Maldives Central & Southern Atolls (Adventure) (8 Days / 7 Nights - 12 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, shark action, manta rays, turtles, schooling fish & big pelagics, non diving activities
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, very popular, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: South Male: Vaagali Caves, Vaagali Thila, Guraidhoo Corner, Kandooma Thila; Felidhoo Atoll: Miyaru Kandu, Devana Kandu, Golden Wall, Kuda Kandu, Kudarah Thila, Dhigurah Beyru
Land visits for swimming, snorkelling, night snorkelling, whale shark excursion, night fishing, spa, sun bathing, stargazing, relaxing, picnic, evening BBQ - Kalhuhuraa, Dhangethi and Alimaatha sand banks, Guraidhoo island and beach, Dhigurah, Keyodhoo Village
Day 1
From Male International Airport, a swift 20-minute transfer by private tender takes you to the Yasawa Princess liveaboard, anchored in the calm waters off Villigili. After being welcomed by the onboard team, you’ll settle into your cabin and attend an essential briefing covering vessel safety and the week’s schedule. The evening offers a chance to meet fellow guests and the dive crew over a welcome cocktail, watching the Maldivian sunset before the vessel prepares for its overnight cruise to the first dive sites of South Male Atoll.
Core Days
Aboard the Yasawa Princess liveaboard, each day presents a balanced blend of subaquatic exploration and immersive surface experiences, designed to showcase the central atolls. Your diving will feature 2 scheduled dives daily, with sites selected by the experienced dive guides based on optimal conditions.
The diving adventure begins in South Male Atoll, renowned for its dramatic topography and abundant marine life. Here, you might navigate the labyrinthine swim-throughs of Vaagali Caves, where shafts of light illuminate schools of glassfish. At sites like Kandooma Thila and Guraidhoo Corner, nutrient-rich currents attract patrols of grey reef sharks, swirling jackfish tornadoes, and majestic eagle rays. These vibrant pinnacles and coral outcrops, such as Vaagali Thila, are often cloaked in soft corals and bustling with colourful reef fish, offering dynamic dives where pelagic action meets intricate reefscapes.
In the channels of Felidhoo Atoll, the diving takes on a more robust, oceanic character. Iconic passages like Miyaru Kandu (Shark Channel) and Devana Kandu provide exhilarating drift dives along sheer walls, frequented by cruising sharks and large pelagics. The celebrated Golden Wall lives up to its name with a dense covering of yellow soft corals, while sites like Kudarah Thila and Dhigurah Beyru offer thrilling encounters in the blue, where you may observe tuna, trevally, and reef sharks hunting along the current lines. The protected inner corners, such as Kuda Kandu, often serve as serene havens for macro life and relaxed exploration.
Between dives, the Yasawa Princess liveaboard cruise is enriched by authentic island and ocean experiences. You’ll have opportunities to stroll the local streets of Keyodhoo Village, relax on the pristine sands of Kalhuhuraa or Dhangethi sandbank, and enjoy a beach barbecue under a blanket of stars. A dedicated excursion seeks out the gentle giants of the sea for a snorkel with whale sharks. As dusk falls, optional activities like guided night snorkelling at a protected reef where nurse sharks and stingrays forage, or a spot of night fishing add memorable layers to the adventure. Time for spa treatments, sunbathing on the sun deck, or simply relaxing with a book is seamlessly woven into the schedule.
Day 8
On the final morning, you’ll wake to the aroma of a freshly prepared farewell breakfast, with the Yasawa Princess liveaboard anchored in Maamagili. After exchanging contact details with new friends and the crew, a final transfer by tender will return you to the airport jetty for your flight back to Male.
Maldives Central Atolls (Adventure) (8 Days / 7 Nights - 15 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, shark action, manta rays, turtles, schooling fish & big pelagics, non diving activities
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, very popular, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: Ari Atoll: Angaga Thila, Aiyabe Thila, Moofushi Kandu, Emboodhoo Thila, Miyaru Gaa Thila, Dega Thila, Fish Head, Kandu Thila, Maaya Thila, Bathala Maagaa Kan
Land visits for swimming, snorkelling, manta ray excursion, night fishing, sun bathing, stargazing, relaxing, picnic, evening BBQ, sightseeing, shopping - Hurasdhoo Island, Emboodhoo, Raiydhigaa, Alikoi Rah, Maayafushi and Maaya sand banks, Alihuras Kandu, Male City
Day 1
Welcome to the Maldives! A representative will help you check in for your domestic flight from Male to Maamagili. Yasawa Princess will be anchored in the harbour, next to the local airport. A Guest Relations Officer will greet you and assist you to the boat, You will be checked into your cabin and be provided with a welcome briefing, including safety procedures and an introduction to the cruise experience. You will meet guests onboard, the dive team and the crew members who will assist you throughout the cruise. Then follows a pre-dinner cocktail in the bar/restaurant deck and watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean. The boat departs anchorage early the next morning.
