To dive the Maldives is to experience some of the Indian Ocean’s most iconic underwater seascapes. For over 3 decades, the team behind the Princess Haleema has been at the forefront of showing divers these waters. As one of the pioneering operations in the region, they were among the first to identify and establish many of the dive sites now considered classics. That heritage translates into an intimate knowledge of atolls, currents, and marine aggregation points - knowledge that directly enriches your time underwater. Choosing a Princess Haleema liveaboard holiday means placing your trust in that deep-rooted expertise.
At 36 metres with an 11.5-metre beam, the award-winning Princess Haleema offers a stable and spacious platform from which to explore. The vessel, which received a comprehensive refurbishment in 2018, balances a sleek exterior with genuinely comfortable interiors. Accommodation is spread across 11 en-suite cabins; those on the upper deck are particularly sought after for their large windows that frame the passing atolls. A point of difference here is the dedicated dive dhoni, a separate 19-metre boat that handles all diving operations. This leaves the main deck of the liveaboard free for relaxation; a layout that minimises clutter and maximises your comfort between dives. Every corner of the Princess Haleema is designed to enhance the guest experience.
The philosophy onboard leans heavily towards unhurried exploration. Daily schedules include snorkelling excursions and visits to sand banks and local islands, offering a varied rhythm to the week. Underwater, the ratio of 3 dive guides per cruise allows for smaller groups and a more personalised service. A marine biologist is also regularly part of the team, on hand to add context to the encounters, whether it’s the behaviour of a passing grey reef shark or the intricate symbiosis on a thila top. This attention to detail is what defines a Princess Haleema liveaboard cruise.
The atmosphere is distinctly Italian-influenced, from the warm hospitality of the long-standing crew to the cuisine prepared by the 2 onboard chefs. After a dive, the three open-air relaxation decks come into their own. The upper sundeck, complete with 2 Jacuzzis, is a favourite spot to watch the sun dip below the horizon, drink in hand, as the liveaboard cruises towards the next day’s sites. The sense of space and comfort on the Princess Haleema makes the time between dives as enjoyable as the dives themselves.
Overall, the Princess Haleema liveaboard suits scuba divers who appreciate a blend of genuine experience and solid comfort. You are booking into a style of liveaboard travel that is led by a crew who know these atolls intimately, on a vessel designed to make the most of the seascape, both above and below the water. It is a considered way to see the Maldives, one dive at a time.
There are 8 spacious double or twin bed cabins on the lower deck, and on the upper deck there are 2 king-size double bed suites and 1 cabin with 2 double beds. The upper deck accommodation has large seaview windows. All of 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 (upper deck only)
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 - 11 / 11 - 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
Dive sites and activities: Rasdhoo, North Ari, South Ari, North Felidhoo, South Male atolls
Day 1
Your diving adventure begins in Male, the bustling capital of the Maldives. After arriving, a member of the liveaboard crew will greet you and assist with your transfer to the Princess Haleema. Once you are onboard and settled into your cabin, you'll be treated to a delicious welcome lunch. Afterward, the captain and crew will conduct a thorough boat and safety briefing. This is a great opportunity to get to know your fellow divers and prepare for the incredible week of diving ahead.
Core Days
Over the next several days, you’ll navigate a carefully planned route through the central atolls of the Maldives, each with its own unique characteristics and signature marine life.
Rasdhoo and North Ari Atoll are globally recognised for their deep ocean channels and strong currents, which act as a magnet for large, open-ocean species. Here, you'll have the opportunity to dive with hammerhead sharks, manta rays, and other powerful pelagics. These dives offer a truly exhilarating experience, putting you in the heart of the Maldives' dynamic big fish action.
As a protected marine area, South Ari Atoll is celebrated as the Maldives' premier whale shark destination. Divers here regularly have the incredible opportunity to swim alongside these gentle giants as they glide peacefully through the waters. The calm conditions and frequent sightings make this a truly special and memorable part of the trip.
The diving in Felidhoo Atoll is defined by dramatic underwater topography. You'll dive on spectacular walls and caverns adorned with vibrant soft corals and explore natural overhangs teeming with life. These channels are also excellent spots to find active reef sharks and other impressive big fish. A definite highlight of this region is the signature night dive, where you can witness dozens of huge nurse sharks and stingrays gathering for a truly unforgettable feeding spectacle. This unique experience provides a fascinating look into the nighttime behaviour of these marine animals.
