Dive Liveaboards That Include Charters: The Ultimate Way to Dive as a Group

If you’ve ever dreamed of taking your entire scuba diving club, a group of dive buddies, or even your whole family on a private dive holiday, then a dive liveaboard charter could be exactly what you’re looking for.

Rather than joining a mixed group of strangers, you can book out the entire dive boat for your own exclusive use. Imagine having the dives, dive deck, the cabins, the crew, and the whole itinerary tailored just for your group. That’s what a charter liveaboard offers.

But even if you don’t want to take the whole boat, many of these liveaboards are still ideal for large group bookings. This where you can reserve multiple cabins and enjoy the trip together.

Either way, it’s a fantastic way to create a shared diving adventure you’ll never forget.

What is a Dive Liveaboard Charter?

A dive liveaboard charter means hiring an entire dive yacht or vessel for a set period, usually a week, or two.

The boat operates just like a regular liveaboard trip, complete with crew, dive guides, meals, and all facilities. The difference is that instead of mixing with other divers, your group takes over the whole dive boat.

This makes charters perfect for:

• Scuba diving clubs looking for a private group trip.
• Large families who want to celebrate a special occasion with diving included.
• Friends or corporate groups who want to combine adventure with bonding.

When you book a charter liveaboard, you often get more flexibility with routes, dive schedules, and even menus. Want to do an extra night dive? Or spend more time on a particular reef? With a charter, those decisions are yours to discuss with the captain.

Why Choose a Charter Liveaboard?

There are plenty of advantages to chartering a dive liveaboard:

1. Exclusivity and privacy – You know everyone on board, which makes for a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
2. Customised itineraries – Captains and dive guides are usually happy to adjust the route to suit your group’s interests, weather and diver experience permitting.
3. Cost savings for large groups – The cost of chartering the boat is often equivalent to filling all the cabins at regular prices, but split between a group, it can work out cheaper per person. But take a look at the above discount table, where you'll get some great group booking discounts!
4. Team building – For clubs and groups, living and diving together creates memories and strengthens bonds.
5. Special occasions – Birthdays, anniversaries, or even weddings can be celebrated in style when you have the whole dive boat to yourself.

Large Group Bookings Without a Full Charter

You don’t always need to book the entire liveaboard. Many liveaboards are happy to take group bookings of 8, 10, or 12 divers, depending on their cabin capacity. Group discounts are often available (see above table), which makes this a cost-effective option if you can’t quite fill a whole vessel.

This way, your group gets to share the experience together, but you’ll also meet other divers onboard. It’s a nice balance between privacy and socialising with like-minded people. Plus, you'll save money into the bargain if you book the right discounted deal.

Where Can You Charter Dive Liveaboards?

Charter liveaboards are available in almost all the world’s top dive destinations. Some of the most popular include:

• The Red Sea (Egypt) – Easy to reach from Europe and most are budget friendly too, with excellent wreck and reef diving. Many boats in the Red Sea are large and well-suited to clubs.
• The Maldives – The Maldives is famous for manta rays, whale sharks, and luxury boats. Ideal for family charters or groups who want both diving and comfort. It's better than holidaying on one of the Maldive's atolls, as you get to dive more locations during your trip. You literally wake up right next to the next dive site.
• Indonesia – With liveaboard charter options in Komodo, Raja Ampat, and other Indonesian dive sites, Indonesia is a paradise for biodiversity. Traditional wooden phinisis and modern yachts alike are available for private hire.
• The Philippines – Coral reefs rich with vibrant sea life and enjoyable island hopping, with smaller boats that are perfect for private groups.
• The Galápagos Islands – A bucket-list destination where a dive charter guarantees your group gets the full experience of hammerheads, marine iguanas, and sea lions...not to mention the famous giant tortoises too, where most Galapagos dive liveaboards offer naturalist itineraries too.
• The Bahamas – The Bahamas is famous for Tiger Beach and shark encounters, and accessible from the US.

What’s Included in a Charter?

Just like regular liveaboard trips, most charters include:

1. Cabin accommodation – From twin or double cabins to master suites.
2. All meals and snacks – Buffet style or plated, often with international menus.
3. Soft drinks, tea and coffee – Alcoholic drinks may be included or charged extra depending on the boat.
4. Diving – Up to 3–4 dives per day, with tanks, weight belts, and dive guides included.
5. Crew services – Dive guides, chefs, and housekeeping staff are all part of the charter package.

Some dive boats also include extras such as Nitrox, airport transfers, or special excursions. Always check what’s included before you book.

Tips for Booking a Dive Liveaboard Charter

• Plan ahead – Charters are often booked a year or more in advance, especially in high-demand destinations like the Maldives or Galápagos.
• Know your numbers – Work out how many divers (and non-divers) you’ll have to make sure you choose the right size boat.
• Ask about discounts – Many operators offer group discounts (see above) to make the boat charter more affordable.
• Check experience levels – Make sure your group has the right certification and diving experience for the chosen itinerary, especially if deep or drift dives are included.
• Confirm flexibility – Ask how much freedom you’ll have to adjust itineraries or dive schedules.

Final thoughts on dive liveaboard that include charters

Booking a dive liveaboard charter is one of the most exciting ways to experience scuba diving as a group.

Whether you’re part of a dive club, organising a big family trip, or simply gathering friends for a once-in-a-lifetime holiday, having an entire dive boat to yourselves creates a unique and unforgettable adventure.

From the Red Sea to the Galápagos, charter liveaboards give you privacy, flexibility, and the chance to enjoy diving your way. And even if you don’t want to charter the full boat, most of these liveaboards welcome large group bookings too.

So if you’re ready to take your diving trips to the next level, start exploring dive liveaboards that include charters, your group’s ultimate dive holiday could be just around the corner.