Trying to plan your liveaboard trip but not sure where to start? Skeptical about the options you’ll have in November? The Adventure Junkies has got you covered! From manta rays in French Polynesia to thresher sharks in Sudan, here’s a rundown of the best liveaboard destinations to go in November.
Summer in the South Pacific brings warm weather and some rain, with pelagics drawn by the plankton. Likewise, the Red Sea and the Middle East enjoy comfortable temperatures and the chance to dive with whale sharks. It’s also a popular time to dive Southeast Asia. What are you waiting for? Jump in!
1. SOCORRO
Remote Socorro and its neighboring islands are renowned for the pelagic species that congregate in the surrounding waters. With a Socorro liveaboard you will dive in an active volcanic seascape surrounded by turtles, sharks, dolphins and whales.
Divers coming this month will see pelagics in droves, although the shark population is under pressure from illegal fishing. Although you’ll usually have calm waters and sunny weather in November, you might experience some currents and wind, which can affect visibility.
WHERE TO GO FROM: San Jose del Cabo or Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
PRICE RANGE: $3,000 – $4,000
DIFFICULTY: Advanced
LENGTH OF THE TRIP: 8 to 10 days
WATER TEMPERATURES: 70 to 73° F (21 to 23° C)
BEST BOATS: Best Socorro liveaboard boats compared
HIGHLIGHTS: Pelagic life and interesting underwater geography
2. FRENCH POLYNESIA
In French Polynesia, coral reefs teeming with fish, sharks and macro life are juxtaposed against steep walls and World War II wrecks. A French Polynesia liveaboard is best suited to advanced divers, who can take the opportunity to drift dive with pelagics.
Summer in French Polynesia sees calm waters and frequent spells of rain. Visibility might be negatively impacted by plankton blooms. However, these have the advantage of attracting manta rays!
WHERE TO GO FROM: Rangiroa or Fakarava, French Polynesia
PRICE RANGE: $4,000 – $6,000
DIFFICULTY: Advanced
LENGTH OF THE TRIP: 8 to 11 days
WATER TEMPERATURES: 79 to 84° F (26 to 29° C)
BEST BOATS: Best French Polynesia liveaboard boats compared
HIGHLIGHTS: Diving with manta rays
3. OMAN
Oman is quickly becoming known for its diving scene, but if you go now you should still be able to beat the crowds. The country’s underwater landscapes are especially revered for their macro and fish life. An Oman liveaboard also offers cave and wreck diving, if you’re after a challenge.
Divers coming in November can glimpse whale sharks, swim with schools of fish and inspect nudibranchs at the Daymaniyat Islands, which open for diving this month. Comfortable water temperatures, calm seas and generally fair visibility round out the experience. Be aware that Oman sometimes has thermoclines which can make the water chilly.
WHERE TO GO FROM: Dibba or Port of Salalah, Oman
PRICE RANGE: $1,500 – $3,000
DIFFICULTY: Beginner
LENGTH OF THE TRIP: 7 to 8 days
WATER TEMPERATURES: 75 to 81° F (24 to 27° C)
BEST BOATS: Best Oman liveaboard boats compared
HIGHLIGHTS: Off-the-beaten-track dive destination with possibility of seeing whale sharks
4. DJIBOUTI
Diving in Djibouti conjures images of whale sharks and volcanic seascapes, where divers will share current-rich waters with enormous schools of fish. A Djibouti liveaboard is the only way to dive this amazing country.
Despite the reduced visibility, November is a good time to dive Djibouti thanks to the cooler temperatures and dry weather. It’s whale shark season here – check out Arta Beach for the best chance to see these magnificent creatures.
WHERE TO GO FROM: Djibouti Marina, Djibouti
PRICE RANGE: $1,500 – $2,000
DIFFICULTY: Beginner – advanced
LENGTH OF THE TRIP: 7 to 8 days
WATER TEMPERATURES: 79 to 82° F (26 to 28° C)
BEST BOATS: Best Djibouti liveaboard boats compared
HIGHLIGHTS: Diving with whale sharks
5. SUDAN
At the quieter end of the Red Sea lies Sudan, whose pristine waters were once the site of Jacques Cousteau’s Conshelf 2 experiment. Unspoilt coral reefs, healthy fish life and the infamous Umbria shipwreck are just a few of the reasons a Sudan liveaboard trip should be on your bucket list.
This is autumn in Sudan, when temperatures drop to a bearable level and more liveaboards become available. Divers will see thresher sharks and manta rays. Be sure to book ahead as this is high season for diving.
