Built in 2014, The MV Adora liveaboard brings a contemporary feel to Maldivian waters, yet it is backed by the know-how of a long-established local operator. At 37 metres long, this tri-deck yacht strikes a fine balance: spacious enough to offer 4 spaces of relaxation, yet intimate enough to foster a good sense of camaraderie among a maximum of 21 guests. Whether you are absorbing the sunset from the upper deck with a drink in hand or swapping dive stories in the air-conditioned saloon, the atmosphere is one of unhurried sociability.
Adora's dedicated 20-metre dive dhoni provides a stable, separate platform, meaning the mothership remains a quiet retreat. With space for up to 30 divers, freshwater showers, and onboard tank fills, the rhythm of your day is smooth and practical. Complimentary nitrox is available for those wanting to extend their bottom times, and the dive team’s long experience with central atoll diving tours inspires confidence.
Accommodation is a genuine highlight. All 11 en-suite cabins, from the practical standard rooms to the ocean view suites with private balconies, feature amenities that add a layer of luxury to your liveaboard life with Adora. Minibars, flat-screen TVs, and modern bathrooms are standard, while thoughtful touches like 24-hour room service and quality toiletries make a difference after a long day of diving. The boat is purpose-built for scuba travellers, not as a converted afterthought.
Diving from the Adora liveaboard means waking up in the heart of the action. The central atoll routes are classic for a reason: renowned for clean currents, healthy reef structures, and the reliable presence of grey reef sharks, mantas, and Napoleon wrasse. Between dives, you can retreat to the sundeck, make use of the free wi-fi to share highlights with friends, or simply lose yourself in a book from the onboard library.
Ultimately, a successful liveaboard cruise is about more than the sum of its facilities, it’s about the quiet moments between dives and the confidence that you are in safe hands. With its blend of modern build, operator heritage, and genuine diver focus, the Adora liveaboard offers an attractive way to experience Maldives diving at its best.
Maldives Central Atolls
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 and South Ari atolls
Day 1
A representative of Adora will be at Male International Airport arrivals hall when you land and take you to the liveaboard by dhoni. A boat briefing and introduction to the crew will be made by the cruise director once all the guests are on board. A small lunch, but also snacks like biscuits, fresh coconuts and soft drinks are available in case you get hungry before dinner. A check dive, usually on the Kurumba House Reef on North Male, takes place once all the cabins have been assigned and dive gear unpacked and set up. It's a chance to test your underwater skills and scuba equipment again, especially important if you haven't dived in a while. A hot shower and some relaxation before the bell rings, announcing that dinner is served in the air conditioned saloon. The boat departs the harbour only on the following morning.
Core Days
Your day usually starts with a light breakfast of cookies and hot drinks like hot chocolate, coffee or tea as you prefer. The main breakfast in on display after the 1st dive: eggs (omelette, fried or scrambled), jams on toast, sausages, pancakes or cake, fresh fruit and hot drinks. You hit the water again at around 10:30 hrs for your 2nd dive. A buffet style lunch is on hand afterwards. 5 different dishes to choose from - fresh vegetables, rice, meat or fish dishes typical of Indian and Maldivian cuisine. A 3rd afternoon dive is then always appreciated by avid scuba divers. One dinner will be a delicious barbeque on a deserted beach that you will remember for a long time. On the other nights dinner will be a buffet of 5 choices introduced by a hot soup and ending with a different dessert every day.
3 Dives a day are the norm on most of the diving charters in the Maldives and Adora is no different. There will be one night dive during the trip, but extra night dives can be purchased at extra cost. A dive briefing introduces you to what you are about to experience on the 1st dive of the day. All the divers then jump on the dhoni where all the dive gear has been stored and tanks assigned. Gear up while reaching the dive site.
Diving in the Maldives central atolls can be explained in just few words: warm water, clear visibility, and stunning reefs packed with reef fish and big pelagics!
