Princess Maani is a brand new liveaboard safari yacht in the Maldives, the crown jewel of the Top Class Cruising fleet, a highly respected dive operator that specialises in a familiar and friendly atmosphere. Maiden voyage in October 2024, with its 17 details-oriented crew members, it meets the highest standards in safety and service on its cruises through the central, southern and northern regions of the Maldives.
This large 41m wooden hull motor yacht can comfortably accommodate up to 28 divers in its spacious and elegant cabins, spread across 3 decks, each with its own private bathroom for maximum privacy and comfort. Options include a unique Family cabin, with an additional bed for a third person. Relish gourmet cuisine tailored to your tastes by the Princess Maani kitchen staff, whether you crave European delicacies or Asian flavors, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options readily available.You can enjoy the open-air dining that sets the stage for mesmerizing sunsets.
Many guests join these Princess Maani liveaboard cruises simply to snorkel, kayak and SUP. But you could opt take it easy in the air-conditioned saloon, or on the large sundeck that features 2 Jacuzzis. The saloon is home to the entertainment system with internet access, including plasma TV, DVD and Bluetooth music system, plus a charging station. There is an upper deck panoramic cocktail bar, and also Karaoke, marine biology lectures, and a range of books and games to keep you entertained between dives. The social areas are expansive, but happy hours are often spent on desert islands.
Diving is conducted by a generous number of 6 experienced dive guides from a separate 18m dive dhoni (210 HP), where equipment and tanks are stored and filled with air or nitrox from the 3 compressors, reducing the noise on board the Princess Maani mothership. Free nitrox is provided for EANx-certified divers, top-tier diving equipment is available for rent, and extra-large 13.5 litre scuba tanks are used by guests as standard, ensuring luxury meets the deep blue of the Maldives in unparalleled harmony.
In alignment with global conservation efforts, the Princess Maani liveaboard no longer offers whale shark 'swim' activities. This decision reflects growing concerns over the harmful effects of close-contact tourism on these endangered gentle giants, including such as increased injuries from accidental boat strikes. However, guests can still responsibly observe whale sharks while diving - a lower-impact alternative that reduces stress on the animals.
Maldives Central & Northern 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: North Male: Hulhumale Wall, Lankan Paradise, Helhengeli Thila; Lhaviyani Atoll: Kuredu Express, Kuredu Caves, Kudadhoo Kandu, Fushi Faru Kandu, Ship Yard; Raa Atoll: Ifuru Thila, Kottafaru Thila, Vadu thila, Kuda Thuladhoo Thila, The Labyrinth; Baa Atoll: Hanifaru Bay, Yellow Wall, Dhonfanu Thila, Kiadufaru Thila, Daravandhoo Thila, Kunfunadhoo Thila, Mutafushi Thila; Rasdhoo Atoll, North Ari Atoll: Bathala, Moofush, Fish Head, Maaya Thila, Nassimo Thila, Banana Reef, Fish Tank, Hulhumalè Wall. Visit desert islands, sand banks, barbeque dinners, fishing trip. Afternoon tour of Male City.
Day 1
Your Central and Northern Atolls diving holiday in the Maldives starts with your arrival at Male International Airport. A dedicated member of the Princess Maani liveaboard crew will be there to welcome you and assist you with settling into your stateroom. After a welcome drink and a thorough vessel orientation, a buffet lunch will be served. If time permits, a check dive is usually conducted at a nearby reef. The evening features a relaxed dinner, offering the perfect chance to meet your dive companions before the Princess Maani weighs anchor at first light.
Core Days
This extended cruise grants scuba divers a rich cross-section of the Maldivian archipelago, stretching from the Central Atolls up to the ecologically protected areas of the north. It begins with focused exploration in North Male, tackling famous dive sites like Lankan Paradise and the Hulhumale Wall before sailing north toward the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll. This northern territory is celebrated for its complex topography of thilas, walls, and coral-rich formations, including Dhonfanu Thila and Yellow Wall.
Baa Atoll presents unparalleled opportunities for seasonal encounters. While Hanifaru Bay is a snorkel-only zone dedicated to observing large, plankton-feeding aggregations of manta rays and whale sharks, the surrounding thilas and channels provide consistent action below the surface. It then pushes further into Raa Atoll, where dive sites like The Labyrinth and Kottafaru Thila feature exciting channel diving. These remote northern passes are often populated by reef sharks, large schools of trevally, and majestic eagle rays patrolling the currents.
The Princess Maani liveaboard then directs its attention back to Lhaviyani, Rasdhoo, and North Ari. Lhaviyani Atoll includes sites such as Kuredu Express and the Ship Yard. Rasdhoo Atoll and North Ari are home to the famous pinnacles of Maaya Thila, Fish Head, and Bathala Thila. These submerged islands act as feeding and cleaning stations, offering guaranteed sightings of grey reef sharks, large Napoleon wrasse, and seasonal manta rays.
