For divers who appreciate the finer things in life, the Maldives has always held a special allure. But the experience of exploring its famous atolls reaches a new level of comfort aboard the Scubaspa Yin. This 50-metre vessel reimagines the liveaboard concept, blending the thrill of world-class diving with the unhurried pace of a floating spa resort. It’s a deliberate departure from the functional dive boats that have long plied these waters, offering a space where underwater adventures are balanced by genuine relaxation. Choosing a Scubaspa Yin liveaboard holiday means opting for this blend of adventure and tranquility.
The philosophy on board limits the number of divers to make the experience more spacious. With a maximum of just 26 diving guests, small groups are guaranteed. This allows the team of 29 crew, including dedicated dive guides, to focus on a personalised service that larger groups simply cannot match. The scuba diving itself operates from a dedicated 19-metre dhoni, a traditional support vessel that carries all the equipment and compressors. This keeps the mother ship a sanctuary of quiet, while the dhoni ensures you are ready for each dive with its own facilities, including showers and a toilet. Weekly tours rotate between the central atolls, exploring the northern routes of North Male, Rasdhoo, and Ari one week, and the southern gems of South Male and Felidhoo the next. Staying 2 weeks offers a seamless cruise through constantly changing dive sites. Every dive from the Scubaspa Yin liveaboard is executed with this seamless efficiency.
What sets the Scubaspa Yin apart is the equal emphasis on life above the water. The spa occupies a central role, with 6 full-time therapists offering a menu of massages, Ayurveda, and beauty treatments in rooms that frame the Indian Ocean. Between dives, guests can rotate through distinct spaces: the open-air saloon with its adjoining bar, the air-conditioned restaurant, or the 2 expansive sundecks. There’s a quiet shaded spot for reading, a Jacuzzi for a sunset soak, and a Thai pavilion that can host a private dinner under the stars. Every treatment room looks out over the water, a small detail that speaks to the overall design. This dedication to wellness is a cornerstone of the Scubaspa Yin experience.
Accommodation across the middle and lower decks offers twin or double configurations, each with a bed that is generous in size, and private bathroom facilities. The suites on the upper deck are particularly noteworthy, with large windows that flood the rooms with natural light and finishes that would not look out of place in a boutique hotel. It is this attention to the everyday experience - the quality of the cabin, the ease of the service - that makes a week on board feel less like a dive trip and more like a genuine holiday. For over a decade, the Scubaspa Yin liveaboard has been refining this balance, building a reputation for consistency that resonates with returning guests.
It is a liveaboard for those who want their dives to be the highlight of the day, not the entirety of it. The structure is unhurried, the atmosphere civilised, and the diving carefully managed. Whether you choose a diving cruise, a pure spa retreat, or the combination package, all priced the same, the experience is defined by the same unhurried rhythm. In a destination known for its beauty such as the Maldives, the Scubaspa Yin offers a way to experience it without compromise, both above and below the surface.
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: North Male, South Male, Felidhoo, Ari atolls and Rasdhoo. Choose between 15-17 dives or 8 spa treatments (or 6 dives and 4 spa treatments).
Day 1
Upon arrival, the Scubaspa Yin liveaboard crew welcomes you aboard. Enjoy a refreshing welcome drink and a cool towel as your luggage is escorted to your cabin. Over a buffet lunch, you can begin to mingle with fellow guests. Afterwards, relax with a beverage from the bar or indulge in one of the signature spa treatments. The day concludes with an evening briefing on liveaboard safety and an introduction to your dedicated crew.
Core Days
This operator stands apart by blending scuba diving with restorative wellness. The Scubaspa Yin offers the flexibility to choose between a diving-focused week, a spa-focused week, or a balanced combination of dives and spa treatments. Whichever option you select, the itinerary through the central atolls is designed to showcase the region’s signature dive sites.
The diving portfolio includes channel dives, drift dives on pinnacles (thilas), walls, a wreck, and the famous night dive at Alimatha House Reef. In North and South Male Atolls, currents sweeping through the channels attract grey reef sharks, schools of barracuda, and eagle rays. Sites such as Miyaru Faru offer consistent pelagic action, while the wreck in South Male provides shelter for giant trevally and macro life.
Rasdhoo Atoll delivers a morning dive that stands apart: a deep outer reef where hammerhead sharks are occasionally encountered in the early light. Ari Atoll contributes Manta Point, a cleaning station where oceanic mantas often circle in numbers that allow for close, respectful observation. A full day is dedicated to searching for whale sharks in South Ari Marine Protected Area, with the Scubaspa Yin positioning itself to offer both snorkelling and diving opportunities alongside these gentle giants. This day is enriched by a presentation from the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme.
