Maldives Master Liveaboard, Maldives

Cabins & Accommodation

The Maldives Master accommodates up to 26 guests in 14 cabins distributed across three decks. All cabins feature individually controlled air conditioning, private en-suite bathrooms and additional towels. The accommodation includes Premium Twin/Double, Premium Single, Superior Double and Superior Twin/Double categories, providing options for couples, friends and solo travellers.

Premium Twin/Double

Eight Premium Twin/Double Cabins are located on the lower deck, each accommodating up to two guests. The standard configuration features separate twin beds, with the majority of cabins offering the flexibility to convert them into a double bed. Each cabin has a private en-suite bathroom, individually controlled air conditioning and additional towels. These cabins offer a practical and comfortable option for couples or dive buddies who prefer the flexibility of choosing their sleeping arrangement.

Premium Single

The two Premium Single Cabins are situated on the upper deck and designed specifically for individual occupancy. Each cabin accommodates one guest in a single bed and features a private en-suite bathroom, individually controlled air conditioning and additional towels. Their upper-deck location also provides ocean views, making them an appealing choice for solo divers who prefer private accommodation.

Superior Double

Two Superior Double Cabins are located on the main deck, each accommodating up to two guests. These cabins feature fixed double beds, private en-suite bathrooms with bathtubs and individually controlled air conditioning. Ocean views and the additional bathroom space distinguish this category from the standard lower-deck accommodation.

Superior Twin/Double

Two Superior Twin/Double Cabins are situated on the upper deck, accommodating up to two guests each. They offer a choice of separate twin beds or a double configuration, together with private en-suite bathrooms featuring bathtubs. Individually controlled air conditioning and ocean views complete the accommodation, making these cabins a comfortable option for couples or travelling companions.

Boat Interior

The Maldives Master features a selection of indoor and outdoor social spaces spread across several decks, giving guests plenty of opportunities to relax between dives. The indoor air-conditioned lounge provides a comfortable retreat from the tropical sunshine, while the adjoining dining area offers a welcoming setting for meals and time spent with fellow divers. A dedicated bar adds another social space to the vessel's interior.

Outside, the yacht offers several distinct areas for enjoying the Indian Ocean scenery. A shaded outdoor lounge on the mid-deck provides a comfortable place to relax away from direct sunlight. Four separate sun and viewing decks offer a variety of seating and lounging arrangements, including viewing areas at the front of the mid-deck and upper deck, an open-air deck on the top deck and an ocean deck at the stern of the main deck.

One of the Maldives Master's distinctive features is its outdoor jacuzzi, offering guests another way to unwind after diving. The ocean deck is particularly appealing for those who enjoy being close to the water. On many evenings, underwater floodlights illuminate the surrounding sea, attracting plankton that may in turn draw feeding manta rays and whale sharks. These conditions can provide opportunities to observe marine life from the vessel itself.

Diving Facilities

Diving operations aboard the Maldives Master are centred around the Blue Shadow, a dedicated 19-metre dhoni designed specifically as a diving support vessel. This spacious companion boat provides a separate working environment for diving activities, allowing the main yacht to remain a comfortable place for accommodation and relaxation.

The Blue Shadow features individual dive stations, giving each diver designated space to store equipment and prepare before entering the water. Its crew is available to assist with gearing up, while the dhoni's upper deck offers additional space to relax and enjoy the scenery during transfers between dive sites.

The diving support vessel is equipped with two compressors and a Nitrox membrane system. It also has a toilet with an indoor shower, two handheld showers at the back of the boat and separate freshwater rinse tanks for diving equipment and underwater photography gear.

The standard diving package includes an 11-litre cylinder with air fills, weights, a weight belt and a surface marker buoy (SMB). Upgraded cylinders and additional cylinders are available for an extra charge. Nitrox is also available for an additional fee and is not included in the standard package.

