12 Best Scuba Diving liveaboards with single cabins

Looking for a liveaboard with single cabins for your next dive adventure? Keep reading for the best ones that we have selected for you!

For scuba diving fanatics, nothing compares to a dive trip on a liveaboard. Liveaboards take you to remote sites- giving you the best opportunity to see amazing marine life! On board they are known for providing great service, and are a place where you can meet fellow dive enthusiasts. 

Space on liveaboards is at a premium, and it is not uncommon for solo divers to share a room with other guests.

If you are planning your next dive trip alone, but prefer to havae extra privacy and do not want to share a room, there are options for you!

Many liveaboards offer solo travellers the option for paying a single supplement, which is a fee to cover the cost of a double occupancy room, or you can look for liveaboards with single cabins.

Single cabins give you the privacy you want, without having to pay extra. Not all liveaboards offer single cabins, but thankfully there are liveaboards with single cabins operating at many great dive destinations. 

Best Scuba Diving liveaboard with single cabin : LUXURY CRUISES

1. Seaisee Liveaboard, Indonesia

The Seaisee Indonesia is a luxurious 45 meter yacht that has space for up to 24 divers. It has plenty of deck space for you to relax between dives. The upper deck has comfortable sun loungers, a hot tub, and an outdoor dining area.

The Seaisee has a variety of cabins available, including triple occupancy, double rooms with two twins or a double bed, and single diver cabins. All rooms have plenty of storage space, an en-suite bathroom, and individually controlled air conditioning. 

The Seaisee has a spacious dive deck and three large tenders to take you to and from the dive sites. The yacht was custom built for diving and has camera charging stations and separate rinse tanks for cameras. 

Seaisee itineraries and When to go

The Seaisee runs charters all year. They offer cruises that last from 7 to 10 days and travel to all different areas in the region. During the winter months from December to May the boat travels to Raja Ampat.

There you will be surrounded by pristine coral reefs made up of hard and soft corals and colorful sponges. There is a huge variety of marine life including small macro, schools of fish, and you will have the chance to see large pelagics such as manta rays and sharks!

During June and July the boat travels to the Komodo Islands. That is the dry season for Komodo and you can expect good visibility and calm seas.

There you will get to dive on pristine coral reefs and have the chance to see schools of tropical fish, large pelagics, and if you plan a trip to certain islands in Komodo National Park you can even see Komodo dragons!

From August to November you can book itineraries to the Banda Sea and Alor. There you will get to enjoy diving on colorful coral reefs with everything from volcanic cliffs to sloping walls. 

What’s included

Your cruise includes all your meals, diving, stand-up paddle boarding, and WIFI. Nitrox is available for an additional cost. Alcoholic beverages are not included with the meals, but are available on board. You will be required to pay port fees and the environmental tax. 

2. Amira, Indonesia

The Amira is a luxury 52 meter phinisi liveboard. Phinisis are traditional Indonesian sailboats, and this beautiful boat has a spacious, open front deck for divers to relax on. The Amira has 4 double and one single cabin on the upper deck and five double cabins on the lower deck.

It can accomodate up to 19 divers and all cabins have individually controlled air conditioning, fans, a mini-safe and en-suite bathrooms.

The open front deck is a great place to relax in the sun, eat meals, and spend time enjoying the amazing views. 

Itinerary and when to go

The Amira offers year round cruises to different areas of Indonesia including Raja Ampat, Komodo Islands, and the Forgotten Islands. The boat travels to take advantage of the best conditions in each area.

In June to August divers can cruise to the Komodo Islands where the dry conditions make for great diving visitibility. There you will have the chance to see gardens of color hard and soft corals, filled with schools of tropical fish.

In September, the Amira will sail to Alor and the Forgotten Islands, where you will dive along steep walls and have the chance to swim beneath overhangs and pass through swim-throughs. Schools of tropical fish surround all of this.

From October to February the Amira will take divers to Raja Ampat- an area world-famous for its biodiversity! In March you can book itineraries to Misool and Halmahera. Cruise lengths range from 12 to 14 days. You will have the chance to make 30-36 dives, with night dives offered, depending on the length of your cruise. 

Amira Highlights

The  Amira Liveaboard has five dive guides and five dinghies to move you from the liveaboard to dive sites. Dive groups are divided based on diver experience level and interests. The Amira provides ENOS, which are electronic rescue and location systems, to all divers for additional safety. This boat was designed for scuba divers and has charging stations, camera stations, and outdoor showers. 