On the final full day of the cruise, the Princess Maani returns to the capital area, allowing for an optional Male city tour. Interspersed with the diving are rewarding surface intervals, including sandbank visits and an evening barbecue.
Day 11
Following your last breakfast on board the Princess Maani liveaboard, you will be transferred to Male International Airport for your departure.
Maldives Central & Northern Atolls (Express)
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: Baa Atoll, Hanifaru Bay, Ari and Rasdhoo atolls. Visit desert islands, sand banks, barbecue dinners, fishing trip. Afternoon tour of Male City.
Day 1
This Maldives Central and Northern Atolls exploration begins at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport. You will be warmly greeted upon boarding the Princess Maani liveaboard. After receiving a welcome drink and a thorough introduction to the vessel, you can settle into your stateroom and enjoy a buffet lunch. If guest arrivals permit, the afternoon includes a mandatory check dive at a sheltered site nearby. The evening culminates in a relaxing dinner, allowing you to meet your fellow divers before the vessel begins its northward cruise at dawn.
Core Days
This brief tour is meticulously designed to immerse divers in the most celebrated highlights of the Maldivian Central and Northern Atolls. The Princess Maani immediately sails toward the renowned UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, where the diving showcases spectacular topography. Expect to explore walls, coral-draped thilas, plateaus, and overhangs teeming with marine variety, from large Napoleon wrasse and turtles to schools of colourful reef fish. The region is famous for its filter feeders; while snorkelling is the sole activity permitted in the conservation zone of Hanifaru Bay to observe seasonal manta ray and whale shark feeding frenzies, numerous dive sites nearby offer excellent opportunities to encounter these giants.
It proceeds to Rasdhoo and the internationally celebrated Ari Atoll, home to some of the Maldives' premier dive sites. The currents here create dynamic habitats, drawing in powerful pelagics. Divers frequently encounter graceful manta rays at cleaning stations and have strong chances of sighting whale sharks along the western atoll fringes. The topography of Ari’s famed thilas ensures thrilling dives among whitetip and grey reef sharks, and impressive schools of tuna and jacks. The Princess Maani provides the platform for these intense blue water experiences.
The time on the Princess Maani is balanced with unique surface activities, enhancing the tropical getaway. Guests can enjoy a traditional fishing trip, visits to pristine sand banks and desert islands, and an evening beach barbecue under the stars.
The diving schedule typically allows for dives on the final full day before the vessel returns to the capital area, where guests have the option to take an afternoon tour of Malé City.
Final Day
After enjoying a final breakfast on board the Princess Maani, you will transfer from the vessel back to the Male airport for your departure, concluding an action-packed diving cruise.
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: Lankan Paradise, Nassimo Thila, Banana Reef, Hulhumale wall, South Male: Gurahidoo MPA, Kuda Giri, Ari: Dhangethi Channel, Fish Head, Maaya thila, Bathala Thila, Moofushi Corner, Felidhoo: Myaru Kandu, Alimathaa, Fotteyo Kandu, and Rasdhoo atolls
Day 1
Your Maldives diving holiday commences with your arrival at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport. A member of the Princess Maani liveaboard crew will welcome you aboard. After a refreshing welcome drink and detailed orientation, you will settle into your stateroom and enjoy a buffet lunch. The group will typically complete a check dive at a nearby site, provided all guests have arrived. The evening concludes with dinner on board, allowing you to relax while the Princess Maani remains at anchor until morning.
Core Days
The Central Atolls trip is the definitive Maldivian dive experience for certified divers, combining the exploration of current-swept channels ('kandus') and vibrant pinnacles ('thilas') across 5 major atolls. This route aboard the Princess Maani is focused on showcasing the region’s renowned biodiversity and premier dive sites.
The first days are spent navigating the North and South Male Atolls. In North Male, sites like Banana Reef, Nassimo Thila, and the Hulhumale Wall display impressive reef health, with extensive coral formations and resident schools of colourful reef fish, including moray eels and Napoleon wrasse. South Male highlights include the Gurahidoo MPA and the wreck of Kuda Giri, where prevailing currents attract impressive gatherings of whitetip and grey reef sharks.
Moving west, the adventure incorporates Rasdhoo and the internationally celebrated Ari Atoll. Ari offers the best chance for encountering whale sharks, frequently sighted near the Dhangethi Channel. The underwater pinnacles are the main event here, with world-class sites such as Fish Head, Maaya Thila, Bathala Thila, and Moofushi Corner. These deep thilas are magnets for pelagics, allowing divers to hook in and observe majestic eagle rays and giant trevally patrolling the area against the strong currents.