Felidhoo Atoll offers a different rhythm. The night dive at Alimatha House Reef is a highlight, with dozens of nurse sharks and stingrays gathering in the shallows. During daylight, channel dives in Felidhoo provide encounters with reef sharks patrolling current-swept passes, while soft coral coverage adds colour to the deeper sections.
Beyond the dive sites, the onboard schedule includes early morning yoga, sandbank visits, and the option to book spa treatments between dives. Evenings feature themed dinners, and the spa deck occasionally hosts movie nights under the stars. The pace is set to balance activity with relaxation, allowing you to come away rested as well as rewarded.
Day 8
Disembarkation follows a light breakfast served on the final morning. Transfers to Male Airport are arranged, concluding the week.
Maldives Central Atolls (Special) (8 Days / 7 Nights - 17 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, shark action, manta rays, schooling fish & big pelagics, non diving activities
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, very popular, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: North Male, South Male, Felidhoo, Ari atolls and Rasdhoo. Choose between 15-17 dives or 8 spa treatments (or 6 dives and 4 spa treatments).
Day 1
Join us this festive season for this specialty liveaboard expedition with Scubaspa Yin around the very best of the Maldives. The adventure begins as you step aboard near Male Airport, where the crew will greet you with a refreshing welcome drink and a cool towel. After your luggage is settled in your cabin, join fellow guests for a welcome lunch. The afternoon is yours to relax - unwind with a drink from the bar or indulge in one of the renowned spa treatments. As the evening sets in, the crew will hold a boat and safety briefing. The vessel will remain at anchor in the North Male Atoll, awaiting any late-arriving guests under the starlit sky.
Core Days
Join the Scubaspa Yin for a specialty liveaboard expedition, trading winter snow for the powder-soft, white sands of the Maldives. You'll cruise through the legendary atolls of North Male, South Male, Felidhoo, Ari, and Rasdhoo, each offering its own unique underwater magic; the trip is a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. Onboard, the festive spirit is alive with sandman contests on uninhabited islands, gingerbread house decorating with international chefs, and cosy evenings watching Christmas classics under a blanket of stars. The highlight will be a Christmas Eve BBQ on a breathtaking, deserted island.
For the liveaboard adventurers, prepare for 3 world-class scuba dives on most days, exploring the vibrant reefs of the Maldivian central atolls. Experience the exhilaration of drifting through the channels of Felidhoo and Ari Atolls, where strong currents attract pelagic action. Be surrounded by the graceful dance of oceanic manta rays at renowned sites like Manta Point. Start one day with an adrenaline-pumping dive at sites like Kuramathi Kandu in Rasdhoo, where you can witness schools of scalloped hammerhead sharks. Dedicate a full day in the South Ari Atoll, one of the world's best locations, searching for the gentle giants of the sea. The day culminates with an enlightening evening lecture from the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme. And descend into the dark waters for a mesmerising night dive at sites like Alimatha House Reef in Felidhoo, where nurse sharks and giant sting rays are known to congregate in large numbers.
Day 8
On the final morning, enjoy a light breakfast with Scubaspa Yin and final views of the ocean before a transfer to Male Airport for your departure, filled with memories of the vibrant Maldivian atolls.
Maldives Central Atolls (Special) (8 Days / 7 Nights - 17 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, shark action, manta rays, schooling fish & big pelagics, non diving activities
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, very popular, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: North Male, South Male, Felidhoo, Ari atolls and Rasdhoo. Choose between 15-17 dives or 8 spa treatments (or 6 dives and 4 spa treatments).
Day 1
Your Scubaspa Yin New Year's speciality liveaboard cruise begins the moment you step aboard, where the friendly crew awaits to greet you. Settle into the experience immediately with a refreshing welcome drink and a cool, scented towel, while the staff take care of your luggage, delivering it directly to your cabin. As you get acquainted with your new surroundings, a delicious lunch provides the perfect opportunity to mingle with your fellow travellers. The afternoon is yours to unwind; perhaps with a handcrafted beverage from the bar or by surrendering to one of signature spa treatments. As the sun sets, you gather for an essential safety and the liveaboard briefing, where you will be formally introduced to the dedicated crew members committed to making your dive and spa trip unforgettable.
