Why Live Aboard Diving?
The biggest benefit of live-aboard is the tremendous amount of diving you can do, and the increased accessibility to unspoiled dive spots, due to their increased range. Because your equipment is always ready to go, and because the boat is constantly stopping at great dive spots, it is easy for you to slip into the water. The only thing holding you back is your dive profile. These boats are great for people who want to live and dive at sea.

MV Mata Ikan Profile

Life on a boat. A Live onboard vessel is really a floating hotel cum dive shop. Depending on the type of live-aboard boat you are on, the crew may do everything for you, or you may do most of the work yourself. Typically, the crew will check you in and, in most cases, will assign a place for your equipment. After taking care of you equipment, find out about the overnight accommodations. The main types are private cabins and multiple bunks. If your boat has cabins, ask a crewmember where your room is. Once you have put your personal belongings and things that needs to be kept dry in your cabin. Check that your dive bag is properly stowed at the diving area. Always make it a habit to familiarize yourself with the boat and cooperate with the divemaster on all rules and regulations onboard. The rest is just fun, fun and more fun. Only element to worry about is pray for good weather.

Trip length of live-aboard typically range from four-days up to ten days-sometimes longer-and most boats depart in the afternoon or evening, as the distances involved require overnight travel. This puts you in the water the following morning. They generally return in the evening or early in the morning, depending on the boat's preference.

Detail information To find out the details of your floating home, click on the boat information link or the technical specification. Here you will find boat description, general information, and photographs of the boat concerned. For the boat trip information, use the links above or to the left. These pages include pictures, layouts, descriptions, itineraries, schedules, prices, and sometimes a special photo gallery and/ or video.

All live aboard trips generally include:
1. Accommodation on board
2. Divemasters (dive guides and safety divers)
3. All meals, most drinks (bottled water, coffee and tea)
4. Diving, air, tanks, weights, and belts

All live aboard trips generally do not include:
1. Airport pickup and return
2. Hotel transfers in some cases
3. Soft drinks and alcohol
4. Personal diving equipment
5. National Park, port, or immigration fees
6. Hotel accommodation
7. Tips and diving instruction
8. Other types of dive gases

Equipment is often not included in the price of live aboards as people generally prefer to use their own and it would be unfair to make these people pay for equipment they already have. Computers can often be rented, but are generally expensive. You might consider purchasing this piece of equipment. Also, for the most part, only full-foot fins are available for rent. Booties and open-heel fins are not usually available. Three-mm shorty suits are usually OK for most of the year in the tropic, but if you have one, bring a 2-4 mm full-length wet suit for more comfort, especially for longer trips. Water temperatures are 24 to 30º C (78-90ºF). For colder trips, a 5mm wetsuit with a hood at least is required for the southern areas as water temperatures can drop to 20ºC (70ºF).

Health and Special Requirements
If you have any health problems, are on any form of medication or have had any illness, injury or operation that you think may affect you whilst diving, please let us know in advance. If you are allergic to any form of medication, please state this clearly on the Registration Form. Anyone requiring vegetarian food or with any food allergies should advise us before the trip. Please also note the following conditions to ensure a safe diving trip for all our customers:

• Asthma. If you have a history of asthma, we will ask you to show us the results of a Spiro metric test dated within the past 3 months.

• Diabetes. Unfortunately we do not accept divers with this condition, as our staff are not medically qualified to a level to deal with any medical problems that may arise.

• Thyroid Disease. Divers with thyroid disease should bring a medical statement dated within the past 3 months proving that their cardiovascular system has been critically assessed.

We also can not accept divers with Hypertension (high blood pressure) or divers using anti-depressants (e.g. Prozac) without a full medical from a qualified diving doctor stating you are fit to dive.

Please note that for the above mentioned conditions many operators do NOT accept medical statements issued locally, unless they are from an accredited hospital or surgery. If you need any assistance or further advice on this subject, please contact us for further information.

And finally, please do not make plans to fly for
at least 24 hours after your last dive - for your own safety