The diving circuit continues to Felidhoo Atoll. Channels such as Myaru Kandu and Fotteyo Kandu provide exhilarating, current-dependent drift dives with high potential for pelagic shark observation. The evening highlight is the signature night dive near Alimathaa, where the boat lights attract dozens of nurse sharks and large stingrays. This unique gathering creates a memorable observation of nocturnal feeding behaviour, confirming the Maldives Central Atolls as a must-do destination on the Princess Maani.
The final full day includes a full day of diving before the Princess Maani heads back toward Male.
Final Day
After a farewell dinner and your last breakfast on board, you will disembark and transfer to the airport.
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: Addu: British Royalty, Maa Kandu; Fuvhamulah: Tiger Wall, Plateau; Huvadhoo: Gemanafushi, Mareha Kandu, Kureddhoo Kandu, Kondey Kandu, Kooddoo Kandu, Viligili Kandu; Laamu: Fushi Kandu, Maabahidoo Kandu; Thaa: Olughiri Kandu, Dyamigili Corner, Kalufalha Island; Meemu: Vanurah Vali Kandu, Kureli Manta Point; Vattaru, Felidhoo: Myaru Kandu, Devana Kandu, Alimatha Jetty, Fotteyo Kandu, Fushi Kandu, Golden Wall; South Male: Kuda Giri, Kandooma Thila; North Male: Lankan Paradise, Nassimo Thila, Banana Reef. Whale sharks at night.
Day 1
This ultimate diving expedition spanning the Maldivian archipelago begins with a domestic flight to Gan Airport in Addu Atoll. Upon boarding the Princess Maani, you will receive a warm welcome, settle into your stateroom, and enjoy the first of many fine meals. The crew provides a full vessel orientation before nightfall. The Princess Maani anchors here for the evening, ready to commence the long dive route in the morning.
Core Days
This extended safari for experienced divers is an aquatic odyssey, immediately plunging into the Deep South to target the magnificent megafauna of Addu, Fuvahmulah, and Huvadhoo. Addu Atoll offers unique sites, including the huge World War II wreck of British Royalty and exciting channel diving in Maa Kandu, known for consistent manta ray sightings. Fuvahmulah is the ultimate pelagic draw: the solitary island's deep-water sites, such as Tiger Wall and the Plateau, provide unparalleled opportunities to observe thresher sharks, oceanic whitetip sharks, and the impressive tiger sharks. Continuing north, Huvadhoo Atoll's vast channels - including Kureddhoo Kandu, Viligili Kandu, and Gemanafushi - are renowned for pristine corals and continuous predator action, featuring large schools of grey reef sharks and yellowfin tuna.
In the Southern Atolls, Laamu offers rewarding diving in remote, healthy channels such as Fushi Kandu and Maabahidoo Kandu. In Thaa Atoll, sites like Olughiri Kandu and Dyamigili Corner are known for potential hammerhead encounters and dedicated manta cleaning stations. Meemu Atoll provides excellent drift diving in passes like Vanurah Vali Kandu and is home to the Kureli Manta Point, where these graceful animals are frequently sighted.
The Princess Maani liveaboard tour then encompasses the vibrant areas of Felidhoo and Vattaru Atolls. Felidhoo is defined by adrenaline-pumping channels like Myaru Kandu and Fotteyo Kandu, featuring spectacular coral walls (Golden Wall) and caverns. Here, divers observe impressive formations of reef sharks and large schools of trevally. The famous night dive at Alimathaa Jetty provides a unique, close-range spectacle with dozens of nurse sharks and large stingrays.
Finally, the Princess Maani returns to the capital atolls, revisiting South Male (Kandooma Thila, Kuda Giri wreck) and North Male (Lankan Paradise, Nassimo Thila, Banana Reef) to conclude this comprehensive Maldives diving adventure.
Final Day
Following a final Maldivian breakfast on board, you will exchange your goodbyes before transferring to Male International Airport for your departure, concluding your extensive tour of the archipelago.
This itinerary can run in reverse, so please check the arrival and departure ports.
Maldives Deep South Atolls
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: Genemana Fushi Beyru, Kureddhoo Kandu:, Koodhoo Fish Tank:, Koodhoo Kandu:,Viligili Kandu, Kuda Giri, Nilandhoo Kandu, Mahadhdhoo Ethere ; Addu atoll: House Reef, Maa Kandu:, Oceanic Wall,, British Royalty:; and Fuvahmulah island: Plateau:, Tiger Wall, North Corner, Lonudutta Thila, Mareha Kandu, Konday Kandu, West Wall. Whale sharks at night.
Day 1
This dive expedition into the Deep South of the Maldives begins with a morning domestic flight from Male to Gan Airport in Addu Atoll. There, the Princess Maani liveaboard will be waiting. Once welcomed aboard and settled, you will receive a thorough vessel orientation before enjoying a welcome lunch and dinner on board. Take this time to finalise gear preparations, as the vessel prepares to sail early the following morning.
