Yes, you can complete a PADI course on a liveaboard charter, provided the yacht you book has a dive instructor and equipment on board, since not every boat on our fleet runs its own dive programme. Several expedition vessels and larger phinisi carry qualified instructors who can teach anything from a beginner Discover Scuba experience to a full Open Water certification during a Komodo or Raja Ampat charter.
Which boats offer diving instruction
Diving instruction is usually offered on yachts built with a dedicated dive deck, compressor and equipment store, most often the larger expedition vessels and dive-focused phinisi in our fleet. Smaller yachts without a resident instructor can sometimes bring one on board for your charter, or guests can dive independently with a guide if they already hold a certification. Browse examples on the fleet page to see which yachts include a dive centre, and ask us when you enquire so we can confirm which boats on your shortlist run a dive programme. Instructors on these boats typically hold recognised diving qualifications and are used to teaching alongside a full charter itinerary, fitting course sessions around the rest of the group's plans rather than running a separate schedule.
PADI course options on a liveaboard charter
A charter is well suited to an Open Water course for complete beginners, an Advanced Open Water course for certified divers who want to build skills, or a Discover Scuba experience for anyone who wants to try diving without committing to full certification. Because the course runs over several days at sea rather than in a pool, students get to practise in real conditions from the start, in the same waters as the rest of the trip. A referral course, where classroom and pool sessions are completed at home and only the open water dives are finished on the charter, is another option worth asking about if time on board is limited.
What diving on a charter is not
A private charter with an instructor on board is not the same as a dedicated dive liveaboard, where every day and every dive is planned around a group of certified divers doing four or five dives a day. On a private charter, diving and diving courses are one part of a broader itinerary that also includes snorkelling, island visits and time on deck, and the schedule is built around the whole group, not only the divers. If your main goal is to rack up as many dives as possible in a week, a dedicated dive liveaboard built around that purpose will usually suit you better than a private charter with a broader itinerary.
What is included, and what is not
Diving equipment such as tanks, weights and basic gear is included on many boats as part of the standard rate, similar to snorkelling gear. Formal PADI course fees, certification cards and sometimes specialist equipment are usually charged separately, since they involve a licensed instructor's time and course materials. Your quote will spell out exactly what applies to your chosen yacht and course.
Who a diving course on a charter suits
This works particularly well for a family or group where some members dive and others do not, since non-divers can snorkel, relax on deck or join shore excursions while a student works through course sessions with the instructor. It also suits couples or friends travelling together where one person is certified and the other wants to learn during the same trip, rather than splitting into separate holidays. It also suits guests who tried diving once on holiday and want to build on that experience without the pressure of a busy dive resort schedule, learning at a pace that fits around the rest of the trip.
Preparing before you book
If diving instruction matters to your trip, mention it when you enquire so we can prioritise boats with a resident instructor and suitable dive sites nearby. Raja Ampat and Komodo both offer strong diving for beginners in sheltered bays as well as more demanding sites for experienced divers, so the captain can plan a course around calmer water in the early days and build up from there. Confirm the minimum age and any health declarations required for the specific course, since these are set by the certifying agency rather than by us, and can affect younger guests or anyone with certain medical conditions.
Plan your charter
Tell us if you want a diving course included when you send your dates, or check availability for yachts with a dive programme on your travel dates.
Frequently asked questions
Can complete beginners learn to dive on a private charter?
Yes, provided the boat has a qualified instructor on board. A Discover Scuba experience or a full Open Water course can both be arranged on the right yacht, usually alongside the rest of the group's normal activities.
Is diving instruction included in the charter rate?
Equipment such as tanks and basic gear is often included, but formal course fees for a PADI certification are usually an additional cost. Your quote will confirm exactly what applies to the yacht you book.
Which destination is better for learning to dive, Komodo or Raja Ampat?
Both offer calmer, sheltered sites suitable for beginners alongside more demanding currents further out. Komodo's currents can be stronger in places, so instructors generally plan beginner sessions around the calmest bays in either destination.
Do all yachts on the board offer diving courses?
No. Diving instruction depends on the boat carrying a qualified instructor and dive equipment, which is more common on expedition vessels and dive-focused phinisi. Tell us if this matters to your trip so we can shortlist the right yachts.