Diving: Live on board or Land base?

Tarata Boat used when I did the Komodo Trip in 2003

There are two ways of enjoying the underwater scenery: Live On Board (LOB) or Land Base.  With LOB, we all stay in a boat for about sometimes, usually a week.  By Land Base, we always start from the land, then do several dives and go back to the land.  Here is what I think about LOB and also Land Base Diving trips.

LOB

I like LOB.  Just because the activity is just sleep, dive, eat, sunbathe.  We also able to reach lots of different sites in relatively effective way.  In Indonesia, especially those in the east, LOB is probably the only way to reach different islands and divesites within a week.  All food, accommodation, even TV is provided.  We basically live with between 6-10 people on board.   I did LOB when I did the Komodo trip, Banda trip, Raja Ampat trip and Bangka trip.

What I enjoy the most is the quietness and the scenery.  I can wake up in the mornings, have a cup of my coffee and look at the sunrise. I can see how big the ocean is and the islands , I can gaze at the moon and stars with a glass of wine and I feel being in one with the nature.

My main activity on the boat...

We have crews on the boat, usually 10 of them.  They arrange all the needs and feed us.  I like talking to the crews, because they are usually local people, and I find their experiences quite interesting.

Surface intervals are usually napping and sunbathing.  After the last dive, we mingle, drink, look at the shooting stars.

We can also stop in an inhibited island and look at their activities, mingle with the local people.  During the Banda trip, we stopped at Banda Neira, talked to the head of the village, and donated some books for the school.

Land Base

Gathering at the resort, looking at pictures

If the dive sites are close and reachable by boat, usually we stay in a cottage or hotel, and start diving.  The example is Bali, because all the sites are reachable.  I did this when I go to Bali, Sabang, Derawan, Ambon and Maumere.  I also did landbase in Menado, stayed at Menado and went to Bunaken.  Sometimes we do 3 dives then go back to the land, or go back to the land at every each dive.  Usually, lunch is not provided, but it depends on the trip anyways.

You can still have nightlife if you are into that, hit the town,  eat at good restaurants and back to the camp and dive.  Chilling out at the resort and look at the happenings of the nearest town and connect more with the local people during your surface interval.  And of course, shopping!

I like LOB because…

• It is very relaxing, no signal whatsoever so nobody from Jakarta can bother me
• I get to take the best pictures of sunset and sunrise…
• There is only few of us (maximum ten), and usually we bond pretty well after the dive trip
• We cover lots of dive sites and able to reach remote areas, which is too far to be reached by land based diving.
• I feel happy waking up in the morning with my cup of coffee, watching sunrise in the middle of the sea, sometimes just green view of the forests on the island.  During the Bangka trip, I can see all the lights in Menado when we arrived in Bunaken.  And it is beautiful, glittering light.
• I get the most fresh sashimi ever!  Fish it, the cook will prepare, as long as there is wasabi,  I’m all set for sushi!
• Staring at the stars and the moon on the deck drinking shiraz and listening to jazz…so romantic!

Enjoying the nice sunset after with a cup of hot tea

The downside of LOB is, if there is only one annoying person, you are stuck with him/her for 7 days.  And you cannot throw them off the boat.  So I usually ask who organize it, and who will be on the boat.  And also, when the water is choppy, you can easily get motion sickness.  Other minor thing is, you have to share a small room if there are lots of divers, so the room is basically just used for shower and sleep.  Bring good books, very light ones, sunscreen (or suntan) lotion, sarong, and you are all set!

And, you can gather your cool friends to join the live on board so you pick the non-hassling friends and pick your roommate who doesn’t snore..:)

I like Land Base too…

• I can visit and explore the city and their good food and culture
• I can just choose who you want to hang out with, i.e. if there is an annoying one, you can easily avoid them
• If you are a social person, you can just interact with the local, visit local schools and do some donation to them.
• Or just sunbathe and enjoy the resort or the hotel pool with white wine…
• Or if you are a party animal, go to the city and do karaoke, dance, etc.
• I can do shopping.
• I can call a masseuse…after a tiring dive.  Good massage and nitrogen is a good combination!
• If they have a nice house reef, you can night dive every night there.
• And unlike LOB, where you are stuck with the same people for the whole trip, there is a chance to check out other guests in your hotel….(wink wink).

The downside is, that you have to keep your rooms closed, because you leave all your valuables

Back to the resort, sorry, the ship can't get any closer...please walk...

(laptop, money, etc) in the hotel.   So make sure you pick the right resort or hotel to avoid you lost your valuables.  And going in and out of the boat taking all your stuff is sort of a hassle (it’s me, just me being lazy).

Actually, there is another trip called One Day Trip.  So you leave home to the pier, go to the dive site, and go back home.  I can do this in Jakarta when diving the Thousand Islands, Krakatoa, Sanghyang and Tempurung islands.  This is probably good for a shaking the stress out during the weekend for couple of good dip.  I didn’t put this on the poll though.

So, what do you prefer, LOB or Land Base?   I just want to know what you prefer, and your comments, and why you prefer one to another.  Let’s forget about the cost for a moment, LOB can be more expensive, that’s for sure.   Let me know, fill in the poll.  And share your experience in both Land Base and LOB!