Planning your next dive holiday and torn between a liveaboard or a resort? Don’t worry—we’ve got all the tips to help you choose your ideal vacation! Read on to discover which option suits you best.
Benefits of Choosing a Liveaboard
Access to remote dive sites
Liveaboards grant access to remote and pristine dive sites that are often inaccessible from shore. This means you can explore untouched reefs, encounter rare aquatic life, and enjoy dives away from the crowds. The convenience of living on board sometimes allow for up to 5 dives a day, maximizing your underwater exploration in some of the world’s most remote and beautiful locations.
Intense diving schedule
Living on board provide a more intensive schedule with increased amount of diving compared to resort-based diving. With dives typically scheduled throughout the day and night, you have the opportunity to immerse yourself fully in the underwater world. This schedule is ideal if you’re someone who truly loves diving and is looking to experience different marine environments within a short period of time.
Sense of adventure and camaraderie
By venturing on a dive boat, you’ll be able to foster a unique sense of adventure and camaraderie among fellow divers. Sharing close quarters and diving experiences create bonds and memories that often last a lifetime. The communal atmosphere onboard encourages interaction with like-minded individuals who share a passion for diving and exploration, making it a rewarding and social diving experience.
Benefits of Choosing a Land-Based Dive Resort
Enhanced amenity options

Resorts typically feature more spacious rooms and more options for amenities in their premises, including spas, swimming pools, and onsite restaurants with delicious, locally-sourced food. After a whole day of diving, you can choose to indulge in one of the amenities that your island or bay resort provides, allowing you to fully recover before your next diving adventure.
Variety of activities (both diving and non-diving)
When you’re staying in a dive resort, there’s more things for you to do beyond just diving. When you want to dive, you can just go to your on-site dive center and explore the underwater world. However, you can also enjoy other activities both in the water and on land, including kayaking, paddleboarding, or even joining cultural tours to visit the local attractions and landmarks in the area. Resort-based trips will offer you the best of both worlds, ensuring that there’s something for everyone.
Accessibility and convenience

Choosing a land-based dive resort is arguably more accessible and convenient, especially if you’re travelling with younger kids. Unlike liveaboards that require you to stay for (at least) around a week at sea, resorts offer easier access to nearby diving areas. You can easily go for your underwater exploration during the day time and return to land by evening. Furthermore, local dive resorts are typically located near airports and popular areas with easy transportation, making travel arrangements straightforward and efficient.
Factors to Consider: Liveaboard vs Resort
Budget constraints
When choosing between a liveaboard and a resort, budget constraints are something that you’ll have to consider beforehand. Liveaboards often have a higher upfront cost since they include lodging, meals, and diving activities in one package. However, the all-inclusive diving packages that they offer sometimes offer better value for money, especially when considering the number of dives and the quality of service provided.
Resorts for diving, on the other hand, can vary widely in price, from budget-friendly options to luxury hotels and/or villas. They offer more flexibility in terms of spending, allowing you to control costs by choosing when and where to dive and dine.
Health and physical conditions

Your health and physical condition are crucial factors when deciding between a liveaboard or resort. Liveaboards require a certain level of physical fitness and comfort with being on a boat for extended periods. Sea sickness, limited space, and the need to adapt to a boat’s constant motion can be challenging for some individuals.
On the other hand, resorts provide a more stable environment and can be more suitable for those with health concerns or physical limitations. They offer easy access to medical facilities, more space to relax, and the opportunity to take breaks from diving without feeling confined.
Non-diving activities

Non-diving activities are another important consideration when choosing between a dive resort or liveaboard. Liveaboards are primarily focused on diving, with limited options for other activities due to the confined space and the nature of the trip. While some liveaboards offer additional activities like snorkeling, fishing, or island excursions, they are generally geared towards divers enthusiasts who want to maximize their underwater time.
Shore or island resorts, however, offer a wider range of non-diving activities such as spa treatments, cultural tours, hiking, and water sports. This makes them a better option if you’re travelling with companions who are non-divers or those who simply want to spend more time on land.
Popular Destinations for Liveaboards
Raja Ampat, Indonesia

