The Safari.
A week aboard, eighteen dives, eight atolls. We’ve been on every safari boat in the country at least twice and rate them honestly here. Pick by route, by month, or by cabin class — we’ll match you to the next departure that actually matches.
PremiumFrom $2,180ppMV Carpe Diem
Steady-as-she-goes 36 m. Reliable Indian-Italian crew, unfussy cabins.
LuxuryFrom $3,400ppMV Emperor Explorer
42 m flagship. Sundeck jacuzzi, in-cabin coffee. The boat we'd send a honeymoon couple on.
StandardFrom $1,490ppMV Honors Legacy
Best-value safari in the country. No frills — but two nitrox compressors and a captain who knows every channel.
LuxuryFrom $2,840ppMV Maldives Master
The most respected manta-and-whale-shark itinerary going. Skippered by the same captain since 2011.
What a safari actually is.
One boat, eight atolls
You sail at night between dive sites. By morning you’re anchored above the next reef. Twelve to twenty-four sites a week — more than any resort can offer.
The dive dhoni
A second, smaller boat does the actual diving. You step onto the dhoni from your cabin deck, ride two minutes to the site, dive, return. No back-rolling off a tender in chop.
Three dives a day
Standard package is 18 dives over a 7-night trip. Some boats add a fourth night dive on the last evening. Nitrox is optional ($120 extra).
Sat–Sat departures
Almost every safari boat departs on a Saturday. Your international flights need to land Friday or Saturday morning at MLE; one transfer to Hulhumalé jetty.