Maldives Central Atolls (8 Days / 7 Nights - 18 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, shark action, manta rays, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, very popular, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: North Male, Ari, Rasdhoo, South Male, Felidhoo and South Male atolls
Day 1
Your Maldives liveaboard diving adventure begins once you board the elegant Carpe Diem. After settling into your cabin, you'll join a comprehensive welcome orientation, during which the crew will introduce you to the vessel's features and safety procedures. The first afternoon includes completing necessary forms and enjoying a relaxed check dive to get you acquainted with the underwater environment. In the evening, a freshly prepared dinner will be served, providing the perfect opportunity to meet fellow guests and crew members. The boat sets sail early the next morning to begin the dive safari.
Days 2-7
The Maldives are famed not only for their pristine beaches and turquoise waters, but also for the vibrant marine ecosystems that lie beneath the surface. Onboard Carpe Diem, you'll explore the iconic Central Atolls route, diving up to three times per day at some of the region’s most thrilling underwater locations. Expect encounters with a rich array of marine life, including schools of tuna and jacks, graceful manta rays, eagle rays, and numerous species of reef sharks. South Male Atoll is home to dramatic underwater topography—caves, soft coral gardens, and a notable wreck—teeming with big pelagics. One standout site, Miyaru Faru (named after the Dhivehi word for shark), offers thrilling chances to observe grey reef sharks and the occasional hammerhead as they cruise along the current-swept drop-offs. Felidhoo Atoll adds another layer of adventure, with deep channels and a striking wall draped in colourful soft corals, black coral bushes, and intricate swim-throughs. A night dive here is a memorable highlight, where large nurse sharks, giant trevallies, and stingrays make impressive appearances under the lights. In Ari Atoll, divers are frequently rewarded with sightings of the gentle giant whale shark, along with hammerheads, mantas, and other pelagic species, particularly in its protected marine zones. Please note: on the final full day of the itinerary, only two dives are conducted before returning to port.
Day 8
An early light breakfast followed by a departure from the boat for your final destination: Male International Airport.
Maldives Central, Southern & Deep South Atolls (13 Days / 12 Nights - 33 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, shark action, manta rays, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: North Male, South Male, Felidhoo, Meemu, Thaa, Laamu, Huvadhoo, Foammulah, Addu atolls
Day 1
Upon boarding the elegant Carpe Diem liveaboard, you'll attend a detailed welcome briefing designed to introduce you to the vessel and its experienced crew. After completing the necessary paperwork, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy an afternoon check dive to get comfortable in the water. As the sun sets, dinner will be served in the comfort of the boat upper deck dining area, a perfect time to meet your fellow divers and crew. The adventure officially begins the next morning, when the boat sets sail from the harbour at first light.
Days 2-12
While the Maldives are best known for their pristine beaches and turquoise waters, it’s the incredible underwater world that truly captivates. Onboard Carpe Diem, you’ll journey from the Central Atolls to the far reaches of the Deep South, diving 3 times a day through some of the most famous marine environments in the region.
Often called “The Galápagos of the Maldives,” the Deep South is a haven for shark enthusiasts, with the chance to encounter up to 10 different shark species during your trip. You’ll navigate the dynamic channels of Huvadhoo Atoll, home to hammerheads and large aggregations of reef sharks. At Fuvahmulah, one of the most notable drift dive sites in the Indian Ocean, the open sea brings rare opportunities to encounter tiger sharks, oceanic manta rays, thresher sharks, mola mola, silky sharks, and other pelagics.
This route showcases the Maldives at its most raw and untamed, offering a truly memorable diving experience.
Felidhoo Atoll offers thrilling dives through deep channels and fast-moving currents, drawing in a variety of shark species along with schools of trevallies and tuna hunting for smaller prey. One of the highlights here is an unforgettable dive with nurse sharks.
In Meemu Atoll, you’ll have one of the best chances to witness whale sharks feeding on plankton in their natural habitat ,a truly mesmerizing experience. Moving on to Thaa Atoll, you’ll enjoy unforgettable drift dives alongside whitetip reef sharks and eagle rays gliding through the currents.
These remote dive sites are rich in marine biodiversity and largely untouched by human activity, an underwater adventure that will leave a lasting memory.
Please note that on the last full day of the trip there will be only 2 dives before the liveaboard travels back to port.
Day 13
An early light breakfast followed by checkout.
Please note that these trips sometimes run in reverse or use differing ports - check above for details.
