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Manta Cruise
- Cruises the Maldives central atolls, some south/north tours
- All cabins with private en-suite bathrooms
- Trips from 6 to 13 nights
- Minimum 50 dives and advanced certification
- Good offers for dive groups
A maximum of 18 passengers can be comfortably accommodated in 9 cabins all with private en-suite bathrooms and air-conditioning. You can take it easy in the open-air saloon and dining area, soak up the rays on the sun deck or relax in the novel front deck lounge area at the bow of the boat, taking in the view of the atoll chain. All diving on these Maldives cruises, which includes a nitrox option, is done from an accompanying custom-built dhoni boat that houses the compressors, maintaining the peace and quiet of the mothership.
Cruise route options include both the northern and southern atolls, and the longer 2 week tours are ideal for those who want to get an in-depth feel of diving in the Maldives. Manta Cruise trips are designed for experienced divers to have a great time so you should have a minimum of 50 dives and advanced open water certification. All liveaboard cruises start and end at Male Town, and you will be welcomed on arrival and waved goodbye at the airport as part of the Team Abyss service.
Notes: It is required for all divers to have logged at least 50 dives and have a minimum level of Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent. 100 dives minimum are advised for Extended South Trips. Divers with less experience will be able to join the trips but may have to sit out some dives if dive certifications are not sufficient for the dives planned.
Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation with air-conditioning, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinking water, hot drinks, return transfers to the boat from Male Airport, dives (as detailed in the trips above), experienced English-speaking divemaster(s) (6 divers per guide), tanks, tanks, weights and weight belts.
Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Scuba equipment (limited stock of BCD, regulator and dive computer, approx. US$ 17 per set per day), possible Hanifaru Bay entry fees approx. US$ 20 per person, domestic flights (if relevant to the itinerary), fuel surcharge for extended South/North cruise of approx. US$ 120 per person, service charge US$ 10 per person per day, Maldivian Green Tax (US$ 6 per person per night), GST on all items and services purchased on board. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash or credit card).
Optional extras: Mineral water, soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, nitrox fills for enriched air certified divers (approx US$ 7 per 12L tank and US$ 9 per 14L tank), torches, dive insurance. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival.
How to get there: The Manta Cruise liveaboard usually departs from Male. For some southern cruises, the departure port is Gan. On the last night of the cruise, the boat is moored near the disembarkation port. Domestic flights are included for Southern cruises. For more information see our How to Get to the Maldives section. The last dive of the trip will end no later than 16:30 hrs on the second last day of the trip. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving.
Non-diver rate: 10% discounts from published price.
Single supplement (if you do not want to share accommodation): Add 75% to published price.
Dive clubs and group discounts: Pay for 6 guests and receive 1 extra space free of charge. Pay for 12 guests and receive 2 extra spaces free of charge.
Whole boat charter rate (per night): US$ 3,625
All the cabins have:
- Air-conditioning and fans
- Private bathrooms with hot water showers and hand basins
- Portholes on lower deck, windows on upper deck
- Bedding & towels provided
- Cabinet, bedside tables, reading lights & mirror
- 2 Cruise Leaders/Instructors
- 2 Dive Instructors
- Divemaster
- 2 Captains
- 2 Cooks
- Engineer
- Maid
- Deck Hand
Mobula, the dhoni dive tender, is 18m long and built specially to Manta Cruise's requirements. It is fast, comfortable and well laid out. Specifications include 2 compressors, nitrox, showers, toilets, rooftop sundeck, crew cabins, GPS, sonar, fish finder and safety equipment.
- The cook caters international, Thai, Italian, local cuisine and BBQ.
- Meals are served buffet style in the saloon/dining area.
- Main meals include pre-breakfast, breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks in between.
- Snacks consist of biscuits, ice creams and bread/toast.
- Tea, coffee and drinking water are complimentary.
- Soft drinks, beer, wine and spirits are available for purchase onboard.
- Special diets, including Halaal and vegetarian diets, are catered for with prior notice.
- Catering begins at guest check-in.
- Built in year 2006, refurbished 2010
- Size - 33m x 9m
- Weight - 96 tonnes
- Top speed - 12 knots
- Cruising speed - 9 knots
- 365 HP Daewoo engine
- 2 x Kohler generators - 27 & 35 Kva
- 2 x Bauer dive tank compressors
- Enriched air nitrox system
- 12 litre aluminium scuba tanks with international and DIN fittings
- Electricity 220V - 24 hours per day
- Water capacity - 6,000 litres
- Fresh water makers - 9,000 litres per day
- Fuel capacity - 5,400 litres
- Waste storage tanks
- 25 person capacity life raft
- 1 x 18m motorised dhoni dive tender
- Motorised dinghy
- Icom radio
- Garmin GPS and plotter
- No radar
- Depth sounder
- Fishfinder
- EPIRB signalling device
- Bilge pump alarm
- Searchlight & horn
- CCTV in engine room
- Satellite and mobile telephones
- MFA box and trained staff
- Fire extinguishers throughout
- Life jackets in cabins
- This operator has not confirmed the presence, or quantity of, oxygen on their liveaboard boat
- Customer dive insurance NOT provided - see our insurance programme for a competitive quotation
Customer reviews:
Maldives
Low Budget Options
Click to view product. Special discounted trips highlighted in yellow
Customer rating: Excellent!
