Honesty, pricing, process and quality scores appear once 5 customers have rated them.
About Explorer Ventures Liveaboard Diving Fleet
Unique Experiences. Exceptional Value. Plan your perfect diving holiday with Explorer Ventures Liveaboard Diving Fleet®! Idyllic destinations, personalized customer service, delectable cuisine, and effortless diving from our custom-designed liveaboard boats. All for an exceptional value! It’s easy to understand why divers return time and time again - the very best liveaboard scuba diving trips! After 35 years in service, we have had time to perfect our scuba diving packages. We offer carefully curated liveaboard diving experiences for unbeatable value. We make it easy to access out-of-the-way diving destinations on our fleet’s all-inclusive liveaboards, bringing you a mere giant stride away from the world’s best dive sites. Packages include accommodation, meals and beverages, up to 27 dives (including night dives), dive shop services, and more. Arrive onboard, unpack your gear once, then dive, dive, dive! Choose from 7 world-class diving destinations including Palau, Red Sea, Maldives, Northeastern Caribbean (Saba/St. Kitts), Turks & Caicos Islands, Galapagos Islands, and Indonesia. The vessel M/V Turks & Caicos Explorer II also spends 10 weeks each year offering snorkeling with Humpback Whales on the Silver Bank, Dominican Republic. Our liveaboard fleet includes:Black Pearl ExplorerCaribbean Explorer II Turks & Caicos Explorer IIHumboldt ExplorerTiburon Explorer Emperor Explorer Grand Sea ExplorerBlue Manta Explorer White Manta ExplorerStart planning your diving vacation, we're waiting for your call!
Explorer Ventures Liveaboard Diving Fleet (explorerventures.com) has 643 customer reviews on Folks Told, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5.
The boat and crew was great, with the one exception that they were exactly sticking to an itinerary that did not work at all for this trip.
It could however be that park regulations did not allow them to do otherwise.
We had very bad luck with the conditions, as in addition to a strong el niño there was also rather rough sea causing very bad visibilty.
We really saw nothing on this trip, absolutely not worth the money.
Reply from Explorer Ventures Liveaboard Diving FleetAug 12, 2026
Hi Hannes, Thank you for recognizing the Humboldt Explorer and crew. We're pleased to hear they made a positive impression on your trip!
Regarding the itinerary, your assumption is correct. All dive liveaboards in Galápagos operate on fixed itineraries established by the Galápagos National Park. These schedules are carefully coordinated across all vessels in the area to help protect the islands and manage visitor impact, so there isn't flexibility to deviate from the assigned route.
Sea conditions, visibility, and marine life encounters are all natural variables that can change significantly from day to day and month to month. Broader ocean and weather patterns can also influence diving, like in most regions.
Galápagos consistently offers remarkable marine life encounters that make diving here so special — from schools of hammerheads and graceful eagle rays to playful sea lions, sea turtles, and even the occasional whale shark and mola mola.
While natural variables are beyond anyone's control, the crew's priority is always to operate safely while delivering the best possible experience within the parameters established by the National Park.
Thank you for sharing your experience. We appreciate your recognition of the vessel and crew and wish you many memorable dives ahead.
KD
Kim D.
The boat is in need of a vacation of its own
The boat is in need of a vacation. The time to renew it. It is worn and tattered. The beds are hard as a rock, but the rooms were clean and tidy. I felt that the crew should listen more to the customers when they express their wants on dives. We asked for particular diving and were taken only to the larger sites with 20 other boats, and never to the shallower sites after two deep dives to look for smaller species. All other liveaboards we have experienced, at least 5, have 4 dives per day and one night die on the trip. This one had lots of downtime and the boat move very very little. From Port, to a short distance behind a reef where you couldn't see port. Very little time was saved from the other option of land based dive shops. And last, all other liveaboards we have used, beer and wine were free. Yours were like paying for a drink at the airport. $8.00 for a beer $10.00 for a small glass of wine. $4.00 for a coke and $15.00 for a mixed drink. Lots of down time to lay on the tattered cushions, and after the cost of the liveaboard, sure hated to spend another $300 on sodas and wine. Not many perks while on your boat. Just a little disappointed in the experience with your liveaboard over all.
Reply from Explorer Ventures Liveaboard Diving FleetMar 31, 2026
Hi Kim, Thank you for taking the time to share about your time aboard the Black Pearl Explorer. We're glad to hear you found the cabins clean and tidy, and we appreciate you outlining your experience.
While details on dive operations and what to expect are provided in advance through our website and pre-trip materials, we understand that each guest comes with their own preferences and expectations. Dive plans and site selection in Palau are shaped by conditions, safety, and logistics, with a focus on accessing the area’s unique sites, which can influence how each day is structured.
