Navigating the Indian Ocean paradise of the Maldives aboard the MV Ocean Divine liveaboard offers a particularly inviting way to explore its famed atolls. This 110-foot vessel, a purpose-built dive and surf charter boat, accommodates a maximum of just 16 guests, ensuring a spacious and personal atmosphere from the very start of your cruise. From the moment you are met at the airport by the Ocean Divine representative and transferred to the liveaboard, you get a sense of an operation focused on the details.
The boat itself is designed for relaxing into the rhythm of liveaboard life. Accommodation is split across 8 cabins: 6well-appointed standard cabins on the lower deck and 2 Ocean View suites on the upper deck, each featuring a queen and single bed, individual air-conditioning, an ensuite bathroom, and an LCD screen. Life onboard tends to flow between the expansive sundeck, furnished with sun loungers and bean bags for watching the sunset, and the air-conditioned saloon with its Balinese-style seating and entertainment options. A distinctive feature is the dedicated spa room, where a resident Indonesian therapist offers Balinese, Thai, and Swedish massages: a welcome prospect after several days of liveaboard diving.
Rather than diving directly from the main vessel, all dive excursions are conducted from a dedicated 16-metre dhoni, which accompanies the Ocean Divine and carries all dive equipment, compressors, and a nitrox system. This setup means the mothership’s dive deck has been converted into additional relaxation space, keeping the main boat clear of wet gear. The dhoni allows for quick, effortless transfers to dive sites across the atolls, from established channels to less-visited pinnacles, always guided by a liveaboard crew with deep local knowledge of the Maldives' waters and weather patterns.
Mealtimes with the Ocean Divine liveaboard blend Asian and Western influences, with meals typically served on the open-air aft deck. A weekly barbecue under the stars is a highlight, and the inclusion of mineral water, juices, and tea and coffee with meals reflects the straightforward, inclusive approach. When not diving, guests can borrow sea kayaks or stand-up paddleboards, try fishing from the dhoni, or join an excursion to a local island, offering a glimpse of Maldivian life beyond the reef.
The MV Ocean Divine brings together local expertise with an international standard of service. Their long presence in the region is evident in the smooth running of the charters, from the clear arrival and departure procedures to the knowledgeable crew. For divers seeking a genuine Maldivian liveaboard experience, one that balances quality diving with genuine hospitality and a relaxed pace, the Ocean Divine liveaboard is worth investigating for your next trip.
There are 6 x 14 sqm cabins on the lower deck, each having a single bed and a double bed side-by-side. There are also 2 x 30 sqm double bed Ocean Suites with panoramic views on the upper deck. All Ocean Divine rooms are en-suite (have private bathrooms) and can be used for double or twin occupancy.
All the staterooms have:
- Air-conditioning
- Private bathroom with hot water shower
- Hand basin, toiletries, towels and bathrobes
- Portholes
- TV and DVD player (Ocean Suites only)
- Double and single beds
- Reading lights
- Telephone
- 3 square-prong mains outlet 220 volts - 24 hours per day
- Cabinet and mirror
- Fire extinguishers
No. of bathrooms / showers - 8 / 8 - hot water
Maldives Central & Northern Atolls (11 Days / 10 Nights - 28 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 (Lion's Head, Wattaru Kandu, Lankanfinolhu Faru (Manta Point)), South Male (Cocoa Thila, Guraidhoo Kandu South), Ari (Kudarah Thila, Hukrueli Faru (Madivaru), Felidhoo atolls, Baa (including Hanifaru Bay)
Day 1
Collect your luggage at Male International Airport and meet a representative of the Ocean Divine crew at 15:00 hrs who will escort you out and transfer you by Dhoni directly to the boat in 15-20 minutes. You can decide to spend time at the Hulhule Airport Hotel (at an extra cost) where you can relax, use the pool, and have a shower in case you arrive on a morning flight. The owner and tour leader will explain the liveaboard features and the diving safari plan in detail before you are assigned to your cabin. Unpack your scuba gear, chat with the other guests on board: dinner will be served at sunset. Your amazing vacation in the Maldives has just begun!
Core Days
The Maldives feature warm waters, great visibility and amazing reefs packed with fish and big pelagics attracted by the nutrients that the currents bring through the channels between the atolls: expect to spot a lot of manta rays and schools of large fish. Underwater pinnacles are another common feature of the tour, as they shelter fish from the currents. Follow your guide to find the right spot from where you can enjoy all the action without kicking against the current. Whale sharks, manta rays, schooling hammerheads, nurse sharks and grey reef sharks will be some of the topics that you will be able to discuss (and enjoy) with your dive buddies and the staff on board. Every dive is usually at a different location, unless the guests wish to repeat any of the dives.
