9 Common Mistakes to Avoid on Your First Liveaboard Diving Trip in Indonesia

Author by Erlinda on 24 February 2025

This is the first quarter of 2025 and you may be wondering what destinations to add to your bucket list. A hint: it must include the sea.

Say no more, we got you. Liveaboard diving in Indonesia is something that you are looking for.

So, what is what is liveaboard diving? What makes it different from your regular diving session?

Is it because it takes place in Indonesia? Is it because you explore remote areas, where the pristine water and magnificent coral garden waiting for you?

Liveaboard diving allows you to live on a boat for a multi-day diving trip and explore multiple dive sites. It offers access to remote, world-class dive locations like

• Raja Ampat,
• Komodo Island,
• Banda Islands,
• Alor Archipelago,
• Halmahera Island, and
• Sumbawa Island.

Liveaboard provides you with a unique, immersive diving experience with multiple dives per day. 

Many first-time divers make avoidable mistakes that can ruin their trip. We cover everything you need to know about liveaboard diving in Indonesia and help you avoid the most common mistakes. 

Keep reading!

Mistake #1: Booking in the Wrong Season

The first common mistake first-time divers make is booking liveaboard diving in the wrong season. Different dive locations have different peak seasons. 

You need to research to avoid

• Strong currents,
• Bad weather, or
• Poor visibility.

Peak season also affects marine life activity, which changes based on environmental factors such as water temperature, currents, plankton blooms, and breeding cycles. 

Raja Ampat

Peak season: October–April

• Calmer seas and warmer weather
• Peak manta ray season from December to February

The worst time to book is  May until September because of strong winds and rough seas. 

Raja Ampat

Peak season: October–April

• Calmer seas and warmer weather
• Peak manta ray season from December to February

The worst time to book is May until September because of strong winds and rough seas. 

Komodo Island

Peak season: April–November

• The dry season gives you better visibility
• Attract manta rays and sharks from June to September

The worst time to book is December until February because of the rainy season and rough seas. 

Banda Sea

Peak season: September–November

• Flat seas
• Hammerhead shark migration
• Best time to see big pelagics

The worst time to book is December until August because of strong monsoon winds and rough seas. 

Alor

Peak season: April–November

• Cooler water with better visibility
• Expect to see mola-mola, hammerhead, and whales

The worst time to book is December until March because of poor visibility and unpredictable waves. 

Halmahera

Peak season: October–April

• Expect to see manta rays and whale sharks
• Ideal for wide-angle photography

The worst time to book is May until September because of poor visibility and choppy waters. 

Sumbawa

Peak season: April–October

• Expect to see whale sharks and shark reefs
• Best visibility and calmest water

The worst time to book is May until September because of the rainy season and rough seas.

Mistake #2: Choosing the Wrong Liveaboards

Not all liveaboards offer the same level of comfort, safety, and experience. There are four things you need to check before booking.

Boat Type

There are two types of boats, private and shared. For a better experience, we recommend you choose a private boat. Budget-wise, a shared boat will be a better option.

Diver-to-guide Ratio

The driver-to-guide ratio is essential, especially for beginner divers. The ideal ratio is 1 guide for a maximum of 6 divers. This is the standard for most liveaboards. Smaller groups give you better experience, safety, and marine life interaction. 

Experience Level Required

Every dive site requires different experiences. Strong currents, deep dives, or drift conditions are better suited for seasoned divers. Beginner-friendly liveaboards offer easy reefs, shallow sites, and training support.

Boat Safety & Emergency Equipment

You are in a remote area and medical help will be far away. Check if your boats are equipped with

• Emergency oxygen and first aid kit,
• DAN (Divers Alert Network),
• Life jackets,
• Emergency rafts,
• Radio communication,
• Satellite phone, and
• Emergency action plan.

Mistake #3: Underestimating Diving Conditions

Some dive sites in Indonesia have strong currents, deep dives, and unpredictable conditions. The most common mistake you can make as a beginner diver is booking a strong current dive site such as Komodo and Alor. Another mistake is overestimating your dive skills.

Do your research about dive conditions before booking. Always choose beginner-friendly sites if you’re uncomfortable in strong currents or deep dives.

Mistake #4: Packing the Wrong Gear

Not having the right gear can ruin your experience. The worst scenario is you are forced to rent expensive equipment. Research is always important before every trip you will take.

• Pack the essentials: reef-safe sunscreen, anti-fog spray, mask, wetsuit, and dive computer.
• Check the water temperature of your destination to bring the right wetsuit thickness.
• Carry spares such as extra mask straps, batteries, and defogger.

Mistake #5: Not Preparing for Seasickness

Motion sickness can ruin your trip and make diving uncomfortable. You need to bring your seasickness medication.

You can consume ginger drink to handle nausea. Avoiding drinking alcohol also helps. Another tip is to choose a lower cabin for less noticeable movement. 

Mistake #6: Ignoring Marine Life Etiquette

You are diving to encounter marine life, not touching it. Avoid touching corals or chasing manta rays. Also, maintain neutral buoyancy to avoid harming reefs. The last one is always using eco-friendly sunscreen that won’t damage corals.

Mistake #7: Forgetting to Budget for Extra Cost

Many divers underestimate hidden costs that can add up quickly. To avoid, do this instead

• Read a full breakdown of extra costs. 
• Bring your gear or compare the price beforehand to avoid overpaying.
• Bring cash for crew tips, marine park fees, port fees, etc.

Mistake #8: Skipping Travel and Dive Insurance

Never skip your travel and dive insurance. If you get injured or need medical evacuation, it can cost thousands of dollars. When planning to buy insurance, always check coverage limits before. Make sure your insurance includes emergency evacuation and hyperbaric treatment.

Do not assume regular travel insurance covers dive-related accidents. Our recommendation is to get DAN (Divers Alert Network) insurance, which covers dive emergencies.

Mistake #9: Not Taking Enough Surface Interval Time

Liveaboard diving allows you to experience multiple dives per day. But, diving too frequently without rest will increase the risk of decompression sickness. Always follow proper surface interval times between dives. 

Stay hydrated and avoid drinking alcohol between dives. Last but not least, wait 24 hours before flying to allow nitrogen to leave your body.