Guests who prefer not to bring their own diving equipment can arrange rental gear, including BCDs, regulators, wetsuits, masks, fins, boots, snorkels, dive computers and underwater torches. Reef hooks are also available. All rental equipment should be pre-booked to ensure availability and the correct sizes on board. Divers are required to use a dive computer.

The Maldives Master typically offers up to three dives per day, depending on the itinerary, local regulations, weather and diving conditions. On seven-night itineraries, the schedule allows for up to 16 dives, while 10-night trips can include up to 25 dives. Sunset or night dives may be incorporated into the schedule when offered, with adjustments to the daily diving programme.

Underwater Photography Facilities

The Maldives Master provides dedicated facilities for underwater photographers, with separate freshwater rinse tanks for camera equipment and general diving gear on the Blue Shadow. This arrangement allows photographers to handle their housings, cameras and accessories independently of the equipment used by other divers.

Dedicated camera preparation space and charging facilities are also available, providing practical support for maintaining and recharging photography equipment between dives. Having these facilities on the separate dhoni gives underwater photographers a designated working area close to the diving operations.

Safety & Navigation

The Maldives Master and its diving support dhoni are equipped with safety and emergency equipment for onboard operations. Listed safety provisions include first aid equipment, trained first aiders, emergency oxygen and personnel qualified to administer oxygen. Life jackets and life rafts are also carried on board.

Additional safety equipment includes tender safety boxes, VHF radios for communication between the main vessel and the dhoni, firefighting equipment, engine-room fire control systems and smoke detectors. These provisions support emergency preparedness during the vessel's diving itineraries and journeys between atolls.

Food & Drinks

The Maldives Master offers full-board dining, with breakfast, lunch and dinner included throughout the liveaboard itinerary. Meals are served in the indoor dining area, providing a comfortable space to enjoy freshly prepared food and spend time with fellow guests between diving activities.

Complimentary beverages include tea, instant coffee, soft drinks and drinking water. Freshly brewed coffee, espresso and cappuccino are available for an additional charge, while alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, spirits and cocktails, can also be purchased on board.

The onboard bar provides a dedicated space to enjoy a drink, while the outdoor seating areas offer an alternative setting for relaxing after dinner and taking in the surrounding ocean views.

Onboard Facilities

The Maldives Master provides Wi-Fi internet access for an additional fee, allowing guests to stay connected while exploring the Maldivian atolls. The vessel's multiple indoor and outdoor relaxation areas, air-conditioned lounge and outdoor jacuzzi also provide plenty of options for spending time away from the dive deck.

Itineraries & Destinations

The Maldives Master operates seven- and 10-night diving itineraries across several regions of the Maldives, including the Central Atolls, Baa Atoll, Central and Southern Atolls, and the Far South. These routes offer different combinations of channels, coral reefs, pinnacles, walls and pelagic diving opportunities.

The itineraries typically include up to three dives per day, with the exact schedule and selection of dive sites depending on trip duration, seasonal conditions, local regulations and the captain's decisions. Shared transfers between the local airport and the liveaboard on embarkation and disembarkation days, full-board accommodation and the standard diving package are included in the trip arrangements.

Central Atolls

The Central Atolls itineraries explore several of the Maldives' most established diving regions, including North Malé Atoll, South Malé Atoll, Rasdhoo Atoll and North and South Ari Atolls. Available as seven- and 10-night trips, these routes combine coral reefs, channels, drop-offs and drift-diving sites.

The region is known for its diverse marine life, with opportunities to encounter reef sharks, manta rays, eagle rays, turtles and colourful reef fish. North and South Malé offer opportunities for channel and drift diving, while the Ari Atolls are recognised for their reefs, drop-offs and larger marine species. Rasdhoo Atoll adds further variety, with coral formations and opportunities to encounter reef sharks, mantas and eagle rays.

The 10-night itinerary also extends to Vaavu Atoll, where stronger currents through the channels attract pelagic species and create opportunities for exciting drift dives. Hammerhead and whale shark sightings are possible in this region, although encounters are never guaranteed.

