If you are aiming to pack in more dives in 2017, nothing beats a liveaboard trip for great value and access to remote dive sites. Liveaboard trips are Regaldive guests’ most popular diving holiday option, with options to suit all levels of experience. Liveaboards range from good value choices to luxurious, high spec boats.

If wreck diving is your thing, or if you want to encounter sharks and other large marine life, a liveaboard trip can help you tick off many of the boxes on your diving wish list.  If you are travelling as a large group, you could even plan your preferred itinerary. Free group places are also available.

We have highlighted some of our most popular liveaboard destinations in this article. Our other top destinations include: Bahamas, Caribbean, Cocos Island, Djibouti, Fiji, French Polynesia, Oman, Palau, Philippines, Socorro Islands, Sudan, Thailand and Truk Lagoon.

MALDIVES

Diving in the Maldives is influenced by the seasonal monsoons, which in turn affects both the underwater visibility and the marine life. Liveaboards follow these variations, taking divers to the best sites accordingly. The boats generally operate in the central atolls. In recent years access to more remote atolls has become available. Regaldive feature liveaboards that cover these exciting new atolls, ranging from Haa-Alifu in the far north, to Huvadhoo in the far south. These atolls represent the new ‘frontiers’ of diving in the Maldives and lie well beyond traditional tourist maps. Regaldive’s most popular boats include Emperor Serenity, Emperor Leo and Carpe Diem.

RED SEA

Itineraries in the Red Sea usually follow a Northern or Southern itinerary. In the north the reef at Abu Nuhas is accessible from Hurghada with several wrecks resting at its base. You can also visit the Straits of Gubal and the famous Thistlegorm. There are also many world class dive sites in the southern Red Sea including the stunning reefs of Fury Shoal, the wrecks of Big Brother and the amazing marine life of Elphinstone: an ideal site to encounter hammerheads and oceanic whitetips. Regaldive’s most popular boats include Emperor Elite, Emperor Voyager and MY Nimar.

INDONESIA

Liveaboard diving in Indonesia is often undertaken in remote locations. Some of the dives can be quite challenging, suiting only more experienced divers in exciting, bizarre and unpredictable currents. Volcanic in origin, the area is a centre of marine biodiversity and has only recently been recognised for the superb world class diving that it has to offer. Regaldive’s liveaboard itineraries include Komodo, Flores & Alors, Ambon and Raja Ampat. Liveaboard diving does not get more adventurous than this… Regaldive’s most popular boats include Indo Siren, Mermaid II and Dewi Nusantara.

GALAPAGOS

The top of many wish lists, the Galapagos Islands are a diver’s mecca. Isolated from any continental landmass, the Galapagos enjoys a completely unique biodiversity that is simply spectacular. These actively volcanic islands host a distinct and unique flora and fauna, including creatures found nowhere else on earth. The world famous sites of Darwin & Wolf support a large concentration of the amazing marine life that makes the Galapagos the superb dive destination that it is. Schools of hammerheads, dolphins and rays make these islands a highlight for many divers. Another highlight is the whale shark aggregation that occurs in the warmer water surrounding these islands. Hammerhead sharks and other shark species also make regular appearances in numbers year round. Regaldive’s most popular boats include Humboldt Explorer, Aggressor III, Galapagos Master and Galapagos Sky.

Whatever liveaboard destination you choose, you can be sure of a large helping of top notch diving, combined with a friendly, knowledgeable crew and the company of a like-minded group of divers. Liveaboards are a great option to pack in your dives in 2017 and with Regaldive’s Winter Sale already underway this January, your liveaboard trip will be easy on your wallet too. Bon voyage!

For help with planning your next diving adventure, call the friendly Regaldive team on 01353 659999 or visit www.regal-diving.co.uk.

All photos © John Butland