Core Days
Why delay your transformation until the New Year? Seize the moment and welcome in the New Year against the breathtaking backdrop of the Maldives. Imagine leaving last year behind on the shores of an uninhabited private island, surrounded by the rhythmic pulse of a DJ set and tropical waves. With pearlescent sand between your toes and a vast canopy of stars overhead, you'll be at one of the world's most exclusive New Year's Eve parties. Dance the night away with new-found friends, forging bonds that could last a lifetime. This is how you start as you mean to go on-gliding into the new year in a state of pure, glorious joy.
This extraordinary celebration is hosted by Scubaspa Yin, where the thrill of exploring legendary reefs is perfectly balanced with restorative wellness therapies. Your days on the liveaboard will be filled with adventure, featuring 3 dives at iconic sites. Be surrounded by graceful oceanic manta rays at Manta Point, encounter majestic hammerhead sharks at Kuramathi Kandu, and experience the magic of a night dive with nurse sharks at Alimatha House Reef. A dedicated whale shark day offers the chance to snorkel or dive with these gentle giants, capped with an enlightening lecture from the Maldves Whale Shark Research Programme.
This is more than a party; it's the ultimate New Year's journey, blending world-class liveaboard diving, wellness, and an unforgettable celebration.
Day 8
Enjoy a light breakfast prior to disembarkation from Scubaspa Yin on the final morning
Maldives Far North & Northern Atolls (8 Days / 7 Nights - 17 Dives)
Trip highlights: 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: Baa Atoll: Hanifaru Bay (snorkelling); Noonu Atoll, Lhaviyani Atoll, Shaviyani Atoll, Haa Dhaalu Atoll, and Haa Alifu Atoll. Choose between 15-17 dives or 8 spa treatments (or 6 dives and 4 spa treatments).
Day 1
A Scubaspa crew member will greet you at Dharavandhoo Airport and escort you by dhoni to the Scubaspa Yin, which will be waiting at Baa Atoll. After a welcome drink and cool towel, you'll be shown to your cabin while the crew handles your luggage. Settle in over lunch, getting to know your fellow guests, then perhaps enjoy a drink from the bar or book your first spa treatment. The evening brings a safety briefing and an introduction to the crew, as the boat prepares to depart for the far north atolls.
Core Days
This cruise route is for those who have watched the southern atolls slip beneath the waves and wondered what lies further north. It is an expedition into the Maldives' far northern reaches - Shaviyani, Haa Dhaalu, and Haa Alifu - where liveaboard traffic is sparse and the reefs retain a raw, untamed quality. The Scubaspa Yin liveaboard sets a course for these waters, balancing the legendary relaxation of the vessel with days defined by genuine discovery.
The voyage begins, or ends, in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and home to the famous Hanifaru Bay. Between May and November, this protected inlet becomes a gathering point for manta rays, feeding on plankton in such numbers that the water itself seems to churn. While diving is restricted here to protect the site, the snorkelling encounters are among the most sought-after in the world - a fitting prelude or finale to the expedition ahead.
As the atolls grow more remote, the diving takes on a different character. In Lhaviyani and Noonu, the channels have long been known for their reliable action. At sites like Fushivaru Thila and Kuredu Express, scuba divers can expect grey reef sharks and eagle rays riding the currents, with overhangs and coral pinnacles providing shelter for schools of barracuda and jacks. But it is further north, in Shaviyani and beyond, where the sense of exploration deepens. Here, dive sites are less frequented, and the reefs feel less predictable. Manta cleaning stations can appear where charts suggest only open water. Underwater caves and ridges offer the chance to encounter both bowmouth and shovelnose guitar sharks, species that hint at the Indian Ocean's wider mysteries.
Between dives, the Scubaspa Yin expedition reaches onto land. Local island visits reveal a Maldivian pace that predates tourism. A stop at Utheemu, birthplace of Sultan Mohamed Thakurufaanu, offers a glimpse into the nation's history of resistance and independence - a reminder that these islands have long been a crossroads of culture and trade. It is a side of the Maldives rarely seen, and one that adds depth to the adventure.
Day 8
After a week of diving and exploration, you'll wake for a final light breakfast on the Scubaspa Yin liveaboard in port. Saying goodbye to the crew and your fellow passengers, you'll be transferred to Hanimaadhoo Airport, carrying with you the memory of waters few have dived and the quiet rhythm of the Maldives far north atolls.
Note: this itinerary operates between Dharavandhoo and Hanimaadhoo and so can run in either direction.
