Maldives Central Atolls Liveaboard Expedition

North Malé • South Malé • Ari • Vaavu

A 7-night journey by Yacht through the heart of the Maldives - Close encounters with Sharks, Manta Rays, Whale Sharks, and thriving Pelagic Life

What’s Included

✔ 8 days / 7 nights
✔ Airport pick-up & drop-off, including transfer to the yacht
✔ 15 dives included, with the option to add more depending on marine life encounters and conditions
✔ Yacht accommodation based on double occupancy (shared with another traveler)
✔ Daily meals included: breakfast, lunch & dinner
✔ 2 yoga sessions
✔ 1 breathwork & meditation session
✔ 1 educational workshop on Maldivian marine species & conservation
✔ Trip leaders: Professional Freediver Tania Panés & Professional Scuba Diver Estefanía Ojeda
✔ 2 local certified dive guides on board
✔ Underwater photography service (optional, at an extra cost)

Not included


✗ Flights
Diving Equipment
✗ Travel/Dive Insurance (required)
✗ Gratuity (for Captain and guides) - Optional

Trip Details

Lenght & Dives

8 days/7 nights - 17 dives

When?

October 3rd-10th (2026)

Price / Double Occupancy Accommodation

  • $2250 USD / Lower Deck: OPEN

  • $2550 USD / Upper Deck: OPEN

-$800 USD deposit
-Availability for 21 guests
Terms and Conditions

Trip Overview & Itinerary

This 8-day / 7-night liveaboard experience takes you through the heart of the Maldives’ Central Atolls, cruising across North & South Malé, Ari and Vaavu Atolls — some of the most iconic dive regions in the country.

Days are shaped by a relaxed rhythm of up to three dives per day, combining world-class thilas, channels and manta points with plenty of time to rest, enjoy life on board and soak in the Indian Ocean atmosphere.

Expect encounters with manta rays, reef sharks, whale sharks, turtles and vibrant coral reefs, plus night dives, possible whale shark snorkeling, a beach BBQ on a local island and a short visit to Malé city before disembarkation.

Everything is designed to balance adventure, comfort and connection to the ocean — all from the ease of your floating home.

Day 1 — Arrival (North Malé Atoll)

Upon arrival at Velana International Airport (Malé), participants are warmly welcomed by our team. From the airport, the group is transferred by speedboat to the yacht, where the crew will assist with boarding and settling in. 

Afternoon Dive – Hulhumalé Nerumathi
Tiger Shark and sting ray point.

First night anchored in North Malé.

Day 2 — Mantas & Night Sharks (Crossing to Ari Atoll)

Dive 1 – Hulhumalé Nerumathi
Tiger Shark and sting ray point.

Dive 2 – Lankan Paradise (Manta Point)
One of the most famous manta cleaning stations during the west monsoon season.

Cruise to South Ari Atoll (approx. 5 hours).

Dive 3 – Maaya Thila (Night Dive)
Iconic pinnacle dive. White-tip reef sharks hunting, turtles, octopus and cuttlefish.

Days 3 — Ari Atoll Highlights

Dive 1 – Bathala Thila
Shallow pinnacle covered in reef life. Sharks, tuna, jackfish tornadoes and occasional frogfish.

Dive 2 – Fish Head
One of the Maldives’ most famous dive sites with shark encounters year-round. 95% shark encounter rate.

Dive 3 – Fesdhoo Lagoon (Manta Night Dive)
Optional night dive or snorkel with manta rays feeding under lights.

Day 4 — Soft Corals & Whale Shark Area

Dive 1 – Maalhos Thila
Colorful soft coral-covered pinnacle. Can have strong currents.

Dive 2 – Moofushi Corner
Oceanic wall dive and active manta point.

Dive 3 – Dhega Thila
Beautiful swim-throughs and turtle sightings.

Evening / Night – Whale Shark Snorkeling (seasonal)
Possible night encounter in Mirihi area during high season.

Day 5 — Marine Protected Area & Beach BBQ

Dive 1 – Kuda Rah Thila
Protected area with dense marine life and colorful reef structure.

Dive 2 – South Ari Marine Protected Area
Whale shark hotspot.

Dive 3 – Broken Rock
Dramatic canyon dive with vibrant soft corals.

Evening – Beach BBQ on Local Island
Private island dinner under the stars.

