Introduction
The Maldives is renowned for hosting some of the world’s most exceptional scuba diving experiences, boasting a diverse range of destinations. To truly immerse oneself in the underwater marvels of the Maldives, a liveaboard boat adventure among its 1,192 islands is unparalleled. The crystal-clear waters of the Maldives play host to a spectacular array of marine life, including mantas, whale sharks, reef sharks, as well as captivating creatures like brilliant flatworms and elusive ghost pipefish, hidden amidst wrecks, coral gardens, channels, and pinnacles. The liveaboard options in the Maldives cater to a wide range of preferences and budgets.
Maldives liveaboards offer enticing itineraries covering renowned dive sites such as North Male Atoll, Ari Atoll, Baa Atoll, Hanifaru Bay, Rasdhoo, and many more. Additionally, these expeditions extend to remote atolls in the far north and south, where encountering another liveaboard is a rarity.
For those seeking the epitome of diving holidays, we present a curated selection of the most popular liveaboards in the Maldives. Explore the best of the best as you plan your next underwater adventure in this tropical paradise.
1. Scubaspa Yang, Maldives: Experience Luxury and Excellence
Features:
🏆 Winner of the South Asian Travel Awards Leading Liveaboard 2016–2018
🧘 On-board yoga and an Asian-style spa for the ultimate floating relaxation
🍖 Indulge in a mouth-watering BBQ on an uninhabited white sandbank, followed by lagoon snorkelling
🐠 Witness incredible marine diversity, including mantas, whale sharks, hammerheads, reefs, and guitar sharks.
Embark on an unforgettable dive holiday in the Maldives with the 50m Scubaspa Yang Liveaboard, the proud sister vessel of Scubaspa Ying. Offering year-round dive liveaboard trips, the Scubaspa Yang ensures a lasting impression. Dive into the spectacular Maldivian waters with experienced guides and a dedicated dive dhoni for seamless exploration. Accompanied by five skilled dive instructors/divemasters, your safety and enjoyment are paramount. As an authorized PADI 5-star dive resort, luxury meets adventure on the Scubaspa Yang.
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2. Emperor Serenity -Luxurious Dive Experience
Features:
🌟 Contemporary, sleek five-star Maldivian liveaboard
🛌 High-quality accommodation with spacious living
🚤 All diving from the dhoni for easy access to incredible reefs, soft corals, thilas, and breathtaking drift dives in kandus
🌊 Diverse itineraries covering North & South Ari, South Male, Vaavu, North Male & the “wild south”
🦈 Maximizing chances to encounter mantas, whale sharks, hammerheads, reef sharks, and guitar sharks
🤿 Divers enjoy free nitrox, rebreather-friendly crew and boat
🏝️ Non-divers receive free snorkelling kit and a $50 onboard voucher
Discover the epitome of liveaboard luxury with Emperor Serenity, the latest addition to the liveaboard Dive World. This sleek 40m vessel offers year-round diving to the fantastic dive sites of the Maldives. With 13 well-appointed en-suite, air-conditioned cabins accommodating up to 26 guests, Emperor Serenity ensures a combination of comfort and spectacular underwater adventures.
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3. Carpe Diem: An Ultimate Dive Retreat
Features:
🌟 Awarded “Leading Liveaboard Brand 2016” for two consecutive years
🛌 Luxurious accommodation with spacious living on a custom-built, sleek wooden boat
🚤 Dive straight from the dhoni for seamless access to stunning reefs, soft corals, thilas, and exhilarating drift dives in kandus
🌊 Diverse itineraries explore North & South Ari, South Male, Vaavu, North Male, and the captivating “wild south”
🦈 Maximize your chances of encounters with mantas, whale sharks, hammerheads, reef sharks, and guitar sharks
🤿 Divers enjoy complimentary nitrox, a rebreather-friendly crew and boat
🏝️ Non-divers receive a complimentary snorkelling kit and a $50 onboard voucher
Embark on a lavish liveaboard experience with Carpe Diem, an exquisite vessel crafted by its owner. Offering year-round diving adventures in the Central Maldives, this 35m yacht, a sister ship to Carpe Vita and Carpe Novo, promises superior service and quality. With 10 cabins spread across three decks, accommodating up to 20 guests, each featuring individual climate control and en suite bathrooms, Carpe Diem ensures a perfect blend of comfort and awe-inspiring underwater escapades. The salon and lounge area, equipped with a flat-screen TV and entertainment system, complement three stunning decks where guests can unwind and relish breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean. Revel in semi-buffet style meals prepared by a fine dining chef in the open-air dining and bar area at the back of the boat.
