Horizon III is a 36m long fiberglass twin-engine liveaboard yacht that is among the most respected and safest in the Maldives. You will venture away from the crowds to find some of the most incredible species of the Maldives. Head north to Baa Atoll for the annual manta feeding frenzy, journey south to Thaa for night time encounters with whale sharks and Felidhoo for grey reef and nurse sharks, venture to the Deep South for hammerheads, threshers and tiger sharks.
The award-winning Horizon III liveaboard crew have been employed for many years and create a great ambience onboard. This is evidenced by a returning guest rate of 70%. So confident are they that their cruises will remain popular that every cruise is a confirmed departure. An experienced Ayurvedic therapist offers rejuvenating post-dive spa treatments and massages. There is an upper deck Jacuzzi where guests can relax. The 5 comfortable leisure areas, and the light and clean interior design, provide a ‘home from home’ atmosphere.
There are 12 comfortable en-suite guest cabins onboard, including deluxe cabins with sea views. The restaurant serves up delicious buffet spreads of Western and Asian cuisine, and the bar provides draught beer and a comprehensive drinks menu.
Diving activities with the Horizon III are conducted from the accompanying and spacious 20 metre dhoni dive tender. It houses 3 compressors and the nitrox system, the weights, and diver equipment baskets, which removes a lot of clutter from the mothership. You will find a battery charging station onboard, warm water showers, and fish ID and dive reference books. Tanks can fit both DIN and international yoke valves, and are standard 12 litre and 15 litre sizes, air and nitrox. There is an AED defibrillator and there are 5 experienced divemasters onboard the Horizon, providing one of the most attentive dive services in the Maldives.
Non-divers are welcome on the Horizon III too. They can ask the crew or captain to take them to a local beach or sand bar for island hopping, participate in a free guided snorkel tour, read books, play cards or chess, or watch TV in the lounge, try fishing, relax in the Jacuzzi or enjoy a therapeutic massage. So why not come and experience a scuba diving holiday in the Maldives like no other with the Horizon III liveaboard.
Maldives Central & Northern Atolls (Express) (8 Days / 7 Nights - 16 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 and Baa Atoll: Hanifaru Bay
Day 1
Begin this Maldivian scuba adventure by boarding the 36-meter motor yacht, the Horizon III liveaboard, near Male International Airport. With a typical departure time of noon, the first afternoon is dedicated to checking your gear, completing your essential check dive, and receiving the tour leader's introductory briefing. After enjoying lunch and dinner on board, you can settle into your cabin, anticipating the exciting week of diving ahead on the Horizon III
Core Days
The core of this Central and Northern Atolls tour is a quest for the Maldives' megafauna. The initial dives focus on the nutrient-rich thilas and current-swept channels of North Male Atoll. These formations act as natural magnets for schooling fish, where you can observe cruising napoleon wrasse, large schools of tuna and jacks, and the frequent passage of grey reef sharks, manta rays, and eagle rays, providing thrilling, current-fed viewing opportunities.
The Horizon III liveaboard expedition then pushes north to the celebrated Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The primary attraction is the world-famous Hanifaru Bay. During the plankton-rich season, typically May to December, this marine protected area witnesses spectacular gatherings of feeding manta rays and whale sharks, sometimes involving immense numbers. While diving is restricted here, the Horizon III ensures guests have the unique chance to snorkel at the surface with these magnificent filter feeders.
Day 8
The expedition concludes on the final day, starting with an early, cooked breakfast. Following your last group pictures and farewells, you will disembark the yacht and transfer to Male airport.
Maldives Central & Southern Atolls (15 Days / 14 Nights - 37 Dives)
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: South Male, Felidhoo: Alimatha, Devana Kandu, Fahumi Giri, Fotteyo, Fulidhoo Caves, Golden Wall, Kunavashi Kandu, Medhu Kandu, Miyaru Kandu, Vattaru; Meemu: Ashaa Thila, Hakuru Thila, Mulaku Kandu, Muli Corner, Vanhuravalhi Kandu, Veyvar Corner; and Laamu Atoll: Fushi Kandu, Guraidhoo Kandu, Isdhoo East, Isdhoo West, Munnafushi Kandu, Vadinolhu Kandu
Day 1
Board the large 36-meter motor yacht, the Horizon III liveaboard, near Male International Airport. With a standard departure time of noon, the crew will guide you through the welcome briefing and assist in setting up your gear before you complete your essential check dive. You will receive lunch and dinner on the first day, giving you time to settle in and meet your fellow scuba divers as the vessel prepares to head south.