As you explore South Male Atoll, you'll find a hub of marine activity known for its large schools of fish and a strong presence of pelagics. The atoll is also home to a very popular wreck site. Divers can expect to see impressive parades of reef sharks and a diverse ecosystem filled with a wide variety of marine life.
In addition to the day dives, every trip on this route includes at least 1 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.
Day 8
On your final day, after a last breakfast on board, it will be time to say your goodbyes to the Princess Haleema crew and fellow divers. The crew will assist with your transfer back to Male airport for your departure, leaving you with lasting memories of an incredible underwater adventure.
[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 Princess Haleema liveaboard is a seamless blend of world-class diving and onboard comfort. The schedule is designed to maximise your time underwater while also providing ample opportunities for relaxation and enjoying the stunning Maldivian scenery.
Your day starts early with a light breakfast at 6 am, followed by the first dive of the day. By 7:30 am, you'll return to the boat for a full, satisfying breakfast to refuel. The rest of the morning offers time to relax on the sundeck, go snorkelling, or take a shore excursion before the 2nd dive begins around 10 am.
Lunch is served at 12 pm, which may occasionally be a special island picnic, offering a 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, featuring freshly baked cakes and biscuits. As the sun sets around 6:30 pm, you can try your hand at sunset fishing before dinner is served at 7:30 pm. To round out your comprehensive diving experience, at least 1 thrilling night dive is included in every trip.
The culinary experience on the Princess Haleema is a highlight of the trip, with onboard chefs specializing in a fusion of unique Italian-style dishes and fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Meals are served at the table in either the open-air upper deck (weather permitting) or the air-conditioned dining room.
* For breakfast, you can expect a mix of European and continental options, including fresh fruits, muesli, and various kinds of bread. You can also request eggs made to order and freshly baked cakes..
* Lunch and dinner menus typically include a delicious Italian pasta dish, a rice dish, and your choice of fresh fish, chicken, or meat, served alongside fresh salads and cooked vegetables.
* Freshly baked bread and homemade cakes are prepared daily for all guests to enjoy.
* Drinking water, tea, and coffee are available all day. Soft drinks, beer, wine, and spirits can be purchased as additional extras.
The crew of the Princess Haleema also aims to host at least 1 special BBQ party per trip on a secluded beach, providing a memorable social event under the stars.
"The only reason why i don't give excellent rating is that during our trip we had a very bad inconvenience: a part of the diving dhoni engine broke and 1) they didn't have a spare part onboard, 2) obviously they hadn't [check] the engine before leaving for our long cruise, but I know this isn't Macana's fault; it's the boat owner and the captain's fault. Macana did its best to solve the situation, but nonetheless because of this inconvenience we lost one day. Even if it wasn't basically its fault, Macana gave us a voucher as compensation for a future trip to apologize." - Alessandra Terzaghi, Italy, 27 March 2024 ...
DEPARTURE SCHEDULE & PRICES
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MORE TRIP DETAILS
Notes: TBC ~ To be confirmed. Central atolls 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 the Princess Haleema liveaboard has 3 instructor/guides onboard certified divers of any experience level are welcome to join these safaris. However, for the Deep South trips you 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, sales tax.
Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Scuba equipment rental (per week - regs/BCD/wetsiut: USD201, dive computer: USD40, mask and fins: USD29 - all +GST and S/C), diving insurance, service charge (i.e. tips USD103 per week), Fuvahmulah port fee (where applicable: USD25 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 (USD103 per week), extra dives (USD40, max. 3 per week), torch (USD15 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: Princess Haleema departs from Male and operates from Saturday to Saturday. For more details, including airlines, see our How to Get to the Maldives section. A liveaboard representative will meet and greet you at the airport, wearing a Macana Shirt. You will then be transferred to the boat by dhoni. Boarding is at 11 am - 1 pm; late arrivals will require a private transfer (USD57).
If you arrive early and do not want to wait, 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 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 second last day of the trip. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving. Disembarkation is at 7 am.
For 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 USD207 each way, or you can book directly on line at www.maldivian.aero. Boarding will be at 2 pm and disembarkation at 10 am. The final dive of these trips will be in the early afternoon of the penultimate day.
Non-diver rate: None, as there is plenty of activity for non-divers.
Single supplement (if you do not want to share accommodation): This is optional - single travellers may choose to share a cabin 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 19 guests and 3 additional persons can join the cruise free of charge (total 22 guests).
Click to view product. Special discounted trips highlighted in yellow
