The Best Maldives Liveaboard Trips For Any Level Diver

The Maldives, nature’s very own garden is undoubtedly a paradise for the divers. The best way to explore the underwater wonders of the Maldives, this article will help you to know everything about booking the best Maldives Liveaboard trip. Staying at an island highly restricts the opportunities to dive at different locations.

Therefore, in the diving heaven of Maldives, it is highly recommended to book a Liveaboard trip that will not only enable you to dive at multiple locations but also offers a unique experience to live your ultimate tropical dream in the Maldives.

Liveaboard or not, learn about underwater life and fulfill all your diving dreams by checking out the tailor-made diving itineraries by Original Diving

Marine Life of Maldives

The Maldives is blessed with highly diverse marine life and healthy coral reefs. The warm waters of the Indian Ocean offer great visibility throughout the year. The coral reef of Maldives is highly preserved that homes millions of fishes and pelagic marine mammals. Manta Rays and Whale Sharks can be easily spotted while diving in the Maldives.

The central atolls have a high density of coral reefs, however, due to many resort islands in close vicinity and frequent motor boat transport; marine life cannot be easily spotted in the area. In order to get up and close with the Sharks and other pelagic mammals, the far atolls are the best option.

Liveaboard Trips For Non-Divers

Most of all the best Maldives Liveaboard trips accept divers with any diving ability. However, it is recommended to disclose your diving ability with the Liveaboard operator prior to making the booking. If you’re a complete non-diver, then also most of the best Maldives Liveaboard trips will have plenty of water activities to keep you busy.

The most common activities for the non-divers include canoeing, snorkeling, dolphin watching, and shark feeding. Non-divers can also dive for a shorter distance under the supervision of the dive master. However, this option is subject to availability from the Liveaboard operator.

Important Health & Safety Advice

All of the crew members on Liveaboard trips in the Maldives are well-trained and professional. A safety briefing is given before the commencement of the journey in Male. The food and beverages served on the boat are hygienic and monitored by the food authority, so there is no problem in consuming it.

Mosquitoes are not found in open waters in the Maldives; therefore, packing a mosquito repellent is not essential. Seasickness is the only issue which can easily arise, so it advisable to carry the seasickness medicines on board. Basic first aid is available on almost all of the best Maldives liveaboard trips.

EDITORS NOTE: Travel Insurance is not mandatory but highly recommended. I suggest World Nomads, that offers the best Travel Insurance coverage all around the world

Essential Tidbits On Diving In The Maldives

Best Time To Dive

The Maldives is a tropical country and the weather remains bright sunny and humid for the most part of the year. However, the months of May to October are the peak monsoon months, and heavy rains can surely affect the overall diving experience. Though, no matter whatever happens above the water, once you dive in, the Indian Ocean is mostly calm and warm throughout the year. December to March is peak season so expect high rates if visiting during that time.

Dive Visibility

 The Indian Ocean is pretty warm and receives a lot of sunlight which makes the underwater visibility very clear. However, during the peak monsoon season (May to August), the visibility is hampered due to heavy rains. Moreover, the visibility is also dependent on the location and the tide speed, but at most of the diving spots in the Maldives, it usually remains clear enough to enjoy a great dive. The best Maldives liveaboard operators are aware of the locations with the greatest visibility so the dive master will guide you to the best diving locations.

What To Expect From The Dive

As Lonely Planet calls the Maldives the ‘Nature’s Sunken Garden’ so you’re in for a treat when diving in the Maldives. One thing that remains constant while diving in the Maldives is the colorful coral reef. The coral reefs can be found in the shallow waters too, at a distance of five to ten meters. Manta Rays are the most commonly spotted marine animals while diving at the central atolls in the Maldives. The far atolls experience less human intervention; therefore, turtles, sharks, and dolphins can be seen easily without venturing into the deep water.

