The possibilities are nearly limitless: From completing your advanced open-water ­certification to getting nitrox-certified, there’s no better place to further your dive ­education than on the high seas.

Liveaboards are perfect for taking certification and continuing-­education courses because you can be fully immersed in learning, says Capt. Jay Roberts, assistant operations manager for Aggressor Liveaboards.

“Your instructor is always available to answer questions during the entire training process,” he says.

Offering up to five dives per day, liveaboards present a unique setting to hone skills, adds PADI development executive and instructional designer Karl Shreeves.

“It’s a great way to be on a holiday and learn something but still do some nontraining dives,” he says. “Or apply what you’ve learned with additional dives in that specialty area.”

Specialty certifications — such as Enriched Air Diver — are a good fit for liveaboard learning ­because they usually can be done within a few days.

“If I were to pick a great course to either have or get for liveaboard diving, it’s Enriched Air Diver,” says Shreeves. “You’re doing so much diving, and the use of enriched air gives you so much no-stop dive time.”

Worried about fitting in ­relaxation time between five dives a day and a new certification? Don’t be, says Roberts.

“Learning is at the pace of the student. You can easily skip a day of training or spread out the dives ­during the charter,” he says.

Plus, you’ll most likely do your ­initial study before you board, cutting down on classroom instruction.

On a liveaboard, you can also learn by soaking up tips from your shipmates — chances are, they’ll be avid divers who are happy to share knowledge they’ve gained throughout their ­journeys.

“The thing that is really cool about learning on a dive boat is just the camaraderie,” says Shreeves. “You’re surrounded by people who really like diving, so you’re in an atmosphere that is always conducive to learning.”

Something Special

Book a liveaboard cruise that offers specialty scuba courses or programs.

Photo Workshops: On these types of cruises, world-class underwater photographers offer presentations on improving your photography, give you tips in real time, and review your photos. One example: The Jim Church School of Underwater Photography is available aboard several Aggressor Liveaboards, including the Turks & Caicos Aggressor II humpback whale charter. For details, visit here.

Citizen-Science Itineraries: Contribute to the efforts of scientists by signing up for a trip that depends on its guests to be citizen scientists. Four Seasons Explorer’s Manta Trust Expeditions, in collaboration with the nonprofit Manta Trust, contribute to invaluable data collection on the Indian Ocean’s manta ray population. Email [email protected] for more information.

Gear-Demo Weeks: Are you a gearhead? Gear-demo cruises allow you the chance to get brand-new gear wet. For example, you can dive with the CEO of Aqua Lung while trying out the company’s latest products. Click here for more information.