These itineraries are intended for experienced divers. The minimum requirements include an Open Water certification with a Deep Diver qualification to 30 metres and at least 30 logged dives. Divers should also have experience in, and feel comfortable with, medium to strong currents.

Central Atolls & Baa

The seven- and 10-night Central Atolls & Baa itineraries combine diving in the northern Central Atolls with exploration of Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve recognised for its rich marine biodiversity and coral reef environments.

The route includes Baa Atoll, North Malé Atoll and North Ari Atoll, with possible visits to Lhaviyani Atoll depending on the selected itinerary and operating conditions. Baa Atoll is particularly known for Hanifaru Bay, where manta rays gather in large numbers at certain times of the year. North Malé offers coral formations and channel diving, while North Ari provides access to reefs, drop-offs and a variety of marine life.

Lhaviyani Atoll adds further diving opportunities, including the coral-encrusted wrecks at The Shipyard. Its channels and underwater structures provide a different perspective on the diversity of Maldivian dive sites.

Divers may encounter manta rays, eagle rays, grey reef sharks, white-tip reef sharks and colourful reef fish throughout these itineraries. A visit to Hanifaru Bay may also be included, subject to the itinerary and applicable local access arrangements.

These trips are designed for experienced divers holding an Open Water certification with a Deep Diver qualification to 30 metres and a minimum of 30 logged dives. Previous experience with medium to strong currents is also required.

Central & Southern Atolls

The Central & Southern Atolls itineraries explore a broader stretch of the Maldivian archipelago, combining dive sites across South Malé, Vaavu, Meemu, Thaa, Laamu and Huvadhoo Atolls. Available as seven- and 10-night trips, these routes are suited to divers looking to explore a wider range of underwater environments, including channels, walls, pinnacles and coral reefs.

The southern atolls are characterised by channels that funnel ocean currents through the reef systems. These nutrient-rich waters support healthy coral environments and attract a variety of marine life, including schooling jacks, tuna, sharks and rays. Divers can also explore soft coral formations and encounter colourful reef invertebrates.

Individual dive sites vary according to the itinerary, but the region offers opportunities for drift diving and pelagic encounters. At Vaavu Atoll, Fotteyo Kandu is known for its challenging conditions and strong currents, while sites in Laamu, Thaa and Meemu offer further opportunities to explore reef walls, channels and submerged pinnacles.

These itineraries require PADI Advanced Open Water certification or an equivalent qualification, at least 50 logged dives and previous experience diving in currents. Divers should be comfortable with the stronger currents that can occur at several of the region's dive sites.

Far South

The Far South itinerary takes divers to the southernmost regions of the Maldives, with routes crossing the Equator and exploring Huvadhoo, Fuvahmulah and, on selected departures, Addu Atoll. Available as seven- and 10-night trips, this expedition offers a combination of coral reefs, deep channels, walls and pelagic diving.

Huvadhoo Atoll features extensive reef systems surrounding a deep central lagoon, with opportunities for drift diving and encounters with larger marine species. Fuvahmulah is particularly known for tiger shark and silvertip shark encounters, making it a distinctive destination for divers interested in pelagic life.

Further south, Addu Atoll offers additional diving opportunities, including manta ray sites and the historic British Loyalty wreck, a former fuel tanker resting underwater within the atoll. The inclusion of Addu depends on the itinerary duration, season and other operating conditions.

Strong currents are expected on many dives throughout the Far South itinerary. These routes are therefore designed for experienced divers holding PADI Advanced Open Water certification or an equivalent qualification, with at least 50 logged dives and previous experience in currents. The diving schedule allows for up to three dives per day, with no night dives on this itinerary.

The Far South is particularly suited to divers seeking an extended exploration of the Maldives beyond the more frequently visited central atolls, combining remote southern reefs with opportunities to encounter sharks, manta rays and other pelagic species.