**The Coral Reef of the Maldives is getting affected due to the climatic changes and increasing sea-levels. The coral near the island resorts is the most affected with many of the resorts near Male being built-on dead coral. As a responsible tourist, please check out the Volunteer Opportunities for Maldives Marine Life Conservation

How To Choose The Best Maldives Liveaboard Trip

The Maldives is the ultimate diving destination in the world. Isolated islands surrounded by pristine white sand beaches and an underwater paradise of marine life; diving in the Maldives is an entirely different experience to live and rejoice. There are many local and international Maldives liveaboard tour operators in the country.

To make your Maldives liveaboard trip full with safe dives and memorable experiences, Liveaboard.com is the best and obviously the most professional travel agents to go with. Liveaboard.com is the world’s largest online travel agent for adventure and dive travel cruises. Being a beginner level diver, I had the best scuba diving experience of my life in the Maldives by putting my faith and extremely poor diving skills on the professional dive masters at Liveaboard.com!

In this guide, I am going to highlight the best Maldives liveaboard trips by Liveaboard.com in detail. This will surely help you in deciding the best Maldives liveaboard option suitable for your needs.

The Top 5 Best Maldives Liveaboard Trips

MV Adora Liveaboard

• Cabins = 11
• Nitrox = Yes
• WiFi = Yes
• Size = 37 m
• Non-divers friendly = Yes
• Price = Starting from 199 Euros/day

The beautiful MV Adora Maldives liveaboard is a modern vessel that offers diving opportunities around the North and South Male atolls. The boat can accommodate 21 guests maximum giving plenty of privacy and relaxation space to each of the guests without being crowded. There is a big sundeck with sunbeds on the topmost part of the boat for the divers to relax and soak under the sun in between the dives. Diving around the Male Atoll, the divers can look forward to getting to see plenty of Sharks, Manta Rays, and Tuna while enjoying cruising over the turquoise waters of the Maldives. The Adora Liveaboard is rated as one of the top best Maldives liveaboard trip with an exciting itinerary for the divers.

Check prices and trip dates: MV Adora Liveaboard, Maldives

Princess Haleema, Maldives

• Cabins = 11
• Nitrox = Yes
• WiFi = Yes
• Size = 36 m
• Non-divers friendly = Yes
• Price = Starting from 166 Euros/day

Princess Haleema offers all year round diving trips in the Maldives. The diving itinerary of Princess Haleema comprises of shallow water diving and snorkeling for beginners and non-divers around the Male Atoll. For the more advanced and professional level divers onboard, Princess Haleema also visits the southern atoll which has strong currents with deep sea diving opportunities. Divers can expect to encounter deep-sea pelagic during the trip on Princess Haleema. The topside of Princess Haleema has a hot tub and a sundeck to soak in between the dives. To keep the guests busy and entertained, the boat also features a bar and a dining area along with an entertainment system.

Check prices and trip dates: Princess Haleema, Maldives

Emperor Voyager, Maldives

• Cabins = 10
• Nitrox = Yes
• WiFi = Yes
• Size = 30 m
• Non-divers friendly = Yes
• Price = Starting from 157 Euros/day

Emperor Voyager is undoubtedly the most preferred best Maldives liveaboard! It is a state of the art vessel that only promises the best diving experience but it also ensures to providing top-notch service and entertainment to the guests onboard. The boat sails around the Male Atoll, Central atolls, and the Ari Atoll. The divers can get plenty of opportunities to see Manta Rays, Nurse Sharks and Whale Sharks in this area. There is a sun deck on the boat with hammocks and cushioned sofas and a bar for the divers to relax when not diving.  All the cabins on the boat are made to be very comfortable with air conditioning too.

Check prices and trip dates: Emperor Voyager, Maldives

Blue Voyager, Maldives

• Cabins = 13
• Nitrox = Yes
• WiFi = Yes
• Size = 37 m
• Non-divers friendly = Yes
• Price = Starting from 156 Euros/day

The Blue Voyager has recently started its journey in the turquoise waters of the Maldives after moving from the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean. It is a beautiful boat with spacious cabins and suites with a big outdoor area with Jacuzzis. The boat cruises around the Rashdoo, Ari and Male atolls and promises the divers to get a glimpse of hammerheads along with Manta Rays and Sharks. Some itineraries by Blue Voyager also include diving in the deep and rough waters of the southern atoll. Diving sites preferences can be shared with the boat management while booking.

