For divers, the best way to explore the Maldives is by liveaboard followed by a few days relaxing in resort. Underwater highlights include whale shark and manta ray encounters.
The Best of Maldives itineraries offer an adventurous week of diving throughout the Central atolls of the Maldives for first time and seasoned visitors.
The Maldives Dive Safari trip idea allows you to spend a week on a liveaboard and a few nights at a resort, relaxing on the beach in the sunshine or continue diving if you prefer.
The following itinerary is based on the Best of Maldives safari on board the Emperor Atoll followed by three nights at Bandos Maldives.
Typical Itinerary
Day1: Depart the UK for Malé
Days2-8: Arrive and transfer to liveaboard
Transfer to your chosen liveaboard and enjoy up to 17 dives including one night dive cruising the Malé and Ari atolls. The weekly itinerary is flexible and dependent on the weather and ability/requests from those on board.
Underwater highlights include encounters with manta rays at cleaning stations, sharks, schooling pelagics, turtles, whale sharks as well as some macro life. Expect drift dives and some strong currents, beautiful reefs, pinnacles and channel diving.
Days9-11: Disembark and transfer to resort
You will be met in Malé and transferred by speedboat to your chosen resort in the North Malé Atoll for three nights. Choose to relax, continue diving or participate in other activities.
Day12: Depart the Maldives
Transfer to airport for your flight home, arriving back the same day or the following morning (depending on flight schedules).
Please note: We feature other boats and resorts. If you have a preference or want to stay longer, just let us know. Please note that Nitrox may need to be paid for locally, depending on your chosen liveaboard.
Key info
Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 13 daysfrom £2,845 pp
Search for your ideal departure below, and then enquire to confirm availability and book.
Featured location:
The central region comprises Malé and Ari Atolls, Felidhoo, Faafu and the smaller Rasdhoo Atoll. It is the most popular area for both dive resorts and liveaboards, with excellent shore diving from house reefs and large pelagics on drift dives.
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Ideal for viewing: whale shark, grey reef shark, Napoleon wrasse, spotted eagle ray, reef manta ray
Excellent for: Liveaboard diving, Resort based diving, Group diving, Shark diving, Whale shark, Manta ray, Learn to dive, Shore diving, Snorkelling, Underwater photography
This itinerary is available on the liveaboards shown below.
Please contact us for further recommendations.
Operating unique and exclusive itineraries to the far reaches of the Maldives, this comfortable vessel is suited to divers who enjoy extended diving adventures to a variety of spectacular locations.
Find Out More about M/Y Amba
This highly respected Maldivian liveaboard accommodates up to 24 divers in comfort and style. She operates itineraries in the central Maldives for much of the year, heading to the south between December and April.
Find Out More about Horizon III
Part of the Emperor Fleet, this stylish, modern liveaboard offers weekly itineraries year round to the some of the best diving spots in the Maldives, including the southern atolls in season.
Find Out More about M/V Emperor Leo
This traditional Maldivian vessel comfortably accommodates 18 guests. She spends most of the year delivering exceptional diving itineraries in the Central Atolls, with occasional trips to the deep south for shark encounters.
Find Out More about Moonima
Departing weekly from Malé, this modern purpose-built liveaboard explores some of the best dive sites in the Maldives. Diving is from the accompanying 20 metre long, customised dhoni.
Find Out More about M/V Emperor Voyager
The luxurious twin vessels of Scubaspa Ying and Yang offer a unique liveaboard experience, visiting the popular sites of the Maldives. Enjoy a week of fantastic diving or relaxing spa treatments, or a mix of both.
Find Out More about Scubaspa Liveaboards
This contemporary, spacious liveaboard has been purpose built, offering exceptional standards and facilities, bringing a class of her own to Maldivian waters. Dive the best sites throughout the year from here.
Find Out More about Emperor Serenity
Experience both the classic central and seasonal southern atoll itineraries on board the luxurious Maldives Blue Force One liveaboard. The week long trips are suited to divers seeking exceptional pelagic encounters.
Find Out More about Maldives Blue Force One
Sophisticated and exclusive, the M/Y Duke of York liveaboard cruises the central and southern atolls of the Maldives throughout the year, as well as offering exclusive Manta Trust conservation trips.
Find Out More about M/Y Duke of York
A home away from home, the comfortable Carpe Diem liveaboard offers superb week long diving and snorkelling experiences in the central atolls of the Maldives throughout the year.
Find Out More about Carpe Diem
The latest edition to the Carpe Diem fleet, the luxurious Carpe Novo cruises the very best sites of the central and southern atolls of the Maldives throughout the year, offering exceptional service and diving experiences.
Find Out More about Carpe Novo
The flagship vessel of its small fleet offers unique itineraries based on the best pelagic migration patterns around the central atolls in the Maldives, accompanied by a custom built diving dhoni.
Find Out More about Carpe Vita
Featured accommodation:
A tiny island located on the northwest side of the North Malé Atoll, Eriyadu is surrounded by a fine white sand beach and a crystal clear lagoon, and is ideal for those seeking a ‘get-away-from-it-all’ holiday.
Find Out More about Eriyadu Island Resort
The unique location of this island sets it apart from others on the North Malé Atoll. Club Rannalhi is an all inclusive resort located off the southern tip offering visitors an idyllic island hideaway.
Find Out More about Adaaran Club Rannahli
A tropical hideaway, this all inclusive 4-star resort is located on Hudhuran Fushi island on the eastern edge of the North Malé Atoll, and offers plenty of facilities for divers before or after their liveaboard holiday.
Find Out More about Adaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi
Located on the North Malé Atoll, this popular resort in the Maldives is a short boat transfer from Malé yet a million miles away from busy everyday life. Accommodation varies from cosy classic rooms to luxurious water villas.
Find Out More about Bandos Maldives
Located on the North Malé Atoll, this small resort offers a peaceful getaway and a great house reef. Accommodation is in thatched beach bungalows or modern water bungalows built over the turquoise lagoon.
Find Out More about Thulhagiri Island Resort