Cruise to Vaavu Atoll (approx. 4 hours).

Day 6 – Vaavu Channels & Shark Action

Dive 1 – Miyaru Kandu
Famous channel dive. Grey reef sharks, eagle rays, napoleons and strong current action.

Dive 2 – Dhevana Kandu
Shallower channel dive with moderate current.

Dive 3 – Dhiggiri Lagoon
Nurse sharks and stingrays. Often done at sunset or night.

Cruise to South Malé (approx. 3 hours).

Day 7 – South Malé & Wreck Dive

Dive 1 – Kandooma Thila
Top-ranked dive site in South Malé. Grey reef sharks, white-tips, schooling jacks and snappers. Can have strong currents.

Dive 2 – Kuda Giri Wreck
Artificial wreck surrounded by reef life. Shallow and colorful.

Cruise back to Malé (approx. 2 hours).

Afternoon – Malé City Visit (Optional)
Short guided visit to explore the capital.

Farewell dinner onboard.

Day 8 – Departure

Breakfast onboard.
Check-out and transfer to Malé International Airport between 08:00–09:00, depending on flight schedules.

The Yacht

Welcome aboard our Maldivian liveaboard — Your floating home in the heart of the Indian Ocean!

We’ll be living aboard a 36-meter motor yacht, fully renovated in 2021 and designed for both comfort and stability while cruising through the remote atolls of the Maldives. The yacht accommodates a maximum of 24 guests and offers 12 spacious private cabins, each with its own en-suite bathroom, hot and cold water, air conditioning, storage space, safety box, desk area, and daily housekeeping service.

On the upper deck, there are four double cabins with beautiful sea views. The main deck features a twin cabin, and the lower deck hosts seven additional cabins (double or twin configuration), all designed to provide a cozy and restful atmosphere after long days in the water. Every cabin is equipped with quality bedding, reading lights, minibar, and 220V European outlets available 24 hours a day.

The yacht is built for life at sea: solid, spacious, and fully equipped with modern navigation and safety systems, desalination for fresh water onboard, and comfortable indoor and outdoor common areas where we can relax, share meals, review photos, and connect as a group. It’s not just transport — it becomes our floating home in the Indian Ocean for the entire expedition.

Choose Your Cabin

Each cabin features two beds, plus private bathroom, air conditioning, and storage space — ensuring comfort after long days in the water. The difference lies in the experience.

Lower Deck (7 available/ 14 guests)

Cozy and quiet.

Situated on the lower deck, these cabins feature a smaller window (porthole-style). While they don’t offer the same open views as the upper deck, they provide a comfortable, peaceful atmosphere — perfect for resting between dives.

Ideal for those who prioritize comfort and value, while still enjoying the full liveaboard experience.

$2250 USD

Upper Deck (4 available/ 8 guests)

Wake up to the ocean.

Located on the upper deck, these cabins offer large panoramic windows with open sea views. Natural light fills the room, and you’ll fall asleep with the horizon just outside your window.

If you value space, brightness, and direct connection to the ocean, this is your choice.

$2550 USD

Meet your hosts

Estefanía Ojeda (Nia) – @niasharks_

Estefanía Ojeda, known as Nia, was born and raised in Puerto Rico. She has over five years of diving experience, having begun her journey driven by a strong interest in sharks. What started as curiosity developed into a professional commitment to marine education and the conservation of Puerto Rico’s ecosystems. She uses diving as a tool to promote respect for and protection of the oceans.

She is currently a Scuba Instructor and an SSI Ambassador, guiding divers not only in exploring the underwater environment, but also in understanding its ecological value and importance for conservation.

For her, each expedition represents an opportunity for learning, growth, and a meaningful connection with the ocean.

Tania Panés – @tania.apnea

Tania Panés is a freediving instructor, Scuba Divemaster, and competitive athlete representing Spain, holding five national freediving records. With extensive experience in the water, her professional path has developed into leading freediving expeditions in some of the world’s most recognized marine destinations.

In recent years, she has worked as an expedition leader, creating and operating trips in destinations including Mexico, Dominica, Egypt, and the Maldives. Her approach combines technical expertise, structured planning, and a clear commitment to ocean awareness, ensuring that each expedition is conducted with professionalism and respect for the marine ecosystem.


