Launched back in 2004, Conte Max was the pioneer liveaboard yacht in the Maldives to combine diving with the wellbeing facilities of an onboard Ayurveda centre. Over the years it has refined its guest service and facilities, and enhanced its cuisine offerings to remain as popular as ever among its growing throng of admiring guests.
Conte Max now has a wealth of experience in the concept of liveaboard dive cruises which combine a small spa specialised in regenerative Ayurveda treatments; ideal in such an awe-inspiring location as the Maldives. For those not familiar with Ayurveda, it is an ancient therapy dating back 6,000 years. Ayurvedic treatments and massages use freshly prepared natural oils and herbs. Such beauty treatments are aimed at relaxing both body and mind and are considered vital to one's overall wellness. A masseur is always on board.
All the Conte Max dive cruise routes are carefully selected based on the operator’s long experience in cruising the Maldives since 1990. The liveaboard trip schedules are organised according to the weather, the seasons, and currents, as well as the water visibility, in order to maximise the chances of great underwater encounters at all the dive sites visited. Dives are conducted from an accompanying 18m traditional Maldivian boat called a dhoni. The Conte Max liveaboard is equipped with 2 compressors and a generator, underwater scooters, and a guest bathroom. As well as being a dedicated diving vessel, the dhoni also frees up space on the Conte Max for guest use, such as a dedicated photography area. The boat is rebreather-friendly, and nitrox is free for EANx-certified divers! If you're a non-diver, a free try dive can be arranged during the cruise! For guest safety, Nautilus Lifelines are available, as well as a defibrillator and spinal barrel for emergencies.
The Conte Max liveaboard can accommodate up to 21 guests in 9 cabins, but usually there are no more than 17. Cabins feature stand-alone beds (no bunk beds), and each has its own ensuite bathroom, with separate shower cubicle. One great feature of Conte Max is that it has a single cabin - a rare find on Maldives liveaboards!
There is an outdoor and an indoor saloon/ dining area (used in case of rain). Meals are served at the table and the menu includes Italian, international and Maldivian cuisines, often using fresh fish, although the chefs are always ready to satisfy any specific guest needs. Once a week with Conte Max, there is a buffet of traditional Maldivian dishes, and a beach dinner. The indoor saloon also has a bar offering a wide choice of soft drinks and spirits, and a TV-DVD area furnished with comfortable sofas.
There are social open-air areas on 3 decks, furnished with sun loungers, sun mats and deck chairs. The decks allow guests to enjoy the breath-taking Maldivian scenery, both when sailing and while relaxing when the liveaboard is moored in the lagoons for the night.
Maldives Atolls (5 Days / 4 Nights - 8 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: CENTRAL ATOLLS 4 nights
Day 1
A representative of Conte Max will meet you at Male International Airport and take you to the dhoni that will take you on board this fantastic 33m motor yacht and its crew of 10. The boat will leave port, usually by 2 pm, and guests will do their check dive. Lunch and dinner will be served during the day, depending on your arrival time. You will be able to get to know the crew and the boat better during the introductory briefing that the tour leader will give once all the guests are on board. You are about to have a great few days of diving, fun, pampering and relaxation!
Core Days
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. Conte Max will take you to see amazing coral reefs and an abundance of marine life all year round on 3 dives a day. Whale sharks are seen very often, while diving or snorkelling. Felidhoo Atoll will surprise you with its huge schools of fish and larger marine life such as large schools of grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, tuna, Napoleon wrasse and many colourful reef fish. Hanifaru Bay at Baa Atoll is where you could experience a whirling feeding frenzy of manta rays. Mantas arrive in their hundreds to gorge on the nutrient rich soup during the southwest monsoon when the plankton blooms, a spectacle to behold! Be prepared for awesome apex predator encounters with thresher sharks, oceanic whitetips and tiger sharks at Fuvahmulah Island. Here you’ll dive with a variety of large predators as they hunt the abundant smaller fish. The Maldives has the world’s largest known population of reef manta rays - up to 9 in a single dive during dives at Meemu Atoll!
3 main meals a day will fuel you for the diving of the safari, while the snacks served each day are aimed for energy boosts and to simply spoil you! The yacht is very proud of the quality of its meal offerings. A typical day begins with a first dive of the day after coffee. Breakfast follows then a second dive. Lunch is served around 1 pm before a 3rd dive around 3 pm. Snacks are next then dinner is served at 7:30 pm. Meals are served at your table in the open air if weather permits, otherwise in the air-con saloon. Fresh fish and vegetables are the speciality of the cruise, and cooked according to Italian and international recipes. There will be 1 Maldivian cuisine evening and 1 beach BBQ during the safari.