Core Days
The Yasawa Princess offers cruises with a difference. Not only will you have the opportunity to dive at some of the best sites in the central atolls, but there is also a fun-packed schedule of general cruise activities. Along with the plentiful island and beach visits, some of the highlights include snorkelling at Alikoi Rah House Reef with eagle rays, lots of fish and turtles, night fishing, and a beach BBQ under the stars, with drinks and live music.
And get ready to explore some of the best and most famous dive sites of Ari Atoll. There many pinnacles where you will have high a chance of meeting mantas, grey reef sharks, eagle rays, turtles, and meet some of the mesmerising macro life living on these reefs, such as leaffish and ghost pipefish. There will also be a dive at Fish Head, one of the best in the region for fish biomass. There are 2-3 dives a day and 1 night dive.
Meals are served buffet style in the informal dining area of the main saloon. Breakfast is at 7:30-9 am, lunch at 12:30-1:30 pm, and dinner at 7:30-9 pm. There is a fine variety of both local and international cuisine to suit everyone’s tastes. If you have food allergies or particular dislikes, please inform us during the booking process so we can inform the boat. There is also a bar in the dining area that offers a wide selection of fine wines, cocktails and spirits, and a variety of beers.
Day 8
Wake up to the smell of the last breakfast of the trip. Say your farewells and take your last group pictures before heading to Male Airport.
Baa Atoll (Adventure) (8 Days / 7 Nights - 12 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, schooling fish & big pelagics, non diving activities
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Baa Atoll: Dharavandhoo Thila, Dhonfanu Thila, Nelivaru, Dhigu Thila, Horubadhoo Thila, Anga Farm, Dhonfanu Thila, Kihadhoo Thila, Hanifaru Beyru, Yellow Wall, Bathala Kandu.
Snorkelling at Hanifaru Bay, Nelivaru sand bank, Villingilfaru, Mendhoo and Kamadhoo islands, Veyofushi and Huraa Finolhu, manta excursion, swimming, night fishing, beach BBQ dinner.
Day 1
Your Baa Atoll adventure begins with a smooth transition from Male International Airport to Dharavandhoo and the Yasawa Princess, where the crew provides a warm welcome and assists you to your cabin. After settling in, an essential briefing outlines the week's adventure and vessel safety protocols. The evening is yours to relax, meet fellow guests, and enjoy a welcome cocktail as the sun dips below the Indian Ocean horizon, marking the start of your cruise.
Core Days
The following days establish a perfect rhythm, balancing adrenaline-fuelled exploration with tranquil moments of pure island bliss. Aboard the liveaboard's dedicated dive dhoni, you’ll embark on 2 scheduled dives daily, guided by experienced professionals to sites chosen for optimal conditions. The underwater world of Baa Atoll reveals itself through its distinctive topography and vibrant life. You'll navigate dramatic overhangs and swim-throughs at Dharavandhoo Thila, explore the pinnacles of Dhonfanu Thila and Kihadhoo Thila often bustling with fish life, and drift along vibrant walls at sites like Anga Farm. In the channels, such as Bathala Kandu, you may witness the dynamic action of larger pelagic species and reef sharks cruising the current lines.
Above water, the Yasawa Princess liveaboard experience truly distinguishes itself. The tour includes exclusive visits to pristine sandbanks like Nelivaru, where you can lay the first footprint on untouched shores. You'll have the opportunity to explore local islands such as Kamadhoo to glimpse Maldivian culture or simply unwind on the beaches of Mendhoo and Villingilfaru. A highlight is the guided manta excursion to the renowned Hanifaru Bay, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. During the peak season (approximately May to November), this bay can host spectacular aggregations of feeding manta rays and even whale sharks, offering a breathtaking snorkelling spectacle governed by strict conservation protocols.
As dusk falls, the adventure continues. You can try your hand at traditional night fishing or gather on a secluded beach for a memorable BBQ dinner under a canopy of stars, complete with music and the sound of gentle waves. Back on board the Yasawa Princess, relax in the liveaboard's spacious air-conditioned saloon, enjoy a drink from the bar, or share stories with new friends.
