Trip price — what's usually included
All meals, soft drinks, accommodation, tanks, weights, dive guide, and 3–4 dives per day. Not included: nitrox (often $100–200/week), gear rental ($150–300/week for full kit), alcohol, marine park fees, port fees, tips.
Flights: the biggest variable
Long-haul economy to Maldives/Indonesia/Galápagos: $800–1500. Domestic transfer: $100–300. Book flights only after the trip is confirmed — operators occasionally cancel under-booked departures.
Gear rental vs ownership
Renting full kit for a week: ~$200. Owning + flying with full kit: ~$60 in extra baggage per trip. After 5 trips, ownership wins. If you only dive once a year, rent.
Tips and bar tab
Tip: 10% of trip price (~$150–200/week). Bar: a beer is $3–6, wine $6–10. Drinkers typically spend $50–150 over a week. Pay in cash; cards rarely work at sea.
Total budget by destination
Egypt 7 days: $1,200 trip + $600 flights + $300 extras = $2,100. Maldives 7 days: $2,200 + $1,200 + $500 = $3,900. Indonesia 10 days: $2,500 + $1,400 + $600 = $4,500. Galápagos 7 days: $5,500 + $1,500 + $800 = $7,800.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is nitrox worth paying extra for?
Yes if you're doing 3+ dives a day for a week — less fatigue, longer bottom times. ~$100–200 well spent.
Can I pay tips on a card?
Almost never. Bring cash in small denominations (USD or EUR).
Are marine park fees waived for kids?
Sometimes — depends on the country. Galápagos charges full price for ages 12+.
Cheapest liveaboard region?
Egypt Red Sea — best $/dive ratio in the world, plus easy flights from Europe.
Hidden cancellation fees?
Most operators have tiered cancellation (100%/50%/0% refund based on notice). Always read terms before deposit.
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