Day 5
Wake up to the smell of the last cooked breakfast of the tour in the early morning. Say your farewells and take your last group pictures before heading to Male airport.
Please note that these cruises use different ports - check above for details.
Maldives Atolls (6 Days / 5 Nights - 11 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: Northern Atolls
Day 1
A representative of Conte Max will meet you at Male International Airport and take you to the dhoni that will take you on board this fantastic 33m motor yacht and its crew of 10. The boat will leave port, usually by 2 pm, and guests will do their check dive. Lunch and dinner will be served during the day, depending on your arrival time. You will be able to get to know the crew and the boat better during the introductory briefing that the tour leader will give once all the guests are on board. You are about to have a great few days of diving, fun, pampering and relaxation!
Core Days
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. Conte Max will take you to see amazing coral reefs and an abundance of marine life all year round on 3 dives a day. Whale sharks are seen very often, while diving or snorkelling. Felidhoo Atoll will surprise you with its huge schools of fish and larger marine life such as large schools of grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, tuna, Napoleon wrasse and many colourful reef fish. Hanifaru Bay at Baa Atoll is where you could experience a whirling feeding frenzy of manta rays. Mantas arrive in their hundreds to gorge on the nutrient rich soup during the southwest monsoon when the plankton blooms, a spectacle to behold! Be prepared for awesome apex predator encounters with thresher sharks, oceanic whitetips and tiger sharks at Fuvahmulah Island. Here you’ll dive with a variety of large predators as they hunt the abundant smaller fish. The Maldives has the world’s largest known population of reef manta rays - up to 9 in a single dive during dives at Meemu Atoll!
3 main meals a day will fuel you for the diving of the safari, while the snacks served each day are aimed for energy boosts and to simply spoil you! The yacht is very proud of the quality of its meal offerings. A typical day begins with a first dive of the day after coffee. Breakfast follows then a second dive. Lunch is served around 1 pm before a 3rd dive around 3 pm. Snacks are next then dinner is served at 7:30 pm. Meals are served at your table in the open air if weather permits, otherwise in the air-con saloon. Fresh fish and vegetables are the speciality of the cruise, and cooked according to Italian and international recipes. There will be 1 Maldivian cuisine evening and 1 beach BBQ during the safari.
Day 6
Wake up to the smell of the last cooked breakfast of the tour in the early morning. Say your farewells and take your last group pictures before heading to Male airport.
Please note that these cruises use different ports - check above for details.
Maldives Atolls (8 Days / 7 Nights - 17 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: CENTRAL ATOLLS
Day 1
A representative of Conte Max will meet you at Male International Airport and take you to the dhoni that will take you on board this fantastic 33m motor yacht and its crew of 10. The boat will leave port, usually by 2 pm, and guests will do their check dive. Lunch and dinner will be served during the day, depending on your arrival time. You will be able to get to know the crew and the boat better during the introductory briefing that the tour leader will give once all the guests are on board. You are about to have a great few days of diving, fun, pampering and relaxation!
Core Days
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. Conte Max will take you to see amazing coral reefs and an abundance of marine life all year round on 3 dives a day. Whale sharks are seen very often, while diving or snorkelling. Felidhoo Atoll will surprise you with its huge schools of fish and larger marine life such as large schools of grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, tuna, Napoleon wrasse and many colourful reef fish. Hanifaru Bay at Baa Atoll is where you could experience a whirling feeding frenzy of manta rays. Mantas arrive in their hundreds to gorge on the nutrient rich soup during the southwest monsoon when the plankton blooms, a spectacle to behold! Be prepared for awesome apex predator encounters with thresher sharks, oceanic whitetips and tiger sharks at Fuvahmulah Island. Here you’ll dive with a variety of large predators as they hunt the abundant smaller fish. The Maldives has the world’s largest known population of reef manta rays - up to 9 in a single dive during dives at Meemu Atoll!
3 main meals a day will fuel you for the diving of the safari, while the snacks served each day are aimed for energy boosts and to simply spoil you! The yacht is very proud of the quality of its meal offerings. A typical day begins with a first dive of the day after coffee. Breakfast follows then a second dive. Lunch is served around 1 pm before a 3rd dive around 3 pm. Snacks are next then dinner is served at 7:30 pm. Meals are served at your table in the open air if weather permits, otherwise in the air-con saloon. Fresh fish and vegetables are the speciality of the cruise, and cooked according to Italian and international recipes. There will be 1 Maldivian cuisine evening and 1 beach BBQ during the safari.