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4. Maldives Aggressor II: Experience Diving with Excellence
Features:
🛥️ A world-class yacht by the renowned global Aggressor brand, offering year-round stunning diving trips
🌊 Itineraries encompass the best of Maldivian dive diversity, featuring kandu drift dives, mesmerizing reefs and soft corals, thila strong currents, manta cleaning stations, and sites frequented by reef and guitar sharks
🤿 Up to four exhilarating dives daily, including spectacular night dives, supported by a spacious dive platform, personal gear lockers, three camera tables, and two freshwater showers
🌅 Unwind post-dive on a large, partially-shaded sun deck with bar service, indulging in an onboard menu blending American fare with local cuisine; complimentary soft drinks, iced tea, beer, and wine throughout your trip
Embark on a diving odyssey aboard the M/V Maldives Aggressor II, a 41m world-class liveaboard yacht offering year-round diving cruises in the stunning Maldives Atolls. Dive into turquoise waters teeming with marine life, from groupers, snappers, and surgeonfish to eels, parrotfish, Napoleon wrasse, barracuda, sweetlips, sharks, and rays. With up to four action-packed dives daily, including captivating night dives, the Maldives Aggressor II provides diving amenities such as a large swim platform, personal gear lockers, air/nitrox fill stations, rinse tanks, a three-tier camera table with low-pressure air hoses, and two warm freshwater showers.
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5. Immerse in Underwater Luxury with MV Carpe Novo
Features:
🦈 Encounter sleeping white tip reef sharks by day and witness their hunting prowess on night dives, all from the comfort of this luxury yacht with hotel-style cabins
🚤 Dives conducted from a 60 ft custom-built dhoni, featuring camera and wetsuit rinse tanks, a bathroom, and compressors for stress-free diving
🌊 Easily access the water for a refreshing dip via in-water ladders on the swim platform when the boat is anchored
🔥 One evening, enjoy a special BBQ feast prepared by the crew on a deserted beach, surrounded by the soothing sounds of the ocean
🦑 MV Carpe Novo offers manta-focused itineraries, catering to enthusiasts of these charismatic creatures
The newly built 43m MV Carpe Novo joins sister ships Carpe Vita and Carpe Diem, delivering extraordinary diving experiences in the Maldives. With 12 cabins, each equipped with a TV/HD player, AC, storage space, and en-suite bathrooms, the yacht accommodates a maximum of 22 guests. On the main deck, the inviting indoor lounge features a large flat-screen TV, entertainment system, and a library, while the forward area offers a comfortable outdoor shaded seating space. The upper deck hosts an al-fresco dining area where guests are served delicious meals and a fully stocked bar. For additional relaxation, the partially shaded sundeck provides an ideal spot to enjoy the breathtaking Maldivian scenery aboard MV Carpe Novo.