Maldives Northern Atolls (8 Days / 7 Nights - 17 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Baa Atoll: Anga Faru, Hanifaru Bay (snorkelling), Dhonfan Thila, Hirundhoo, Dhaandhoo Thila, Labyrinth; Raa Atoll: Milaidhoo Caves, Kuda Thulhadhoo Thila, Vaadhoo Thila, Beriyan Thila; Noonu Atoll: Orimas Thila, Miyaru Thila, Christmas Rock, Raafushi Caves; Lhaviyani Atoll: Turtle Caves, Shipyard, Naifaru Kandu. Choose between 15-17 dives or 8 spa treatments (or 6 dives and 4 spa treatments).
Day 1
Your Maldivian liveaboard experience begins the moment you step off the plane. A Scubaspa crew member will greet you at Male International Airport and escort you by dhoni to the Scubaspa Yin, which will be waiting in North Male Atoll. After a welcome drink and cool towel, you'll be shown to your cabin while the crew handles your luggage. Settle in over lunch, getting to know your fellow guests, then perhaps enjoy a drink from the bar or book your first spa treatment. The evening brings a safety briefing and an introduction to the crew, as the boat prepares to depart for the northern atolls.
Core Days
Over the coming days, the Scubaspa Yin liveaboard will navigate the majestic atolls of Baa, Raa, Noonu, and Lhaviyani. This is a voyage into the heart of the Maldives' UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, where the rhythm of the ocean dictates the day. Diving here is defined by the rich currents that flow through the atolls, funnelling nutrients and drawing in an astonishing variety of marine life. The schedule is flexible, allowing the crew to move with the conditions to find the clearest water and most promising dive sites.
The crown jewel of the region, particularly from May to November, is Hanifaru Bay in Baa Atoll. While it’s a snorkelling-only site, it offers one of the planet's most spectacular wildlife encounters as manta rays gather in the shallows to filter-feed on plankton. From the water's surface, you'll witness these graceful giants spiralling and somersaulting in the nutrient-rich soup. Back on scuba, the channels and thilas of Baa, such as those around Dhigali Haa, offer reliable encounters with grey reef sharks patrolling the reefs, alongside schools of barracuda and jacks.
Moving through Noonu and Lhaviyani atolls, the diving takes on a different character. Here, the channels slicing through the atoll rims are alive with action. At sites like Fushivaru Thila and Kuredu Express, you can position yourself on the reef edge and watch the surge of life, from clouds of fusiliers and blue-striped snapper to the occasional eagle ray gliding effortlessly by. The pinnacles rise from the depths, their slopes blanketed in healthy soft corals in shades of orange and pink, sheltering everything from leaffish to moray eels. These dives are about the underwater landscape itself, a vibrant, 3-dimensional reef structure teeming with activity.
Day 8
After a week of diving and relaxing, you'll wake for a final light breakfast on the Scubaspa Yin liveaboard back in port. Saying goodbye to the crew and your fellow passengers, you'll be transferred to the airport, taking with you the Maldives Northern Atolls' timeless rhythm.
Note: this itinerary uses the ports of Male and Dharavandhoo. Please check exact port details for your trip.
[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].
Onboard the Scubaspa Yin liveaboard, your fine dining experience is a central part of the luxury journey, designed to complement your days of scuba diving and spa treatments. All meals are served in the elegant, air-conditioned restaurant or in the open-air dining areas, allowing you to dine with a view. Your day will typically be structured around 3 main meals, with dive schedules arranged accordingly. Each dining service is a highlight, featuring 3 main dishes per sitting in a buffet style complemented by waiter service.
To start your day, a generous breakfast is served, with offerings such as fresh fruit, pastries, and a variety of hot dishes. Lunch and dinner menus are a culinary liveaboard trip, drawing influences from Maldivian, Sri Lankan, Thai, Italian, and Japanese cuisines. You can expect exquisite dishes like Chinese-style chicken chow mein, Polynesian-style sashimi, a selection of sushi maki, or a classic surf & turf with prime fillet of beef and fresh shrimp.
Throughout the day, your culinary experience continues with complimentary finger food service, and mini-bar snacks and drinks are available in your cabin (excluding Sea Star categories).
Coffee, tea, drinking water, and fresh fruit are provided free of charge. For other beverages, a wide selection is available for purchase, including soft drinks, fruit juices, milkshakes, mineral water, beer, and an extensive cocktail and wine list featuring premium vintages.
A truly memorable weekly feature with the Scubaspa Yin is the special island barbecue, held on a secluded sandbank. Furthermore, for an extra touch of romance, you can arrange private waiter service for a meal in a secluded area of the liveaboard.
Please note that special dietary requirements will be happily accommodated with advanced notice.
The dining service commences upon your arrival with afternoon snacks and concludes with a full breakfast on the final day.
