PRINCESS DHONKAMANA

(1 customer review)

31m / 102ft MAX 18 NITROX WIFI

PRICE PER DAY FROM USD 236

LOWEST PRICE GUARANTEE

At a glance:

Liveaboard safaris throughout the Maldives
Cabins with private bathrooms
Jacuzzi onboard
Plenty of island and beach visits
Onboard snorkelling guide

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The M/Y Princess Dhonkamana is 31 metres long liveaboard that operates dive safaris in the Maldives. The boat operator has been organizing cruises here for more than 30 years and has a wealth of professional experience to draw upon. They have a passion for the sea and love to share this and their vast knowledge of the local marine life with guests. Safaris focus on both diving and snorkeling, and exploring some of stunning deserted islands and beaches for which the Maldives are famous.

There are 9 cabins on board the liveaboard, 3 of which are on the upper deck and feature sea view windows. All the cabins have private guest bathrooms, are spacious, and are tastefully and comfortably furnished. Cabins are configured as double or twin, but 2 of the cabins can be used as 3-share on whole boat charters for dive clubs and groups (for a maximum private charter capacity of 20).

There are 3 sun decks onboard Princess Dhonkamana, with plenty of sun beds, as well as a hottub Jacuzzi. The indoor saloon has a fully-stocked bar, TV, movie library, and music system. Dining take place either in the open air at the stern of the liveaboard's main deck, or in the indoor dining area. The food served onboard is a fusion of Italian, continental and local South Asian cuisine. The galley chefs present a different menu every day based on seafood, pasta, pizza, rice dishes (Risotto or Asian fried rice), vegetables, tropical fruit and homemade desserts.

Diving is conducted from an accompanying dhoni - a dedicated dive boat where both your scuba equipment and the compressors are stored. This not only makes the logistics of liveaboard diving with the Princess Dhonkamana very simple, it also frees up a lot of space for extra relaxation, and removes the noise of filling tanks from the mother ship. So whether you seek a standard central atolls liveaboard cruise in search of whale sharks and mantas, or a safari adventure to the Deep South to find pelagic sharks and fish, you can do it in style with the Princess Dhonkamana.

There are 9 spacious cabins on Princess Dhonkamana. There are 3 double bed cabins on the upper deck, and 6 cabins on the lower deck - 2 with double beds, 2 with twin beds, and 2 with double and single beds. The upper deck cabins have seaview windows. All the cabins are en-suite (have private bathrooms).

All the cabins have:

Air-conditioning
Portholes (lower deck) or windows (upper deck)
Private bathroom with hot water shower and hand basin
Soap, towels and beach towel
Minibar fridge
Writing desk
Bedside lights

Bedside cabinet
Wardrobe, shelves and mirror
Bedding and luggage space
Daily housekeeping
3 Prong UK-style mains outlet 230-240 volts - 24 hours per day
Fire alarm, life jackets and fire extinguishers

No. of bathrooms / showers - 9 / 9 - hot water

Maldives Central 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, very popular, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: Rasdhoo, North Ari, South Ari, North Felidhoo, South Male atolls

Day 1
Your Maldivian diving adventure kicks off at Male airport. After your arrival, a member of the Princess Dhonkamana liveaboard crew will be there to escort you to the boat. Once you're settled into your cabin, you'll be treated to a delicious welcome lunch. The captain and crew will then provide a comprehensive boat and safety briefing, and then serve dinner, which is a great opportunity to get to know your fellow divers and prepare for the incredible week of scuba diving ahead.