Core Days
This Central and Southern Atolls route aboard the Horizon III focuses on the legendary channel dives of the Maldives, connecting the classic sites of Felidhoo with the less-explored, coral-rich atolls further south. The diving begins in the Felidhoo (Vaavu) region, which is dominated by deep kandus (channels). Here, dive sites like Devana Kandu and Miyaru Kandu challenge divers with strong currents that draw in schooling grey reef sharks, stingrays, and other pelagics. Felidhoo is also home to spectacular reef structures, including the beautiful soft corals and overhangs of Fotteyo and the unique caverns of Fulidhoo Caves. At night, the famous Alimatha dive is a must-see, offering close encounters with large aggregations of nurse sharks and rays, while Vattaru presents more channel opportunities, and Fahumi Giri acts as a pinnacle dive rich in fish life.
Continuing south, the Horizon III explores Meemu Atoll and its unique dive profile, including Ashaa Thila and Hakuru Thila. This atoll is famed for the Mulaku Kandu area, where the focus shifts to locating whale sharks that feed on plankton, offering spectacular snorkelling or diving experiences. Muli Corner and Vanhuravalhi Kandu provide classic current diving with a high probability of large oceanic fish. The scuba diving here is celebrated for its thriving, healthy coral structures that remain largely untouched.
This Horizon III liveaboard dive expedition concludes with the deep channels and remote reefs of Laamu Atoll. Here, the diving includes sites such as Fushi Kandu, Guraidhoo Kandu, Isdhoo East, and Vadinolhu Kandu. These channels are known to attract large schools of trevallies and tuna, as well as manta rays and several shark species, providing an exciting final series of current-fed dives.
Day 15
The adventure concludes on the final morning with a cooked breakfast before you disembark and transfer to Male Airport for your flight home.
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: South Male: Guraidhoo corner, Kuda Giri; Felidhoo: Alimatha, Miyaru Kandu; and Ari Atoll: Bathala Maa Gau, Maaya Thila, Hafusa Thila, Maalhos Thila, Degaa Thila, Panettone, Bulhalohi Thila, Rahdigaa, Rangali Madivaru, Maamigili Beyru, Dhigurah Beyru, Dhagethi, Dhigurah, Kuda Rah Thila; Felidhoo Atoll: Alimatha, snorkelling at Banana Reef
Day 1
Board the large 36-meter motor yacht, the Horizon III liveaboard, near Male International Airport. Typically departing around noon, the crew will welcome you aboard, provide a comprehensive briefing, and assist with any necessary paperwork. This is followed by a relaxed afternoon check dive, allowing you to settle your equipment. Lunch and dinner are served on the first day, giving you time to meet the crew and fellow divers before enjoying your first night's rest as the vessel prepares for the full adventure ahead.
Core Days
The Central Atolls route on the Horizon III is a classic Maldivian circuit, focusing on high-energy channel and pinnacle diving. This itinerary offers a beautiful mixture of pelagic action, healthy coral formations, and iconic wrecks across South Male, Felidhoo, and Ari Atolls.
The expedition commences in South Male Atoll, featuring dynamic channel dives like Guraidhoo corner, where large pelagics and reef sharks patrol the outside reef. An important stop in this area is the wreck of Kuda Giri, a fascinating artificial reef that showcases the macro biodiversity of the Maldives. You will also have the opportunity for surface time to snorkel at the nearby Banana Reef, famous for its thriving reef fish populations.
The cruise proceeds to Felidhoo Atoll, where channel diving is the main event. At Miyaru Kandu (Shark Channel), the strong currents usher in impressive sightings of reef sharks and other large animals. Felidhoo Atoll also offers spectacular wall dives with vibrant soft corals and caverns, but the undisputed highlight is the night dive at Alimatha. Here, dozens of nurse sharks and stingrays gather in the shallows for an unforgettable close-range wildlife encounter.
The bulk of the diving unfolds across the renowned Ari Atoll, a large atoll famous for consistent sightings of large animals. The southern marine protected areas, including Maamigili Beyru, Dhigurah Beyru, Dhagethi, and Dhigurah, are monitored for seasonal whale shark sightings, maximising the chance to encounter these majestic filter feeders. The Horizon III also explores Ari’s famous thilas (pinnacles), which are isolated havens of life. Key dive sites include Maaya Thila, Panettone, and Kuda Rah Thila. Additionally, the vessel seeks out Rangali Madivaru, a known cleaning station where manta rays aggregate during optimal water flow. The experienced guides on the Horizon III liveaboard are adept at reading the currents and local conditions to maximise your opportunities for viewing the atoll's signature creatures, from mantas to schools of tuna and jacks.