In the same way, the dive schedule is built around those factors. And it’s important to note that many of the sites in Palau are on the deeper side, so the number of dives per day is planned accordingly with safety in mind.
Inclusions and onboard pricing are also outlined ahead of time. While offerings can vary across liveaboards, operating in a remote region does come with added challenges when it comes to sourcing certain items.
We appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts and experience with us and have passed your comments along to the team. Thank you and happy diving!
DA
Dan
Turks and Caicos Explorer II Review 2025: 2 stars
Overall, I would rate this trip 2 out of 5 stars. However, if I were to separate the different aspects, I would rate the crew 4 out of 5 stars and the boat 1 out of 5 stars. The term "Live-A-Board" is not a fair description and should be better aligned with a basic scuba day boat with rooms.
Crew: The crew was friendly, courteous, and treated guests exceptionally well. The food was the best amenity on the boat. Meals were well-prepared, themed each day, and featured amazing flavors and options. The chef was exceptional and received nothing but positive feedback about his culinary skills. Thanks, Miguel, for being the best part of the trip.
Boat: The boat is very outdated, poorly organized, and has almost no space for your stuff. The bathroom size was almost identical to those found on an airplane, and after a week, even the most basic functionality was a challenge. There was very little storage, making it difficult to keep personal items organized. The sewer system had issues and many times a day, the toilet wouldn't flush. We were told to wait 4-10 minutes while the tank was pumping to flush. Not convenient when you just used the toilet and now have to wait 10 min to leave the restroom, and this happened several times a day. The beds felt almost as old as the boat and were not comfortable.
Dive Schedule: The dive schedule had no flexibility, and getting into the water at certain times felt forced. Our trip was chartered fully by the same dive shop, and each day was like being on a one-day dive boat. This was my ninth live-aboard, and the structure made this by far the worst one to date, which I absolutely loved every past live-aboard to set the bar. We stayed at the same dive spot all day, and it was not possible to explore the Turks as a live-aboard should allow. The purpose of paying a lot of money for a live-aboard is to vacation, have flexibility, tour unreachable areas, and relax. Most dive spots had day boats at it and didn't feel very "exclusive".
Boat Design: The boat design caused the boat to drift 180 degrees every few minutes. Whenever you were coming up on the safety stop, the boat would disappear, and you would be 300-400 feet away and need to surface swim. We were told it was due to some heavy front-end design, but never had to chase any other boat as much as this one.
Conclusion: I would never recommend this boat to anyone who wants to experience a true live-aboard. The boat’s conditions, lack of comfort, inflexible, aggressive schedule, and lack of basic amenities make this a 1 out of 5 experience and is basically just a day dive boat that stays out for a week. My only positive comment would be the crew and the food. Other live-aboards work to keep you entertained. If there’s an island or beach that’s uninhabited and you wanted to go see it, the boat would entertain trying to make things fun, but any suggestion beyond their strict 5 dives a day schedule was met with a firm "no", which aligns with a structured day boat.
Reply from Explorer Ventures Liveaboard Diving FleetApr 29, 2025
Hello Dan, Thank you for sharing your feedback. We're pleased to hear that you found the crew friendly and professional, and that you enjoyed the meals prepared by Chef Miguel—he is truly a standout member of our team and consistently receives high praise from guests.
As a liveaboard vessel, the Turks & Caicos Explorer II offers accommodations, storage, and marine systems typical for this style of dive travel. While cabin space and amenities are naturally more compact compared to land-based operations, they are designed to balance comfort with the needs of an active dive itinerary. As with all vessels, the marine head system operates differently from land-based plumbing, and occasional pauses while the tanks cycle are a normal part of onboard operations.
Regarding the dive schedule, to maintain the anticipated five dives per day, a structured dive plan is necessary. Private customization of the itinerary is available through full-boat charters; otherwise, the schedule is set to ensure safety, appropriate surface intervals, and consistency and quality for all guests on board.
The Turks & Caicos Explorer II may swing while moored, which is not unusual for vessels of this size. For this reason, prior to each dive, the crew includes in the safety briefing that divers should remain at their safety stop if the boat drifts from overhead; the vessel naturally returns to position within about a minute, eliminating the need to surface swim.
We understand that personal preferences vary when it comes to dive travel and liveaboard experiences, and we appreciate your recognition of our wonderful crew and culinary team. We wish you the best in your future dive adventures.
Sincerely,
Explorer Ventures Fleet
CA
carol A.
Humbolt is a very old boat
Humbolt is a very old boat. The food is adequate. the staff is very good and diving great. the boat is not worth the money we paid.