Core Days
Over the next few days, you will journey through the central atolls of the Maldives, each offering a distinct diving experience. The route is designed to showcase the stunning marine life that make this region a world-class dive destination.
Your liveaboard trip begins in the channels of Rasdhoo and North Ari Atoll. These areas are globally renowned for their strong currents and deep ocean channels, which create an ideal environment for large, open-ocean species. Here, you'll find yourself immersed in the heart of the Maldives' 'big fish' action. Get ready for exhilarating dives with hammerhead sharks, manta rays, and other powerful pelagics as they glide through the blue.
Next, you will explore South Ari Atoll, widely regarded as the Maldives' premier destination for whale sharks. This marine sanctuary provides a haven for these gentle giants, and scuba divers have the incredible chance to swim alongside them. The calm conditions and frequent sightings make this a truly unforgettable part of your trip.
The diving in Felidhoo Atoll is defined by its channels which are excellent spots to find active reef sharks and other impressive big fish. A highlight of this region is the signature night dive, where you can witness dozens of huge nurse sharks, giant trevally, and stingrays gathering for an unforgettable feeding spectacle.
As you explore South Male Atoll, you'll discover a hub of marine activity known for its large schools of fish and a strong presence of pelagics. Divers can expect to see impressive parades of reef sharks and a diverse ecosystem with a wide variety of marine life.
In addition to the daily dives, every trip on this route includes at least one thrilling night dive to complete your comprehensive Maldives diving experience. These dives offer a unique perspective, revealing the different species that become active after sunset and providing a completely new way to appreciate the underwater world.

Day 8
On your final day, after a last breakfast on board, it will be time to say your goodbyes to the Princess Dhonkamana crew and your fellow divers. The crew will assist with your transfer back to the Male airport for your departure, leaving you with lasting memories of an incredible underwater adventure.

Maldives Central 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, very popular, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: Rasdhoo, North Ari, South Ari, North Felidhoo, South Male atolls

Day 1
A representative of the Princess Dhonkamana will meet you at Male International Airport and take you to the dhoni that will take you on board this super 31m motor yacht. Lunch and dinner will be served during the day. 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 week of diving, fun, and adventure!

Core Days
The ‘Classic’ route includes a beautiful mix of Maldives highlights - sharks, rays, Napoleon wrasse, mantas, corals, whale sharks, deserted islands, sand banks, fishermen islands, a Male visit … 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 channel at Felidhoo Atoll is also a great place to find reef sharks and has 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. Highlights here include tuna, jacks, reef sharks, mantas and eagle rays.
A day on board the yacht runs like this - wake up at 6.30 am, tea, coffee, light breakfast, and the first dive at 7 am. Return to the boat at 8.30 am for a full breakfast. After breakfast there is some time to relax or snorkeling, and a beach or shore excursion, and then around 11 am the second dive takes place. Lunch or an island picnic is served at 1 pm, followed by a third dive at 3:30 pm. Tea time with home-made biscuits and cakes is at 5:30 pm. You can partake in sunset fishing around 6:30 pm, and happy hour starts at 7:30 pm. Dinner is served at 8:30 pm. There is one night dive per cruise.
Meals are served at the table in the upper deck open air if weather permits, otherwise in the air-con dining room. The 2 chefs will prepare unique Italian style dishes mixed with local spices and fresh fish. Fresh bread is baked daily, and homemade cakes and biscuits are available at tea time. Breakfast is European and continental with a choice of eggs or cheese, fresh fruits fresh bread and cakes, jam, butter, juice, tea, coffee. Lunch and dinner are often an Italian style pasta, a rice dish, fish, chicken or meat, fresh salad and cooked vegetables, bread, tropical fruit, and freshly prepared dessert such as cheesecake or fruit tart. Drinking water, tea and coffee are available all day long.

Day 9
Wake up to the smell of the last cooked breakfast of the tour in the morning. Say your farewells and take your last group pictures before heading to Male airport.

Maldives Deep South & Southern Atolls (13 Days / 12 Nights - 32 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: South Male, Felidhoo, Meemu, Thaa, Laamu, Huvadhoo, Addu atolls, Fuvahmulah

Day 1
A representative of the Princess Dhonkamana will meet you at Male International Airport and take you to the dhoni that will take you on board this super 31m motor yacht. Lunch and dinner will be served during the day. 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 week of diving, fun, and adventure!