The North Male sites feature reefs and drop offs rich in nutrients that attract large pelagics like manta rays. Other highlights include Napoleon wrasse, hawksbill turtles, giant trevallies, barracudas and other schools of large fish.
At South Male Atoll, the channels attract a lot of marine life and there are plenty of colourful soft corals. Diving on pinnacles are also one of the highlights of the tour, as they shelter fish from the currents.
When diving Ari Atoll, considered one of the best dive locations, you will see a lot of submerged pinnacles often visited big fish including whale sharks, schooling hammerhead sharks and grey reef sharks.
Please note that there is only 1 dive on the last full day of the trip. Your dive gear will have plenty of time to dry out before you check out on the next day. A visit to the fish market in Male in the afternoon is part of a guided visit to the island offered by Adora.
Final Day
Unfortunately your last breakfast of the safari has arrived. Gather your belongings and say goodbye to an amazing boat and its crew before getting back to Male Airport by dhoni.
Maldives Central, Southern & Deep South Atolls
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: Fuvahmulah, Huvadhoo, Addu Atoll, South Male, Felidhoo, Meemu, Thaa, Laamu atolls
Day 1
A representative of Adora will be at Male International Airport arrivals hall when you land and take you to the liveaboard by dhoni. A boat briefing and introduction to the crew will be made by the cruise director once all the guests are on board. A small lunch, but also snacks like biscuits, fresh coconuts and soft drinks, are available in case you get hungry before dinner. A check dive, usually on the Kurumba House Reef in North Male, takes place once all the cabins have been assigned and dive gear unpacked and set up. It's a chance to test your underwater skills and scuba equipment again, especially important if you haven't dived in a while. A hot shower and some relaxation before the bell rings, announcing that dinner is served in the air conditioned saloon.
The boat departs the harbour only on the following morning.
Core Days
Your day usually starts with a light breakfast of cookies and hot drinks like hot chocolate, coffee or tea. The main breakfast is held after the 1st dive: eggs (omelette, fried or scrambled), jams on toast, sausages, pancakes or cake, fresh fruit and hot drinks. You hit the water again at around 10:30 hrs for your 2nd dive. A buffet style lunch is on hand afterwards. 5 different dishes to choose from - fresh vegetables, rice, meat or fish dishes typical of Indian and Maldivian cuisine. A 3rd afternoon dive is then always appreciated by avid scuba divers. One dinner will be a delicious barbeque on a deserted beach that you will remember for a long time. On other nights dinner will be a buffet of 5 choices introduced by a hot soup and ending with a different dessert every day.
3 Dives a day are the norm on most of the diving charters in the Maldives and Adora is no different. There will be one night dive during the trip, but extra night dives can be purchased at extra cost. A dive briefing introduces you to what you are about to experience on the 1st dive of the day. All the divers then jump on the dhoni where all the dive gear has been stored and tanks assigned. Gear up while approaching the dive site.
Diving in the Maldives central atolls can be explained in just few words: warm water, clear visibility, and stunning reefs packed with reef fish and big pelagics! But for many, the highlights of a Far South Atolls cruise are the apex predators at Fuvahmulah Island. Be prepared for awesome encounters with thresher sharks, oceanic whitetips and tiger sharks. Here you’ll dive with a variety of large predators as they hunt the abundant smaller fish. Whitetip reef and grey reef sharks, and schools of tuna are frequently seen.
At South Male Atoll, the channels attract a lot of marine life and there are plenty of colourful soft corals. Diving on pinnacles are also one of the highlights of the tour, as they shelter fish from the currents. The night dive on schedule will be done at the Alimatha resort house reef; one of the most famous dive sites in the Maldives. Divers gather around the jetty where huge nurse sharks, reef sharks, giant trevallies and sting rays appear! An underwater feast that you can't miss.