What’s included

Your trip on the Amira includes diving, all meals, nitrox, land excursions, cabin and deck towels, and hotel and airport transfers. You must pay a fuel surcharge, national park entry fees, and port fees. Guests who travel on the Amira love the attentive crews, spacious boat, and amazing dive sites they visit!

3. Cheng Ho Liveaboard, Indonesia

The Cheng Ho is a traditional wooden phinisi. This 33 meter liveaboard is a Bali Sea Safari Cruises member, a group that is known for its excellent service, food, and overall guest comfort!

The Cheng Ho can accommodate up to 24 guests and has cabins on the lower, middle, and upper decks. Single cabins are located on the middle deck. All cabins have en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning.

The restaurant and lounge are air-conditioned and have a TV; there is a sundeck for relaxing and a top-level bar. 

Itinerary

The Cheng Ho offers dive trips to Komodo and Ambon. It offers charters that run from 3 to 14 days and it is available for private charter. 

The Cheng Ho liveaboard has a large dive deck and dive tenders to transport you comfortably to dive sites. Nitrox is available for certified divers and the boat can support side mount, rebreather, and technical diving. 

What’s included

Your cruise includes all fuel surcharges, port fees, meals and snacks, land excursions, a naturalist guide, stand-up paddle boards, and WIFI. Nondivers can come to the Cheng Ho to go snorkeling. Required national park entrance fees are not included in the price.

Guests can also purchase alcoholic beverages, and nitrox has an additional cost. Guests on the Cheng Ho loved the staff’s focus on diver safety and amazing service. 

4. Nautilus Belle Amie, Mexico

The Nautilus Belle Amie is a luxurious yacht that was custom-built for diver’s comfort. It is the largest Nautilus boat and can accommodate up to 32 guests. The Belle Amie prides itself on providing high-level service onboard that is comparable to a five-star hotel. All cabins on the boat have individual air conditioning and en-suite bathrooms.

The main deck has a spacious salon and dining room where a fusion of Mexican and North American food is served. The Belle Amie can accommodate all types of dietary restrictions, including vegan, gluten-free, and food allergies. You can relax between dives on the large sun deck, complete with hot tub and fully-stocked bar. 

Itinerary and When to Go

The Belle Amie was designed for comfortable ocean crossings. It has a heavy steel construction, complete with stablizers. There is a large dive deck, and you will travel to and from dive sites on three large dive skiffs. There are camera stations on the boat, and the boat offers nitrox to certified divers. 

From November to June the Belle Amie takes divers to the Socorro Islands. These trips are 9 days with five full days of diving with an average of four dives per day. Diving in the Socorro Islands is all about big, pelagic life. There you will have the chance to swim with friendly manta rays, dolphins, over 10 different species of sharks, and other large fish!

The reason so many different animals gather at the Socorro Islands is because of the ocean currents that meet there. That said, diving can be challenging with strong currents. Before booking a trip to Socorro, you want to ensure you are comfortable diving in current and possible low-visibility settings. 

When the Belle Amie is not taking divers to Socorro, it offers 6 to 8 day cruises in the Sea of Cortez. There divers will get the chance to do 3-4 dives per day. Sea of Cortez cruises will take you to remote dive sites where you will have the chance to see different schools of fish and large pelagics, including whale sharks! 

What’s included

Your trip on the Belle Amie includes a welcome cocktail, all your meals, diving, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, and towels. Nitrox, alcoholic beverages, and hotel and airport transfers are available for an extra charge. All guests will be required to pay national park entry fees and port fees. 

Insider tip: This is one of the most popular liveaboards in Mexico, and you need to book at least a year in advance, if not more. So make sure you check availability asap and secure your spot.

5. Solmar V, Mexico

The Solmar V is a 34-meter yacht that was renovated in 2006. It prides itself on having some of the most experienced staff in Mexico to guarantee your satisfaction with your trip! The liveaboard can accommodate up to 22 guests in 12 cabins.

Each cabin has individually controlled air conditioning and an en-suite bathroom. There is a beautifully designed salon with television and an entertainment center. You can relax on the partially covered solarium between dives. 

Itinerary and When to go

From November to June the Solmar V takes dives to the Revillagigedo Archipelago, often referred to as the Socorro Islands. The four volcanic islands that make up the Socorro Islands are known for attracting big, pelagic life.

