Frequently Asked Questions
What is a liveaboard diving cruise?
Liveaboards provide diving facilities and living accommodations for divers. You eat, sleep and dive on the boat! Malaysia liveaboard cruises stay at sea for the duration of the cruise and therefore can explore more remote dive sites, such as those further off Tioman Island. This type of diving opens up a whole world of top class diving opportunities that would simply not be available on a regular day trip dive boat.
How many dives will I make per day?
Generally you can make four dives a day. A typical cruise day starts at 07:00 hrs with the first dive, the last dive being either a sunset dive or night dive. You have about three hours between dives at your leisure.
What diving license do I need?
An open water diving license is acceptable for Malaysia liveaboard safaris. Although there are some deep and exposed dive sites, there are enough easy dive sites and enough dive guides on board so that you will never need to dive beyond your limits.
To make the most of your Malaysia adventure and to extend your dive training you may wish to take your PADI Advanced Open Water Diver license on board. Certification is normally discounted to about half price. Select the 'Facilities' information tab of each boat for course prices on board.
How far in advance do I need to book?
Although it is possible to book some liveaboards only a few weeks before departure, if you want to ensure your place on one of our most popular liveaboard Malaysia choices you must try to book six months in advance.
Are there any strong currents?
Some of the Sipadan dive sites visited can have fairly strong currents. This depends on the site, time of month and time of day. Your dive guide will advise you in your dive briefings. Generally, there is never an occasion when you need to swim against a strong current.
I don't have my diving license with me, can I still dive?
If you have a PADI certification, we can check your details direct with PADI. Please provide your name as it appears on your card and your date of birth. If you contact the dive centre where you were certified, they can help you obtain a new card before you travel.
Can I dive on my own?
Malaysian liveaboards are recreational diving boats, and as such follow recreational diving guidelines. This means you'll be expected to dive with a buddy to a maximum depth of 40 metres and observe safe diving time limits. If you prefer to dive without a dive guide, then depending on your operator this may not be a problem provided you have all the equipment necessary to conduct dives unassisted i.e. dive computer or timing device, safety balloon, compass and dive knife.
Do I need a wetsuit?
Although the water around Malaysia are very warm at 26 to 30°C, you will get chilled making four dives every day on your cruise. We recommend at least a 3 mm wetsuit shortie, or more if you are susceptible to heat loss. A wetsuit also provides protection from jellyfish and poor buoyancy control.
Can I recharge my strobes and batteries?
Usually this is not a problem on board liveaboards in Malaysia. Please review the 'Specs' information tab for details of the power sources provided on each boat.
What type of tanks and valves are on the boats?
Nearly all liveaboards in Malaysia carry 12 litre aluminium tanks with yoke or A-clamp international valves as standard. If you have a DIN regulator, you should bring an adaptor.
What kind of food is served?
Please review the 'Food' information tab for details of food served on each cruise. Generally, the standard of cuisine is excellent throughout the Malaysia dive industry.
Can I request vegetarian food?
Please review the 'Food' information tab for details of dietary requirements that can be met on each boat. Do tell us your requirements at the time you make your booking, so that we can meet your request.
What should I bring on board?
All your personal diving equipment (except tanks, weights and weight belts), a bathing suit, towel, toiletries, T-shirts, shorts, and sun cream. You may also want to bring something a little warmer for the evenings.
Is dive insurance for customers included in the cruise price?
For details please review the 'Safety' information tab for each boat. We recommend you have your own personal dive insurance, for your own peace of mind.
Is Malaria a problem?
The Malaysia liveaboards destinations are free of Malaria.
Can a non-diver go on a liveaboard?
Non-divers and snorkellers are always welcome on board. Many dive sites visited offer good snorkelling too. Do bear in mind though that the cruises are designed for diving, not snorkelling. Prices for non-divers are usually discounted 10%, sometimes more, but please ask for exact details. Although this sounds quite a small discount, boat operators will tell you that if you are not diving, then you will be on the boat eating all the food! Anyway, you are taking the space that would otherwise be available to a diver.
Do I have to share a cabin?
As space is the ultimate premium on liveaboard safaris, single cabins are extremely rare and expensive. Unless we manage to book you a single cabin, you will be expected to share. It may be, if the boat is not full and there are an odd number of passengers, that you can have your own cabin, but this situation can not be guaranteed. The only way to guarantee a cabin for yourself is to pay for two beds! Please review the 'Cabins' information tab of each boat for more details on the types of cabin available.
What about tipping?
Tipping in Malaysia is entirely a matter of choice. If your liveaboard cruise met or exceeded your expectations, you may wish to leave a tip of up to 10% of your cruise price. Smaller tips are welcome too!
 Malaysia liveaboard adventures
For more liveaboard diving adventures, visit our other websites:
Burma Liveaboards ,
Fiji ,
Indonesia Liveaboards ,
Phuket - Thailand Liveaboards
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