Baa Atoll is a popular option between July and mid-November as the southwestern monsoon brings huge concentrations of plankton in to the Northern Atolls and this attracts mantas. Here you will visit and snorkel in the world famous Hanifaru Bay where hundreds of manta rays gather in a spectacular feeding frenzy. Watch them barrel roll as they scoop up huge mouthfuls of nourishing plankton.
You will be greeted at the back of the boat with hot tea, coffee, fresh fruits and juices, plus a wide range of cereals to boost your energy levels prior to your 1st morning dive at around 07:30 hrs. to your liking, sausages, cakes, juices and hot drinks; and also a range of traditional cooked Maldivian dishes for a taste of local cuisine. Take a rest on the sun deck and wait for the 2nd morning dive at 11:30 hrs. Buffet style lunches will be one of the highlights of your trip, with local fresh fish, sashimi and fresh vegetables prepared daily by a professional chef and his staff. Freshly prepared desserts will be hard to resist, but you will have some time before the 3rd dive at 15:00 hrs. Back on board by 17:00 hrs, when snacks and juices will be served. Dinner is usually served at 19:30 hrs, using fish purchased from the local market and imported ingredients from around the world. 2 night dives are scheduled during the week.
Day 11
Disembarkation time will be after a light breakfast. You will be transferred to Male airport and you can choose to spend few hours at Hulhule Hotel to relax by the pool, have a few drinks, snacks, or a shower in case your flight is later in the day.
Maldives Central & Northern Atolls (12 Days / 11 Nights - 30 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 (Lion's Head, Wattaru Kandu, Lankanfinolhu Faru (Manta Point)), South Male (Cocoa Thila, Guraidhoo Kandu South), Ari (Kudarah Thila, Hukrueli Faru (Madivaru), Felidhoo atolls, Baa (including Hanifaru Bay)
Day 1
Collect your luggage at Male International Airport and meet a representative of the Ocean Divine crew at 15:00 hrs who will escort you out and transfer you by Dhoni directly to the boat in 15-20 minutes. You can decide to spend time at the Hulhule Airport Hotel (at an extra cost) where you can relax, use the pool, and have a shower in case you arrive on a morning flight. The owner and tour leader will explain the liveaboard features and the diving safari plan in detail before you are assigned to your cabin. Unpack your scuba gear, chat with the other guests on board: dinner will be served at sunset. Your amazing vacation in the Maldives has just begun!
Core Days
The Maldives feature warm waters, great visibility and amazing reefs packed with fish and big pelagics attracted by the nutrients that the currents bring through the channels between the atolls: expect to spot a lot of manta rays and schools of large fish. Underwater pinnacles are another common feature of the tour, as they shelter fish from the currents. Follow your guide to find the right spot from where you can enjoy all the action without kicking against the current. Whale sharks, manta rays, schooling hammerheads, nurse sharks and grey reef sharks will be some of the topics that you will be able to discuss (and enjoy) with your dive buddies and the staff on board. Every dive is usually at a different location, unless the guests wish to repeat any of the dives.
Baa Atoll is a popular option between July and mid-November as the southwestern monsoon brings huge concentrations of plankton in to the Northern Atolls and this attracts mantas. Here you will visit and snorkel in the world famous Hanifaru Bay where hundreds of manta rays gather in a spectacular feeding frenzy. Watch them barrel roll as they scoop up huge mouthfuls of nourishing plankton.
You will be greeted at the back of the boat with hot tea, coffee, fresh fruits and juices, plus a wide range of cereals to boost your energy levels prior to your 1st morning dive at around 07:30 hrs. to your liking, sausages, cakes, juices and hot drinks; and also a range of traditional cooked Maldivian dishes for a taste of local cuisine. Take a rest on the sun deck and wait for the 2nd morning dive at 11:30 hrs. Buffet style lunches will be one of the highlights of your trip, with local fresh fish, sashimi and fresh vegetables prepared daily by a professional chef and his staff. Freshly prepared desserts will be hard to resist, but you will have some time before the 3rd dive at 15:00 hrs. Back on board by 17:00 hrs, when snacks and juices will be served. Dinner is usually served at 19:30 hrs, using fish purchased from the local market and imported ingredients from around the world. 2 night dives are scheduled during the week.
Day 12
Disembarkation time will be after a light breakfast. You will be transferred to Male airport and you can choose to spend few hours at Hulhule Hotel to relax by the pool, have a few drinks, snacks, or a shower in case your flight is later in the day.
