A liveaboard diving safari is a multi-day yacht cruise during which all dives are performed directly from the ship's side. This format opens access to remote reefs, atolls, and dive sites that ordinary day-diving boats cannot reach. The entire journey takes place in the open sea, and the daily routine is structured around diving, eating, and resting.

Liveaboard is especially appreciated by divers who want to devote their vacation entirely to underwater adventures without wasting time on daily transfers and returning to the shore. If you are choosing a destination for such a trip, it is worth paying attention to the countries where Centrum Air operates flights. These include both world-renowned diving centers with developed infrastructure and high-level service, as well as less popular destinations for those seeking new routes and experiences.

World Dive Capitals

The Maldives and Thailand are considered a win-win option for both the first safari and regular trips. The industry here has been built over decades, so all processes on board are tuned to automation. The ships themselves are designed specifically for the needs of divers, and local guides know the home reefs like the back of their hand.

In pursuit of ocean giants in the Maldives

The Maldives are scattered across a vast territory in the middle of the Indian Ocean, so studying them from the shore is not the best idea. The cruise format allows for covering several key areas at once during one standard week of vacation. You fall asleep during the night passage, and wake up already at the walls of a new uninhabited island. This allows for the most diverse immersion program without being tied to a single resort.

●       What's underwater. In the straits between the atolls, constant tides create powerful currents that attract large herds of gray reefs and nanny sharks, as well as flocks of fish. Chances of encountering a whale shark are high on routes through the Southern Ari Atoll, and giant mantas regularly appear at cleaning stations;

●       Safari features. In the Maldives, a cruise scheme using dhoni (doni), a separate escort ship, has been adopted. This is where the team places compressors, cylinders, and all diving equipment. Due to this, the main residential yacht is always quiet, spacious, and there is no specific smell of machinery;

●       Seasoniness. The best time is November-April (excellent visibility). May-October - the season for mantises and whale sharks, but there may be more rain;

●       Who will suit. The routes are very different: central atolls are suitable for almost everyone, while the deep south is for divers with experience working with currents.

In the Maldives, almost all safaris use Nitrox to increase safe time at depth. If you have a nitrox certificate, be sure to take it with you; it will significantly extend your time underwater. And the high level of comfort on board will allow you to fully relax in the cabins between decompression stops. Many return to the Maldives regularly to catch the mant migration season at the far northern or southern borders of the archipelago. This classic route remains the standard for high-quality seaside recreation.

The Legendary Similan Islands in Thailand

The Andaman Sea hides the most vibrant and vibrant coral gardens in all of Southeast Asia. The most interesting and untouched areas here have long received the status of national reserves and are strictly protected by the state. A full-fledged week-long cruise remains the only way to legally live on the territory of these closed islands and see the reefs before the excursion boats arrive.

●       What's under the water. The standard route includes the Similans, the Surin Archipelago, and the iconic Richelieu Rock. This underwater mountain is completely covered with soft corals of purple shades and sea fans, in which rare macro-objects such as ghost fish and sea horses are hidden. Among the large inhabitants, barracuda, long-tailed skat, and whale sharks regularly pass through here;

●       Safari features. Thailand has a huge fleet for any budget - from authentic wooden ships to modern steel mega-yachts. Cruise programs are very dynamic and are often supplemented by short stops on deserted sandy beaches. In the evenings, barbecues are often organized on the deck, featuring fresh fish and seafood;

●       Season. The Similan Islands are open from October 15 to May 15. The best months are December-April. From May 16 to October 14, the archipelago is closed to visitors due to the monsoon season and for ecosystem restoration purposes;

●       Who will suit. An ideal starting point for those who want to try the liveaboard format for the first time in their lives.

During the peak season (December–April), seats for popular liveboards are purchased 4-6 months in advance, so it is better to book in advance. But in May, a month before the park closes, you can catch good discounts and still have comfortable weather.

Local routes attract divers with predictable sunny weather and excellent visibility throughout the winter. This is a great option for your first liveaboard. The well-established logistics from Phuket eliminates long journeys, allowing for the start of loading on the day of boarding the ship.

Developing areas

If you are already familiar with classic tropical routes, it makes sense to switch to regions with complex logistics. The main plus here is the minimal number of other ships on the horizon and the feeling of a real expedition. Be prepared for the fact that the conditions on board may turn out to be more Spartan, but the underwater world fully compensates for this. You will see the reefs in their natural state, without traces of mass tourism.

Untouched secrets of the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia

While the Egyptian coast of the Red Sea hosted millions of tourists, its eastern part remained virtually closed to divers for years. Saudi Arabia is only just beginning to develop international tourism and allow safari vessels to approach its borders. Due to years of isolation, the local ecosystem has been preserved in its original state. Throughout the entire route, your yacht will likely not encounter any other groups of divers at all.