Day 8
Wake up to the smell of the last cooked breakfast of the tour in the early morning. Say your farewells and take your last group pictures before heading to Male airport.
Please note that these cruises use different ports - check above for details.
Maldives Atolls (10 Days / 9 Nights - 23 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: Northern Atolls Male / Baa / Male Manta Expedition with Marine biologist 9 Nights
Day 1
A representative of Conte Max will meet you at Male International Airport and take you to the dhoni that will take you on board this fantastic 33m motor yacht and its crew of 10. The boat will leave port, usually by 2 pm, and guests will do their check dive. Lunch and dinner will be served during the day, depending on your arrival time. You will be able to get to know the crew and the boat better during the introductory briefing that the tour leader will give once all the guests are on board. You are about to have a great few days of diving, fun, pampering and relaxation!
Core Days
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. Conte Max will take you to see amazing coral reefs and an abundance of marine life all year round on 3 dives a day. Whale sharks are seen very often, while diving or snorkelling. Felidhoo Atoll will surprise you with its huge schools of fish and larger marine life such as large schools of grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, tuna, Napoleon wrasse and many colourful reef fish. Hanifaru Bay at Baa Atoll is where you could experience a whirling feeding frenzy of manta rays. Mantas arrive in their hundreds to gorge on the nutrient rich soup during the southwest monsoon when the plankton blooms, a spectacle to behold! Be prepared for awesome apex predator encounters with thresher sharks, oceanic whitetips and tiger sharks at Fuvahmulah Island. Here you’ll dive with a variety of large predators as they hunt the abundant smaller fish. The Maldives has the world’s largest known population of reef manta rays - up to 9 in a single dive during dives at Meemu Atoll!
3 main meals a day will fuel you for the diving of the safari, while the snacks served each day are aimed for energy boosts and to simply spoil you! The yacht is very proud of the quality of its meal offerings. A typical day begins with a first dive of the day after coffee. Breakfast follows then a second dive. Lunch is served around 1 pm before a 3rd dive around 3 pm. Snacks are next then dinner is served at 7:30 pm. Meals are served at your table in the open air if weather permits, otherwise in the air-con saloon. Fresh fish and vegetables are the speciality of the cruise, and cooked according to Italian and international recipes. There will be 1 Maldivian cuisine evening and 1 beach BBQ during the safari.
Day 10
Wake up to the smell of the last cooked breakfast of the tour in the early morning. Say your farewells and take your last group pictures before heading to Male airport.
Please note that these cruises use different ports - check above for details.
Maldives Atolls (11 Days / 10 Nights - 26 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: Male / Baa / Male
Day 1
A representative of Conte Max will meet you at Male International Airport and take you to the dhoni that will take you on board this fantastic 33m motor yacht and its crew of 10. The boat will leave port, usually by 2 pm, and guests will do their check dive. Lunch and dinner will be served during the day, depending on your arrival time. You will be able to get to know the crew and the boat better during the introductory briefing that the tour leader will give once all the guests are on board. You are about to have a great few days of diving, fun, pampering and relaxation!
Core Days
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. Conte Max will take you to see amazing coral reefs and an abundance of marine life all year round on 3 dives a day. Whale sharks are seen very often, while diving or snorkelling. Felidhoo Atoll will surprise you with its huge schools of fish and larger marine life such as large schools of grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, tuna, Napoleon wrasse and many colourful reef fish. Hanifaru Bay at Baa Atoll is where you could experience a whirling feeding frenzy of manta rays. Mantas arrive in their hundreds to gorge on the nutrient rich soup during the southwest monsoon when the plankton blooms, a spectacle to behold! Be prepared for awesome apex predator encounters with thresher sharks, oceanic whitetips and tiger sharks at Fuvahmulah Island. Here you’ll dive with a variety of large predators as they hunt the abundant smaller fish. The Maldives has the world’s largest known population of reef manta rays - up to 9 in a single dive during dives at Meemu Atoll!
