10 Best Liveaboards in Maldives
Scuba Diving in the Maldives
Updated December, 2023
The Maldives offers some of the best scuba diving in the world with a huge variety of different destinations. The best way to discover the Maldives underwater marvels is to go there with a liveaboard boat between the 1,192 of islands. The Maldives' crystal clear waters are home to mantas, whale sharks, and reef sharks, not to mention the brilliant flatworms and ghost pipefish who hide among its wrecks, coral gardens, channels, and pinnacles. The liveaboards in Madives offer something for almost every like and budget.
Maldives liveaboards offer itineraries encompassing the world-class dive sites of North Male Atoll, Ari Atoll, Baa Atoll, Hanifaru Bay, Rasdhoo and many more, including remote atolls in the far north and south where you'd be hard-pressed to see another liveaboards.
Find below a choice between most popular liveaboards in Maldives to discover best of the best for your next diving holidays.
1 Scubaspa Yang, Maldives
Highlights
- Winner of the South Asian Travel Awards Leading Liveaboard 2016 – 2018.
- On-board yoga and an Asian-style spa offer the ultimate floating relaxation experience.
- Enjoy a mouth-watering BBQ on an uninhabited white sandbank followed by snorkelling in a lagoon.
- Witness incredible marine diversity, including mantas, whale sharks, hammerheads, reef and guitar sharks.
As the sister vessel of Scubaspa Ying, the 50m Scubaspa Yang Liveaboard is sure to give you an unforgettable and relaxing dive holiday in the Maldives. Offering dive liveaboard trips year-round, the Scubaspa Yang liveaboard experience will remain with you long after your journey home. Enjoy spectacular diving in the Maldives with experienced dive guides. Scubaspa Yang is accompanied with its own dive dhoni, which will allow you to dive with exceptional ease, along with 5 experienced dive instructors/divemasters who will ensure your safety and enjoyment. The yacht is also an authorized PADI 5-star dive resort.
BOOK NOW2 Emperor Serenity
Highlights
- Contemporary, sleek five-star Maldivian liveaboard offering high-quality accommodation with spacious living
- All diving is from the dhoni, allowing you easy and varied access to incredible reefs and soft corals as well as thilas and astounding drift dives in kandus
- Diverse itineraries covering North & South Ari, South Male, Vaavu, North Male & the "wild south," designed to maximise your chance of seeing mantas, whale sharks, hammerheads, reef sharks and guitar sharks
- Divers get free nitrox and a rebreather-friendly crew and boat, while non-divers get free snorkelling kit and a $50 voucher to spend on-board
The new arrival in the liveaboard Dive World, Emperor Serenity offers the most luxurious accommodation with spectacular diving of the Maldives.The beautiful 40m MY Emperor Serenity offering year-round diving to the fantastic dive sites of the Maldives. With 13 well appointed en-suite, air-conditioned cabins, the M/Y Emperor Serenity can comfortably accommodate 26 guests. This sleek, five-star Maldivian liveaboard boasts high-quality accommodation with spacious living and offers itineraries to maximize your chance of seeing mantas, whale sharks, hammerheads, reef sharks and guitar sharks.
BOOK NOW3 Capre Diem
Highlights
- Carpe Diem - awarded the "Leading Liveaboard Brand 2016" award for the second year in a row - is a custom-built, sleek wooden boat handcrafted by the owner
- Year-round diving cruises in the Central Maldives, bringing you into contact with rich marine life including mantas, sharks, nudibranch and ghost pipe fish
- All levels of divers welcome on the diverse itineraries available, which take you to local hotspots including Manta Point, Fish Head and the Machafushi wreck
- Spacious platform at the back of the main deck offers two fresh water showers and jet ski, with all dives taking place from dhonis
The M/Y Carpe Diem luxury liveaboard is a 35m yacht and sister ship to the Carpe Vita and Carpe Novo on the Indian Ocean. With a focus on superior service and quality, Carpe Diem Maldives provides a highly trained and dedicated staff to ensure the ultimate diving holiday. Carpe Diem has 10 cabins spread out over three decks to accommodate up to 20 guests. Each spacious cabin features individual climate control and en suite bathrooms. The salon and lounge area are equipped with a flat screen TV and entertainment system. There are also three stunning decks where guests can relax and enjoy spectacular views of the Indian Ocean. Guests enjoy semi buffet style meals prepared by a fine dining chef in an open air dining and bar area located at the back of the boat.