Raja Ampat is often considered not only one of the best liveaboard diving destinations in Indonesia, but also worldwide as well. This archipelago is renowned for some of the world’s best dive sites with great unparalleled marine biodiversity, boasting over 1,500 species of fish and 600 species of coral. Not only that, but you can also look forward to the region’s dramatic underwater landscapes, featuring steep walls, pinnacles, and hidden lagoons, which add to the allure of this stunning scuba diving destination.
Since there are many dive spots that are relatively remote in the region, the most immersive way to experience a Raja Ampat dive adventure is through booking a liveaboard. By living on a boat for a week or even longer, you can explore the pristine waters of the area to your heart’s content, enjoying the convenience of diving directly from your floating accommodation.
Tubbataha Reef, the Philippines

Tubbataha Reef is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and also one of the most sought-after destinations for liveaboard diving. Located in the Sulu Sea, it offers pristine coral reefs, abundant marine life, and crystal-clear waters. Divers can encounter a variety of species, including whale sharks, manta rays, and sea turtles.
Since the location of Tubbataha is quite remote, there’s generally no day boats that travel to the area. There’s a good selection of experienced dive boats that cater to both scuba divers and snorkelers, so you don’t have to worry about finding a live aboard itinerary that fits you. However, the best liveaboards do get fully-booked quickly during the peak season from mid-March to mid-June, so make sure to plan your vacation well in advance.
Palau

Palau is another top destination for liveaboard trips, renowned for its diverse marine ecosystems and exceptional underwater visibility in the region of Micronesia. The archipelago boasts an array of the world’s best dive sites, including Blue Corner, German Channel, and Jellyfish Lake. Divers can explore vibrant coral reefs, steep drop-offs, and WWII wrecks, encountering a wide range of aquatic life such as reef sharks, manta rays, and an abundance of tropical fish.
Although there’s both great options for dive resorts and liveaboards in the area, but venturing out with a liveaboard may allow you to explore more of the remote sites that a normal resort based diving will allow you to. If you’re looking for a complete dive package that offers comfortable cabins, 5 star meals, and well-trained guides, Palau is the perfect place to experience some of the best liveaboard boats in the world.
Popular Destinations for Dive Resorts
Lembeh Island, Indonesia

Lembeh Island, also known as the ‘muck diving capital of the world’, is a sought-after destination for underwater photography, as well as muck and macro diving globally. This small island is North Sulawesi is famous for unique critters that can be found in its black sand muck sites, including flamboyant cuttlefish, mimic octopus, and various species of frogfish and nudibranchs.
Due to its popularity, there is a wide selection of dive hotels and lodges offering resort-based diving in the area, catering to divers of all levels who are looking to explore the region’s beautiful open waters while still being able to maximize their relaxation time on land.
Anilao, the Philippines

Anilao, located on the island of Luzon in the Philippines, is another world-class destination for scuba diving vacations. Known for its vibrant coral reefs and incredible macro photography opportunities, the pictures and videos you’re going in the region’s many dive sites are certainly going to be top-notch. Asides from its macro delights, there’s also opportunities for you to go on reef dives and occasional encounters with larger pelagic species, such as jacks and barracudas.
Since the region has consistently attracted both local and international divers for its exciting variety of sites, many resorts offer dive equipment that you can freely use to go on open water or shore dives. This includes snorkels, fins, tanks, and more. Whether you are an experienced diver or a beginner needing assistance with the technical aspects, you will be in good hands and can enjoy a great diving experience in Anilao.
Kapalai, Malaysia
Located near the famous Sipadan Island, Kapalai is surrounded by shallow reefs teeming with marine life. Divers can explore the pristine coral gardens, home to a myriad of fish species, turtles, and occasionally even reef sharks. The crystal-clear waters provide excellent visibility, making it a paradise for underwater photographers.
The resorts in Kapalai offer over-water bungalows that blend luxury with nature, allowing guests to relax and enjoy the stunning ocean views between dives. This destination is perfect for those seeking a tranquil and immersive diving holiday.
Plan Your Next Dive Vacation Today!

If you’re already looking to prepare for your next diving trip, then look no further! Solitude World Liveaboards and Resorts are ready to provide you world-class hospitality through our liveaboard diving vessels and dive resorts in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Palau, guaranteeing you the best, hassle-free experience for your scuba diving adventures. Our accommodations, both on land and over the water, offer some of the best facilities available, including comfortable rooms, all-inclusive gourmet meals, comprehensive diving amenities, and expert PADI-certified guides for divers of all levels.
Book your next holiday with us today!