To explore the central atolls, venture north to the evocative sites of Rasdhoo and Ari, or journey south towards the deeper waters of Huvadhoo, MV Theia offers a gateway to the Maldives' renowned seascapes. This 32-metre wooden motor yacht accommodates just 20 guests, striking a balance between sociable group diving and personal space. Opting for a Theia liveaboard holiday means stepping into a genuinely personal diving experience.
For the dedicated diver, the use of a separate dhoni, a traditional support vessel, means the mothership remains a tranquil retreat. Your dive deck, tank storage, and camera table are all on the dhoni, keeping the main boat free from the usual clutter of dive gear. This setup is a hallmark of the Theia liveaboard experience.
Aboard, the pattern of the day naturally moves between the air-conditioned saloon and the open decks. Theia's saloon, with its soft seating and beanbags, invites you to browse the library or share stories of the day's encounters over the complimentary wi-fi. However, as the sun begins to drop, it's the upper sundeck that draws people up. Here, the Sky Bar becomes an informal meeting point, a place to trade dive site notes while watching the horizon fade.
The cabins aboard Theia are arranged across 3 decks, offering a choice of Standard or Sea View categories, all designed for comfort after a day in the water. Practical touches matter here: ensuite bathrooms, ample storage for gear, and reliable air-conditioning. The crew of 20, led by experienced dive guides, ensures that logistics run smoothly, allowing you to focus purely on the diving. They know these atolls intimately, guiding you not just to famous sites but also to quieter corners where the underwater topography shifts with the current.
Divers will appreciate the complimentary nitrox, which safely extends your time exploring overhangs and thilas. The dhoni is equipped with a dedicated camera table and separate rinse tank, simple features that photographers know make a significant difference to workflow. There are also freshwater showers and a toilet on the dhoni, so you can rinse off and relax immediately after surfacing, returning to the main vessel only when you're ready.
For those seeking a genuine liveaboard experience, Theia delivers a perfect balance of adventure and comfort. The Theia liveaboard is built around the needs of divers who value both efficiency above water and exploration below it.
The MV Theia has a total of 10 cabins: The upper deck has 3 Premium cabins with double/twin convertible beds, and 1 Superior cabin with a with 1 double and a single bed. There is 1 Deluxe cabin on the middle deck with double/twin convertible beds. There are 5 Standard cabins on the lower deck - 4 with a double and a single bed, and 1 with 3 single beds. All of the cabins feature ensuite bathrooms.
All the cabins have:
- Air-conditioning
- Windows (upper and middle deck only) or portholes (lower deck)
- Private bathroom facilities with hot water shower, towels, toiletries and hand basin
- Space for luggage
- Wardrobe and mirror
- Reading lights
- Bedding
- Life jackets and fire extinguishers in cabins
No. of bathrooms / showers - 10 /10 - hot water
Maldives Central & Southern Atolls
Trip highlights: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, shark action, manta rays, turtles, 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, South Male, Ari, Rasdhoo, Felidhoo, and Nilandhe atolls
Day 1
You will board the 32m motor yacht, MV Theia, near Male International Airport. Refreshments and dinner will be served as you settle into your cabin. The vessel will remain at anchor overnight, preparing for departure the following morning.
Core Days
The core of this Theia liveaboard trip is dedicated to exploring the legendary channels, submerged pinnacles, and reef formations from North Male, through South Male, Ari, Rasdhoo, Felidhoo, and into Nilandhe Atoll. This route is built on performing exhilarating drift dives, where the powerful currents bring in the 'big fish' action the Maldives is known for.
The diving begins with signature pelagic encounters. North Male's pinnacles and Rasdhoo's renowned dive sites offer opportunities to observe schooling hammerhead sharks and gliding manta rays at cleaning stations. South Ari Atoll, a critical marine protected area, provides the best chance to snorkel or dive alongside the magnificent whale shark. These encounters with powerful grey reef sharks, speedy eagle rays, and majestic Napoleon wrasse are central to the experience.
The second half of the cruise ventures into the Southern Atolls. Felidhoo Atoll is where you'll experience a unique highlight: an extraordinary night dive. As the reef sleeps, you will descend to watch nurse sharks, sting rays, and giant trevally gathering for an intense feeding display. Further south, the remote channels of Nilandhe offer pristine conditions and vibrant, untouched reefs teeming with diverse fish life.
The dedicated dive guides on the M/V Theia ensure you are positioned optimally to experience the best of the currents and marine life. You will complete 2 morning dives on the final full day before the Theia liveaboard sets its course for Male.
Final Day
A final Maldivian breakfast is served. After sharing farewells with the crew and your fellow divers, transfers are arranged back to Male International Airport. Should your flight be later, you can remain aboard the Theia for a leisurely lunch or a final snorkel.
Maldives Central Atolls (8 Days / 7 Nights - 16 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, Felidhoo, Ari atolls
Day 1
This dive adventure is an unforgettable week aboard the MV Theia motor yacht, designed specifically for scuba divers seeking the classic Maldivian liveaboard experience; it begins near Male International Airport. Based on your flight schedule, refreshments and dinner will be served as you settle in. The Theia liveaboard will remain moored overnight, ready to set course for the diving grounds the following morning.
Core Days
Prepare for an action-packed week of world-class diving focused on the Central Atolls' premier sites. Diving in the Maldives is often defined by challenging but exhilarating channel dives, where you will experience drift diving and explore vibrant reefs and pinnacles. These submerged mountains, known locally as thilas, are nutrient rich, making them ideal hunting grounds for large pelagics.
