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 Liveaboard: Luxury and Excellence Redefined
Features:
🚢 Cruise in style aboard a floating resort in pursuit of mantas and sharks
🌌 Experience spectacular drift and night dives amidst vibrant coral and abundant marine life
🤿 Dive masters welcome divers of all abilities, ensuring an inclusive experience; non-divers can indulge in pampering and relaxation
🧘♀️ Yoga alfresco, snorkel in the sapphire green waters of the Maldives, and unwind in the Jacuzzi on the top deck
💆♀️ Indulge in 5-star spa treatments while aboard this unique liveaboard, the sister ship to Scubaspa Yang
🌅 Enjoy a romantic sunset dinner served by the on-board champagne and wine cellar, complemented by a professionally designed kitchen
🍽️ Join a moonlit beach BBQ, catch a screening at the open-air cinema, and revel in complimentary drinks at the farewell sunset cocktail party on your last night
Discover the epitome of luxury liveaboards with the 50m Scubaspa Ying, an extraordinary vessel in the Maldives that seamlessly blends luxury scuba diving with spa treatments. With 30 onboard staff, including a team of full-time spa therapists, Scubaspa Ying offers a variety of suites designed to meet the needs and expectations of every guest. The spacious, elegant, and serene rooms complement a restaurant offering fine dining with an international flair and the finest wines.
Book here
2. Emperor Serenity: Luxurious Dive Experience Aboard
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: Indulge in the 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.
5. Scubaspa Ying: Luxury Redefined
Features:
🚢 Cruise in style aboard a floating resort in pursuit of mantas and sharks
🌌 Experience spectacular drift and night dives amidst vibrant coral and abundant marine life
🤿 Dive masters welcome divers of all abilities, ensuring an inclusive experience; non-divers can indulge in pampering and relaxation
🧘♀️ Yoga alfresco, snorkel in the sapphire green waters of the Maldives, and unwind in the Jacuzzi on the top deck
💆♀️ Indulge in 5-star spa treatments while aboard this unique liveaboard, the sister ship to Scubaspa Yang
🌅 Enjoy a romantic sunset dinner served by the on-board champagne and wine cellar, complemented by a professionally designed kitchen
🍽️ Join a moonlit beach BBQ, catch a screening at the open-air cinema, and revel in complimentary drinks at the farewell sunset cocktail party on your last night
Discover the epitome of luxury liveaboards with the 50m Scubaspa Ying, an extraordinary vessel in the Maldives that seamlessly blends luxury scuba diving with spa treatments. With 30 onboard staff, including a team of full-time spa therapists, Scubaspa Ying offers a variety of suites designed to meet the needs and expectations of every guest. The spacious, elegant, and serene rooms complement a restaurant offering fine dining with an international flair and the finest wines.
Book here
6. MV Carpe Novo: Immerse in Underwater Luxury
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, an 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.
Conclusion
Embarking on a diving odyssey in the Maldives aboard one of these top liveaboards promises an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re seeking luxury, adventure, or both, these vessels offer unparalleled opportunities to explore the stunning underwater world of the Maldives. With expert guides, luxurious accommodations, and thrilling dive sites, your next diving holiday is sure to be a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.