Odyssey Liveaboard Overview

DIVEIN contributor Rebecca Strauss taking a selfie near a city canal
By
Yvonne Press
Contributor at DIVEIN.com
Yvonne is a TDI instructor trainer and rebreather instructor with more than two decades of diving experience. After learning to dive on the Great Barrier Reef,...
Rebecca Strauss
DIVEIN contributor Rebecca Strauss taking a selfie near a city canal
Editor at DIVEIN.com
Rebecca has been an avid traveler and scuba diver for many years. She began her editorial career by updating travel guides, which took her all over...
Odyssey liveaboard dive boat at anchor under a cloudy sky
The Odyssey started life more than 40 years ago as a small cruise ship in Fiji, but was refitted completely most recently in 2018.
Camera and dive gear storage shelves on the Odyssey liveaboard's deck
There's plenty of room for gear on the dive deck, from technical setups to recreational gear.
Cabin with purple bedding and an ensuite bathroom aboard the Odyssey liveaboard
All lower-deck staterooms feature a large king-size bed that can be converted to two twin beds for sharing a stateroom.
Crew member grilling skewers on deck aboard the Odyssey liveaboard
Fresh seafood and tasty BBQ meals are prepared right on board and followed by indulgent desserts.
Wooden bar with a clock and wine glasses aboard the Odyssey liveaboard
Fitted out with Fijian teak tables and a wet bar made from coconut wood, the dining area also features two window walls.
Bunk cabin with an ensuite bathroom and window aboard the Odyssey liveaboard
The Odyssey offers nine staterooms, all of which are equipped with air conditioning, ensuite toilets, showers, and sinks.
Guests relaxing in deck chairs on the Odyssey liveaboard at sunset
Take in the sunset from the open deck after a full day of diving into WWII history.
Diver's torch beam illuminating a shipwreck hull in dark water
That means there is a good chance you and your buddy will have a wreck to yourself.
Diver examining vivid soft coral on a reef wall
Many of the wrecks are home to coral gardens and attract reef sharks, eagle rays, and schooling jacks.
Sunken military trucks resting inside a wreck, encrusted with growth
Vessels came to deliver ammunition, vehicles, and even tanks to the Japanese fleet, which you can still see today.

Do you love wrecks? If yes, then Truk Lagoon (also called Chuuk) needs to be on your list to experience world-class wreck diving. Even if you prefer to see marine life, this is an exciting destination. Many of the wrecks are home to coral gardens and attract reef sharks, eagle rays, and schooling jacks.

But how did more than 50 wrecks come to be in this small lagoon? During WWII, this natural harbor was used as a staging post by the Japanese Navy. In February 1944, following an attack by U.S. forces, dozens of their ships went down. Called Operation Hailstone, the attack is largely considered the United States’ answer to the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Choosing the Odyssey as your liveaboard provider allows you to explore several shipwrecks each day comfortably and safely. With wrecks lying in depths ranging from 20 to well below 200 feet (6 to 60+ m), this is a destination for recreational and technical divers alike, and the Odyssey welcomes both. Nine spacious staterooms accommodate up to 16 divers, and there are two cabins dedicated to single travelers. Want to know more?

Read on for our review of the Odyssey liveaboard. 

About this overview

To help you decide whether this liveaboard fits your dive style, budget, and comfort needs, we’ve researched the boat, itinerary, onboard experience, diving setup, and overall value.
We review liveaboards based on the details that matter most during a multi-day dive trip, including cabins, food, crew support, dive operations, safety, route quality, and how the boat compares with similar options in the destination.

Recommended in: Liveaboards in Philippines

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

Diving on the Odyssey

Sunken military trucks resting inside a wreck, encrusted with growth
Scuba tanks and gear staged on the Odyssey liveaboard's dive deck
Diver's torch beam illuminating a shipwreck hull in dark water
Diver examining vivid soft coral on a reef wall

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

Sun deck loungers and a barbecue grill on the Odyssey liveaboard's top deck
Twin cabin with blue bedding and a wall painting aboard the Odyssey liveaboard
Lounge with dining table, sofas and TVs aboard the Odyssey liveaboard
Guests relaxing in deck chairs on the Odyssey liveaboard at sunset

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

Bar and dining tables set for breakfast aboard the Odyssey liveaboard
Formal dining room with round tables set for dinner aboard the Odyssey liveaboard
Platter of grilled lobster tails with lime wedges served aboard the Odyssey liveaboard

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
Rental equip: Yes ($)
Camera station: Yes
Internet: No
Min logged dives: No minimum
Nitrox: Yes (free)
Aircon: Yes
Trip length: 5-7 Nights
Price range: Mid-range
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