North Male Atoll is renowned for its thilas, where you stand a good chance of observing majestic manta rays. The skilled crew of the Theia will position you optimally for these high-value pelagic sightings. Further south, the marine protected areas of Ari Atoll provide unique opportunities to snorkel or dive alongside the magnificent whale shark. You can anticipate possible encounters with elusive hammerhead sharks and powerful grey reef sharks across these prime atolls.
A key highlight of the trip is the unmissable night dive in Felidhoo Atoll. This is an opportunity to descend with the experienced dive guides of the Theia to witness a memorable spectacle of feeding nurse sharks, sting rays, and jacks. This intense, close-up encounter with marine life perfectly punctuates the week's diving.
You will complete 2 final morning dives on the last full day before the boat navigates back to Male.
Day 8
Enjoy a final breakfast with the Theia. After exchanging contact details and taking final photographs with your fellow divers, you will be transferred to Male airport.
Maldives Central, Southern & Deep South Atolls (11 Days / 10 Nights - 26 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 and South Male, Felidhoo, Meemu, Thaa, Laamu, Huvadhoo atolls and Fuvahmulah
Day 1
This adventure on the 32m motor yacht MV Theia begins near Male International Airport. Once on board, you will receive refreshments and dinner, depending on your arrival time. This evening is for settling in and preparing your gear, as the Theia liveaboard will depart the harbour early the following morning.
Core Days
This extended safari focuses on diving the renowned kandus and thilas that define the Maldives, stretching from North Male down to the Deep South Atolls of Huvadhoo and Fuvahmulah. These drift dives are where the action is, as strong oceanic currents attract large numbers of pelagic fish and sharks.
Felidhoo Atoll offers deep, current-swept channels where grey reef sharks are commonly sighted alongside colourful soft corals and black coral bushes. A signature highlight here is the unmissable night dive, where dozens of nurse sharks, giant trevallies, and stingrays gather under the lights. Further south in Meemu, Thaa, and Laamu atolls, expect to encounter more challenging channel dives that often bring in whale sharks, hammerheads, and groups of eagle rays.
The climax of this journey is diving the Maldives Deep South: Huvadhoo Atoll and the isolated island of Fuvahmulah. Huvadhoo is known for its sheer volume of big fish, where the deep channels attract large numbers of silvertips, silkies, oceanic whitetip sharks, and tuna. However, for many, Fuvahmulah is the ultimate draw. This offshore island, surrounded by deep oceanic currents, provides a genuine chance to dive with apex predators, including tiger sharks, mola mola, and the often-elusive thresher sharks. The experienced dive guides on the Theia are dedicated to maximising your exposure to these rare and exhilarating big animal encounters.
Day 11
After enjoying a final breakfast, you will say your farewells to the MV Theia crew and your fellow divers. Disembarkation is followed by a transfer to Gan Airport in Addu.
Please note that this Maldives Deep South dive tour sometimes operates in reverse, so confirm your final port details beforehand.
[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 Theia, the daily flow is designed to balance adventure with genuine relaxation, ensuring you return from every dive feeling refreshed and well-fuelled. Opting for a Theia liveaboard holiday means stepping into this perfectly paced routine from the moment you arrive.
The day typically begins with the gentle sound of the engine as you motor to the first dive site. Early risers can grab a hot coffee or tea from the saloon before the first briefing of the day. Breakfast is served after the first dive, a hearty and varied buffet to set you up for the morning's activities. The culinary experience is a real highlight of a week aboard Theia. The talented chefs take pride in crafting a diverse menu that blends authentic local flavours with familiar international dishes. They work with the freshest ingredients available, and given our location, that means a lot of superb seafood.
Meals are sociable affairs, enjoyed in the air-conditioned comfort of the saloon or al fresco on the deck. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style, offering plenty of choice. Dinners become a more relaxed, sit-down occasion with a set menu that changes nightly. You might sit down to a fragrant Maldivian fish curry with saffron rice and soft roti, a true taste of the islands. Another evening could feature expertly grilled fish served with garlic pasta and a crisp, garden-fresh salad. The chefs also add international touches, so one night you might find light and crispy vegetable tempura with a tangy dipping sauce. Fresh fruit, salads, and all-day snacks are always available to keep energy levels up between dives. The dining experience on the Theia liveaboard is a journey in itself.
The week is punctuated by a special event: a beach BBQ on a deserted island. As the sun sets and the stars come out, you'll step ashore to enjoy a grilled feast under the night sky—a memorable evening with your fellow divers. After the last dive of the day, the boat takes on a wonderfully calm atmosphere. This is the time to peel off your wetsuit and find your favourite spot. Many guests head straight to the spacious sundeck, perhaps ordering a signature cocktail from the Sky Bar to sip while watching the sunset paint the horizon.
Complimentary drinking water, tea, and coffee are provided throughout the trip. A selection of beers, wines, and spirits is available from the bar for those who wish to enjoy something stronger. The crew can accommodate special dietary requirements with prior notice, so just let us know your needs when booking. The first meal of your safari will be dinner on the day of your arrival, depending on your flight time. From that moment on, the combination of excellent diving, good food, and the gentle rhythm of the ocean sets the tone for a perfect week. Every moment aboard Theia is crafted for your comfort and enjoyment.
