Ariyal Liveaboard, Maldives

Built in 2023, Ariyal is a 45-metre liveaboard operating diving cruises in the Maldives. The vessel accommodates up to 26 guests in 13 cabins across three decks.

Boat Interior

Between dives, the indoor salon provides a shared space for relaxing and socializing, where guests can watch the 75-inch smart TV, use the PlayStation 5, or choose from the onboard b

board games. Portable Bose speakers are also available, while free satellite internet provides onboard connectivity.

On the sun deck, the freshwater Jacuzzi offers a separate leisure space for unwinding.

Food & Drinks

Meals are served buffet-style throughout the cruise. Diving days typically begin with a light breakfast before the first dive, followed by a fuller breakfast afterward, with lunch, afternoon tea and snacks, and dinner served later in the day.

Drinking water, tea and coffee are complimentary. Soft drinks, juices and alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, liquor and cocktails, are available at an additional charge. Vegetarian meals and allergy-related dietary requests can be accommodated when arranged in advance.

Cabin Types

Ariyal’s 13 cabins are arranged across the lower, main and upper decks. Lower-deck Twin Bed Cabins accommodate two guests in twin beds, while Sea View Double Bed Cabins on the main and upper decks have king-size beds and sofa beds. All cabins are air-conditioned and have private en-suite bathrooms.

Dive Deck

Diving is conducted from a separate dhoni. Two Bauer compressors and a Nitrox membrane support tank filling, with complimentary Nitrox available for certified divers.

Twelve-litre tanks and weights are provided, with DIN tanks and INT adapters available. Rental equipment can be arranged in advance. Four dive instructors are onboard.

Safety and Navigation

Navigation equipment includes radar, GPS, a depth sounder, fishfinder and VHF/DSC/SSB radio. Satellite and mobile phones provide additional communication, while an EPIRB distress system and emergency flares support emergency procedures.

Safety equipment includes life vests, emergency oxygen, first-aid kits, a fire alarm and fire extinguishers. The vessel also carries a bilge-pump alarm and searchlight, with engine-room CCTV and crew trained in first aid.

Dive briefings are given before each dive, and divers use the buddy system. Dive locations and timings may be adjusted by the captain and dive team according to conditions and safety considerations.

Non-diving Activities

Time away from diving may include snorkelling from the dhoni and local line fishing. Weather permitting, the programme may also include a barbecue on a picnic island, providing an opportunity to spend time ashore during the cruise.

Itineraries

Explore Maldives combines North and South Malé, Rasdhoo, South Ari and Vaavu, with diving across coral reefs, pinnacles, channels and wreck sites. Drift and night dives add variety, while sites such as Lankan Manta Point and Kandooma Thila bring opportunities to encounter manta rays, whale sharks and grey reef sharks. Six- and seven-night programmes offer up to 16 and 18 dives respectively.

The seven-night Baa Atoll Hanifaru route combines thilas, drift dives and night diving across Baa, North and South Ari, Vaavu and South Malé. Snorkelling at Hanifaru Bay is part of the programme, while the wider route offers possible encounters with manta rays, whale sharks, tiger sharks and hammerheads. Dive sites may include Rasdhoo Madivaru, Maaya Thila, Kudarah Thila and Kandooma Thila.

Deep South cruises shift the focus toward stronger currents, channel diving and pelagic encounters. Seven-night crossings between Gan and Kooddoo explore reefs ranging from shallow coral areas to deeper pinnacles, with opportunities for manta rays, whale sharks and grey reef sharks. Nine-night crossings between Malé and Gan add current-driven channels and possible encounters with tiger sharks, schooling hammerheads, grey reef sharks and barracuda. These itineraries require Open Water Diver certification or equivalent and at least 20 logged dives.

When to Go

Diving in the Maldives is possible year-round. The southwest monsoon from May to October is associated with increased manta ray activity, while the northeast monsoon from November to April generally brings better visibility and more consistent conditions.