Maldives Central Atolls (10 Days / 9 Nights - 24 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, shark action, manta rays, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, very popular, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: North Male, Ari, Rasdhoo, South Male, Felidhoo and South Male atolls
Day 1
Once on board the Carpe Diem, guests will receive a welcome briefing to get acquainted with the vessel and crew. After completing some paperwork, there will be a check dive in the afternoon followed by dinner. The boat departs early the next morning.
Days 2-9
The Maldives are famous for their clear waters and white sandy beaches, but the marine life below the surface is just as remarkable. The Carpe Diem liveaboard follows the 'Classic' Central Atolls route, offering up to three dives a day. You may encounter tuna, jacks, reef sharks, manta rays, and eagle rays.
South Malé Atoll features schools of fish, soft corals, caves, and a notable wreck. Miyaru Faru is popular for shark sightings, including grey reef sharks and the occasional hammerhead. Felidhoo Atoll offers channel dives with reef sharks, along with caverns and overhangs covered in corals. A night dive here may include nurse sharks, stingrays, and trevallies. Ari Atoll is a marine protected area where whale sharks, hammerheads, and mantas are often spotted.
Please note that on the last full day of the trip there will be only 2 dives before the liveaboard travels back to port.
Day 10
On your last day, you will enjoy an early light breakfast followed by checkout.
Maldives Deep South Atolls (8 Days / 7 Nights - 18 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, shark action, manta rays, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Huvadhoo, Fuvahmulah, Addu atolls
Day 1
Upon boarding the Carpe Diem liveaboard, guests will receive a welcome briefing, complete some paperwork, and take part in an afternoon check dive. Dinner is served at sunset, with the boat setting off from the harbour early the next morning.
Days 2-7
For many, the highlight of a visit to the Deep South is encountering apex predators at Fuvahmulah Island. Divers can expect sightings of thresher sharks, oceanic whitetips, and tiger sharks. The area is home to a range of large species hunting among abundant smaller fish. Whitetip and grey reef sharks, mola mola, sailfish, whale sharks, and schools of tuna are also frequently spotted.
Huvadhoo Atoll features vibrant reefs, untouched lagoons, walls, and deep channels. It's home to a wide range of marine life, including stingrays, turtles, blacktip and whitetip reef sharks, nurse sharks, spinner dolphins, manta rays, thresher sharks, and large schools of fish. Hammerhead sharks may also be seen occasionally.
The itinerary includes dives at Addu Atoll, known for over 30 top-rated sites. These include wide channels, healthy reefs, and lagoon thilas where you may encounter reef mantas, turtles, sharks, and large pelagic fish. Addu is also home to the British Loyalty, the Maldives’ largest wreck at 143 metres. Along the outer reef walls, sightings may include dogtooth tuna, silvertips, batfish, fusiliers, and jackfish. Cleaning stations for oceanic manta rays with wingspans over 5 metres are also found here, along with various shark species.
Please note that on the last full day of the trip there will be only 2 dives before the liveaboard travels to port.
Day 8
A light breakfast is served early before the return journey to Male.
Please note that these cruises sometimes run in reverse or use different ports - check the trip schedule for details.
Maldives Far North & Northern Atolls (11 Days / 10 Nights - 27 Dives)
Trip highlights: shark action, manta rays, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Baa, Raa, Haa Daalu, Haa Halifu, Shaviyani, Noonu, Lhaviyani, North Male atolls
Day 1
Guests picked up from Male International Airport will be onboard the spacious Carpe Diem liveaboard. A welcome briefing will help you on familiarzing with the boat and its skilled crew. There will be some paperwork to fill in and sign, but also a great check dive in the afternoon. Dinner will be served at around sunset, inside the air-conditioned restaurant where you will get to know the crew and the other guests. The boat leaves the harbour early on the following morning.
Days 2-10
This off the beaten track route visits the Far North Atolls, a paradise for divers with exceptionally unique underwater topography of deep channels and richness of waters - a heritage from the free flowing ocean that passes through this part of the country. Divers can expect encounters with mantas, zebra sharks, silvertips, grey reef sharks, and to dive on thilas with the best soft and hard coral coverage in the Maldives. Large schools of fish can be seen on almost every dive. One highlight at Hirimaradhoo Thila will be its guitar sharks.