Day 8
On the final morning, enjoy a leisurely farewell breakfast aboard. It’s a time to exchange contacts with new friends and thank the attentive crew. A final transfer then returns you to Dharavandhoo Airport for your short flight back to Male.
Maldives Central Atolls (Adventure) (8 Days / 7 Nights - 15 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, shark action, manta rays, turtles, schooling fish & big pelagics, non diving activities
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, very popular, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: South Male: Vaagali Caves, Vaagali Thila, Guraidhoo Corner, Villivaru Giri; Felidhoo Atoll: Miyaru Kandu, Devana Kandu, Rakeedhoo Kandu; Ari Atoll: Kuda Rah Thila, Machafushi Wreck, Maamagili Corner, Kudadhoo Beyru
Land visits for swimming, snorkelling, night snorkelling, whale shark excursion, night fishing, spa, sun bathing, stargazing, relaxing, picnic, evening BBQ - Kalhuhuraa and Alimatha sand banks, Rannali Resort Island, Anbaraa, Oshagali Finolhu, Ariadhoo Island, Maamagili
Day 1
Welcome to the Maldives! Yasawa Princess will be anchored just off of Villigili, just a 20 minute boat ride from Male International Airport. A Guest Relations Officer will greet you on arrival and assist you to the boat’s private tender for your transfer. On arrival to the boat you will be checked into your cabin and be provided with a welcome briefing including safety procedures and an introduction to the cruise experience. You will meet the guests onboard, the dive team and crew members who will assist you throughout the cruise. Then follows a pre-dinner cocktail in the bar/restaurant deck and watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean. The boat departs for South Male early the next morning.
Core Days
The Yasawa Princess offers cruises with a difference. Not only will you have the opportunity to dive at some of the best sites in the central atolls, but there is also a fun-packed schedule of general cruise activities. Along with the plentiful island and beach visits, some of the highlights include night snorkelling at Alimatha House Reef to see huge nurse sharks, sting rays and giant trevallies, night fishing, and a beach BBQ under the stars, with drinks and live music.
And get ready to explore some of the best and most famous dive sites of South Male, Ari and Felidhoo atolls. There are channels where you will drift dive, and pinnacles where you will have high a chance of meeting mantas, snorkel and dive with whale sharks, grey reef sharks, and meet the mesmerising marine life living on these reefs. There are 2-3 dives a day and 1 night dive.
Meals are served buffet style in the informal dining area of the main saloon. Breakfast is at 7:30-9 am, lunch at 12:30-1:30 pm, and dinner at 7:30-9 pm. There is a fine variety of both local and international cuisine to suit everyone’s tastes. If you have food allergies or particular dislikes, please inform us during the booking process so we can inform the boat. There is also a bar in the dining area that offers a wide selection of fine wines, cocktails and spirits, and a variety of beers.
Day 8
Wake up to the smell of the last breakfast of the trip. Say your farewells and take your last group pictures before heading to Maamagili Airport for your short flight back to Male.
Maldives Central Atolls (Adventure) (8 Days / 7 Nights - 15 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, shark action, manta rays, turtles, schooling fish & big pelagics, non diving activities
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, very popular, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: North Ari Atoll: Omadhoo Thila, Fish Head, Kandu Thila, Maaya Thila, Bathala Maagaa Kan, Rasdhoo Atoll, Madivaru Corner, Kuramathi Kandu, 3 Palms; South Male
Land visits for swimming, snorkelling, manta ray excursion, night fishing, sun bathing, stargazing, relaxing, picnic, evening BBQ, sightseeing, shopping - Rasdhoo Island, Meerufushi Picnic Island, Alikoi Rah, Madivaru, Kalhuhuraa and Maaya sand banks
Day 1
Welcome to the Maldives! Yasawa Princess will be anchored just off of Villigili, just a 20 minute boat ride from Male International Airport. A Guest Relations Officer will greet you on arrival and assist you to the boat’s private tender for your transfer. On arrival to the boat you will be checked into your cabin and be provided with a welcome briefing, including safety procedures and an introduction to the cruise experience. You will meet the guests onboard, the dive team and crew members who will assist you throughout the cruise. Then follows a pre-dinner cocktail in the bar/restaurant deck and watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean. The boat departs for South Male early the next morning.