In addition to her expedition work, she coaches a select group of students and delivers workshops internationally, continuing to share her expertise in freediving through training and mentorship.

 FAQs

  • For the liveaboard in Maldives, we recommend booking your international flight to arrive in Malé (Malé) on October 3rd. Ideally, you should arrive in the morning, although there is flexibility throughout the day, as this date is reserved for guest arrivals and transfers to the yacht. In the afternoon, before dinner, we will enjoy a welcome dive at an incredible site known for its rich marine life, so we encourage you to plan your arrival early enough to join this first immersion.

    For departure, please book your return flight for October 10th. We will organize an early morning transfer to the airport (approximately between 8:00–9:00 AM) so you can comfortably connect with your international flight home.

  • Safety is a top priority.

    The vessel operates under official Maldivian maritime regulations and holds the required operating licenses, insurance coverage and onboard safety certifications. The boat is fully equipped with fire safety systems and emergency equipment.

    The captain and dive guides are trained for emergency response procedures, and the crew is experienced in managing liveaboard operations in the Central Atolls.

    In case of medical assistance:

    • All inhabited islands have regional medical facilities for initial care.

    • For more serious cases requiring advanced treatment, transfer to Malé (the capital) can be arranged via speedboat or domestic flight, depending on the situation.

    All related costs would be the responsibility of the guest and are expected to be covered by mandatory travel and dive insurance, which is required to join this expedition.

  • No, freediving certification is not required. You just need to feel comfortable in the water.

    You will always be with proffesionasl in the water at all times:

    • Professional freedivers and scuba divers (Estefanía and Tania)

    • Two experienced local dive guides

    • An experienced underwater photographer, also very skilled in freediving

  • We always recommend bringing your own dive equipment for comfort and familiarity.

    - Mask & Snorkel
    - Fins
    - Freediving weightbelt

    *Weights are provided onboard

    However, if you prefer not to travel with heavy equipment, full gear rental can be arranged onboard. In that case, we must be informed at least 2 weeks prior to departure, including sizes and specific requirements, so everything can be prepared accordingly.

  • In the Central Atolls (North & South Malé, Ari and Vaavu), water temperatures are generally warm year-round, averaging between 27°C and 30°C (80–86°F).

    Most divers are comfortable in just a swimsuit due to the warm water temperatures. However, you are welcome to bring a thin wetsuit, leggings, or a rash guard for additional comfort and protection from sun exposure, especially during multiple dives per day.

  • Traveling solo? You won’t be alone for long.

    Many guests join this expedition on their own, and it often becomes one of the most meaningful parts of the experience. Cabins are double occupancy, which means you will share with another guest of the same gender unless you request a private upgrade (subject to availability).

    Sharing a cabin is usually the beginning of new friendships. Living, diving and traveling together for a week creates a special kind of connection — one built around adventure, ocean moments and shared experiences.

    By the end of the trip, what started as a group of individuals often feels more like a small ocean family.

    If you are traveling solo and feel unsure, reach out — we’re happy to talk you through how it works.

  • Yes. Diving insurance is mandatory for all participants.

  • For safety reasons, alcohol consumption is strictly prohibited between dives.

    Diving under the influence of alcohol is dangerous and puts both the individual and the group at risk. Hydration and physical readiness are essential, especially with multiple dives per day and potential currents.

    Alcohol may be consumed responsibly after the final dive of the day, at additional cost.

    We reserve the right to prevent any guest from diving if they are not in suitable physical condition — including cases of excessive alcohol consumption. This is a safety measure to protect both the individual and the group.

  • The expedition begins and ends in Malé, Maldives.

    Guests should fly into Velana International Airport (MLE), the country’s main international airport. It is well connected with major hubs in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

    Arrival Day:
    We recommend arriving no later than 12:00–13:00 on embarkation day to allow smooth transfer to the boat. Boarding usually begins around 13:00.

    If you are arriving on a late international flight, we strongly suggest coming one day earlier and staying overnight in Malé or Hulhumalé to avoid any travel delays affecting your embarkation.

    Departure Day:
    Disembarkation is typically between 08:00–09:00, depending on international flight schedules. We recommend booking return flights departing after 11:00 to allow a comfortable airport transfer.

    Airport transfers to and from the vessel are included (unless otherwise stated).

    If you need assistance planning your arrival or pre/post-trip accommodation, we are happy to guide you.