Best Overall
Caribbean
Readers Choice: All Star Cat Ppalu, Bahamas
All Star Aqua Cat, Bahamas
All Star Avalon, Cuba
All Star Blackbeard’s Cruises, Bahamas
Bahamas Aggressor
Bahamas Aggressor II
Belize Aggressor III
Belize Aggressor IV
Cayman Aggressor IV, Cayman Islands
Explorer Ventures Caribbean Explorer II, Saba and St. Kitts
Explorer Ventures Turks & Caicos Explorer II, Turks and Caicos and Silver Bank
Jardines Aggressor II, Cuba
Roatan Aggressor, Honduras
Turks and Caicos Aggressor II, Turks and Caicos and Silver Bank, Dominican Republic
Related Reading: Unexpected Adventure in the Bahamas
Steve JonesThe vibrantly colored underwater seascape in the Maldives is a huge draw for readers who sang the praises of a variety of liveaboards that visit the archipelago.
Middle East and Indian Ocean
Readers Choice: All Star Scuba Scene, Red Sea
Emperor Divers Emperor Elite, Red Sea
Emperor Divers Emperor Explorer, Maldives
Maldives Aggressor II
Red Sea Aggressor II, Egypt, Red Sea North
Red Sea Aggressor IV, Egypt, Red Sea South
Scubaspa Yang, Maldives
Scubaspa Yin, Maldives
Pacific
Readers Choice: Dive Gaia, Gaia Love, Indonesia
All Star Aurora, Indonesia
All Star Velocean, Indonesia
Coralia Liveaboard, Indonesia
Mermaid Liveaboards, Indonesia
Nautilus Adventures, Baja, Mexico
ScubaSpa Zen, Indonesia
Quality of The Liveaboard
Caribbean
Readers Choice: All Star Aqua Cat, Bahamas
All Star Avalon, Cuba
All Star Blackbeard’s Cruises, Bahamas
All Star Cat Ppalu, Bahamas
Bahamas Aggressor
Bahamas Aggressor II
Belize Aggressor III
Belize Aggressor IV
Cayman Aggressor IV, Cayman Islands
Explorer Ventures Caribbean Explorer II, Saba and St. Kitts
Explorer Ventures Turks & Caicos Explorer II, Turks and Caicos and Silver Bank
Jardines Aggressor II, Cuba
Roatan Aggressor, Honduras
Turks and Caicos Aggressor II, Turks and Caicos and Silver Bank, Dominican Republic
Middle East and Indian Ocean
Readers Choice: Scubaspa Yang, Maldives
All Star Scuba Scene, Red Sea
Emperor Divers Emperor Elite, Red Sea
Emperor Divers Emperor Explorer, Maldives
Maldives Aggressor II
Red Sea Aggressor II, Egypt, Red SeaNorth
Red Sea Aggressor IV, Egypt, Red Sea South
Scubaspa Yin, Maldives
Pacific
Readers Choice: Dive Gaia, Gaia Love, Indonesia
All Star Aurora, Indonesia
All Star Velocean, Indonesia
Coralia Liveaboard, Indonesia
Mermaid Liveaboards, Indonesia
Nautilus Adventures, Baja, Mexico
ScubaSpa Zen, Indonesia
Above The Surface
A must-do topside experience on an All Star Liveaboards Banda Sea/Forgotten Islands itinerary is visiting Fort Belgica, a 17th-century Dutch fort with sweeping views over the islands and a fascinating glimpse into the region’s spice trade history.
—Kevin Purdy, President Of All Star Liveaboards
Courtesy ScubaspaWith amenities like an onboard spa, it’s no surprise Scubaspa earned 27 awards, including Quality of Liveaboard and Level of Luxury.