3 main meals a day will fuel you for the diving of the safari, while the snacks served each day are aimed for energy boosts and to simply spoil you! The yacht is very proud of the quality of its meal offerings. A typical day begins with a first dive of the day after coffee. Breakfast follows then a second dive. Lunch is served around 1 pm before a 3rd dive around 3 pm. Snacks are next then dinner is served at 7:30 pm. Meals are served at your table in the open air if weather permits, otherwise in the air-con saloon. Fresh fish and vegetables are the speciality of the cruise, and cooked according to Italian and international recipes. There will be 1 Maldivian cuisine evening and 1 beach BBQ during the safari.
Day 11
Wake up to the smell of the last cooked breakfast of the tour in the early morning. Say your farewells and take your last group pictures before heading to Male airport.
Please note that these cruises use different ports - check above for details.
Maldives Atolls (9 Days / 8 Nights - 20 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: Central Atolls 8 nights
Day 1
A representative of Conte Max will meet you at Male International Airport and take you to the dhoni that will take you on board this fantastic 33m motor yacht and its crew of 10. The boat will leave port, usually by 2 pm, and guests will do their check dive. Lunch and dinner will be served during the day, depending on your arrival time. You will be able to get to know the crew and the boat better during the introductory briefing that the tour leader will give once all the guests are on board. You are about to have a great few days of diving, fun, pampering and relaxation!
Core Days
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. Conte Max will take you to see amazing coral reefs and an abundance of marine life all year round on 3 dives a day. Whale sharks are seen very often, while diving or snorkelling. Felidhoo Atoll will surprise you with its huge schools of fish and larger marine life such as large schools of grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, tuna, Napoleon wrasse and many colourful reef fish. Hanifaru Bay at Baa Atoll is where you could experience a whirling feeding frenzy of manta rays. Mantas arrive in their hundreds to gorge on the nutrient rich soup during the southwest monsoon when the plankton blooms, a spectacle to behold! Be prepared for awesome apex predator encounters with thresher sharks, oceanic whitetips and tiger sharks at Fuvahmulah Island. Here you’ll dive with a variety of large predators as they hunt the abundant smaller fish. The Maldives has the world’s largest known population of reef manta rays - up to 9 in a single dive during dives at Meemu Atoll!
3 main meals a day will fuel you for the diving of the safari, while the snacks served each day are aimed for energy boosts and to simply spoil you! The yacht is very proud of the quality of its meal offerings. A typical day begins with a first dive of the day after coffee. Breakfast follows then a second dive. Lunch is served around 1 pm before a 3rd dive around 3 pm. Snacks are next then dinner is served at 7:30 pm. Meals are served at your table in the open air if weather permits, otherwise in the air-con saloon. Fresh fish and vegetables are the speciality of the cruise, and cooked according to Italian and international recipes. There will be 1 Maldivian cuisine evening and 1 beach BBQ during the safari.
Day 9
Wake up to the smell of the last cooked breakfast of the tour in the early morning. Say your farewells and take your last group pictures before heading to Male airport.
Please note that these cruises use different ports - check above for details.
Maldives Atolls (12 Days / 11 Nights - 29 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: Central Atolls 11 nights
Day 1
A representative of Conte Max will meet you at Male International Airport and take you to the dhoni that will take you on board this fantastic 33m motor yacht and its crew of 10. The boat will leave port, usually by 2 pm, and guests will do their check dive. Lunch and dinner will be served during the day, depending on your arrival time. You will be able to get to know the crew and the boat better during the introductory briefing that the tour leader will give once all the guests are on board. You are about to have a great few days of diving, fun, pampering and relaxation!
Core Days
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. Conte Max will take you to see amazing coral reefs and an abundance of marine life all year round on 3 dives a day. Whale sharks are seen very often, while diving or snorkelling. Felidhoo Atoll will surprise you with its huge schools of fish and larger marine life such as large schools of grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, tuna, Napoleon wrasse and many colourful reef fish. Hanifaru Bay at Baa Atoll is where you could experience a whirling feeding frenzy of manta rays. Mantas arrive in their hundreds to gorge on the nutrient rich soup during the southwest monsoon when the plankton blooms, a spectacle to behold! Be prepared for awesome apex predator encounters with thresher sharks, oceanic whitetips and tiger sharks at Fuvahmulah Island. Here you’ll dive with a variety of large predators as they hunt the abundant smaller fish. The Maldives has the world’s largest known population of reef manta rays - up to 9 in a single dive during dives at Meemu Atoll!
