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Diving on the Odyssey liveaboard
Diving from the Odyssey liveaboard is all about experiencing WWII history first-hand. Aside from battleships and destroyers, there are plane wrecks and large merchant ships here, some of which are over 500 feet (150 m) long. Those vessels came to deliver ammunition, vehicles, and even tanks to the Japanese fleet, which you can still see today.
Most of the diving starts directly from the main liveaboard while the boat is moored over the dive site. Divers prepare and store their equipment on a spacious dive deck, where tanks are filled directly in their place. Air or nitrox is included in the cruise booking.
Once buddy teams are ready, they walk a few steps to the dive platform and start their dive together with a divemaster. Because of the close proximity of dive sites within the lagoon, there is rarely a rush for everyone to dive at the same time. That means there is a good chance you and your buddy will have a wreck to yourself.
When you’ve finished your dive, you board the Odyssey in complete comfort via a diver lift, especially useful for tech divers who don’t want to lift heavy gear after a long decompression dive. There are equipment rinse tanks and dedicated camera rinse tanks for photographers. The Odyssey also has a large, sturdy table for photographers to care for their equipment.
While diving schedules can vary, recreational divers can generally complete two dives before lunch, one dive after lunch, and another dive in the late afternoon. Technical divers will generally complete one or a maximum of two dives per day.
Highlights:
- Once-in-a-lifetime wreck diving in a tropical location
- Nitrox included in the cruise price
- Diver lift makes it easy to get back on the boat
- Tech-diver friendly
Onboard the Odyssey
The Odyssey started life more than 40 years ago as a small cruise ship in Fiji. Since then, it was completely refitted in 1999, with an upgrade to staterooms, common areas, and diving facilities to meet the demands of discerning divers. The boat’s last refit was done in 2018.
Today, the Odyssey offers nine staterooms, all of which are equipped with air conditioning, ensuite toilets, showers, and sinks. Depending on their location, all have natural light through windows or sizable portholes.
Four of the staterooms are located on the main deck and the remaining five are on the lower deck. All lower-deck staterooms feature a large king-size bed that can be converted to two twin beds for sharing a stateroom.
On the main deck, there are two more double/twin staterooms as well as two smaller single staterooms, still large enough to accommodate one diver comfortably. All cabins are cleaned daily, making sure you stay comfortable throughout your journey into history.
When divers are not in the water or their cabins, they can choose from two communal areas to relax. The comfortable entertainment lounge is a great place for watching a movie or reading a book. It also features a desk space for guests to work on their images. There’s also a sizable library and a boutique.
If you prefer to spend your time outdoors, taking in the views around the lagoon, simply head to the sundeck. There are sun loungers here, and you’ll have a choice of sunny and shady spaces to kick back, relax, and relive the adventures of the day.
Highlights:
- Single traveler-friendly with two dedicated single-use staterooms
- Comfortable lounge space and sun deck perfect for relaxing
Dining on the Odyssey
The Odyssey’s dining room is perhaps the most stunning space on this liveaboard. Fitted out with Fijian teak tables and a wet bar made from coconut wood, the dining area also features two window walls, allowing divers to take in sunset views or simply watch the sea as they enjoy their meals. The dining salon has AC, too, allowing guests to dine comfortably even on very hot days.
The Odyssey liveaboard culinary team serves all meals buffet-style to create a more relaxed atmosphere. Mornings start with a hot breakfast, but divers can also opt for a selection of cereals, toast, juices, and fresh fruit. A delicious lunch is usually served after two morning dives, and snacks are available all day.
Aside from diving, dinners are arguably the highlight of a day on the Odyssey. Think fresh seafood and tasty BBQ meals prepared right on board and followed by indulgent desserts.
The team is happy to cater to dietary restrictions, but as this liveaboard is based in one of the most remote areas in the world, it’s extremely important to let the operators know your requirements ahead of time.
Highlights:
- Stunning dining room furnished with teak and coconut wood
- BBQ-style dinners
- Indulgent desserts
Things we like:
- Built for divers and recently refitted
- Nitrox included in the cruise price
- Wide choice of wrecks and individual dive times
Things we don't like:
- No separate camera room
Key Facts
| Year Built | 1978 |
| Max Divers | 16 |
| Price Range | Mid-range |
| Trip Length | 5-7 Nights |
| Internet | No |
| Nitrox | Yes (free) |
| Equipment Rental | Yes ($) |
| Camera Station | Yes |
| Air Conditioning | Yes |
| Min. Logged Dives | No minimum |
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