●       What's underwater. The main diving points are the remote Farasan banks and the Yanbu reef systems. The corals here are perfectly intact, not damaged by wings or anchors, and the fish are not afraid of the sound of the exhaled air. In these areas, the chances of catching large ocean sharks, including packs of hammers, nearby are very high;

●       Safari features. There are currently very few licensed boats on board in the country, so places are reserved many months before the trip. At the same time, the service is rapidly approaching European standards, and the crews consist of experienced international guides. A significant plus is short flights from major hubs in the Middle East;

●       Seasonality. All year round, most comfortable in March-May and September-November. Summer is the season for hammerhead sharks, but it's very hot during this period;

●       Who will suit. Confident divers who have missed the wild Red Sea of Cousteau's time.

The discovery of Saudi reefs has become the main event of recent years in the professional diving community. Strict environmental control at the state level allows for the hope that these places will not lose their original appearance for a long time.

The Secret Archipelagoes of the Andaman Sea in India

Most travelers associate India with excursions, Goa beaches, or bustling cities like Mumbai. However, experienced divers look much further east, toward the isolated Andaman Islands. For a long time, this region was strictly controlled by the Indian military, which completely protected the water area from poaching and commercial fishing. The local bottom relief differs significantly from the usual sandy shallows of the continent.

●       What's underwater. The main destination of any safari here is the uninhabited Barren Island, which is home to the only active volcano in South Asia. The dives are along vertical walls of black volcanic tuff and frozen lava. The huge fans of green, orange, and yellow gorgonarias look incredibly bright against this dark background;

●       Safari features. The infrastructure here is currently poorly developed, and processing border permits requires time and patience. Ships are often inferior to Maldivian ones in terms of luxury, but this is compensated for by the transparency of the water near the volcano, often above 30-40 meters;

●       Season. Places are recommended for visiting in October-May, preferably between November and April;

●       Who will suit. For true adventurers who value the very spirit of a complex expedition.

A trip to the Andamans provides a rare opportunity to feel like a pioneer amidst untouched wildlife. Difficult logistics cut off casual vacationers, so only enthusiastic like-minded people gather on board.

Russia's majestic lakes and harsh polar seas

Organizing a multi-day diving safari in Russia is a serious test of strength. Such trips require not only special Dry Suit equipment for cold water but also good physical condition. Severe climatic conditions dictate strict safety regulations, where negligence is entirely excluded. But the underwater landscapes that open up in these parts, you will not find anywhere else on the planet.

●       What's underwater. On Lake Baikal, divers are exploring deep tectonic cracks and thickets of endemic green sponges, resembling an underwater forest. In the White Sea, diving delights with fantastic visibility among giant sea anemones, polar medusae, and sea angels. In Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands, diving in the company of large sivuches often becomes the main event;

●       Safari features. You shouldn't expect the comfort of luxury tropical yachts from local ships, but sometimes this is compensated for by the presence of a hot bath right on the deck. The safety of dives here is given the utmost attention, and transfers can take place in stormy weather conditions. The onboard menu usually consists of fresh catch, wild fish, and local delicacies;

●       Seasoniness. Baikal and the White Sea – July–August (or winter for ice diving). Kamchatka - July-September;

●       Who is eligible. Only certified divers with experience diving in dry suits (Dry Suit) and a love for northern aesthetics.

For dry suits (Dry Suit), a separate certificate is required, and simply an Advanced card is not enough there - guides will offer a check-dive in the dry suit while still on the shore. Russian northern and Siberian routes are chosen by people for whom overcoming difficulties is an integral part of a good vacation. The underwater world of cold latitudes amazes with the abundance of colors hidden beneath the dark surface of the water.

Critical checklist before booking a safari

Even the most impressive diving safari requires preparation. Unlike a regular vacation at a resort, here much depends not only on the chosen route but also on your level of preparation, the season, and the correctly prepared documents. Before booking, it is worth clarifying several important points in advance - this will help avoid unpleasant surprises and allow you to fully focus on your immersions.

●       Certification level. Most liveaboard routes require at least Advanced Open Water Diver qualifications and experience of 50 registered dives in the logbook due to constant currents and depth. For complex routes - Drift/Deep Diver;

●       Seasonality. Each direction has strict timeframes. Always check windows in a specific direction;

●        Hidden expenses (Taxes & Fees). Verify what is included in the base cost. Almost always paid separately: park and port fees (in Similan or Saudi Arabia, this can be $100-$300), equipment rental (if you don't have your own), nitrox (Nitrox - a breathing gas mixture for diving), and tips for the team (in the liveaboard industry, it is customary to leave about 10% of the safari cost to guides and sailors);

●       Special insurance. A standard travel policy will not cover specific risks. You need extended diver insurance, including helicopter evacuation and treatment in a barocamera.

A correctly chosen destination and good preparation allow you to get exactly the same experiences from a diving safari that people from all over the world come here for. For some, this will be their first encounter with mantis; for others, it will be diving at volcanic walls or exploring the northern seas. No matter which route you choose, it is life on board that allows you to see the underwater world in a way that is impossible to discover during ordinary daytime dives.