Divers will have the chance to swim next to friendly manta rays that ‘dance’ in their bubbles, many different species of sharks including hammerheads, and lucky divers may even spot migratory whales! Cruises to the Socorro Islands are between 9 and 11 days, and with good conditions divers can expect to make between 25 and 30 dives! 

The Solmar V is a comfortable boat from which to dive. It has a large, spacious dive deck and dive tenders that will take you to the dive sites. The dive deck has multi-level camera tables, rinse tanks, and outdoor shows. In November 2023 the liveaboard became a Nitrox only boat- so make sure you have your certification before your trip! 

When the Solmar V is not taking divers to the Socorro Islands, it does trips in the Sea of Cortez. Divers can look for itineraries that leave from Cabo San Lucas or La Paz. These itineraries often include kayaking, hiking, and snorkeling with sea lions! 

What’s included

Your trip on the Solmar V includes hotel transfers, alcoholic beverages with dinner, all meals, diving, and nitrox. You will be required to pay a fuel surcharge and national park entries. 

6. Duke of York Liveaboard, Maldives

The Duke of York is a comfortable 36 meter yacht that offers year-round cruises to the best dive spots in the Maldives. The yacht has plenty of social areas for guests to relax including an air conditioned main salon, and three different decks with sun loungers to relax in.

The Duke of York has an onboard spa where you can treat yourself to a relaxing massage. The 13 crew members will help make your vacation unforgettable. 

There are 11 spacious cabins on the yacht, and it can accomodate up to 25 guests. All of the cabins have individually controlled air conditioning and an en-suite bathroom. Some of the cabins have ocean views. 

Itinerary and when to go

The Duke of York offers 8 and 10 day charters, as well as occasional shorter charters that last 3-4 days. On a standard 8 day charter you will have the opportunity to make around 17 dives. Dive itineraries charge depending on the season and where the crew believe the best diving is. The boat offers cruises to Male, as well as the northern atolls where you can look for manta rays. 

All diving will be done from the dhoni, which is a dive tender that accompanies the liveaboard. It is spacious enough for divers to comfortably suit up on it before dives, and allows for gear storage. The Duke of York offers free nitrox to certified divers and has an underwater scooter available. 

What’s included

Your cruise includes all meals, welcome cocktails, diving, kayaks, land excursions, and snorkel gear. You will be required to pay an environmental tax. For an additional cost, you can add dive insurance, a beach BBQ, hotel transfers, WIFI, and alcoholic beverages. 

7. Solitude One, Micronesia

The Solitude One is a 52-meter ex-merchant vessel that was completely remodeled in 2013 to comfortably accommodate scuba divers. The boat has 11 guest cabins and can accommodate up to 24 divers.

Each cabin has individually controlled air conditioning and an en-suite bathroom. Betweens dives you can relax in the air conditioned salon with large comfy chairs, or spend your time outside on the spacious sundeck. 

Itinerary and when to go

The Solitude One offers cruises in the Philipines and Palau. Cruises in the Philipines leave from Puerto Princesa and take you around the Tabbutaha National Park in the Sulu Sea.

This area is known as the Coral Triange, and is home to 75% of the world’s coral species and 40% of its reef fish! The boat offers 7 day cruises to the Philipines, and you will be about to make around 16 dives. Or, you can occassionally find an extended trip that lasts 12 days, where you will get to make around 30 dives.

When the Solitude One is not in the Philipines, it takes divers to Palau. Palau is known for drifting diving, and you will have the chance to encounter sharks and mantas.

You will also see beautiful walls, filled with tropical fish. Liveaboards in Palau depart from Malakal. You can choose between 8 and 12 day itineraries. 

The crew of the Solitude One make sure dive groups are small. The boat has a camera studio, camera set-up bench, and designated camera rinse tank. You will travel to and from dive sites on tenders, and there is a large, shady dive deck on the liveaboard. Nitrox is available for certified divers and the boat can accommodate technical divers. 

What is included

Your cruise includes airport and hotel transfers, a beach BBQ, meals, diving, kayaks, and stand up paddle boards. You will be required to pay an environment tax, fuel surcharge, and national park entry fees. The boat offers optional add ons of dive and travel insurance, alcoholic beverages, nitrox, and WIFI. 

Best Scuba Diving liveaboard with single cabin : MID-RANGE CRUISES

8. Mermaid I Liveaboard, Indonesia

The Mermaid I is a 28 meter liveaboard that can accommodate up to 15 guests. It has several common areas where guests can relax between dives. The Mermaid I has several common areas where you can relax between dives, including a salon with a TV and two sun decks.

