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Most travelers who decide to spend their holiday in the Maldives limit their stay to a couple of islands. These tropical vacations give first-time visitors an insight into the culturally-rich cities and the opportunity to live in luxury at one of Maldives’ resorts.
However, if you are looking for a novel escape beyond the typical Maldivian retreat, there is nothing better than a liveaboard safari.
Hopping between the archipelago’s uninhabited islands, waking up to a rejuvenating sea breeze, and indulging in outstanding culinary delights while exploring the best diving and snorkeling sites in the region; a liveaboard holiday is an indelible affair enjoyed equally by solo travelers, couples, and families.
The liveaboard experience
There are different types of liveaboard cruises in the Maldives.
Several resorts offer their guests an overnight stay in their in-house dhoni, at no extra charge, as a unique excursion. There are also shorter trips that range from two to three days, which cover limited diving spots and can be combined easily with a resort stay.
For an enchanting expedition, you should search for longer cruises, on a luxury yacht, no doubt, with a weeklong itinerary. These safari boats travel to multiple islands, organize daily morning, afternoon, and night dives, stop at secluded sandbanks, and include big game fishing and jet skiing in the open waters.
What to expect?
Going with a liveaboard in the Maldives means absolute independence to do what you want, whenever you like. Starting your day with a lavish breakfast spread, you can then choose to go for an early dive or head out to the deck and bask in the morning sun.
There is an omnipresent balance between tranquility and liveliness on the boat at all times, so you can either partake in watersports such as kayaking, jet-skiing, and paddle boarding or stay indoors and watch some TV, send emails via the onboard internet, and relax!
Diving and snorkeling are popular amongst liveaboard vacationers, but the vessels have something for everyone. Couples can arrange a romantic dinner on a nearby uninhabited island as big game lovers head out for fishing.
Kids can get a first-hand lesson on marine life in the Maldives, organize an Insta-worthy professional photo-session, or if they must, play videogames in the entertainment center. All this while, parents can opt for a spa treatment or take cooking classes and learn how to make traditional Maldivian delicacies.
Food is an essential part of the liveaboard experience. Guests usually eat their main meals together, conversing about their day or diving trips. Several of the yachts have onboard restaurants, so you can eat whenever you feel peckish.
Room features in liveaboards vary but will have air-conditioning, comfortable beds, en-suite bathrooms, and other amenities one finds at any good land-based hotel.
Price range
Liveaboard cruises run in the Maldives throughout the year. The price of a safari alters from season to season, based on the boat’s itinerary, size, and the conveniences and activities offered.
The best season for liveaboards coincides with the peak season for diving in the Maldives. November to early April is when boats fill up quickly, and a seven-day cruise on a luxury yacht can cost upwards of $2,000 per person for a standard room.
Besides the trip’s basic cost, you can expect to pay extra on taxes, nitrox, and other excursions like big game fishing. If looking to splurge on your holiday, charter an entire boat or book a super-luxury yacht that costs close to $4,000 per person for a memorable cruise.
Off-season rates for liveaboards come down to about $1,500 for a week, excluding taxes and extras. Travelers wanting to discover the Maldives on a budget can either visit the archipelago in April-May or select a cheaper weekend cruise.
Moreover, when traveling in a group, remember that several liveaboards offer group discounts, which can reduce your expenses considerably.
Top liveaboard companies in the Maldives
With plenty of safari boats operating in the Maldives, choosing the best can be a little complicated. The best option is to pick one of the top companies and select a liveaboard that provides full service at the lowest price.
Carpe Diem – Carpe Diem’s fleet has three boats with the latest addition, Carpe Novo, having joined in 2016. Most of Carpe Diem’s sailing routes include three dives daily with an onboard dive team. Carpe Vita has a rooftop jacuzzi, whereas Carpe Novo has a camera room for photography enthusiasts and cabins for singles.
Luxury Yacht Maldives – A company with five boats, Luxury Yacht Maldives is the top choice for many travelers wanting to visit hard-to-get diving sites. Couples looking for an intimate cruise can opt for their two-suite dhoni, Stella. Amongst their more extravagant boats is the Dhaainkan’baa, with seven cabins, a spa, fitness area, separate diving dhoni, as well as indoor and outdoor lounge areas.
Blueforce – Already having three luxury yachts operating in the Red Sea, Blueforce’s entry into the Maldivian waters came with their award-winning Blue Force One. Considered amongst the best liveaboards in the Maldives, Blue Force One is a technologically advanced vessel with a total of 11 well-furnished cabins ranging from double rooms to suites. The common area has two jacuzzies, three solariums, a bar, sunbeds, and water sports equipment like kayaks and paddleboards.
Emperor Maldives – Accommodating anywhere from 12 to 26 guests, Emperor has six vessels navigating in Maldivian waters and is a brand well known for their service. Emperor Explorer runs seven or ten-night cruises offering a spa, free nitrox, and four onboard diving guides. On the other hand, Emperor Virgo is perfect for solo divers as it has same-sex cabin sharing possibilities.
Ritrella – For the ultimate liveaboard trip, look no further than the Ritrella Cruise Hotel, a five-deck modern boat that is also the “biggest cruising yacht in the Maldives”. Having a swimming pool, jet skis, canoes, dingy, and a big game fishing boat, there is much to do on and under the water during your 11-day cruise. The “hotel” has 23 cabins, two bars, a restaurant, and covers almost all the main diving sites in the Maldives.
A liveaboard vacation gives you ample freedom but does come with certain limitations, especially in terms of space to move around. Furthermore, many tourists have the misconception that liveaboards are only meant for divers when, in reality, they appeal to families and couples looking for an uncommon break.
When planning to stay on a safari boat for the first time, go with an overnight or a shorter three-day cruise to better understand how it feels to be out on the sea 24×7. Once you realize it is an unconventional yet engaging adventure no to be missed, book a weeklong boat safari for your next Maldivian holiday.
N.B.: all information is correct as of the post-publication date, and prices are subject to change.