BOOK NOW4 Maldives Aggressor II
Highlights
- Maldives Aggressor II is a world-class yacht with year-round stunning diving trips, backed by the well-known, global Aggressor brand
- Itineraries take in all the best of the Maldivian dive diversity, including drift dives in kandus, amazing reefs and soft corals and the strong currents in thilas, as well as manta cleaning stations and dive sites where you'd expect to see reef and guitar sharks
- Up to four action-packed dives each day along with spectacular night dives, backed by a large dive platform and personal gear lockers, three camera tables and two freshwater showers
- Post-dive relaxation takes place on a large, partially-shaded sun deck, alongside bar service and a superb onboard menu featuring American fare combined with local cuisine, with soft drinks, ice tea, beer and wine complimentary throughout your trip
The M/V Maldives Aggressor II is a 41m world class liveaboard yacht scheduling year round diving cruises to the stunning Maldives Atolls. Aboard the Maldives Aggressor II divers plunge into turquoise waters packed with marine life. Groupers, snappers, surgeonfish, eels, parrotfish, Napoleon wrasse , barracuda, sweetlips, sharks and rays can all be found in these rich waters. Scuba diving with the Maldives Aggressor II offers up to four action packed dives each day along with spectacular night dives. Diving amenities include a large swim platform with personal gear lockers, air/nitrox fill stations, rinse tanks, three-tier camera table with low-pressure air hoses and 2 warm freshwater showers.
BOOK NOW5 Scubaspa Ying
Highlights
- Cruise in style on a luxury floating resort while going in search of mantas and sharks
- Spectacular drift and night dives, with vibrant coral and marine-life in abundance
- Divers of all abilities are welcomed by the experienced, multilingual dive masters but there’s plenty to keep non-divers happy and pampered
- Do yoga alfresco, then snorkel in the sapphire green waters of the Maldives
- Soak in the Jacuzzi on the top deck or indulge in a massage in the 5* spa on board
- Enjoy a romantic sunset dinner, serviced by the on-board champagne and wine cellar and professionally designed kitchen
- Join the moonlit beach BBQ, catch a screening at the open-air cinema and enjoy complimentary drinks at the farewell sunset cocktail party on your last night
The 50m Scubaspa Ying is a unique liveaboard located in the Maldives and expertly combines luxury scuba diving with luxury spa treatments to create the pinnacle of luxury liveaboards and sister ship to the Scubaspa Yang. There are 30 staff members onboard Scubaspa Ying including a team of full-time spa therapists. Scubaspa Ying has a variety of suites to meet the needs and expectations of every guest. All rooms are spacious, elegant and serene. The restaurant offers fine dining with an international flair and the finest wines.
BOOK NOW6 Carpe Novo
Highlights
- Encounter sleeping white tip reef sharks by day or see them hunting on night dives, all from the comfort of this luxury yacht, with hotel-style cabins
- Dives are done from a 60 ft custom-built dhoni, complete with camera and wetsuit rinse tanks, a bathroom and compressors for stress-free diving
- When the boat is anchored, you can easily get into the water for a refreshing dip via the in-water ladders on the swim platform
- One evening during the trip, the crew prepares a special BBQ feast on a deserted beach, with the soothing sounds of the ocean all around
- MV Carpe Novo offers manta-focused itineraries for fans of these charismatic creatures
The newly built 43m MV Carpe Novo now joins sister ships Carpe Vita and Carpe Diem to deliver fantastic diving trips in the Maldives. The M/V Carpe Novo has 12 cabins, each with TV/HD player, AC, storage space and en-suite bathrooms, catering to a maximum of 22 guests. Located on the main deck the inviting indoor lounge area has a large flat screen TV and entertainment system and library, and forward of this is a comfortable and relaxing outdoor shaded seating area. On the upper deck is the the al-fresco dining area where guests will be served delicious meals, and a fully stocked bar. For further relaxation aboard the MV Carpe Novo guests can enjoy the partially shaded sundeck and enjoy the fantastic Maldivian scenery.