The boat serves Thai, Indonesian, and Western cuisine and has 8 different cabins, including single cabins. All cabins have a TV, individually controlled air conditioning, bathrobes, and an en-suite bathroom. 

Itinerary and when to go

The Mermaid I offers cruises all year to different areas of Indonesia. Itineraries last 10 to 16 days and travel to different areas depending on the season. From June to September, the Mermaid I goes to the Komodo Islands, where you can see a huge variety of tropical fish and large pelagics.

During the fall months of September to November it will be doing a Biodiversity Special itinerary in Ambon, the Banda Sea, and Alor.

During the winter months the liveaboard will tour different parts of Raja Ampat, and it will go to Lembeh in February.

All itineraries are designed to help you see the most diverse amount of marine life possible- you can experience everything from muck diving to encounters with large pelagics such as manta rays. 

The Mermaid I has a large dive deck and platform that ensures comfortable water entries and exits. Nitrox is available for certified divers. There are camera stations for photographers, outdoor shows, and kayaks available.

What’s included

Your cruise includes diving, all your meals and snacks, and cabin and deck towels. Alcoholic beverages are available for an additional cost. All guests must pay a fue surcharge and national park entry fees. 

9. Nautilus Explorer, Mexico

The 35-meter Nautilus Explorer was designed by divers for divers, keeping comfort and stability in mind. It has many communal areas where you can relax and socialize between dives, including two upper-floor sun decks. The top deck has a hot tub, where you can spend your evenings admiring the stars.

The main salon has comfortable couches, computers for editing photos and videos and an entertainment center. The chef onboard will prepare a variety of dishes inspired by Mexican and European flavors. 

There is a large dive deck with a water-level platform. You will go to and from the dive sites on a tender, and the boat is equipped to handle technical divers and offers nitrox. 

Itinerary and when to go

The Nautilus Explorer takes divers 400 kilometers from the coast of Baja California, Mexico to the Revillagigedo Archipelago. Often referred to as the Socorro Islands, these four volcanic islands are visited by a variety of large, pelagic marine animals.

Divers have the chance to see whale sharks, hammerheads, manta rays, dolphins, and large schools of fish! The Nautilus Explorer travels to the Socorro Islands from November to June, offering 9 and 11 day cruises. 

When the Nautilus Explorer is not taking divers to the Socorro Islands it offers cruises from Cabo San Lucas to the Sea of Cortez and Magdelena Bay. On these cruises divers have the chance to see large schools of fish, bait balls, and large pelagic marine animals. In the past, the Nautilus Explorer travelled to Isla Guadalupe and offered cage diving with great white sharks.

The Mexican government has restricted all dive boats from traveling to Isla Guadalupe, but if the government re-opens the site, it is expected that the boat will begin to take divers there again. 

What’s included

Your cruise on the Nautilus Explorer includes all meals, diving, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, and welcome cocktails. It does not include your marine park entry fees and port fees. 

10. Carpe Novo, Maldives

The Carpe Novo is the largest yacht in the Carpe Diem fleet. It has 12 cabins and can accommodate up to 22 guests. All cabins have en-suite bathrooms, individually controlled air conditioning, and TVs. The spacious yacht has a large, air conditioned salon with panoramic views, a TV, and library. The upper deck has an open-air dining area, and the sun deck provides comfortable loungers with shady or sunny options to choose from. 

The Carpe Novo has a dedicated camera room for photographers, complete with areas to charge batteries and change memory cards. Divers will explore the reefs from the comfort of the dive dohni (boat) that has enough room for gearing up and gear storage. 

Itinerary and when to go

The Carpe Novo offers 8 to 11 day cruises. Classic cruises visit the most popular areas of the Maldives including Male, Ari, Vaavu, and Rashdoo atolls.

There divers will be treated to vibrant coral reefs, known for interesting cleaning stations. This area is known for a great mix of macro and larger marine life. 

Experienced divers can sign up for itineraries that take them to the deep south. There you can fly through thrilling channels and will have the opportunity to see larger pelagic animals such as mantas, hammerheads, and eagle rays. Trips to the southern atolls run from 8 to 11 days. 

What’s included

Your trip on the Carpe Novo includes airport transfers, all meals on board, diving, and nitrox. You will be required to pay the environmental tax. Alcoholic beverages, paddle boards, and internet access have an additional cost. 