Reply from Explorer Ventures Liveaboard Diving FleetOct 23, 2024
Hello Carol, Thank you for sharing your experience aboard the Humboldt Explorer. We appreciate your feedback and are pleased to hear that you found the staff and diving to be great! Our team takes pride in delivering excellent service, and it's wonderful that their hard work made a positive impact on your trip.
Regarding the price, we understand that it can feel higher compared to other destinations like Indonesia or the Philippines. However, the Galapagos Islands are a unique and protected environment, and operating in this remote area comes with significantly higher costs due to environmental fees, regulations, and the overall expense of maintaining a vessel in such a delicate ecosystem.
That said, we continually work to maintain and improve the Humboldt Explorer. In fact, she is scheduled for dry dock in early 2025, and your feedback about the boat has been noted. We value your input and are glad that the incredible diving experiences and our team’s dedicated service made your trip enjoyable. Thank you again, and we wish you happy diving!
SA
Seana A.
Several of us got food poisoning from…
Several of us got food poisoning from the unrefrigerated milk. I was so sick I couldn’t do even half the dives.
There was no medication on the boat and five of us missed at least a day of dives due to the intestinal problems
Reply from Explorer Ventures Liveaboard Diving FleetSep 20, 2023
Hi Seana, we're sorry to hear you didn't have a fully positive experience. We take all comments seriously and appreciate your feedback. We've reviewed it with both our Galapagos operations manager and guests who were aboard Humboldt Explorer during your trip. Galley staff have also confirmed that they followed safe food handling standards. Regarding your comments, we find it necessary to point out that all milk in the Galapagos Islands comes in shelf stable cartons that do not require refrigeration. As for your illness, after speaking with other guests and the crew, we believe someone may have brought a virus on board the week you were traveling with us. We are also unable to prescribe or provide prescription medications on board for safety and legal reasons. We apologize for any inconvenience or frustration you may have experienced because of this. Please feel free to contact us directly at [email protected] if you have any more feedback or questions.
RO
Rob
The cabin was full of cockroaches
The cabin was full of cockroaches. The dives and food are great.
Humboldtexplorer from 28-8-2023 to 4-9-2023
Reply from Explorer Ventures Liveaboard Diving FleetSep 19, 2023
Hi Rob, we always aim to deliver a great experience, and we are sorry there was this issue while you were onboard. Thanks for taking the time to bring this to our attention. Unfortunately this happens from time to time in tropical destinations. The room has been fumigated, and all appropriate measures taken to resolve it. You may reach us anytime at [email protected] with any further comments. Again, thank you for your feedback! We hope to dive with you again one day.
MB
mario B.
A lot was promissed but few delivered
A lot was promissed but few delivered. The ship is not as New as described. Addvertsing pictures too hold then doesn't reflect the reality.
If you pay for quality, then , quality should be the target of the local team . This wasn’t the case
I’m not satisfied at all.
Reply from Explorer Ventures Liveaboard Diving FleetApr 16, 2022
Hi Mario, we're sorry to hear you were less than satisfied with your trip on Tiburon Explorer in Galapagos. We pride ourselves on the high-quality standards we maintain, so this is very surprising to hear. Especially given the other 5-star reviews we have received from the week you were on board. Tiburon Explorer is a newly built liveaboard, less than 2 years old (launched in late 2020) and it consistently receives positive remarks for its service and amenities. You have also indicated that our images don't match the quality provided, however, our marketing photos (and Tiburon Explorer videos on YouTube) were just taken 2 months prior to your boarding date - so we are not sure which images you are referring to. We strive to ensure each guest walks away with a great liveaboard experience, so we are dishearted that the holiday didn't meet your expectations.
PL
Pamela L.
It was a shock to find out Explorer…
It was a shock to find out Explorer Ventures did not own the ship and that the diving experience was actually run by a subcontractor of sorts. This led to a lot of confusion and made the initial transfer to the ship needlessly complicated.
Reply from Explorer Ventures Liveaboard Diving FleetOct 6, 2021
Hi Pamela, thank you for bringing this to our attention. When dealing with the complexities and requirements of operating in a destination such as Egypt, local ownership and management is a necessity. Before we partner with local owners (and vessels) we conduct a rigorous approval process to ensure quality trips, and this includes enhanced safety standards and package inclusions not common in the Red Sea. We also try to be clear in our pre-trip information - Explorer Ventures is a booking agent for the Red Sea itineraries. However, we understand the volume of information is high and this can be easy to miss. We will strive to do better so there are no future surprises. We hope that this confusion didn't adversely affect your trip!
