Maldives is by far one of the top diving and liveaboard destinations in the world. So I have compliled a list of the best liveabaord in Maldives 2023-4. I will give you a few liveaboard alternatives to suit your budget. If you have never dived by liveaboard before, don’t wait any longer. It is the best way to dive and only way to get to the remote and untouched parts of the sea.
All trips have full board and snacks, some charge extra for Nitrox and alcoholic drinks. Also you can read our page about general liveaboard information to know more.
Maldives
Just when one hears this name an image of paradise appears in our mind; a paradise with abundant marine life, clear waters, and deserted islands. If you decide to go here, you will find its reputation is not exaggerated, it definitely has some of the best liveaboard in Asia. The best way to dive here is indeed by liveaboard and not from a resort. You can dive here all year round. However the best time is from November to the end of April (though this is also the most expensive time to come). This is when the waters are clearest. If you want to visit the famous Hanifaru bay (Baa Atoll) then its best to come from June to September. If you are lucky you might see hundreds of manta rays at once here in a plankton feeding frenzy.
The best dives in this region are in strong currents (so bring a reef hook). This is when all the big creatures can be seen: Manta rays, all kinds of sharks, Dogtooth tuna, eagle rays, devil rays, and many more. Some atolls also you have frogfish, Leaf-scorpion fish and some unusual nudibranchs. Also expect many schools of fish and moray eels, like the beautiful Honeycomb moray. With some luck maybe a dolphin or a whale shark can be seen too.
Ari Queen
This is one of my favorite boats in the Maldives travelling to the best sites south of Male. Their trip usually travels 5 atolls, from North Male to South Male, Rasdhoo, and Ari Atoll. Also sometimes they go a bit further to Felidhoo or Meemu atoll. The crew is very helpful and professional. There are 10 rooms on board that fit 24 divers. The minimum requirement to dive with them is Advanced Open Water with 50 logged dives. This is great because they take you to some sites with really strong currents. Two of my favorite highlights were diving at Rashdoo with Hammerhead’s and a night dive with nurse sharks and Manta rays. One of the best liveaboard in Maldives 2023-4.
This trip for 8 days costs €1000-€1600 depending on the season.
Nautilus Two
An exceptional boat so beautifully built. The rooms are spacious and there is a Jacuzzi to chill in and the bar has a cold beer tap!!!. The service is good and the staff experienced. Also a smaller dive boat accompanies the liveaboard. This boat will be taking you diving and this is where the tanks are filled. The journey concentrates around the Male Atolls and Ari Atoll. They can take 24 guests in 10 rooms. You need a minimum 40 logged dives to come with them. Amongst the best liveabaord in Maldives 2023-4.
In the off-season their journey takes 8 days and costs around €1200 and in the high season they travel for 10 days and cost €2250.
Moonima
This boat only operates in the “high season” and travels mostly to North & South Male, Vavu, and Ari atoll. They offer you all the best and classic dive spots. The rooms are very nice and they also travel with a dedicated dive boat. One of the highlights is an awesome BBQ on a deserted island, absolutely fabulous. If conditions allow, you might dive Cocoa Corner and Kandhooma Thila. Maybe you can see Grey Reef sharks in large numbers at a cleaning station here. Also they require minimum Advance Open Water and 50 logged dives.
Their 8 day trip from October to April cost between €1400-€2400.
ScubaSpa Yang
This is a floating luxury hotel with all the facilities. As the name hints it has a spa but also yoga classes and even a Jacuzzi. The food, the service and boat are simply exceptional. You will be pampered 24/7 and live in very spacious and luxurious rooms. They travel the classic central route and sometimes to the northern atolls. If you don’t only want to see the best dive spots but have real ”holiday” then this is the boat for you. Another added bonus is they have free Nitrox.
Their 5 day trips start €1100 and the 8 day trip goes for around €2200.
Carpe Diem Liveabaord
This is one of the best liveabaords for the experienced. They require a minimum of 100 logged dives and also that you’re AOW. They have many different itineraries going north and south from Male all year round. It has very spacious and comfy rooms with their own bathrooms. The boat also has a dive vessel accompanying. For me this boat would be in my top 5 best liveaboard in Maldives 2023-4.
Their 8 day trips start at €1400 going up to €2400 for 12 days.
Emperor Voyager
If you are not that experienced but also want to experience the wonders of the Maldives. This is the boat for you. They have no minimum requirement to come on board. Don’t worry they will take care of you and show you all the wonders these waters have to offer. Of course experienced divers are also welcome for whom they have FREE nitrox and will dive in separate groups. This is an all-round great boat and crew, giving you a great value for your money. Mostly they dive the central atolls, but in the off season they make a few trips to the spectacular manta madness at Hanifaru bay.
Their 8 day trip goes from €1300-€1900.
Honors Legacy
The beautiful Liveaboard was designed and built to deliver fantastic diving cruises around the amazing dive sites of the Maldives. With 9 air-conditioned, en-suite cabins, each with mini-bar, safe and full HD TV, the M/Y Honors Legacy Dive Liveaboard can accommodate up to 18 divers in comfort.
You can find plenty of space for relaxation, either on the sun deck with Jacuzzi, or why not pamper yourself in the dedicated treatment room for spa services. Guests can enjoy local and international cuisine aboard the MY Honors Legacy Liveaboard, with a variety of fish, seafood, meat and poultry, as well as local fresh veggies and fruit.
All diving is done from the Diving Dhoni, meaning you can access the best dive sites around. Divers can hope to see the Hammerheads of Rasdhoo Atoll, or the Manta Rays of Hanifaru Bay, depending on the itinerary.
Their 8 day trips start at €1500 going up to €2100.
Ocean Sapphire
Ocean Sapphire liveaboard has 11 spacious cabins on board to cater to a maximum of 22 guests. Each cabin has air-conditioning and en-suite bathrooms, and the 4 top-deck double cabins also have bath tubs. You will have 3 buffet meals of both local and international cuisine every day. The outdoor seating area and bar or the sundeck and Jacuzzi located on the top deck.
They have 2 itineraries, you can choose from the Best of Maldives or Magic of Mantas, both offering superb diving in the Maldives. Encounters can include beautiful corals, abundant schools of fish, whale sharks, hammerheads and of course – manta rays. For sure one of the best liveabaord in Maldives 2023-4
Their 8 day trip goes from €1200.
1 August, 2023 @ 20:41
Great selection, I think I will chosses one of your suggestions, i will let you know how the trip went
2 August, 2023 @ 19:42
awesome suggestions, thank you!