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 (Lion's Head, Wattaru Kandu, Lankanfinolhu Faru (Manta Point), South Male (Cocoa Thila, Guraidhoo Kandu South), Ari (Kudarah Thila, Hukrueli Faru (Madivaru), Rasdhoo, Felidhoo atolls
Day 1
Once on board the Ocean Divine liveaboard near Male International Airport, you are welcomed by the owner and tour leader, who introduce the vessel and outline the diving safari schedule. You will be shown to your cabin to settle in and prepare your diving equipment. Dinner is served later that day, allowing you to relax and meet your fellow divers before nightfall.
Core Days
This Central Atolls liveaboard cruise focuses on the region’s finest dive sites, ensuring a concentrated mix of pelagic action, vibrant coral reefs, and dramatic underwater topography. The experienced guides on the Ocean Divine maximise opportunities by using local knowledge of currents and seasonal marine life movements. This region is characterised by nutrient-rich waters flowing through the channels (kandus), attracting a thrilling array of megafauna.
In North Male Atoll, the diving features classic thilas (submerged pinnacles) and channel dives. You will explore Lion's Head, known for its sheer walls and colourful soft coral growth, and Wattaru Kandu, an exhilarating channel dive where grey reef sharks are frequent visitors. A potential seasonal highlight is Lankanfinolhu Faru, often referred to as Manta Point, where these graceful creatures come to feed and be cleaned. The exploration continues into South Male Atoll, where Cocoa Thila stands out as a world-class pinnacle dive, famous for dramatic overhangs teeming with white-tip reef sharks, eagle rays, and schooling reef fish. Diving at Guraidhoo Kandu South offers high-current action, attracting large pelagics like grey reef sharks and various trevallies.
The focus then shifts west to Ari Atoll, globally recognised for its commitment to marine conservation. Ari is a prime location for encounters with whale sharks and, seasonally, manta rays at sites like Hukrueli Faru. Divers on the Ocean Divine will also explore Kudarah Thila, an impressive, protected pinnacle known for its rich biodiversity and soft coral coverage. Further west, Rasdhoo Atoll provides the chance for early morning dives dedicated to finding schooling hammerhead sharks off the deep outer reef walls. Finally, the remote Felidhoo Atoll offers adventurous channel diving and the possibility of a unique night dive with gathering nurse sharks and large stingrays.
Day 8
After a final light breakfast, guests will disembark the Ocean Divine near Male International Airport.
[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].
Enjoy a well rounded and satisfying dining experience featuring a blend of local Maldivian specialities, international favourites, and fresh ingredients served in the outdoor restaurant at the rear of the wooden hulled Ocean Divine liveaboard, shaded and cooled with canvas and fans, prepared by 2 chefs in the galley the whole day from 6 am to 8 pm.
Breakfast (6.30-8.30 am)
• Early risers are greeted with a light breakfast of tea, coffee, fruit juices, tropical fruit, and a variety of cereals.
• Main breakfast is served after the first dive and includes freshly prepared eggs (made to order), sausages, local Maldivian dishes, bread, cheese, and sweet options such as cakes or pastries.
Take a rest on the sun deck and wait for the 2nd morning dive at 11:30 am.
Lunch (12:30 pm):
• Buffet-style and varied daily, lunch includes a mix of local and international dishes prepared using fresh fish, seasonal vegetables, and light sides.
• Expect dishes such as grilled fish or chicken, stir-fried noodles, sashimi, rice, fresh salads, and local vegetable preparations. Desserts and fresh fruit are also included.
You will have some time before the 3rd dive at 3 pm.
Snacks and refreshments:
Back on board by 5 pm, Afternoon tea and snacks will be served after the 3rd dive.
• Light snacks including fruit, biscuits, chocolate, and chips are available throughout the day.
Dinner (7:30 pm):
• Each evening, guests enjoy a 4 course dinner crafted by the Ocean Divine's chef and team. Meals typically feature fresh fish purchased from the local market and imported ingredients from around the world
• Dishes may include fish curry, pasta, grilled meats or seafood, and cooked vegetables, followed by a light dessert.
Complimentary beverage selection:
Tea, coffee, iced tea, iced water, fruit juices, and soft drinks are available throughout the day.
• A fully stocked bar offers a variety of cocktails, beer, wine, and spirits for purchase.
Extras:
• A beach BBQ is arranged once per week by the Ocean Divine, weather permitting.
Dietary Requirements:
• Ocean Divine aims to accommodate all dietary preferences and restrictions. Please advise of any special requirements when completing your guest information form.
