary to reach restaurants and night life. For the Humboldt Explorer, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the Galapagos Islands, is located on San Cristobal Island and is the site of the Nature Interpretation Center, and offers shopping, internet cafes and restaurants near the quaint harbor. For Tiburon Explorer the home port is Baltra. Baltra is an island north of Santa Cruz island and is home to the airport and the site for boats to refuel. There are no accomodations or facilities on Baltra. Male, the capital of the Maldives, one of the many islands which are part of the Maldives Archipelago. The Emperor Explorer is mostly anchored near Hulhumale, close to the airport. Most departures are from the tourist friendly resort town of Hurghada. There are multiple resort hotels available for pre or post trip stays. The home port varies depending on on the itinerary. It is always recommended to arrive at your departure port at least one day before departure. There are several special areas in Indonesia such as Bali or North Sulawesi that are well worth exploring prior to or after your trip on the Blue Manta Explorer. The home port varies depending on on the itinerary. It is always recommended to arrive at your departure port at least one day before departure. There are several special areas in Indonesia such as Bali or North Sulawesi that are well worth exploring prior to or after your trip on the White Manta Explorer.