- Specialises in northern atolls r...
- 2019 Operator of the Year
- Dive The World Gold Range produc...
- All cabins have en-suite bathroo...
- Stand-up paddleboard, 12 & 15l t...
- Dhoni has camera table, rinse ta...
Customer rating: Very good!
- Tours many Maldives regions; cen...
- No hidden extras
- Maximum of 12 guests only
- All cabins with private bathroom...
- Rebreather-friendly
Customer rating: Very good!
- Visits Maldives central atolls
- Inclusive cruise prices
- All cabins with private bathroom...
- Sun deck with Jacuzzi
- Nautilus Lifeline personal EPIRB...
- Large boat
Customer rating: Very good!
- Visits Maldives central atolls, ...
- No hidden extras
- Cabins with ensuite bathrooms, T...
- Fully licensed bar
Customer rating: Very good!
- Visits Maldives central atolls a...
- Price-inclusive cruises
- All cabins with private bathroom...
- Rebreather-friendly
- Dhoni has fresh water shower, ri...
Customer rating: Very good!
- Tours the Maldives southern atol...
- Maximum of only 14 divers, 10 cr...
- All cabins with private bathroom...
- Minimum 12 years, advanced certi...
Customer rating: Good
- Visits Maldives central, norther...
- Cabins with ensuite bathrooms an...
- On board spa treatments
- Jacuzzi on the sundeck
Customer rating: Good
- 7 to10 night dive cruises to Mal...
- Multiple relaxation spaces
- Cabins with private en-suite bat...
- Sleek all-wooden boat
Customer rating: Good
- 7 to 10 night dive safaris to Ma...
- Multiple relaxation spaces
- Spacious cabins with private bat...
- Very large sleek all-wooden boat...
- Lost diver safety devices
Middle Budget Options
Click to view product. Special discounted trips highlighted in yellow
Customer rating: Excellent!
- Cruises Maldives central atolls,...
- All cabins with ensuite bathroom...
- Cabin for single traveller
- Dive The World Gold Range produc...
Customer rating: Excellent!
- Cruises Maldives central atolls,...
- Cabins with private bathrooms, T...
- Dedicated dining room
- Wave Runner available
- Large boat with steel hull
Customer rating: Excellent!
- Cruises Maldives central, northe...
- All cabins with private bathroom...
- Dedicated single occupancy cabin...
- Large liveaboard
- Camera room, table and charging ...
Customer rating: Excellent!
- Cruises Maldives central atolls ...
- Cabins with private bathrooms, T...
- Dedicated restaurant with bar
- Jacuzzi on the sundeck
- Underwater scooters
Customer rating: Good
- Cruises Maldives central, north ...
- Dive The World Gold Range produc...
- Runs some family-friendly cruise...
- Charging station, special photog...
- Bar with beer on tap
- Lavazza coffee bar
Customer rating: Good
- Visits Maldives central and nort...
- All inclusive price policy
- All cabins with private bathroom...
- Upper deck spa with massage
- 4 dives per day and 4 dive guide...
- Large boat
Customer rating: Good
- 7-12 night cruises to Maldives n...
- All cabins are ensuite with TV &...
- Large comfortable sun deck with ...
- Dedicated air-conditioned dining...
- Rebreather friendly
- Large steel-hulled boat
Customer rating: Good
- Cruises Maldives central and sou...
- All cabins with private bathroom...
- Jacuzzi on sundeck
- Open-air bar for sunset cocktail...
- Large boat
High Budget Options
Click to view product. Special discounted trips highlighted in yellow
Customer rating: Excellent!
- Tours all regions of the Maldive...
- 7 and 10 night trips
- All cabins are ensuite with TV &...
- Large comfortable sun deck with ...
- Large boat
Customer rating: Excellent!
- Cruises Maldives central and sou...
- Maximum of 12 guests only
- All cabins with private bathroom...
- Spa service with massage and ski...
- Steel hulled boat
Customer rating: Excellent!
- Visits Maldives central atolls a...
- All ensuite cabins with minibars...
- More than 20 years in the diving...
- Dedicated restaurant with bar
- Cameras: racks, rinse tank, tabl...
- Photography professional on boar...
Customer rating: Excellent!
- Cruises Maldives central atolls ...
- All cabins with private bathroom...
- Combines diving with spa treatme...
- Sundeck with hot tub
Customer rating: Excellent!
- Cruises Maldives central atolls ...
- All cabins with private bathroom...
- Combines diving with spa treatme...
- Sundeck with hot tub
Customer rating: Good
- 7, 10 night dive cruises to Mald...
- All cabins are ensuite with TV &...
- Complimentary beer and wine
- Large comfortable sun deck with ...
- Dhoni has fresh water shower, ri...
- Large steel-hulled boat
Customer rating: Good
- Visits Maldives central atolls: ...
- All-inclusive safaris
- All cabins with private bathroom...
- Upper deck spa
- 4 dive guides
- Large boat
Customer rating: Good
- Visits Maldives central atolls, ...
- Cabins with ensuite bathrooms
- Spacious indoor and outdoor rela...
- Sky Bar on sun deck