BOOK NOW7 Azalea Liveaboard
Highlights
- Spacious and stylish liveaboard, a true floating resort offering high-end hotel standards at sea
- Cruises the central atolls of the Maldives, considered by many to be the best dive location in the world
- Offers a wide range of activities for both divers and non-divers
- Deluxe wine and dine experience
- Whale Sharks, Mantas, Hammerheads and loads of other different shark species can be spotted
- Hot tub
The beautiful 38m Azalea yacht offers year-round diving to some of the best dive and snorkel sites of the Maldives. Catering to a maximum of 16 guests, Azalea is tastefully decorated and offers comfort and luxury. The 9 cabins consist of 6 Superior, 2 Ocean View Jr and 1 Ocean View-Master. All cabins offer modern fixture and fittings and luxurious amenities, with individually controlled AC, en-suite bathrooms and storage space. The Jr. & Master suite offers Queen/King size beds fitted with the finest Egyptian linen and stunning sea views. The Superior cabins offer twin beds, and are located below deck and offer amazing views below sea-level to watch the underwater world go by.
BOOK NOW8 Ocean Divine
Highlights
- Owners with more than 30 years' experience in the Maldives on board every trip
- Small numbers with only 12 guests aboard giving a 1:1 crew to guest ratio and high level of service
- Enjoy exceptional cuisine prepared by the head chef who was trained in Paris
- Highly trained masseuse available to create the ultimate relaxing trip
The gorgeous M/V Ocean Divine is a 33m luxury liveaboard offering diving cruises in the Maldives. This five-star vessel offers six deluxe staterooms, each featuring a porthole view, wardrobe, bathrobe, toiletries, fresh towels daily and individual climate controls. The owners, who have more than 30 years experience in the Maldives, are onboard to make your diving holiday exceptional, along with a highly trained masseuse, top-level chef, friendly bartender and knowledgeable dive guides. In total, a crew of ten is on hand to provide superior service, delicious cuisine and true relaxation.
BOOK NOW9 Emperor Serenity
Highlights
- Contemporary, sleek five-star Maldivian liveaboard offering high-quality accommodation with spacious living
- All diving is from the dhoni, allowing you easy and varied access to incredible reefs and soft corals as well as thilas and astounding drift dives in kandus
- Diverse itineraries covering North & South Ari, South Male, Vaavu, North Male & the "wild south," designed to maximise your chance of seeing mantas, whale sharks, hammerheads, reef sharks and guitar sharks
- Divers get free nitrox and a rebreather-friendly crew and boat, while non-divers get free snorkelling kit and a $50 voucher to spend on-board
The beautiful 40m MY Emperor Serenity offering year-round diving to the fantastic dive sites of the Maldives. With 13 well appointed en-suite, air-conditioned cabins, the M/Y Emperor Serenity can comfortably accommodate 26 guests. The 4 professional dive guides and 13 experienced and friendly boat crew of the M/Y Emperor Serenity will be on hand to help you to create a memorable Maldives dive vacation. Guests aboard the contemporary MY Emperor Serenity can enjoy open air dining on the main deck, or relax in the air-conditioned saloon with TV and entertainment system.
BOOK NOW10 Blue Force One
Highlights
- Winner of the Maldives Liveaboard Association ‘Best Build Boat’ award in 2014
- Drift dive the Kandus and feel the strong currents in Thilas
- Encounter the planet’s most incredible pelagics from giant rays at the manta cleaning stations to hammerhead and whale sharks
- Soak in one of two hot tubs, under a sky full of stars
- Designed with both divers and non-divers in mind, so it’s the perfect choice for those traveling with a non-diving buddy
- Dives are done from separate dhonis to keep the environment on board quiet and relaxing
- Take out paddleboards, surf boards, and kayaks on the water between dives
Part of the stunning Blue Force Fleet in the Maldives, the luxurious Blue Force One is a custom built 42m liveaboard delivering year-round diving trips to the spectacular reefs of the Maldives. Built with every need in mind, the M/V Blue Force One has 10 well-appointed cabins, including a Junior Suite, Master Cabin, and a Master Suite. Each cabin has individually controlled AC and en-suite bathrooms, and the M/V Blue Force one can cater to a maximum of 20 guests. There is no shortage of relaxation space aboard the Blue Force One as guests can choose from one of two Jacuzzis, three sun decks, upper deck bar, living room with huge armchairs and 65 inch TV and disco room! Guests are also welcome to take out stand-up-paddleboards, surfboards, and kayaks in their free time.
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