Please note that there is only 1 dive on the last full day of the trip, near Addu Atoll. Your dive gear will have plenty of time to dry before you check out on the next day. A land visit on Addu Atoll is part of the safari offered by Adora.
Final Day
Unfortunately your last breakfast of the safari has arrived. Gather your belongings and say goodbye to an amazing boat and its crew before arriving at Gan International Airport to catch your domestic flight back to Male. Please note that the trip sometimes runs in reverse or has differing ports - check above for details.
Ari Atoll (8 Days / 7 Nights - 18 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 Malé, Rasdhoo, North Ari, South Ari. Guided Male City tour.
Day 1
Upon landing at Malé International Airport, a crew member will be waiting to greet you and transfer you to the Adora liveaboard. Once all guests have arrived, the Cruise Director will host a welcome briefing to introduce the crew and outline the cruise. Light refreshments, including a small lunch, snacks, biscuits, fresh coconut, and soft drinks will be available to enjoy before dinner.
After you've settled into your cabin and set up your dive gear, there will be a check dive. This is a perfect opportunity to familiarise yourself with the water and ensure your equipment is functioning perfectly - highly recommended if it's been some time since your last dive. You'll then have time to freshen up with a hot shower and relax before the dinner bell rings, signalling that your first meal is served.
The Adora will remain in the harbour overnight and set sail for our first dive site the following morning.
Core Days
Ideal for avid divers and curious explorers, this itinerary blends world-class underwater action with a touch of Maldivian culture. Voyage through the renowned atolls of North Malé, Rasdhoo, North Ari, and South Ari, before capping your adventure with a guided tour of the capital city. This route offers a dynamic mix of pelagic encounters, thrilling drifts, and cultural insight.
Your liveaboard adventure begins in North Malé, where the currents funnel incredible marine life. Test your skills at thrilling drift sites like Okobe Thila, a pinnacle swarming with snapper and grey reef sharks, and experience the magic of Lankan Manta Point, where mantas circle cleaning stations.
Next, the action shifts to Rasdhoo Atoll, famous for its channel diving. Ascend at sunrise for a chance to see patrolling hammerhead sharks at Rasdhoo Madivaru. Later, drift along the walls at Veligandu Thila where eagle rays, schooling jacks, and robust coral formations are the main attractions.
In North Ari, you'll dive iconic sites such as Maaya Thila, a breathtaking night dive where white tip reef sharks hunt, and witness the immense biodiversity at Fish Head, a sanctuary for large nurse sharks and swirling trevally.
The finale takes you to South Ari and a globally recognised marine sanctuary. Here, the highlight is the chance to snorkel with gentle whale sharks on their migratory route. Dive beautiful coral gardens and channel drifts like Rangali Madivaru, where you might spot mantas and grey reef sharks.
Please note: There is only 1 dive on the last full day of the trip. Your dive gear will have plenty of time to dry out before you check out the next morning, leaving you free to enjoy the city tour.
Day 8
All good things must come to an end, and sadly, this is your final breakfast on safari. Gather your belongings and bid a fond farewell to the incredible Adora liveaboard crew. They will then transfer you via dhoni back to Malé Airport.
Maldives Central & Northern Atolls (Express) (8 Days / 7 Nights - 17 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale 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 Male, South Male, North Ari Atoll, Baa Atoll: Hanifaru Bay
Day 1
You will board the Adora liveaboard near Malé International Airport. Once all guests are on board, the cruise director will provide a boat briefing and introduce you to the crew. A light lunch and snacks are available to tide you over until dinner. After settling into your cabin and setting up your dive gear, you'll embark on a check dive, typically on the Kurumba House Reef in North Malé. This is an opportunity to test your equipment and get reacquainted with the water. The evening is yours to relax with a hot shower before the dinner bell rings. The boat remains in the harbour, setting sail for adventure the following morning.
