Are you thinking of booking your first liveaboard trip? You need to be prepared for every aspect of your vacation. Careful planning and realistic expectations will allow you to make the most of whatever destination or itinerary you pick. With hundreds of vessels operating worldwide, the options can seem endless.

Which type of vacation is right for you? Do you prefer adventure or rest? Are you seeking a cheap holiday or the adventure of a lifetime? Do you want to meet specific wildlife, explore an unfamiliar area or perhaps try your hand at specialty diving? Doing your research and conducting your research prior to booking is essential to planning the perfect cruising Indonesia diving trip.

At Konjo Cruising Indonesia, newbies are always welcome. We are here to help you understand the liveaboard options, and help plan your first voyage with confidence.

There are a few things to consider to keep in mind when living aboard a ship.

Timeline

How much time can you commit to this trip? Ideally, you should plan at least one week to fully enjoy your Banda Sea liveaboard. And, don't forget that you'll require a little bit of time to get off-gassing done before you fly home. If it's been a while since your last open water dive, you may have forgotten how much time you require. Our guide to flying following a dive will refresh your memory.

Keep in mind that you'll need a little bit of energy when you dive on your trip. Experienced liveaboard divers recommend at minimum two days of unwind and rest before and after their dive.

Season

What time do you plan to dive? This is a significant factor when selecting a destination. A majority of destinations have a liveaboard season that is available all year. This can limit the locations you can travel.

It is important to ensure that you know the availability of a certain species if your dream holiday is centered around it. Whale sharks and manta rays are among the most popular divers. However, they only move to specific areas.

When you book your cruising Indonesia, weather is also important. Be sure to research the weather conditions for your dates. Factors like wind or rain can cause visibility problems or even make it impossible to travel.

You should also keep in mind other seasonal considerations such as tropical storms , or peak price for travel. Be sure to do your research about the country before you go.

Skill

You may not discover the best scuba diving destination according to your experience and skill level. These two factors combine to create what PADI frequently calls your personal diving limits.

Your qualifications are closely tied to your skills as an instructor. Certain liveaboards require a certificate at the level of advanced open water or greater for all divers who dive on board. This is to ensure that participants can be confident with navigation basics and dives below 60 feet (18 meters).

Many liveaboards navigate through marine parks and protected areas, and some regions will ask you to complete a "check out" dive. Your boat's dive crew will assess your diving skills and decide if your general techniques and buoyancy are appropriate for the environment you will be diving in.

Are you unsure if you'll make the cut? Take a look at our tips for improving your buoyancy as well as safe diving techniques to refresh your skills and understanding.

Experience

An understanding of the fundamental diving techniques is essential to having fun underwater. But, it's not enough to replace the experience. You can still qualify for advanced open water certification with less than 10 dives.

The more dives you go on and the more comfortable you will become in the underwater world. This experience will lead to clarity of thought, problem solving and improved safety in the most challenging conditions. You'll be more comfortable with various environments as you practice.

Operators may ask that you've done at least 10 dives. Though it might sound silly however, it is a requirement for your safety. Always carry your log book whether the operator asks for it or not.

Budget

How much you have to pay for your trip will determine how many days you will spend at sea, and where in the world you spend the time. It is important to decide these priorities before you book. Be sure to keep your other objectives in mind.

Choose in advance which comforts you want when you travel. Luxury boats could include extras such as private decks and hot tubs. A few budget-friendly options include dorm-style rooms that are suitable for backpackers.

You might also wish to spend a little more on shore excursions, onboard courses or even a diving course. What's an excursion to Komodo when you can't spot the dragons?

Make sure you include the cost of permits and fees for marine parks into your budget. You should also consider some additional expenses when travelling to and from your port of departure like food, baggage handling and taxis.

Tipping is not part of the price advertised for the liveaboard. Anywhere between 10 and 20 percent is considered fair, based on the service you received on board.

Make sure you have a spare amount of cash on hand to be ready in the event of. While emergencies are rare but it's always important to be prepared. Travel insurance is a must for diving with liveaboards, however it is possible that you will need to pay in cash up at the beginning and request reimbursement later.