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You will be able to access the best diving sites in the Maldives onboard a scuba dive liveaboard. Within our Maldives liveaboard collection, you will find a boat to suit all tastes and budgets. From a simple traditional dhoni design to a purpose-built full-service luxury yacht. As with the island resorts, standards vary on the dive liveaboard so it's important to speak to an expert that is familiar with the great range of boats in the Maldives.
Maldives liveaboard itineraries are just as varied with boats venturing south during the calm seas of the dry season to take advantage of the spectacular shark action in the channels with select boats even based in the deep south. Our aim, as always, is to match the perfect boat and ideal itinerary with your diving requirements and holiday expectations.
You can also take advantage of our extensive knowledge of the Maldives island resorts to add a land-based resort extension either before or after your liveaboard.
A Maldives liveaboard allows you to cover a lot of sea miles and reach remote areas or dive the pick of the region's sites in comfort. The social aspect of a Maldives liveaboard means this kind of holiday is equally suited to solo travellers, couples or groups of dive buddies. A Maldives liveaboard holiday is a fantastic way to meet like-minded divers and you can dive magnificent Maldives dive sites by day and relive the day's adventures back onboard in the shared dining facilities with other guests who have a similar passion for diving
You can combine your Maldives liveaboard with a stay on a Maldives island resort or, with so many options for indirect flights to the Maldives, you can also combine your Maldives liveaboard holiday with a tour of Sri Lanka or a city stopover in the likes of Dubai.
In a single Maldives liveaboard safari you may visit two or three of the Maldives' atolls. Safaris may be 7, 10, 12 or even 14 nights. The route is determined by the season, weather conditions and where the best diving has been in previous days.
Maldives Far North
Take an internal flight north from Male to Hanimaadhoo, the most northerly airport in the Maldives. From here liveaboards can dive Haa Alifu Atoll, Haa Dhaalu Atoll and Shaviyani Atoll as well as Maamakunudhoo Atoll.
Maldives Northern Atolls
Above the Maldives' central atolls lies Lhaviyani Atoll, Raa Atoll, Noonu Atoll and Baa Atoll as well as the smaller Goidhoo Atoll. These Maldives northern atolls can be reached by liveaboards departing Male or via a short internal flight. Baa Atoll is particularly popular for its manta diving so many liveaboard itineraries will include this region, during manta ray season. If travelling from Male, liveaboards have a long channel crossing to negotiate and they will not attempt this if conditions are not favourable.
Maldives Central Atolls
An itinerary sailing the Maldives’ central atolls departs from Male and takes in some, but not all, of the following; North Male and South Male Atolls, Gaafaru Atoll, Felidhue Atoll (aka Vaavu Atoll), Rasdhoo and Ari Atolls.
Maldives Southern Atolls
South of the Maldives' central atolls, the Maldives' south encompasses Meemu Atoll, North and South Nilandhe Atoll (aka Faafu Atoll and Dhaalu Atoll) and the more remote Thaa Atoll and Laamu Atoll. These are occasionally included in a longer duration safari starting in the Maldives central atolls. They are more commonly dived from a liveaboard positioned in one of these atolls with air access to and/or from your liveaboard from Male airport.
Maldives Deep South
Around the Equatorial channel (Addu Kandu) lie the most southerly of the Maldives' atolls. On the northern side is the larger Huvadhoo Atoll while to the south are tiny Foammulah Atoll and Addu Atoll, containing the island of Gan. Diving in the Maldives deep south is about as remote as you'll find, with access by air or an extended one-way safari to or from Male.
For more detail about Maldives diving and Maldives dive seasons visit our Maldives destination page Maldives Dive Holidays or for more background on dive sites around the Maldives Dive Regions
Do keep in mind that even if a particular itinerary is confirmed, travel in the Maldives can involve some long sea passages crossing open channels. Attempting these will be at the discretion of the skipper who will take into account the safety of passengers, crew and vessel, as well as your diving enjoyment.
Q: For a liveaboard in the Maldives what should I bring with me?
For any liveaboard, we recommend that, in addition to your standard dive kit that you have a dive computer. We also recommend a surface marker buoy (SMB) particularly on more remote sites, a torch and your certification card/logbook. Some divers like to use reef hooks for hanging out on channel corners. Policies on this vary so please ask at the time of booking your Maldives liveaboard holiday.
Q: Can I hire dive gear?
Equipment is rarely held on your liveaboard and is normally sourced from a dive shop in Male prior to your arrival. We recommend that you reserve any scuba diving equipment that you would like to rent in advance by notifying us at least seven days before your departure.
Q: I am a newly certified diver, will I be restricted on a liveaboard?
A: Diving in the Maldives is suitable for certified divers of any level, but please be aware that you must stay within your recreational limits. Dive guides may ask less experienced divers to sit out on some dives with extremely strong currents, but this is quite rare.
Q: Is a liveaboard suitable for a non-diver?
A: Although non-divers are always welcome to join liveaboards, there is rarely a price discount. Non-divers can however still enjoy the luxury of the boat, the company of other guests and can of course visit island resorts and deserted sandbars with the others on surface intervals. When conditions permit, non-divers will be taken out by dhoni to snorkel shallow reefs under the supervision of the boat crew.
Q: I am a technical diver, do the boats have facilities for me?
A: Most liveaboards do not have facilities for technical divers and ask all divers to stay within their recreational limits. Some boats do run special tech-dive itineraries in the Maldives, so please enquire with us if you are interested.
Q: What time must my flight arrive by?
A: In order to ensure you do not miss your boat and to minimise the time taken, you must wait for the transfer to your liveaboard. We can coordinate your flights with the liveaboards for you, which you will find very useful with the differing arrival/departure times for the varying boats - so please call us for the latest information.
Q: When I arrive at Male, where will I go?
A: Once you've landed, you will be met by the crew of your boat who will be waiting at the arrivals hall in Male airport - holding a sign with the boat’s name on it. All of this will be explained and provided upon making the booking, along with the relevant local telephone numbers and other vital instructions.
Q: Can I bring/consume alcohol in the Maldives?
A: The Maldives is a Muslim country and alcohol is prohibited. Any alcoholic beverages will be removed from your baggage upon arrival, including duty-free liquor that was purchased in the airport or on the plane. Strict penalties apply. However, alcoholic beverages are available for purchase on board each liveaboard after you have completed your diving for the day.
Q: Will I be able to get off the boat?
A: Most liveaboards will take you by dhoni from time to time to sandbars and island resorts on your surface intervals, to go snorkelling or to sunbathe on the beach. Weather permitting; some liveaboards will take you to an island resort for a beach barbecue on your second to last night on board. You may also have the opportunity to visit the capital city of Male on your last night in the Maldives.
Q: What currency do I use in the Maldives?
A: The official currency of the Maldives is the Rufiyaa. You can use the ATM at the airport or in the capital city of Male, which may work out cheaper than the exchange rates here in the UK. You won’t need to use any cash on board the liveaboard as you can pay for all of your onboard expenses (equipment, drinks, bed tax, etc.) by credit card. Please bring some cash with you (in any currency) to tip the crew and dive guides.
Q: Do I have to pay any extras in resort?
A: Some boats will collect the Maldivian bed tax (roughly $8 per person per night) and/or government service tax (6%) locally. You will be advised at the time of booking if this is or is not included in the price you have already paid.
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