Core Days
Cruises include 3 dives on most diving days among an impressive variety of marine life. You are about to dive the Southern and Deep South Atolls, the most untouched and uninhabited part of the Maldives – the Deep South. Known as “The Galapagos of the Maldives,” you could meet up to 10 different species of sharks here. You will explore the best channel dives in Huvadhoo, with hammerhead sharks and big schools of reef sharks. Try one of the most incredible drift dives in the archipelago at Fuvahmulah. Surrounded by depths in the middle of the Indian Ocean, this island offers unique conditions to encounter species like tiger sharks, oceanic manta rays, threshers, grey reef sharks, mola mola, silkies, and other big fish. Felidhoo Atoll will challenge you with its deep channels and strong currents that attract different types of sharks, schools of trevallies and tuna in search of small prey, and an amazing nurse shark dive. Meemu Atoll is where you will have the best chance to see whale sharks feeding on plankton, while Thaa Atoll is all about drift dives in the company of whitetip reef sharks and eagle rays. The abundance of marine life, almost untouched by humans, will leave you speechless.
A day on board the yacht runs like this - wake up at 6.30 am, tea, coffee, light breakfast, and the first dive at 7 am. Return to the boat at 8.30 am for a full breakfast. After breakfast there is some time to relax or snorkeling, and a beach or shore excursion, and then around 11 am the second dive takes place. Lunch or an island picnic is served at 1 pm, followed by a third dive at 3:30 pm. Tea time with home-made biscuits and cakes is at 5:30 pm. You can partake in sunset fishing around 6:30 pm, and happy hour starts at 7:30 pm. Dinner is served at 8:30 pm. There is one night dive per cruise.
Meals are served at the table in the upper deck open air if weather permits, otherwise in the air-con dining room. The 2 chefs will prepare unique Italian style dishes mixed with local spices and fresh fish. Fresh bread is baked daily, and homemade cakes and biscuits are available at tea time. Breakfast is European and continental with a choice of eggs or cheese, fresh fruits fresh bread and cakes, jam, butter, juice, tea, coffee. Lunch and dinner are often an Italian style pasta, a rice dish, fish, chicken or meat, fresh salad and cooked vegetables, bread, tropical fruit, and freshly prepared dessert such as cheesecake or fruit tart. Drinking water, tea and coffee are available all day long.

Day 13
Wake up to the smell of the last cooked breakfast of the tour in the morning. Say your farewells and take your last group pictures before heading back to Gan Airport and your flight back to Male.
Note: this safari sometimes runs in reverse. Please check the exact port details above.

[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 aboard the Princess Dhonkamana liveaboard is carefully structured to balance exhilarating diving with ample time for relaxation and enjoying the breathtaking Maldivian scenery. The schedule is designed to maximise your underwater time while ensuring you are well-rested and well-fed throughout your liveaboard trip.

Your day starts early with a light breakfast at 6 am to get you ready for the first dive of the day. By 7:30 am., you'll be back on the boat for a full, satisfying breakfast to refuel after your morning exploration. The rest of the morning is yours to relax on the sundeck, go snorkeling, or take a short excursion before the second dive, which typically begins around 10 am.
Lunch is served at 12 pm, and it might occasionally be a special island picnic, giving you the chance to enjoy a meal on a secluded beach. The 3rd dive of the day is scheduled for 2:30 pm., followed by tea time at 5:30 pm., which features freshly baked cakes and biscuits. As the sun begins to set around 6:30 pm., you can try your hand at sunset fishing before dinner is served at 7:30 pm. To complete your comprehensive diving experience, at least 1 thrilling night dive is included in every trip, offering a unique perspective on the nocturnal marine life.

The cuisine on the Princess Dhonkamana is a key feature of the trip. The onboard chefs specialise in a unique fusion of Italian-style dishes and fresh, locally sourced ingredients. You'll enjoy your meals served at the table, with dining options available in either the open-air upper deck (weather permitting) or the air-conditioned dining room.

* For breakfast, you'll find a wide selection of European and continental options, including fresh fruit, muesli, and an assortment of breads. You can also request made-to-order eggs and enjoy freshly baked cakes.
* Lunch and dinner menus typically include a tasty Italian pasta dish, a rice dish, and your choice of fresh fish, chicken, or meat, all served with fresh salads and cooked vegetables.
* Freshly baked bread and homemade cakes are available daily for all guests.
* Complimentary drinking water, tea, and coffee are available throughout the day. For an additional charge, you can purchase a selection of soft drinks, beer, wine, and spirits from the bar.