Check prices and trip dates: Blue Voyager, Maldives

Sea Spirit Liveaboard, Maldives

• Cabins = 6
• Nitrox = Yes
• WiFi = Yes
• Size = 26 m
• Non-divers friendly = Yes
• Price = Starting from 234 Euros/day

The Sea Spirit Liveaboard offers different diving itineraries planned throughout the year. The boat sails around the Northern, Southern and the far Hanifaru Bay which is famous for large numbers of Mantas and Sharks. The boat also trips around the Rashdoo atoll where divers can get up and close with the Hammerheads. The boat can cater on 12 divers at a time giving more personal space to them without being crowded by too many divers. The small but beautiful sun deck offers plenty of relaxing space and unwinding time when not diving. Along with the boat crew, there are 2 cruise directors onboard as well to ensure a safe and smooth journey for all the guests.

Check prices and trip dates: Sea Spirit Liveaboard, Maldives

Editors Note: There are a total of 39 different Liveaboard Trips in the Maldives. Get complete details about all the Maldives Liveaboard Trips here

Best Diving Spots In The Maldives

The Central Atolls

Male

For most tourists, Male doesn’t look like the ideal diving spot due to being crowded and chaotic by the motorboat commute in the area. However, the underwater world of Male homes diverse Marine life. Exotic pelagic marine mammals won’t be the best to spot in this region, however, big fishes and colorful corals can be seen easily just a few meters into the water.

Ari Atoll

One of the most loved atolls for the best Maldives liveaboard trips, the Ari atoll is near to the island of Male and offers great exposure of the marine life and many opportunities for underwater photography too. With the water not being very deep, the Ari atoll is the best bet to spot Whale sharks, Manta rays and hammerheads too along with other big fishes. Ari Atoll is also a great spot to dive for beginner divers plenty of marine life can be seen without going too deep in the water.

Laamu and Thaa Atoll

The least visited atolls of the central region, the Laamu and Thaa atolls offer the best spot to dive for the advanced divers. It is a deep sea area with strong currents for the most part of the year, which also provides excellent conditions for surfing (only if you’re courageous enough!). However, just like other central atoll diving sites, Mantas and Whale sharks and Eagle Rays can be seen in Laamu and Thaa easily. Also, most of the best Maldives liveaboard that comes in this area offers shark feeding on the surface.

Check out the National Geographic documentary on Maldives Day Diving

The Northern Atolls

Baa and Raa

Not so far from the central atolls and not so near to the island of Male, the northern atolls are relatively less focused by the best Maldives liveaboards. The Baa Atoll is famous for witnessing the cyclone feeding behavior of the manta rays all year long. Moreover, a huge gathering of breeding Whale sharks also occurs at the Hanifaru Bay in the Baa Atoll. Towards more north in the atoll, comes the Raa atoll which is home to soft corals and undoubtedly the best macro in one can find in the Maldives.

Far Northern Atoll

The far northern atolls are normally not covered in many of the best Maldives liveaboard trip itineraries. The reason being is that they are too far to reach and the diving conditions at the far northern atolls don’t suit most of the divers. The currents are very strong and the sea remains rough for the most part of the year. Only advanced divers and professionals are recommended to dive at the far northern atolls. However, if you dare to dive at the far northern atolls, you will be able to encounter the leopard sharks in large numbers here.

The Southern Atolls

The southern atolls form the most uninhabited and remote part of the Maldives. It is normally not a part of most of the liveaboard trips in the Maldives. The atoll only comprises of a single island, which is the Fuvamulah Island. The island is not protected by the coral barrier reef and the ocean drops down to thousands of meters just at a short distance from the shore. This, however, helps to get up and close with plenty of deep water pelagic marine animals very near to the beach. This region of the Maldives is only meant for the professional divers.

To discover more of fascinating Maldives, how about one of my other posts?

• 10 Important Tips Every First-Timer In Maldives Should Know
• Best Water Sports For Non-Swimmers In Maldives
• How To Chose The Best Resort In Maldives

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