Day 8
Enjoy your final cooked breakfast on board before disembarking the yacht and transferring to Male International Airport, concluding your Central Atolls diving adventure with Horizon III.
Maldives Deep South & Southern Atolls (15 Days / 14 Nights - 34 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, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: South Male, Felidhoo: Alimatha, Devana Kandu, Fahumi Giri, Fotteyo, Vaavu Caves, Golden Wall, Kunavashi Kandu, Medhu Kandu, Miyaru Kandu, Vattaru; Meemu: Ashaa Thila, Hakuru Thila, Mulaku Kandu, Muli Corner, Vanhuravalhi Kandu, Veyvar Corner; Laamu Atoll: Fushi Kandu, Guraidhoo Kandu, Isdhoo East, Isdhoo West, Munnafushi Kandu, Vadinolhu Kandu, Huvadhoo Atoll: Gadhoo Thila, Gadhoo Corner, Gemanafushi Kandu, Mareya Bayru, Gemanafushi Outside, Gemanafushi Kandu, Kodey Kandu, Nilandhoo Kandu, Kooddoo Kandu, VIllin’Gili Kandu; Addu: British Loyalty wreck, Maa Kandu Manta, Maa Faru; Fuvahmulah, island hopping
Day 1
Board the large 36-meter motor yacht, the Horizon III liveaboard, near Male International Airport. With a standard departure time of noon, the crew will conduct a thorough welcome briefing and assist in setting up your scuba gear before you complete your essential check dive. Lunch and dinner will be served on the first day, giving you time to meet the crew and your fellow divers as the vessel heads south overnight.
Core Days
This extended Horizon III diving cruise offers an expansive Deep South and Southern Atolls adventure, meticulously covering the renowned current dives of Felidhoo and Meemu before reaching the pristine, predator-rich waters of Laamu, Huvadhoo, Fuvahmulah, and Addu. This route is specifically designed for experienced divers seeking the greatest variety of large marine life encounters in the Maldives.
The expedition begins in the Central Atolls, then focuses on the high-octane channel diving of Felidhoo. Sites like Miyaru Kandu, Devana Kandu, and Medhu Kandu draw schools of grey reef sharks, rays, and trevallies, while Fotteyo and Vaavu Caves reveal spectacular soft coral formations, caverns, and swim-throughs. The famed night dive at Alimatha offers an unforgettable spectacle of nurse sharks and stingrays. Moving into Meemu Atoll, the Horizon III liveaboard targets the Mulaku Kandu area for seasonal whale shark sightings, alongside thrilling corner dives like Ashaa Thila, Hakuru Thila, and Muli Corner, which promise encounters with large oceanic fish and diverse reef life.
Continuing further south, the vessel explores Laamu, which features several deep, untouched channels. These sites are rich in sharks, schools of tuna, and pelagic activity. Next is Huvadhoo Atoll, known for its pristine beauty and massive channels. At dive spots like Gadhoo Corner, Gemanafushi Kandu, Kodey Kandu, and Nilandhoo Kandu, you can expect large schools of reef sharks, turtles, stingrays, and spinner dolphins. For many, the ultimate experience is the unique, open-ocean diving at Fuvahmulah, an island renowned for near-certain sightings of apex predators, including oceanic whitetips, thresher sharks, and tiger sharks. The Horizon III ensures you are positioned for optimal viewing of these species, alongside mola mola, sailfish, and other deep-sea hunters.
The final days of the cruise are spent exploring Addu Atoll, where the diving combines history and marine life. The submerged British Loyalty wreck, the largest in the Maldives, is a thriving artificial reef. Addu also features known cleaning stations like Maa Kandu Manta and Maa Faru that attract seasonal manta rays.
Day 15
The adventure concludes on the final morning with a cooked breakfast. Following your farewells, you will disembark and transfer to Gan Airport (Addu) for your connecting flight.
Note that these cruises sometimes run in reverse, so please check the specified port of departure and return.
Maldives Deep South Atolls (8 Days / 7 Nights - 16 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, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Huvadhoo: Gadhoo Thila, Gadhoo Corner, Gemanafushi Kandu, Mareya Bayru, Gemanafushi Outside, Gemanafushi Kandu, Kodey Kandu, Nilandhoo Kandu, Kooddoo Kandu, Villin’ Gili Kandu; Addu: British Loyalty wreck, Maa Kandu Manta, Maa Faru; Fuvahmulah, island hopping
Day 1
Board the large 36-meter motor yacht, the Horizon III liveaboard at Kooddoo Airport (Huvadhoo). With a typical departure around noon, the afternoon is dedicated to a thorough welcome briefing, completing paperwork, and conducting an essential check dive. After settling into your cabin, you will enjoy lunch and dinner on board, getting acquainted with the crew and your fellow divers as the vessel prepares to set sail in the remote Deep South of the Maldives.