3 main meals a day will fuel you for the diving of the safari, while the snacks served each day are aimed for energy boosts and to simply spoil you! The yacht is very proud of the quality of its meal offerings. A typical day begins with a first dive of the day after coffee. Breakfast follows then a second dive. Lunch is served around 1 pm before a 3rd dive around 3 pm. Snacks are next then dinner is served at 7:30 pm. Meals are served at your table in the open air if weather permits, otherwise in the air-con saloon. Fresh fish and vegetables are the speciality of the cruise, and cooked according to Italian and international recipes. There will be 1 Maldivian cuisine evening and 1 beach BBQ during the safari.
Day 13
Wake up to the smell of the last cooked breakfast of the tour in the early morning. Say your farewells and take your last group pictures before heading to Male airport.
Please note that these cruises use different ports - check above for details.
Maldives Atolls (4 Days / 3 Nights - 5 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: Central Atolls 3 nights
Day 1
A representative of Conte Max will meet you at Male International Airport and take you to the dhoni that will take you on board this fantastic 33m motor yacht and its crew of 10. The boat will leave port, usually by 2 pm, and guests will do their check dive. Lunch and dinner will be served during the day, depending on your arrival time. You will be able to get to know the crew and the boat better during the introductory briefing that the tour leader will give once all the guests are on board. You are about to have a great few days of diving, fun, pampering and relaxation!
Core Days
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. Conte Max will take you to see amazing coral reefs and an abundance of marine life all year round on 3 dives a day. Whale sharks are seen very often, while diving or snorkelling. Felidhoo Atoll will surprise you with its huge schools of fish and larger marine life such as large schools of grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, tuna, Napoleon wrasse and many colourful reef fish. Hanifaru Bay at Baa Atoll is where you could experience a whirling feeding frenzy of manta rays. Mantas arrive in their hundreds to gorge on the nutrient rich soup during the southwest monsoon when the plankton blooms, a spectacle to behold! Be prepared for awesome apex predator encounters with thresher sharks, oceanic whitetips and tiger sharks at Fuvahmulah Island. Here you’ll dive with a variety of large predators as they hunt the abundant smaller fish. The Maldives has the world’s largest known population of reef manta rays - up to 9 in a single dive during dives at Meemu Atoll!
Day 4
Wake up to the smell of the last cooked breakfast of the tour in the early morning. Say your farewells and take your last group pictures before heading to Male airport.
Please note that these cruises use different ports - check your trip 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].
A typical day on the Conte Max liveaboard begins early. Coffee is served in the saloon or on deck, a quiet moment to watch the sunrise before the first dive of the day. After returning from that initial immersion, a proper breakfast awaits. The pace then settles. There’s time to log your dives, swap stories with fellow guests, or stretch out on one of the sun loungers before a second dive. Lunch is served around 1 pm, a welcome break before the afternoon’s diving. The third dive is typically scheduled for around 3 pm, followed by snacks to replenish energy. Evenings are for unwinding. As the light softens, drinks from the bar are enjoyed as the day’s final stories are shared, leading up to dinner at 7:30 pm.
The kitchen is a focal point of life aboard the Conte Max, and the liveaboard crew takes real pride in the quality of the meals. The approach to food is straightforward: fresh, flavourful, and varied. Menus draw from Italian and international recipes, with a natural emphasis on fresh fish and vegetables landed at local markets. You might find a classic pasta dish one day, a perfectly grilled reef fish the next, or a light salad with tropical fruit. The chef is known for being accommodating, with guest reviews noting the ability to cater to dietary needs like gluten-free diets. Meals are generally served at your designated table in the open air on the aft deck when weather permits - a simple pleasure as the yacht rests at anchor. If it’s cooler or breezy, the air-conditioned saloon offers a comfortable alternative. Snacks are brought out between dives: perhaps savoury bites or something sweet, designed for a quick energy boost. The bar offers a selection of soft drinks and spirits, available for when you feel like a sundowner.
No week in the Maldives would be complete without a couple of signature experiences. During the week, the Conte Max crew arranges a Maldivian cuisine evening, a chance to sample the rich, spiced flavours of the local islands. Another highlight is the beach barbecue on a deserted island. The crew transforms a stretch of sand into a dining area, complete with a grill and lanterns. Past guests have written about the magic of these evenings: the food, the bonfire, and then the stunningly clear night sky revealing a canopy of stars as you take a zodiac back to the liveaboard. One group even recalled the crew sculpting a whale shark out of sand as a centrepiece, the kind of unexpected, light-hearted gesture that defines the atmosphere on board.
