I love snorkelling and we do this really well on Pindito. Your experience won't be compromised at all. In fact, you're getting one of the best in-water teams in the world.
It's also a reality that some people like to dive ... some snorkellers like to dive too, and visa versa. But it's also understandable you'd be nervous, since few liveaboards can boast the level of flexibility and commitment we can.
This leads to some common questions which I want to address here.
On the whole we have way more snorkelers on trips than divers anyway (the divers usually prefer it that way, as they get to dive in a very small group).
The fewest we've had recently is half and half but it's usually more snorkelers than divers.
The short answer is yes.
Many people have had bad experiences. It isn't because it can't be done, it's because operations are usually poorly-equipped or simply don't give sufficient attention to snorkelling – for some reason some operations see snorkelling as substandard, when in fact, it can be better than diving sometimes!
As someone who does both, I'd say absolutely not! Snorkelers can often see more than divers.
In any case, it's not a competition. Whether snorkelling or diving, everyone sees something a little different. My experience is that on the whole, it levels out over the course of a trip. Plus, we try to put a bit of extra effort in to find things for everyone.
We have been doing this for 12 years longer than any other liveaboard. We hear people saying this compromises the experience but they don't know.
We have never had any complaints from snorkelers. As anyone who has been with us will attest, everyone enjoys individual attention.
Probably our biggest benefit is in having four boats.
Unlike most other boats, who might have a couple of tenders (zodiacs), we have FOUR zodiacs for a maximum of 16 guests. This puts us in a position unlike almost any other vessel.
This means one guide and a zodiac for an average of four to six snorkelers and we rotate our guides among the groups. Our guides are considered among the most experienced in eastern Indonesia and they are also highly trained rescue divers.
The fact we have four boats means we can all leave simultaneously. Most sites are at the same location. When they're not, they are usually a few hundred metres apart but that's fine, as we can run 10 minutes in any direction and we know the reefs intimately. We will put snorkelers in the best places we know, for the conditions (including currents).
Yes, there is always a zodiac with you on watch and guides in the water who are rescue trained. For our older guests we have floats and if necessary, we will make sure a guide remains close. We have a perfect safety record.
If you get tired, you can always raise your arm and the boat can either take you back to the ship, or travel you upcurrent to start drifting again.
We even count everyone off and on the vessel every time you leave.
Another reason we can do this so well is our flexible itineraries. Most dive liveaboards run a strict timeplan where snorkelers have to be in and out according to the dive schedule. This allows no flexibility for conditions.
We don't have that problem as we do fewer dives and pick our sites and times to maximise the experience.
Plus, not
everyone wants to snorkel all of the time either. There is standup paddleboarding,
village or beach visits, which can take one boat away while others snorkel.
By having so much flexibity we can accommodate different interests. Sometimes we finish snorkels with cocktails on the beach. We also offer occasional land excursions which most people will come on ... those who want to stay and snorkel can do that. We will always make sure someone is with you.