Core Days
The tour represents the pinnacle of Maldives diving for scuba enthusiasts, dedicating its focus to the remote, shark-rich channels of Huvadhoo, Fuvahmulah, and Addu. This Deep South experience aboard the Princess Maani promises powerful, consistent encounters with the Indian Ocean's biggest pelagics.
Huvadhoo Atoll, one of the world's largest, offers spectacular channel diving at sites including Kureddhoo Kandu, Viligili Kandu, and Genemana Fushi Beyru. These oceanic passes are magnets for predators, with currents sweeping clear water over the reefs. Divers can hook onto the reef corner to watch impressive numbers of grey reef sharks, oceanic blacktips, and sleek silky sharks patrol the entrances. Beyond the passes, sites like Kuda Giri and Nilandhoo Kandu reveal extensive coral gardens, often hosting green turtles, jackfish, and schools of yellowfin tuna.
The ultimate destination is Fuvahmulah, a solitary island seamount known globally as a hotspot for apex predators. The Princess Maani team uses their deep local knowledge at unique sites like the Plateau and the Tiger Wall, strategically placing divers for rare observation of thresher sharks, oceanic whitetips, and the majestic tiger sharks. Furthermore, late-night excursions offer the rare chance to witness whale sharks feeding in the dark.
The final segment of the Princess Maani liveaboard route explores Addu Atoll, where history meets exceptional wildlife viewing. Addu is known for reliable, year-round encounters with reef manta rays, often seen at cleaning stations within channels like Maa Kandu. Here, you can also dive the British Royalty shipwreck, a 143m wartime oil tanker that has transformed into a massive artificial reef, contrasting the adrenaline of the channels with the tranquillity of wreck exploration on the Princess Maani liveaboard.
Final Day
After a final breakfast on board, you will say goodbye to the crew before transferring to Gan Airport for your domestic flight back to Male, concluding your unforgettable adventure in the Maldives Deep South.
[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 safari in the Maldives on the Princess Maani is set to a comfortable, sociable pace. From the first light of dawn to the stillness of the night under a canopy of stars, the days are structured around getting you in the water at the best possible moments, while ensuring you return to a haven of genuine hospitality and excellent food. Your day typically begins as the first glow touches the Indian Ocean. Around 6:30 am, the aroma of freshly brewed tea and coffee, accompanied by light biscuits, draws early risers to the lounge. This is where you’ll gather, notepad in hand, for the first dive briefing of the day. It’s a calm, focused start, the pre-dive ritual shared with fellow enthusiasts.
From there, it’s a short step to the diving dhoni, the dedicated support vessel that follows us. You’ll roll back into the water with your group as the marine world awakens below. After that first encounter, you return to the Princess Maani with appetite sharpened. Breakfast is a hearty, substantial affair. You’ll find a spread of fresh tropical fruits, cereals, and yoghurts alongside a warm selection of eggs, sausages, toast, baked beans, and sometimes cooked vegetables - fuel for the morning’s next adventure. The second dive follows, and by the time you’re rinsed off and relaxed, the Princess Maani liveaboard crew has laid out a light post-dive snack. It’s in these small touches-perhaps a piece of fresh coconut, a miniature sandwich, or a local sweet -that you notice the care in the galley.
Lunch and dinner are the main events of the onboard culinary experience. Served buffet-style in the spacious, air-conditioned saloon or, weather permitting, at the al fresco tables on the main deck, the food is a genuine highlight. The Princess Maani team of 2 chefs, supported by a cook and sous-chef, prepare a tempting mix of European dishes and Asian cuisine. You might help yourself to a fresh, crisp salad and pasta, then move on to a fragrant Sri Lankan curry, freshly caught grilled fish, or a meat dish, accompanied by generous portions of vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, or green beans. The meals are satisfying and well-prepared, never fussy, but clearly made with pride. Desserts, such as a creamy rice pudding or a classic crème caramel, provide a sweet full stop to the evening.
The afternoon holds the day’s third and final dive. As the light softens later, there’s time to unwind on the upper deck. You can sink into one of the 2 Jacuzzis with a chilled drink from the bar, swap stories with your dive group, or simply find a quiet spot with a book.
On a special evening during the week, the routine shifts. The dhoni will ferry everyone to a remote, deserted sandbank. Here, with the Indian Ocean stretching to the horizon, the crew sets up a beach barbecue and, sometimes, a casual game of volleyball. It’s a simple, memorable evening of good food, shared company, and a setting that feels a world away from everything.
Drinking water, tea, coffee, biscuits, cakes, and fruit are always available. The service is attentive but natural, reflecting a Princess Maani liveaboard crew that seems genuinely pleased to have you there.
