Visits Maldives central atolls, some north, south tours
Cabins with ensuite bathrooms
Spacious indoor and outdoor relaxation spots
Sky Bar on sun deck
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MV Theia is a 32m wooden motor yacht which takes up to 20 guests on scuba cruises around the atolls of the Maldives. This includes the northern atolls as well as some central and southern atoll routes.
This distinctive red and white liveaboard boasts spacious ensuite cabins, a large saloon and comfortable outdoor lounging spots in the sun and shade. Using a dive dhoni to store and fill all your tanks means that there is extra space, peace and quiet on board the mothership.
The air-conditioned saloon with soft bench seating and bean bags is a social focal point, where guests gather to enjoy the TV, DVD and music system. You can also browse the library of magazines and books and enjoy the free Wi-fi throughout the boat. The most popular open air space is the large sundeck, particularly in the evening, when cocktails from the Sky Bar are a great way to end the day.
Free nitrox is welcome to maximise bottom times, and photographers will appreciate the dhoni’s camera table and separate rinse tank. There are also a toilet and showers on the dhoni, so you can quickly get comfortable after each dive.
The MV Theia has a total of 10 cabins: The upper deck has 3 Seaview cabins with double/twin convertible beds, and 1 Standard cabin with a with 1 double and a single bed. There is 1 Standard 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 an ensuite bathroom.
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
Maldives Central Atolls (8 Days / 7 Nights - 16 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, shark action, manta rays, schooling fish & big pelagics
Dive sites and activities: North Male, Felidhoo, Ari atolls
Day 1
A representative of MV Theia will meet you at Male International Airport and transfer you to the dive dhoni that will take you to the 32m motor yacht. Refreshments and dinner (depending on your arrival time) will be served during the day. The boat leaves the harbour on the following morning.
Core Days
Get ready to dive in the most famous Maldives dive sites around North Male and Ari atolls. You will experience different underwater environments like channels where you will drift dive, and pinnacles where you will have a great chance of meeting manta rays. You may snorkel and dive with whale sharks as well as dive with hammerheads, grey reef sharks and the mesmerising marine life around the Maldives' beautiful reefs. At Felidhoo Atoll you are in for an unmissable night dive. There’s nothing as exciting as diving with nurse sharks, sting rays, and jacks in their feeding frenzy.
There are up to 3 dives a day, except on the last full day of the trip when there are only 2 morning dives before returning to Male.
Day 8
Wake up to a final breakfast of your Maldives diving safari served in the early morning. Say your farewells, take your last group pictures and swap contact details with your new-found friends before being transferred back to Male Airport. If you have flights late in the day, there are options to stay on the boat longer, have lunch, snorkel and more.
[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].
The crew of 10 comprises:
Cruise Leader
3 Instructors
Captain
Cook
Engineer
Maid
2 Deck hands
Complimentary nitrox - Dhoni (see below) - Motorised dinghy - Saloon with TV, DVD, Wi-fi internet & music system - Book library, movies, games & magazines - Fish ID & diving books - Sun deck with sun chairs, mattresses & bar - Upper deck open-air shaded area - Water dispenser
All the diving in the Maldives onboard Theia liveaboard safaris is done from an accompanying dhoni. This boat carries all the guests' dive equipment, the compressors and scuba tanks. There is a toilet and fresh water showers on board, rinse tanks and a camera table.
Each diving safari in the Maldives onboard Theia includes 3 delicious daily meals, served in the air-conditioned saloon or outdoor dining area, along with all-day snacks, hot drinks (coffee & tea) and fresh fruit to keep you energised (and indulged!) between dives. Breakfast and lunch are buffet-style, while dinners are set menu. Complimentary drinking water (beer, wine, and spirits available for purchase). After a day of diving, unwind on the spacious sundeck - the perfect spot to sip on a signature cocktail from the Sky Bar while reliving the day's underwater adventures.
The chefs craft a mix of authentic Maldivian, Sri Lankan, and international dishes using the freshest local ingredients - think succulent seafood, grilled meats, curries, and crispy salads. Sample dishes: Maldivian fish curry with saffron rice & roti • Grilled fish with garlic pasta & garden-fresh salad • Vegetable tempura with tangy dipping sauce. An unforgettable beach BBQ on a deserted island under the stars is held at the end of the week.
The first meal served during each trip will be dinner on arrival day (depending on flight time). Special dietary needs are accommodated (please inform us in advance).
Built in 2006, refurbished annually
Size - 32m x 9m
Top speed - 12 knots
Cruising speed - 10 knots
480 HP engine
3 x (2 x 50, 1 x 30 KW) generators
2 x Bauer K14 dive tank compressors
Nitrox system
12 & 14 litre aluminium tanks with international fittings and DIN adaptors
Electricity 220V - 24-hours per day
Water capacity - unknown
Freshwater maker - 6,000 litres / day
Fuel capacity - 6,800 litres
1 dhoni dive tender
Motorised dinghy
VHF, DSC and SSB radios
Radar
GPS
Mobile phones
CCTV in the engine room
Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)
Life raft
Life jackets in cabins
Fire extinguishers in cabins
Emergency oxygen - 21000
Medic first aid box
DEPARTURE SCHEDULE & PRICES
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MORE TRIP DETAILS
Dive experience: Required: Advanced Open Water and 50 logged dives; divers with less experience will need a dedicated guide.
Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation with air-conditioning, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinking water, soft drinks, hot drinks, transfers to the boat from the airport, dives, nitrox fills for enriched air certified divers, experienced English speaking instructors (6 divers per guide), tanks, SMB, reef hook, weights and weight belts, Green Tax, GST on cruise price.
Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Scuba equipment (USD28 per day), dive insurance, dive computer (USD10 per day), emergency sound or visual signaling system, service charge (i.e. crew tips: USD120 per week), Hanifaru Bay park fee (USD30). Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival, with equipment ordered in advance (cash - EUR, USD, CHF - or credit card - VISA or Mastercard).
Optional extras: Alcoholic drinks, 14 litre tank (USD7 per day), torch (USD8 per day), extra dives (USD32), early check in and lunch USD48 per person, late check out and lunch USD48 per person. 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 MV Theia liveaboard normally departs from Male. The first and last nights of the cruise are spent in the harbour. Most guests arrive in the afternoon of the 1st day and will be met at the airport and transferred to the boat. Scheduled airport pick-ups are from 3 pm until the end of the day. You can arrange a morning check-in and noon lunch. Otherwise a light afternoon snack will be provided followed by dinner. Guests will disembark on the final day and be transferred to the airport during the morning. You can arrange a late check out and lunch (disembarking up to 2 pm) if required. Other final day activity packages are available.
For more details, including airlines, see our How to get to the Maldives section. The last dive of the trip will be at around 1 pm on the second last day of the trip. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving.
Non-diver rate: 10% discount.
Single supplement (if you do not want to share accommodation): This is optional - single travelers may choose to share a cabin, or pay a supplement of 75% of the published price for their own cabin.
Dive clubs and group discounts: Pay for 5 guests and 1 extra person can join the cruise free of charge (total 6+ guests), pay for 8 guests and 2 extra person can join free of charge (total 10+ guests).
Whole boat charter rate (per night): Pay for 16 guests and 4 extra persons can join free of charge (max. 20 guests).
Click to view product. Special discounted trips highlighted in yellow