Core Days
Dive into the heart of the Indian Ocean, across the Maldives' Central Atolls and the renowned Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This itinerary is designed for avid divers, promising a balance of thrill, beauty, and serenity. From your very first descent, you'll be immersed in a world of dazzling reef fish, majestic manta rays, and the gentle giants of the sea. Between dives, relax onboard the premium Adora liveaboard, enjoying expert guidance and stunning views that change with every nautical mile.
The adventure begins in the waters of North Malé Atoll, where you can expect unforgettable encounters at renowned sites. Descend into hubs of activity such as Hulhumale Shark Point, patrolled by reef sharks and the occasional great hammerhead, and experience the awe of watching manta rays glide into their dedicated cleaning stations. From there, the Adora moves on to the jewel of the Maldives, Baa Atoll. Baa is best known for the legendary Hanifaru Bay, a seasonal gathering place for immense numbers of manta rays and whale sharks. Watch the mantas as the tumble and roll in a plankton-feeding frenzy.
The liveaboard then continues to North Ari Atoll, a region famed for its stunning pinnacles (thilas) and adrenaline-filled channel dives (kandus). Prepare for spectacular encounters at Maaya Thila and Fish Head, with grey reef sharks, eagle rays, and massive schools of jackfish in the currents. You'll dive legendary sites where sharks are a common sight and even have the chance for a magical nocturnal manta dive, where lights attract plankton and the magnificent mantas that feed on them. The adventure includes exploring the sunken Fesdhoo Wreck that has become a thriving artificial reef.
Adora then heads to South Malé Atoll, renowned for its exhilarating drift dives and dramatic underwater topography. Riding the currents, you'll spot reef sharks, eagle rays, and barracuda, with sites such as Guraidhoo that offer further fantastic opportunities to encounter manta rays. Our final dives showcase the area's variety, from drifting along beautiful thilas covered in soft corals to exploring the captivating Kuda Giri Wreck, now draped in corals and home to bustling schools of fish.
Day 8
Enjoy your final breakfast on board the Adora. It's time to gather your belongings and bid a fond farewell to the amazing crew and liveaboard that has been your home before the dhoni transfer returns you to Malé airport.
[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].
On the MV Adora, the rhythm of each liveaboard trip is a comfortable, sociable one, set to the backdrop of the Indian Ocean and designed to keep you fuelled, relaxed, and ready for the next splash. Days onboard settle into a pleasant pattern. You might wake to the gentle sound of the anchor chain and the smell of brewing coffee. Breakfast is served before the first dive, a hearty buffet of international and local dishes to set you up for the morning. After working up an appetite on the first 2 dives, you’ll return to a substantial lunch - perhaps a fragrant Maldivian fish curry with coconut sambol, a Sri Lankan-influenced dhal, or a simple pasta dish. Meals are always buffet-style, encouraging you to eat as much or as little as you like, and menus change daily, reflecting the fresh produce available and the skills of the onboard cook.
Between meals, the Adora team ensures no one goes hungry. After each dive, you can expect a little something to tide you over: sweet biscuits with a cup of tea, slices of fresh tropical fruit, or even segments of juicy coconut, hacked open for a refreshing hit of hydration and natural electrolytes. There's always a pot of tea and coffee available, and drinking water is complimentary throughout the liveaboard cruise. As the day winds down, the boat settles into evening mode. Dinner is the main social event, a chance to swap stories of the day’s scuba encounters over another excellent meal.
Once a week, weather permitting, the crew hauls a BBQ onto a sandbank or a quiet island beach. Here, under a canopy of stars, you’ll dine on grilled seafood and meats - a true Maldivian liveaboard experience.
For those who enjoy a drink, the onboard bar is well-stocked with beers, wines, spirits, and soft drinks, available for purchase to enjoy with your dinner or while relaxing on the deck afterwards.
The Adora liveaboard crew is experienced at catering to different needs. If you have a specific dietary requirement be it vegetarian, Halaal, or any allergies they just ask that you let us know in advance, so they can be sure to have the right ingredients on board.