Quality of The Berths
Caribbean
Readers Choice: All Star Aqua Cat, Bahamas
All Star Avalon, Cuba
All Star Blackbeard’s Cruises, Bahamas
All Star Cat Ppalu, Bahamas
Bahamas Aggressor
Bahamas Aggressor II
Belize Aggressor III
Belize Aggressor IV
Cayman Aggressor IV, Cayman Islands
Explorer Ventures Caribbean Explorer II, Saba and St. Kitts
Explorer Ventures Turks & Caicos Explorer II, Turks and Caicos and Silver Bank
Jardines Aggressor II, Cuba
Roatan Aggressor, Honduras
Turks and Caicos Aggressor II, Turks and Caicos and Silver Bank, Dominican Republic
Middle East and Indian Ocean
Readers Choice: Scubaspa Yang, Maldives
All Star Scuba Scene, Red Sea
Emperor Divers Emperor Elite, Red Sea
Emperor Divers Emperor Explorer, Maldives
Maldives Aggressor II
Red Sea Aggressor II, Egypt, Red Sea North
Red Sea Aggressor IV, Egypt, Red Sea South
Scubaspa Yin, Maldives
Pacific
Readers Choice: Dive Gaia, Gaia Love, Indonesia
All Star Aurora, Indonesia
All Star Velocean, Indonesia
Coralia Liveaboard, Indonesia
Mermaid Liveaboards, Indonesia
Nautilus Adventures, Baja, Mexico
ScubaSpa Zen, Indonesia
Quality of The Rental Gear
Caribbean
Readers Choice: All Star Cat Ppalu, Bahamas
All Star Aqua Cat, Bahamas
All Star Avalon, Cuba
All Star Blackbeard’s Cruises, Bahamas
Bahamas Aggressor
Bahamas Aggressor II
Belize Aggressor III
Belize Aggressor IV
Cayman Aggressor IV, Cayman Islands
Explorer Ventures Caribbean Explorer II, Saba and St. Kitts
Explorer Ventures Turks & Caicos Explorer II, Turks and Caicos and Silver Bank
Jardines Aggressor II, Cuba
Roatan Aggressor, Honduras
Turks and Caicos Aggressor II, Turks and Caicos and Silver Bank, Dominican Republic
Insider Tip
Galapagos has so much to see on land. The Charles Darwin Research Station is so cool with the little tortoises. —William M., Galapagos Aggressor III guest
Middle East and Indian Ocean
Readers Choice: All Star Scuba Scene, Red Sea
Emperor Divers Emperor Elite, Red Sea
Emperor Divers Emperor Explorer, Maldives
Maldives Aggressor II
Red Sea Aggressor II, Egypt, Red Sea North
Red Sea Aggressor IV, Egypt, Red Sea South
Scubaspa Yang, Maldives
Scubaspa Yin, Maldives
Signature Site
Hammerhead Gulch is one of my favorite reefs in the Bahamas—the coral is vibrant and healthy, there’s a variety of sponges, plus plenty of smaller creatures like arrow crabs, banded coral shrimp and the red-tip sea goddess. For larger sightings, divers can encounter turtles, stingrays, reef sharks and schools of barracuda along the way.
—Capt. Jerome Williams, All Star Aqua Cat
Pacific
Readers Choice: All Star Velocean, Indonesia
All Star Aurora, Indonesia
Coralia Liveaboard, Indonesia
Dive Gaia, Gaia Love, Indonesia
Mermaid Liveaboards, Indonesia
Nautilus Adventures, Baja, Mexico
ScubaSpa Zen, Indonesia
Courtesy ScubaspaA luxury yacht in Scubaspa’s fleet plies the waters of the Maldives. Scubaspa won awards in multiple categories this year.
Quality of Staff
Caribbean
Readers Choice: All Star Cat Ppalu, Bahamas
All Star Aqua Cat, Bahamas
All Star Avalon, Cuba
All Star Blackbeard’s Cruises, Bahamas
Bahamas Aggressor
Bahamas Aggressor II
Belize Aggressor III
Belize Aggressor IV
Cayman Aggressor IV, Cayman Islands
Explorer Ventures Caribbean Explorer II, Saba and St. Kitts
Explorer Ventures Turks & Caicos Explorer II, Turks and Caicos and Silver Bank
Jardines Aggressor II, Cuba
Roatan Aggressor, Honduras
Turks and Caicos Aggressor II, Turks and Caicos and Silver Bank, Dominican Republic
Related Reading: Diving in Brazil’s Caribbean-Like Paradise
Insider Tip
Liveaboard diving in Turks and Caicos is hands-down the best way to do it. The coolest sites are far offshore, so a liveaboard means you spend more time diving and less time commuting. The reefs are shallow and colorful, the walls drop off dramatically, and turtles and sharks are everywhere. Evenings spent on deck with a drink in hand and the most stunning sunset are a total bonus.