Baa Atoll in the northern atolls was a declared UNESCO World Biosphere and its amazing reefs offer a wide variety of marine life, ranging from small fishes and turtles to the giant filter feeders - mantas and whale sharks. Walls and thilas full of hard and soft corals, plateaus, overhangs, pinnacles and swim-throughs are all yours to explore. Here you will snorkel in the world famous Hanifaru Bay, a marine protected area where hundreds of manta rays gather, from May to November, in a spectacular feeding frenzy. Watch them barrel roll as they scoop up huge mouthfuls of nourishing plankton. By regulation, only snorkeling is allowed here, but there are many fascinating dive sites nearby.
At Lhaviyani and Noonu atolls, the channels attract a lot of marine life including grey reef sharks, leopard sharks, guitar sharks, eagle rays, and there are plenty of colourful soft corals. Diving on pinnacles are also one of the highlights of the tour, as they shelter fish from the currents. Near Lhaviyani you will dive the most famous wreck site - The Shipyard - 2 wrecks located at different depths close together and surrounded by an abundance of marine life. North Male features thilas, reefs and drop offs that are rich in nutrients that attract large pelagics. Other highlights include Napoleon wrasse, hawksbill turtles, giant trevally, barracudas and other schools of large fish.
An experienced chef will prepare special buffets 3 times a day: a hearty breakfast that features pancakes and French toast, oatmeal , eggs cooked as you like; lunch and dinner menus cover a wide range of different international cuisines (Italian, Thai, Chinese) and some local flavours blended together for you to enjoy. Snacks, fresh fruit and hot drinks are available all day.
Please note that on the last full day of the trip there will be only 2 dives before the liveaboard travels to port in Baa Atoll.
Day 11
An early light breakfast followed by a departure from the boat for your final destination: Dharavandhoo Airport and your flight back to Male.
Please note that these cruises sometimes run in reverse - check above for details.
Maldives Central & Northern Atolls (8 Days / 7 Nights - 18 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, shark action, manta rays, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: Baa, Raa, Ari, Rasdhoo, Felidhoo, North Male and South Male atolls
Day 1
Guests picked up from Male International Airport will be onboard the spacious Carpe Diem liveaboard. A welcome briefing will help you on familiarzing with the boat and its skilled crew. There will be some paperwork to fill in and sign, but also a great check dive in the afternoon. Dinner will be served at around sunset, inside the air-conditioned restaurant where you will get to know the crew and the other guests. The boat leaves the harbour early on the following morning.
Days 2-7
Get ready to enjoy an amazing cruise to the little visited northern atolls, including Baa Atoll. Baa was a declared UNESCO World Biosphere and its amazing reefs offer a wide variety of marine life, ranging from small fishes and turtles to the giant filter feeders - mantas and whale sharks. Walls and thilas full of hard and soft corals, plateaus, overhangs, pinnacles and swim-throughs are all yours to explore. Here you will snorkel in the world famous Hanifaru Bay, a marine protected area where hundreds of manta rays gather, from May to November, in a spectacular feeding frenzy. Watch them barrel roll as they scoop up huge mouthfuls of nourishing plankton. By regulation, only snorkeling is allowed here, but there are many fascinating dive sites nearby.
South Male features large schools of fish, big pelagics, plenty of soft corals and caves, as well as one very good wreck. Ari Atoll is famous for its mighty whale sharks which can be regularly seen in the marine protected areas. Hammerhead sharks at Rasdhoo Atoll, grey reef sharks and manta rays, tuna, jacks, and eagle rays, and other pelagic fish are also commonly encountered here. North Male features thilas, reefs and drop offs that are rich in nutrients that attract large pelagics like manta rays. Other highlights include Napoleon wrasse, hawksbill turtles, giant trevally, barracudas and other schools of large fish. Felidhoo Atoll will astonish you with its deep channels buzzing with reef sharks and rays, schools of trevallies and tuna in search of small prey, midnight snappers, kingfish, and an amazing night dive with dozens of huge nurse sharks, sting rays and giant trevally.
An experienced chef will prepare special buffets 3 times a day: a hearty breakfast that features pancakes and French toast, oatmeal , eggs cooked as you like; lunch and dinner menus cover a wide range of different international cuisines (Italian, Thai, Chinese) and some local flavours blended together for you to enjoy. Snacks, fresh fruit and hot drinks are available all day.
Please note that on the last full day of the trip there will be only 2 dives before the liveaboard travels back to port.
Day 8
An early light breakfast followed by a departure from the boat for your final destination: Dharavandhoo Airport and your flight back to Male.
Please note that these cruises sometimes run in reverse or use different ports - check above for details.