WHERE TO GO FROM: Port Sudan, Sudan
PRICE RANGE: $1,000 – $2,500
DIFFICULTY: Advanced
LENGTH OF THE TRIP: 8 to 15 days
WATER TEMPERATURES: 81 to 86° F (27 to 30° C)
BEST BOATS: Best Sudan liveaboard boats compared
HIGHLIGHTS: Quiet dive sites and famous wrecks
6. RAJA AMPAT
Raja Ampat is located in the heart of the Coral Triangle and boasts bustling coral reefs that are chock-full of unique fish and macro critters. While most of the dive sites are fairly easy, advanced divers on a Raja Ampat liveaboard will also find some deep dive sites and drift diving.
Winds die down this month, making November an ideal time to dive Raja Ampat. Water temperatures are fairly constant all year round and range from 82 to 86° F (28 to 30° C) in November.
WHERE TO GO FROM: Sorong, Indonesia
PRICE RANGE: $4,000 – $5,000
DIFFICULTY: Beginner – Intermediate
LENGTH OF THE TRIP: 7 to 11 days
WATER TEMPERATURES: 82 to 86° F (28 to 30° C)
BEST BOATS: Best Raja Ampat liveaboard boats compared
HIGHLIGHTS: Marine biodiversity in the Coral Triangle
7. PHILIPPINES
A Philippines liveaboard invites you to explore 7000 islands in the Coral Triangle, where you’ll find thousands of species of macro and pelagic life. Malapascua Reef is possibly the best place in the world to see thresher sharks, and Palawan offers a chance to get your advanced diving certification while deep-diving World War II wrecks.
The rainy season in the Philippines brings warm waters and good diving conditions. Tubbataha Reef is closed during this time. Visibility depends on the dive site. This is high season for diving so be prepared to see crowds.
WHERE TO GO FROM: Cebu or Palau (Malkal), Philippines
PRICE RANGE: $2,000 – 3,000
DIFFICULTY: Intermediate
LENGTH OF THE TRIP: 6 to 7 nights
WATER TEMPERATURES: 81 to 86° F (27 to 30° C)
BEST BOATS: Philippines liveaboard boats
HIGHLIGHTS: Thresher sharks and WWII wrecks
8. SIMILAN ISLANDS
Huge granite boulders, magnificent soft corals and secret passages characterize the underwater landscapes of the Similan Islands. Divers come to this isolated island off the coast of Thailand to see manta rays, whale sharks, octopus and batfish. A Similan Islands liveaboard will be an unforgettable experience!
This is the cool season in the Similan Islands, when weather conditions are dry and water temperatures drop as low as 79° F (26° C). Visibility in the region tends to be excellent. Hurry up and visit the Similan Islands before dive tourism becomes restricted!
WHERE TO GO FROM: Khao Lak, Thailand
PRICE RANGE: $1,000 – $2,500
DIFFICULTY: Intermediate
LENGTH OF THE TRIP: 4 to 6 nights
WATER TEMPERATURES: 79 to 82° F (26 to 28° C)
BEST BOATS: Best Similan Islands liveaboard boats compared
HIGHLIGHTS: Intriguing seascapes with granite boulders and tunnels
9. TRUK LAGOON
One of the best places in the world for wreck diving is at Truk Lagoon, the site of a deadly battle between the US and Japan in World War II. Dozens of ships and planes are scattered across the floor of this coral lagoon. With a Truk Lagoon liveaboard you can explore this haunting scene for yourself.
Sheltered Truk Lagoon enjoys year-round warm waters, with temperatures hovering between 81 and 86° F (27 and 30° C). Visibility is variable but can reach up to 100ft (30m).
WHERE TO GO FROM: Weno, Micronesia
PRICE RANGE: $2,000 – $4,500
DIFFICULTY: Advanced
LENGTH OF THE TRIP: 8 to 11 days
WATER TEMPERATURES: 81 to 86° F (27 to 30° C)
BEST BOATS: Truk Lagoon liveaboard boats
HIGHLIGHTS: Wreck diving the debris of Operation Hailstone
10. FIJI
In Fiji’s waters you’ll find endemic marine life, jagged pinnacles and colorful corals. A Fiji liveaboard trip to this volcanic archipelago off the coast of New Zealand promises great diving for any level. In recognition of its rich marine environment, Fiji was selected to lead the UN Climate Change Conference (COP23) in November 2017.
During summertime in Fiji, pelagic such as whales, manta rays and whale sharks come to play in the plankton-rich waters. It’s warm but you should be prepared for some rain. Water temperatures run at around 82 to 86° F (28 to 30° C). As a bonus, this is low season and you might be able to snag a good deal.
WHERE TO GO FROM: Volivoli Beach Resort or Taveuni, Fiji
PRICE RANGE: $3,000 – $5,500
DIFFICULTY: Beginner – Advanced
LENGTH OF THE TRIP: 8 to 11 days
WATER TEMPERATURES: 82 to 86° F (28 to 30° C)
BEST BOATS: Best Fiji liveaboard boats compared
HIGHLIGHTS: Reams of pelagic species
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