—Rachel Huber, dive travel writer
Middle East and Indian Ocean
Readers Choice: All Star Scuba Scene, Red Sea
Emperor Divers Emperor Elite, Red Sea
Emperor Divers Emperor Explorer, Maldives
Maldives Aggressor II
Red Sea Aggressor II, Egypt, Red Sea North
Red Sea Aggressor IV, Egypt, Red Sea South
Scubaspa Yang, Maldives
Scubaspa Yin, Maldives
Pacific
Readers Choice: Coralia Liveaboard, Indonesia
All Star Aurora, Indonesia
All Star Velocean, Indonesia
Dive Gaia, Gaia Love, Indonesia
Mermaid Liveaboards, Indonesia
Nautilus Adventures, Baja, Mexico
ScubaSpa Zen, Indonesia
Level of Value
Caribbean
Readers Choice: All Star Blackbeard’s Cruises, Bahamas
All Star Aqua Cat, Bahamas
All Star Avalon, Cuba
All Star Cat Ppalu, Bahamas
Bahamas Aggressor
Bahamas Aggressor II
Belize Aggressor III
Belize Aggressor IV
Cayman Aggressor IV, Cayman Islands
Explorer Ventures Caribbean Explorer II, Saba and St. Kitts
Explorer Ventures Turks & Caicos Explorer II, Turks and Caicos and Silver Bank
Jardines Aggressor II, Cuba
Roatan Aggressor, Honduras
Turks and Caicos Aggressor II, Turks and Caicos and Silver Bank, Dominican Republic
Insider Tip
Arrive a day or two early to buffer against delays or lost luggage, adjust to the time zone and even sneak in a local experience—like visiting a temple in Bali.
—Kevin Purdy, president of All Star Liveaboards
Middle East and Indian Ocean
Readers Choice: All Star Scuba Scene, Red Sea
Emperor Divers Emperor Elite, Red Sea
Emperor Divers Emperor Explorer, Maldives
Maldives Aggressor II
Red Sea Aggressor II, Egypt, Red Sea North
Red Sea Aggressor IV, Egypt, Red Sea South
Scubaspa Yang, Maldives
Scubaspa Yin, Maldives
Pacific
Readers Choice: Coralia Liveaboard, Indonesia
All Star Aurora, Indonesia
All Star Velocean, Indonesia
Dive Gaia, Gaia Love, Indonesia
Mermaid Liveaboards, Indonesia
Nautilus Adventures, Baja, Mexico
ScubaSpa Zen, Indonesia
Jay ClueThe Caribbean is an ideal locale for beginner divers who want to see wrecks without venturing too deep.
Level of Luxury
Caribbean
Readers Choice: All Star Aqua Cat, Bahamas
All Star Avalon, Cuba
All Star Blackbeard’s Cruises, Bahamas
All Star Cat Ppalu, Bahamas
Bahamas Aggressor
Bahamas Aggressor II
Belize Aggressor III
Belize Aggressor IV
Cayman Aggressor IV, Cayman Islands
Explorer Ventures Caribbean Explorer II, Saba and St. Kitts
Explorer Ventures Turks & Caicos Explorer II, Turks and Caicos and Silver Bank
Jardines Aggressor II, Cuba
Roatan Aggressor, Honduras
Turks and Caicos Aggressor II, Turks and Caicos and Silver Bank, Dominican Republic
Above The Surface
On Banda Neira, part of the Banda Islands, the local museum is a must. It’s filled with historical artwork and many antiquities from the Portuguese and Dutch era. Here you’ll learn about the trading between the Dutch and the British, running between these islands and Manhattan.
—Cassandra Dragon, Dive Gaia, *Indonesia
Middle East and Indian Ocean
Readers Choice: Scubaspa Yang, Maldives
All Star Scuba Scene, Red Sea
Emperor Divers Emperor Elite, Red Sea
Emperor Divers Emperor Explorer, Maldives
Jose Alejandro AlvarezAn explosion of colors during a wall dive in Egypt’s Red Sea, a favorite destination for liveaboard travelers.