11. EcoPro Mariana Liveaboard, Maldives

The EcoPro Mariana is a 28 meter traditional Maldivian safari boat. It can accommodate up to 16 divers with 9 cabins. Each cabin has individually controlled air conditioning and an en-suite bathroom. The boat has three decks.

Guests will enjoy their meals in the outdoor dining area. The EcoPro Mariana focuses on sustainable tourism practices and offers guests biodegredable shampoo and hygiene products. The boat works with Parley for the Oceans and Manta Trust to protect marine life.

A second boat accompanies the EcoPro Mariana on the cruise. All diving is done from the second boat, and the dive gear is stored there. The dive boat is spacious enough that you can comfortably suit up there before diving. This frees up space on the main boat, and keeps it quiet and relaxing.

Itinerary and when to go 

The EcoPro Mariana travels to all different atolls in the Maldives, including North Male, South Male, North Ari, South Ari, and Vaavu. The experienced captain and dive guests will help you have the area’s best underwater experience.

Depending on the season you go and the location, you can experience drift dives, see shipwrecks, and swim with large pelagics such as manta rays. You can choose between 8, 12, or 15-day cruises. 

What’s included

Your trip on the EcoPro Mariana includes all meals, airport transfers, diving, night diving, and eco-friendly toiletries. You will have to pay a fuel surcharge and environmental tax. Dive insurance, alcoholic beverages, and nitrox are available at an extra cost. 

12. Pacific Master, Micronesia

The Pacific Master is a custom-built diving vessel that was designed with the diver’s comfort in mind. It is 30 meters and can accommodate up to 20 guests. There is a spacious air conditioned salon, or you can relax in a hammock at the yacht’s bow-. There is also an upper level sundeck. 

The Pacific Master offers you the chance to visit some of the best World War II shipwrecks in the Pacific. It also offers 11-day excursions to Bikini Atoll, the site of nuclear bomb testing after World War II.

Itinerary and when to go

The US Navy gathered a ‘mock’ naval fleet to test the effects of nuclear bombs. Today divers can explore the wrecks which have become home to coral, sponge, and countless marine animals. Trips to Bikini Atoll are recommended for technical dives only. 

Truk Lagoon is another famous spot for wreck diving in Micronesia. The Pacific Master offers 8 and 9 day trips there. Truk Lagoon was Japan’s main naval base during World War II. During the war, the base was attacked, resulting in over 60 ships sinking!

When you go to Truk Lagoon, you will have the chance to visit many different wrecks, all surrounded by coral reefs and within recreational diving depth limits. In addition to the wrecks, you will have the chance to see manta rays and sharks!

The Pacific Master has a spacious dive deck. You will be taken to dive sites on dive tenders. There is a dedicated camera station. The boat has nitrox available and can accommodate rebreathers and technical divers. 

What’s included

Your trip includes airport and hotel transfers, all your meals, and diving. You will be required to pay national park entry fees. Nitrox and WIFI are available for an additional cost. 

What to expect as a solo diver on a liveaboard

If it is your first time travelling solo on a liveaboard, you are probably wondering what you expect. One of the golden rules of scuba diving says that you should never dive alone. Thankfully, on a liveaboard you do not have to worry about finding a dive buddy.

Other dive fanatics will surround you, and the dive masters will help divide divers into dive groups and buddy pairs. On many liveaboards, you will dive off of tenders that hold 4-6 divers.

This means you will always be in a small group, and in many cases the dive guide will request that the group descends and surfaces together. You can also always ask the dive guide to be your dive buddy, and they will be happy to! 

Aside from the diving, you can expect a great social atmosphere on liveaboards. You already have something in common with everyone else on the boat – your love for scuba diving.

Group meals and social hangout areas mean you will have plenty of space to get to know your travel companions, and many people walk off of liveaboards having made lifelong dive buddies and friends. 

The best scuba diving liveaboards for solo travelers: Final Thoughts

If you are planning a solo liveaboard dive trip, several boats offer single cabins. Most boats only have a few single cabins, so if your heart is set on booking a single cabin, it is a good idea to plan your dive trip in advance, as these rooms fill up fast!

Currently, several bucket list liveaboard dive destinations, such as the Galapagos, Bahamas, and Belize, do not have boats with single cabins. That does not mean you will have to share a room if you go to these destinations.

Most liveaboards offer the option of a single supplement, where you will pay an extra fee to ‘fill’ a double room as a single traveler. However you decide to travel as a solo diver, you will have the opportunity to see some great marine life and meet new friends!