Core Days
The Yasawa Princess offers cruises with a difference. Not only will you have the opportunity to dive at some of the best sites in the central atolls, but there is also a fun-packed schedule of general cruise activities. Along with the plentiful island and beach visits, some of the highlights include snorkelling at Alikoi Rah House Reef with eagle rays, lots of fish and turtles, night fishing, and a beach BBQ under the stars, with drinks and live music.
And get ready to explore some of the best and most famous dive sites of Ari Atoll. There many pinnacles where you will have high a chance of meeting mantas, grey reef sharks, eagle rays, turtles, and meet some of the mesmerising macro life living on these reefs, such as leaffish and ghost pipefish. There will also be a dive at Fish Head, one of the best in the region for fish biomass. There are 2-3 dives a day and 1 night dive.
Meals are served buffet style in the informal dining area of the main saloon. Breakfast is at 7:30-9 am, lunch at 12:30-1:30 pm, and dinner at 7:30-9 pm. There is a fine variety of both local and international cuisine to suit everyone’s tastes. If you have food allergies or particular dislikes, please inform us during the booking process so we can inform the boat. There is also a bar in the dining area that offers a wide selection of fine wines, cocktails and spirits, and a variety of beers.
Day 8
Wake up to the smell of the last breakfast of the trip. Say your farewells and take your last group pictures before heading back to Male Airport.
Ari Atoll (Adventure) (8 Days / 7 Nights - 12 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, shark action, manta rays, turtles, schooling fish & big pelagics, non diving activities
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, very popular, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: South Ari Atoll: Maamagili Beyru, Machafushi Wreck, Kahanbu Thila, Angaga Thila, Dhigu Thila, Panettone, Moofushi Kandu, Fish Head, Giri 2, Bathalaa Thila, Maaya Thila, North Male: Nermathi
Land visits for swimming, snorkelling, manta ray excursion, night fishing, sun bathing, stargazing, relaxing, picnic, evening BBQ, sightseeing, shopping - Meerufenfushi, Emboodhoo, Hurasdhoo; Maaya, Machafushi and Oshagali sand banks, Male City tour.
Day 1
The Yasawa Princess liveaboard will be anchored just off of Maamagili in Ari Atoll. Upon arrival at the local airport, a Guest Relations Officer will greet you and assist with the short transfer to the vessel anchored in the harbour. After checking into your cabin, you'll attend an essential welcome briefing covering safety and the week's schedule. The day concludes with a relaxed pre-dinner cocktail on deck, offering the perfect opportunity to meet fellow guests and the onboard dive team as you watch the sunset.
Core Days
The diving in South Ari Atoll is celebrated for its diversity, ranging from dramatic pinnacles to historic wrecks. Sites like Maaya Thila transform into thrilling night dives, where the reef comes alive with hunting reef sharks, moray eels, and octopus. The marine-protected Kudarah Thila is a breathtaking spectacle, its complex coral heads draped in soft corals and patrolled by grey reef sharks, schools of snapper, and barracuda. For a unique underwater experience, the Machchafushi Wreck offers a fascinating exploration. This 52-metre sunken cargo ship, deliberately scuttled to create an artificial reef, is now a thriving habitat for macro life like frogfish and ghost pipefish, alongside resident batfish and nurse sharks.
Beyond the renowned pinnacles and wrecks, Ari Atoll is famous for its pelagic encounters. The expansive outer reef of Dhigurah Beyru is one of the region's best locations for encountering the ocean's gentle giants. A dedicated whale shark excursion provides the chance to snorkel alongside these magnificent animals in the nutrient-rich waters of the South Ari Marine Protected Area, renowned for year-round sightings. Additionally, the channels and outer reef slopes of sites like Moofushi Kandu can deliver exhilarating drift dives where encounters with grey reef sharks, eagle rays, and large schools of pelagic fish are common.
The Yasawa Princess liveaboard experience extends far beyond the dive deck, offering a rich programme of island and ocean adventures. You'll have the opportunity to unwind on the pristine sands of the Maaya or Oshagali sandbanks, enjoy a beach barbecue under a canopy of stars, and try your hand at traditional night fishing. For a taste of local culture, itineraries may include a visit to the island of Hurasdhoo or a sightseeing tour of the bustling capital, Male City. Between excursions, time is seamlessly woven into the schedule for relaxing on the sun deck, enjoying a spa treatment, or simply soaking in the panoramic views of the Maldivian seascape.
Day 8
On the final morning, you'll wake to a freshly prepared farewell breakfast aboard the Yasawa Princess liveaboard. After saying goodbye to the crew and fellow travellers, you will be transferred to Male Airport for your onward travel.
[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].