Level of Safety
Caribbean
Readers Choice: All Star Cat Ppalu, Bahamas
All Star Aqua Cat, Bahamas
All Star Avalon, Cuba
All Star Blackbeard’s Cruises, Bahamas
Maldives Aggressor II
Red Sea Aggressor II, Egypt, Red Sea North
Red Sea Aggressor IV, Egypt, Red Sea South
Scubaspa Yin, Maldives
Pacific
Readers Choice:Coralia Liveaboard, Indonesia
All Star Aurora, Indonesia
All Star Velocean, Indonesia
Dive Gaia, Gaia Love, Indonesia
Mermaid Liveaboards, Indonesia
Nautilus Adventures, Baja, Mexico
ScubaSpa Zen, Indonesia
Bahamas Aggressor
Bahamas Aggressor II
Belize Aggressor III
Belize Aggressor IV
Cayman Aggressor IV, Cayman Islands
Explorer Ventures Caribbean Explorer II, Saba and St. Kitts
Explorer Ventures Turks & Caicos Explorer II, Turks and Caicos and Silver Bank
Jardines Aggressor II, Cuba
Roatan Aggressor, Honduras
Turks and Caicos Aggressor II, Turks and Caicos and Silver Bank, Dominican Republic
Insider Tip
Go early and spend a few days in Cairo and see King Tut and the Sphinx. Book Nile Queen II after your Red Sea diving. Tour Luxor and the Valley of the Kings.
—Elizabeth R., Red Sea Aggressor guest
Middle East and Indian Ocean
Readers Choice: All Star Scuba Scene, Red Sea
Emperor Divers Emperor Elite, Red Sea
Emperor Divers Emperor Explorer, Maldives
Maldives Aggressor II
Red Sea Aggressor II, Egypt, Red Sea North
Red Sea Aggressor IV, Egypt, Red Sea South
Scubaspa Yang, Maldives
Scubaspa Yin, Maldives
Pacific
Readers Choice: Coralia Liveaboard, Indonesia
All Star Aurora, Indonesia
All Star Velocean, Indonesia
Dive Gaia, Gaia Love, Indonesia
Mermaid Liveaboards, Indonesia
Nautilus Adventures, Baja, Mexico
ScubaSpa Zen, Indonesia
Related Reading: A Lavish Dive Haven in the Maldives
Renee CapozzolaThe thriving coral scene found in Raja Ampat is just part of the reason divers return to Indonesia time and again.
QUALITY OF FOOD
Caribbean
Readers Choice: All StarCat Ppalu, Bahamas
All Star Aqua Cat, Bahamas
All Star Avalon, Cuba
All Star Blackbeard’s Cruises, Bahamas
Bahamas Aggressor
Bahamas Aggressor II
Belize Aggressor III
Belize Aggressor IV
Cayman Aggressor IV, Cayman Islands
Explorer Ventures Caribbean Explorer II, Saba and St. Kitts
Explorer Ventures Turks & Caicos Explorer II, Turks and Caicos and Silver Bank
Jardines Aggressor II, Cuba
Roatan Aggressor, Honduras
Turks and Caicos Aggressor II, Turks and Caicos and Silver Bank, Dominican Republic
Middle East and Indian Ocean
Readers Choice: Scubaspa Yang, Maldives
All Star Scuba Scene, Red Sea
Emperor Divers Emperor Elite, Red Sea
Emperor Divers Emperor Explorer, Maldives
Maldives Aggressor II
Red Sea Aggressor II, Egypt, Red Sea North
Red Sea Aggressor IV, Egypt, Red Sea South
Scubaspa Yin, Maldives
Pacific
Readers Choice: Dive Gaia, Gaia Love, Indonesia
All Star Aurora, Indonesia
All Star Velocean, Indonesia
Coralia Liveaboard, Indonesia
Mermaid Liveaboards, Indonesia
Nautilus Adventures, Baja, Mexico
ScubaSpa Zen, Indonesia
Signature Site
Karang Bayangan, or Shadow Reef, south of Raja Ampat in the Misool region is a submerged seamount bursting with life. What makes it truly magical is that both oceanic mantas and reef mantas come to the same cleaning station.
—Cassandra Dragon, Dive Gaia, Indonesia