Core Days
This Deep South cruise aboard the Horizon III is a high-octane expedition designed for certified divers seeking intense channel diving and world-class encounters with apex predators. The cruise begins with the vast, pristine Huvadhoo Atoll. Huvadhoo is characterised by its untouched lagoons, sheer walls, and deep, current-swept channels, which act as highways for pelagic life. Dive sites like Gadhoo Thila, Gemanafushi Kandu, Kodey Kandu, and Villin’ Gili Kandu are frequently visited. Here, the currents bring in blacktip and whitetip reef sharks, nurse sharks, stingrays, turtles, and the occasional thresher shark. The sheer number of sharks and schooling tuna at channels such as Gemanafushi Kandu makes Huvadhoo an extraordinary diving destination.
The Horizon III dive expedition focuses heavily on Fuvahmulah, a unique open-ocean island renowned as a global hotspot for large oceanic predators. Many regard Fuvahmulah as the highlight of the Deep South due to the almost guaranteed sightings of thresher sharks, oceanic whitetips, and even the formidable tiger shark. This intense diving environment, where island hopping is an occasional break from the action, places you among an array of large marine life, including sailfish and mola mola (ocean sunfish), as they hunt in the deep blue.
The final destination is the southernmost Addu Atoll, where the diving offers a historical twist. Addu is home to the British Loyalty wreck, the largest shipwreck in the Maldives, which is now encrusted in coral and hosts rich marine life. The atoll is also known for its cleaning stations like Maa Kandu Manta and Maa Faru, which attract majestic manta rays, and its outer walls provide opportunities to spot dogtooth tuna and silvertip sharks. This cruise on the Horizon III liveaboard provides a comprehensive exploration of the region's diverse, remote ecosystems.
Day 8
Your Deep South diving adventure concludes with a final cooked breakfast served early in the morning. After saying your farewells and taking any last group pictures, you will disembark and transfer to Gan Airport (Addu) for your flight back to Male.
Please note that these cruises sometimes run in reverse, so guests should confirm their specific port of departure and return.
[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].
A liveaboard day follows the tides and the desire to be in the water when the light is right. On the Horizon III, this rhythm is punctuated by good food and the easy camaraderie that builds over a week of shared scuba adventures.
The day begins quietly. Early risers might grab a cup of coffee or tea from the always-available station before the first rays of sun hit the water. The first dive is the priority, a gentle entry into the day's diving before the sea fully wakes. Surfacing with appetites sharpened by salt air and adrenaline, guests are welcomed to breakfast. It might be a continental spread, or perhaps a chance to try a local speciality like Mas huni - a traditional Maldivian breakfast of flaked smoked tuna, grated coconut, and onion, mixed with chilli and lime, and scooped up with flaky roshi flatbread.
The rest of the morning on Horizon III is for relaxation. You might find a spot on the sun deck, grab a book from the lounge, or simply review photos from the morning's dive. The second dive briefing comes in its own time, leading to another submerged hour before the liveaboard settles for lunch.
Meals are served buffet-style, a mix of Western and Asian dishes designed to satisfy a range of tastes and refuel divers for the afternoon. You might find freshly caught and grilled tuna alongside a pasta dish, fried rice, hearty salads, and vegetable sides. Lunch is a social affair, often taken on the upper deck in the open air when the weather allows, with panoramic views of whatever atoll you're cruising through. If the sun is strong or a squall passes through, the air-conditioned indoor dining room offers a cool, comfortable alternative.
Afternoons bring a pause. There's time for a siesta, a chat at the bar, or a gentle massage from the onboard therapist. Then afternoon tea and snacks appear - a light bite to hold you over before the day's third dive. This dive often holds a different character, sometimes a drift through a channel alive with sharks, or a tranquil reef scene.
Returning from the water, a small Horizon III ritual takes place: a refreshing young coconut is often offered, a simple, perfect end to the day's diving . As dusk settles, the focus shifts to dinner. The cook prepares another spread, and depending on the week's schedule, there might be a real highlight - a barbecue on a deserted sandbank or beach, with the grill fired up under a vast Indian Ocean sky. All food is prepared fresh, drawing on local produce, though pork is not used, in line with local customs.
Evenings on the Horizon III liveaboard are for unwinding. Reviewing the dive log with a guide, sharing stories with new friends over a drink from the bar, or simply lying back on the deck to gaze at stars unobscured by any land. It's a simple, satisfying rhythm that leaves you rested and ready to do it all again.
