Shaded Diving Area On A Liveaboard
Why does a shaded diving area on a liveaboard matter?
Hsaving a shaded diving area on a liveaboard means that time on deck will mean you can kit up before a dive and avoid roasting between before getting into the water.
A proper shaded area gives you a cool spot to kit up, brief with the team, and wait for your dive buddy without squinting into the sun. You stay fresher, your heart rate sits lower, and you keep energy for the next splash rather than wasting it fighting heat, especially if you're wearing a wetsuit.
What counts as good shade on a dive deck of a liveaboard?
The best shaded diving areas are the fully covered area at the dive boats' stern with plenty of space to move and kit up, without bumping tanks with fellow divers.
An even better setup is if the shaded area has non slip flooring and handholds where you stand to don fins. If the tender loads from the stern, having a shaded area that reaches the entry point is a big win.
How does shade improve comfort and safety whilst diving from a liveaboard?
You can setup your dive kit out of the sun, tighten your tank band, and listen to the briefing without sweat running into your eyes. Having a shaded diving area also means you can do your buddy checks and stay cooler.
Reduced glare makes it easier to read computers and camera screens. Skin stays protected, so there is less risk of sunburn or heat rash under your suit, which means better focus when the dive starts.
Is shade on a dive liveaboard helpful for cameras and batteries?
Very much. Electronics dislike heat, and bright sun on black housings can push temperatures up fast which may stop them working on your dive, or worse still permanently damage the electonics.
Simple sun smart habits on a dive liveaboard
Wear a long sleeve rash guard or a light hoodie between dives, sip water often, and keep reef safe sunscreen handy.
Put sunscreen on after diving and wash hands before touching your mask to avoid smears. If you like to sit forward for the breeze, bring a cap and sunglasses so you do not come back to the dive deck already cooked.
Final tip before you choose your dive liveaboard
If you value comfort and a cool area to kitup before a dive, pick a dive liveaboard with real shade over the dive area.
This will result in cool briefings, coller kit checks, and results in a more relaxed diving experience. If you book one of these liveaboards on this collection, you can be sure they all have a shaded diving area.