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6. Azalea Yacht – Luxury Unleashed
Features:
🛳️ Spacious and stylish liveaboard, a true floating resort that sets high-end hotel standards at sea
🌊 Cruises the central atolls of the Maldives, hailed as the world’s best dive location by many enthusiasts
🎉 Offers a diverse range of activities for both divers and non-divers, ensuring an enriching experience for all
🍷 Indulge in a deluxe wine and dine experience against the backdrop of breathtaking ocean views
🦈 Spot Whale Sharks, Mantas, Hammerheads, and various shark species in their natural habitat
🌅 Unwind in the hot tub as you bask in the beauty of the Maldivian seascape
Discover the allure of the beautiful 38m Azalea yacht, providing year-round diving experiences at some of the finest dive and snorkel sites in the Maldives. With a maximum capacity of 16 guests, Azalea combines tasteful decoration with comfort and luxury. The 9 cabins, including 6 Superior, 2 Ocean View Jr, and 1 Ocean View-Master, feature modern fixtures, luxurious amenities, individually controlled AC, en-suite bathrooms, and ample storage space. The Jr. & Master suites offer Queen/King size beds adorned with the finest Egyptian linen and stunning sea views. The Superior cabins, located below deck, provide twin beds and offer mesmerizing views below sea-level, allowing you to witness the underwater world pass by in all its glory.
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7. Embark on Unparalleled Luxury with M/V Ocean Divine
Features:
🌊 Owners bring over 30 years’ expertise in the Maldives, ensuring an exceptional diving experience on every trip
👥 Intimate setting with only 12 guests, providing a remarkable 1:1 crew to guest ratio for personalized and attentive service
🍽️ Indulge in exceptional cuisine crafted by the head chef, trained in Paris, offering a gastronomic delight
💆♀️ Elevate your relaxation with a highly trained masseuse onboard, creating the ultimate tranquil journey
🚢 The 33m luxury liveaboard, M/V Ocean Divine, features six deluxe staterooms with porthole views, wardrobe, bathrobe, toiletries, and individual climate controls.
👨🍳 Owners, a highly trained masseuse, top-level chef, friendly bartender, and knowledgeable dive guides make up the ten-person crew, dedicated to providing superior service, delectable cuisine, and true relaxation.
Experience the epitome of luxury diving with M/V Ocean Divine, where expertise, personalized service, and exquisite amenities converge for an unforgettable journey in the Maldives.
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8. Unveiling the Allure of Blue Force One
Features:
🏆 Winner of the Maldives Liveaboard Association’s esteemed ‘Best Build Boat’ award in 2014
🌊 Drift dive the Kandus and experience the formidable currents in Thilas
🦈 Encounter the planet’s most incredible pelagics, from giant rays at manta cleaning stations to hammerheads and whale sharks
🌌 Soak in one of two hot tubs beneath a star-studded sky
👫 Designed with both divers and non-divers in mind, making it an ideal choice for those traveling with a non-diving companion
🚣♂️ Dives are conducted from separate dhonis, ensuring a quiet and relaxing onboard environment
🏄♂️ Take advantage of paddleboards, surfboards, and kayaks for water activities between dives
As part of the stunning Blue Force Fleet in the Maldives, the luxurious Blue Force One stands out as a custom-built 42m liveaboard. Honored with the ‘Best Build Boat’ award, this vessel promises year-round diving trips to the breathtaking reefs of the Maldives. Featuring 10 well-appointed cabins, including a Junior Suite, Master Cabin, and a Master Suite, each equipped with individually controlled AC and en-suite bathrooms, the M/V Blue Force One accommodates a maximum of 20 guests. Abundant relaxation spaces include two Jacuzzis, three sun decks, an upper deck bar, a living room with oversized armchairs and a 65-inch TV, and even a disco room! Guests are also invited to explore the waters with stand-up paddleboards, surfboards, and kayaks during their free time.
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Conclusion
The Maldives offers an unparalleled diving paradise, and choosing the right liveaboard can elevate this experience to new heights. From the contemporary luxury of Emperor Serenity to the spa-infused elegance of Scubaspa Ying, and the intimate, expert-guided journeys with M/V Ocean Divine, each liveaboard presents a unique blend of comfort, adventure, and marine marvels. Whether you seek encounters with mantas, whale sharks, or the thrill of night dives, these top liveaboards cater to diverse preferences, promising a seamless fusion of underwater exploration and luxurious relaxation. Your journey into the depths of the Maldivian waters is not just a dive; it’s an extraordinary voyage with the best liveaboards the region has to offer.