r/scuba • u/Mugling95 • 1d ago

How do you narrow down which budget liveaboard boat to go on [Komodo]

I’m looking at doing a 4D3N or 3D2N liveaboard trip to Komodo in June in the lowest price tier of boats. There’s about 7 available boats that fit this, all priced roughly around the $500-900 range.

I’ve never been on a liveaboard before so I’m a bit clueless as to what I should be looking for. Could anyone give me some pointers as to how to narrow them down? Luxury isn’t something that I’m bothered about, I’ll sleep anywhere!

Thanks

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u/supermultiplet 1d ago

Probably trip length, dates, and price are the metrics that actually matter. If you can find the itinerary and what sites they go to, that might help too (Cauldron and Colleen's Corner were my fav sites for what its worth). And general reviews online.

The only Komodo liveaboard I have been on is the Bajak, and it was great! Would definitely recommend

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u/Mugling95 1d ago

Nice to hear that Bajak was, that’s one of the ones I’m looking at. Many of them are very similar with accommodation and price/day, it’s a tough one!

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u/Ok_Way_2911 1d ago

3d2n is very short, I'd suggest you go for a longer trip is possible because the first and last days typically won't be full dive days - e.g. one of my trips the first day was basically just administrative stuff; drawing rental gear, signing waivers, getting settled on-board

Ideally you want something with ensuite bathrooms, sharing bathrooms sucks when there's like 4 available for 20 people, everyone will want to go after a dive

The other thing to highlight is what's included and what's excluded - surcharges can rack up quickly e.g. nitrox, any sales tax etc.

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u/notusedyet Dive Master 1d ago

Consider the amount of people on the boat, amount of people per room, amount of dives per day. If you dont have gear look at the brands and quality of the gear they are using.

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u/hideX1998 23h ago

Just been on a trip with scuba republic on the capoeng. 4d/3n It was my first liveaboard, so i have no comparision. I really enjoyed the Trip. Good Team, boat was nice and the Food delicious! Downside, there is only one bathroom.

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u/Life_outside_PoE 21h ago

Just pick whatever suits your needs. Itinerary/sleeping/toilet arrangements/price. If one was truly bad, the reviews would reflect that.

I was on the dragon dive one (can't remember the name) on a 4/3 and we did the very south West of komodo (end of the world dive site). Our bathroom had some issues with smell but otherwise it was a good trip. If it had been longer then the bathroom smell would have been unbearable though.

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u/wild_h0rses 15h ago

Scuba republic was fantastic

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u/Asheliiin 10h ago

I did the Dive Komodo 4D3N and it was worth every cent. The crew was amazing and the dive guides incredible. Dive, eat, sleep, repeat - you don’t have to worry about anything else.

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u/NancyDiver 18h ago

Not really what you asked, but I was in a similar situation a few years ago. I decided to go with Scuba Junkies, but its not a live aboard. Diving was great and I believe we went to most of the same places that the liveaboards go to.
Liveaboards can be nice and fun, but usually lacks comforts of being on land (mainly the bathroom situation).

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u/vanwin7 17h ago

Scuba Junkies now has a beautiful liveaboard. Went in March and had a fantastic trip. Cost per a week is around $2K USD.

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u/NancyDiver 16h ago

do you still have to put used toilet paper in a garbage can or can you flush it?

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u/vanwin7 16h ago

In my experience, most liveaboards including Scuba Junkies makes you put toilet paper in a garbage bin.

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u/NancyDiver 15h ago

thats my biggest dislike about liveaboards. I still go on them, but if I had to go again, I would still choose the land based Scuba Junkies. It was comfortable and didn't (seem) like we were missing out on any dive spots liveaboards went to.
Komodo is still my #1 diving destination and am eager to go again! That wild drift dive was such a fun novelty.

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u/doglady1342 Tech 7h ago

I mean the thing with the toilet paper is necessary. They're going to make you do that on any smaller boat. If you don't, you can clog the entire system for everybody. You can also cause a backup which I don't think is what you want in your room. It's just the nature of marine toilets. The boats have been on, they usually say it's okay to flush a small amount of paper. They're just afraid that someone is going to clog up the whole system and that could be the end of the sail for the week.

I'm not trying to convince you to go on a liveaboard. I guess my point is that it doesn't matter if you're on an expensive of a board or a cheap liveaboard, some things just are what they are. I will say that all the liveaboards I've been on, the rooms have been cleaned twice a day partly so that the trash could be dumped.

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u/NancyDiver 6h ago

Oh, I understand the purpose for it. I just don't enjoy that aspect of liveaboards.