Divencounters Alliance

Founded in early 2011 by Peter A. Hughes, with four plus decades of experience in the Recreational Dive Industry, our Mission Statement is simple: To provide a reliable, professional and safe live-aboard scuba experience ensuring your vacation leaves nothing to be desired and meets or exceeds your every expectation, making us your obvious first choice for the very best live-aboard scuba experience available in the world today!

The structure of the Alliance allows for the carefully crafted, tried & true operational protocols of the independent owners/operators of each vessel to remain in effect and does not attempt to initiate or enforce “franchise” style standards upon Alliance partner vessels.

All Alliance partners are carefully vetted & selected before inclusion and we will never claim to be “the largest in the world” but simply “the best in the world”, providing you with an unforgettable scuba experience in four of the world’s most exciting dive destinations:

Alliance Partners

• Galapagos Sky
  The M/V Galapagos Sky (formerly the M/V Sky Dancer) is a 33m luxury live-aboard yacht cruising and exploring the Galapagos Islands. The vessel was designed by a team of naval architects in close collusion with Peter A. Hughes and built by current owner Santiago Dunn in 2000 to meet and exceed all maritime standards. Launched in 2001, the M/V Galapagos Sky features one of the most experienced crew of any Galapagos live-aboard. Accommodations include eight private luxury cabins with full en-suite services including private head/shower, ample storage space, bathrobes, and biodegradable marine safe toiletries, hair dryers etc and spacious lounge and dining areas are also featured. Since all dives in the Galapagos Islands are current or drift dives, the vessel also features two 20 ft. inflatable tenders with experienced operators and Divemasters. Besides being a luxury live-aboard visiting the diving legends of Wolf and Darwin Islands on every trip, the M/V Galapagos Sky also prides itself on additional luxury amenities not found on many live-aboards.
• MV Orion
  Newly christened in 2009, the M/V Orion is 135 ft / 41 m of dedicated luxury live-aboard, regularly cruising the pristine waters of the Maldives.Due to the unique geography of the Maldives (islands, atolls, channels), most of the diving is done from our own 45 foot diving tender (locally called a Dhoni). This allows us access to the very best diving sites with minimal environmental impact. Your dive gear is stored on the Dhoni, allowing the full 135 ft. of the M/V Orion to be dedicated to guest comfort. You’ll find large and luxurious lounges, dining areas and spacious cabins with plasma TV’s. The M/V Orion features twin bed, double bed, plus junior and master suite configurations and all cabins are fully equipped with in-suite bath amenities. 24 hour concierge service is also provided to attend to your every need.
• MV Solmar V
  The Solmar V was the first live-aboard to run regularly scheduled trips to the Socorro Islands, beginning in 1992. This 112 ft. / 34 m vessel has consistently been upgraded to maintain the highest possible level of live-aboard excellence. With 12 cabins the Solmar V cruises with 22 passengers and a crew of 10. The boat is air-conditioned throughout with private shower/head, tv/dvd, pillowtop mattresses and down pillows in every stateroom. We run redundant backup systems in all departments so you never miss a dive due to equipment issues. Diving is done from the very spacious dive deck and swim/dive platform or from one of our rugged 21’ Achiles inflatables when diving with drifts or currents. Our crew, many of whom have been with us since the early days, are without a doubt the most experienced crew operating in these waters and considered experts in local conditions and weather. We consistently deliver the best possible diving on all our cruises. Expect well polished mahogany and brass highlights in all of our cabins and public areas, excellent food by Chef Tony, and incredible service! What you won’t see is all of the state-of-the art technology (satelite communications, side scan sonars, multiple radars, titanium nitrox membrane system, redundant generators, hull stabilizers, hot & cold freshwater systems,) that support every luxury cruise.
• WAOW
  Waow is a traditional 58m sailing vessel, constructed entirely from Indonesian iron wood using traditional methods. Her grandeur will evoke feelings of the Southern Seas, liberty, adventure, comfort, quality and style. The vessel has been rigged as a classic “Topsail Schooner” with three 132’/40m steel masts carrying 9,900 sq. ft/ 920 sq. m of sail and with twin 550 HP marine diesel engines in addition to the sailing capabilities, M S/V Waow will be able to sail, motor-sail or motor comfortably around the Indonesian Archipelago depending on the prevailing weather conditions. The service and amenities aboard the M S/V Waow in keeping with the vessel, are of course, five star. Accommodations include nine luxury staterooms with en-suite facilities, in-house movie & entertainment systems with in-room internet connection via satellite. There are six deluxe staterooms (247 sq. ft/23 sq. m) on the Lower Deck, two superior staterooms (226 sq. ft/21 sq. m) located on the aft Main Deck with furnished balconies and one magnificent master suite (484 sq. ft/45 sq. m) on the upper deck also with furnished balcony (323 sq. ft/30 sq. m) providing additional private space for pre/post dive relaxation. The spacious and well appointed lounge & dining salon are located midship on the Main Deck with full service bar and restaurant. Additional features include state of the art dive facilities, multimedia equipment, satellite communications featuring Wi-Fi internet and phone, spacious dining and lounge areas, sun decks, dedicated photographic room, three comfortable dive tenders and a full service bar and restaurant. With a selection of dream destinations, M S/V Waow sets a new standard in luxury live-aboard dive cruising.

Why Dive With Us?

You’re probably wondering how the DiveEncounters Alliance benefits you. Here are some indirect and direct benefits we believe are important for you to consider…

The Alliance receives zero commissions/fees from Alliance partners; allowing our individual partners to retain a far greater percentage of the monies paid than do the owners/operators of vessels affiliated with the large “franchise” live-aboard fleets operating today. This helps ensure the high level of maintenance, staffing and quality service you should expect for your hard earned dive dollars.

The not for profit formula of the Alliance, “putting people before profit” allows for greater & broader marketing efforts on behalf of Alliance partner vessels and all such efforts in turn, drive all inquiries directly back to the independently owned Sales Offices of the individual Alliance partners.

All Alliance partners would like to thank our guests for your loyalty and we are proud to offer you the following Alliance Awards...

Please Note: Guests must provide DivEncounters Alliance Partners proof of confirmed travel aboard another Alliance vessel having commenced after March 15th 2011 and within 18 months of travel date in order to qualify. Awards are non-transferable and can not be combined with any other discounts or specials. Room upgrades are space available and hotel accommodations are one night only at designated hotel and based on double occupancy. $50 credit can not be used for tipping.