Ari Atoll (8 Days / 7 Nights - 18 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, shark action, manta rays, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, very popular, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: North and South Ari Atoll, Rasdhoo Atoll
Day 1
Guests picked up from Male International Airport will be onboard the spacious Carpe Diem liveaboard. A welcome briefing will help you on familiarzing with the boat and its skilled crew. There will be some paperwork to fill in and sign, but also a great check dive in the afternoon. Dinner will be served at around sunset, inside the air-conditioned restaurant where you will get to know the crew and the other guests. The boat leaves the harbour early on the following morning.
Days 2-7
The Maldives are known for the stunning beaches and azure waters, but it's the life beneath the water's surface that will leave you speechless. Ari Atoll is considered one of the best dive locations in the Maldives and is famous for its mighty whale sharks which can be regularly seen in the marine protected areas. Hammerhead sharks at Rasdhoo Atoll, and other pelagic fish are also commonly encountered here. A highlight you won't want to miss is a dive at Maaya Thila which is home to grey reef sharks and manta rays, tuna, jacks, turtles, and eagle rays. There many pinnacles where you can find some of the mesmerising macro life living on these reefs, such as leaffish and ghost pipefish. There may also be a dive at Fish Head, one of the best in the region for sheer fish biomass.
An experienced chef will prepare special buffets 3 times a day: a hearty breakfast that features pancakes and French toast, oatmeal , eggs cooked as you like; lunch and dinner menus cover a wide range of different international cuisines (Italian, Thai, Chinese) and some local flavours blended together for you to enjoy. Snacks, fresh fruit and hot drinks are available all day.
Please note that on the last full day of the trip there will be only 2 dives before the liveaboard travels back to port.
Day 8
An early light breakfast followed by a departure from the boat for your final destination: Male International Airport.
Maldives Central & Southern Atolls (11 Days / 10 Nights - 27 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, shark action, manta rays, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: Meemu, North Male, Ari, Rasdhoo, South Male, Felidhoo and South Male atolls
Day 1
Guests picked up from Male International Airport will be onboard the spacious Carpe Diem liveaboard. A welcome briefing will help you on familiarzing with the boat and its skilled crew. There will be some paperwork to fill in and sign, but also a great check dive in the afternoon. Dinner will be served at around sunset, inside the air-conditioned restaurant where you will get to know the crew and the other guests. The boat leaves the harbour early on the following morning.
Days 2-10
The Maldives are known for the stunning beaches and azure waters, but it's the life beneath the water's surface that will leave you speechless. Carpe Diem will take you to the Central and Southern Atolls to see amazing an abundance of marine life with 3 dives a day. Highlights here include tuna, jacks, reef sharks, mantas and eagle rays … you will love it. South Male features large schools of fish, big pelagics, plenty of soft corals and caves, as well as one very good wreck. Miyaru Faru is aptly named since ‘miyaru’ means shark in Dhivehi and not surprisingly this is where you can encounter the ‘big boys’. An overhang protects you from the current and provides an excellent viewing spot for the impressive parade of pelagics and patrolling grey reef sharks, or even the occasional hammerhead.
The channels at Felidhoo Atoll are also a great place to find reef sharks and there is a spectacular wall showcasing caverns, swim-throughs and overhangs festooned with colourful soft corals and bushes of black corals. There is also a spectacular night dive with dozens of huge nurse sharks, sting rays and giant trevallies. Ari Atoll is famous for its mighty whale sharks which can be regularly seen in its marine protected areas. Hammerhead sharks, manta rays and other pelagic fish are also commonly encountered here. Meemu atoll is where you will have another great chance to see whale sharks and mantas feeding on plankton.
An experienced chef will prepare special buffets 3 times a day: a hearty breakfast that features pancakes and French toast, oatmeal , eggs cooked as you like; lunch and dinner menus cover a wide range of different international cuisines (Italian, Thai, Chinese) and some local flavours blended together for you to enjoy. Snacks, fresh fruit and hot drinks are available all day.
Please note that on the last full day of the trip there will be only 2 dives before the liveaboard travels back to port.
Day 11
An early light breakfast followed by a departure from the boat for your final destination: Male International Airport. Please note that these cruises use different ports - check above for details.
[Information is best estimate in ideal circumstances and subject to changes beyond our control. The itinerary is a guide only and may be adapted to best suit the weather, tides, currents, availability and other prevailing events. Price is for the cruise, not for an exact number of dives].