The crew of the Princess Dhonkamana works to arrange at least 1 special barbecue on a secluded beach during each trip. This memorable event offers a unique social gathering where you can enjoy a delicious meal with your fellow divers, all while relaxing under the stars with the sound of the ocean in the background.

"Very friendly and caring team and crew, homogeneous group, varied itinerary, comfortable and well-equipped boat. Very good food.
Dive The World provided very good communication, with clear and detailed explanations." - Lionel Aubry, France, 18 November 2025 ...

DEPARTURE SCHEDULE & PRICES

MORE TRIP DETAILS

Notes: TBC ~ To be confirmed. Central atolls liveaboard cruises depart and return from Male. Deep South cruises use the port of Addu. Please see the detailed itinerary description for confirmation of ports.

Dive experience: Since Princess Dhonkamana has 3 instructor/guides onboard certified divers of any experience level are welcome to join these safaris. However, for the Deep South trips all participants must be Advanced Open Water certified.

Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation with air-conditioning, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, hot drinks, drinking water, return transfers from Male Airport to the boat, dives (as detailed in the trips above), 3 European PADI diving instructors and a snorkelling guide, 2 guided snorkelling tours per day, tanks (15 litre), weights and weight belt, introductory dive for non-divers, fishing island excursions, Green Tax, GST on cruise price.

Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Scuba equipment rental (per week - regs/BCD/wetsiut: USD 204, dive computer: USD 41, mask and fins: USD 29 - all +GST and S/C), diving insurance, service charge (i.e. tips USD 105 per week), Fuvahmulah port fee (where applicable: USD 25 per night). Unless otherwise stated, all listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash only - EUR or USD).

Optional extras: Alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, 28% nitrox fills for enriched air certified divers (USD 105 per week), extra dives (USD 41, max. 3 per week), torch (USD 15 per dive), Island entry fees. All price will be subject to +17% GST and +10% S/C. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival. Note: prices of items purchased onboard are subject to change.

How to get there: The marina at Male International Airport is the main port for Princess Dhonkamana and its liveaboard cruises operate from Saturday to Saturday. For more details, including airlines, see our How to Get to the Maldives section. A boat staff member will meet and greet you at the airport, wearing a Macana Shirt. You will then be transferred to the yacht by dhoni. Boarding is at 11 am - 1 pm; late arrivals will require a private transfer (USD 58).
If you arrive early and do not want to wait for the transfer, you can drop your luggage at the airport and visit Male City or Hulhumale and get back to the airport around 11 am. If you stay in a hotel in the Maldives the night before the cruise, we recommend asking your hotel to drop you to the airport by 10:30 am near Burger King where one of the liveaboard boat staff will meet you. Please let us know which hotel are you staying at so that we can also contact the hotel to ensure your transfer is on time.
The last dive of the trip is 7 am on the penultimate day of the trip. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving. Disembarkation is at 7 am.
For Princess Dhonkamana cruises in the Deep South, a local port in Addu Atoll is used. Gan Airport (GAN) on Addu can be reached by domestic flight from Male (Maldivian Airlines) or by international flight from Colombo (Sri Lankan Airlines). We can provide domestic flights for USD 210 each way, or you can book them directly online at www.maldivian.aero .

Non-diver rate: None, since there are plenty of activities for non-divers.

Single supplement (if you do not want to share accommodation): This is optional - single travellers may choose to share a cabin and pay the regular fare, or pay a supplement for their own cabin. The supplement varies depending on time of year but varies between 50-60%. Please ask us for details.

Dive clubs and group discounts: Rates for a third person sharing a cabin available for adults and children.
Pay for 8 guests and 1 additional person can join the cruise free of charge.

Whole boat charter rate (per night): Pay for 17 guests and 3 additional persons can join the cruise free of charge (total 20 guests).

Click to view product. Special discounted trips highlighted in yellow

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