Can non-divers or snorkellers join a liveaboard?

Usually yes, often at a reduced rate. Snorkellers do well in the Maldives, Raja Ampat and Egypt; expedition boats with strong current are a poor fit.

Most operators accept non-diving partners, and many charge a reduced rate of roughly 70 to 85 percent of the diver price, since the meals, cabin and crew service are the same. What differs is how much there is to do between dives.

Destinations that work well for snorkellers: the Maldives, where manta and whale shark encounters happen at the surface; Raja Ampat, with shallow coral gardens and island walks; Egypt, with calm reef tops and beach stops; and Indonesian itineraries that include village visits, Komodo dragon treks or volcano hikes. Boats with tenders will usually drop snorkellers over the shallow part of the same site the divers are on.

Destinations that do not work well: Galápagos, Socorro, Cocos and Malpelo. These are deep, cold, current-swept sites with pelagic action far below the surface, and non-divers spend most of the week on board.

Practical points to confirm before booking: whether snorkelling is guided or free, whether tender drops are included, whether there is deck space and shade for long surface days, and whether the boat has Wi-Fi for a partner who plans to work. We can check each of these against a specific departure for you.