The Maldives are one of the most famous dive destinations in the world thanks to clear turquoise water, colorful reefs and rich marine life: manta encounters, reef sharks, turtles, pelagic fish and rare habitats. The Best of Maldives route is the most popular liveaboard route, and it suits anyone looking for a spectacular and varied dive experience in the central atolls.
The route passes through North Malé, South Malé, Ari Atoll and Vaavu Atoll, and offers a mix of canyons, pinnacles (thilas), drift dives, manta cleaning stations and whale shark encounters.
What awaits you in the water
Sharks: along the route you can meet a variety of sharks: grey reef sharks, whale sharks, and sometimes even hammerheads around Rasdhoo.
Mantas, the stars of the dive: cleaning stations such as Maaya Thila offer intimate encounters with giant mantas, a powerful natural experience not to be missed.
Turtles, colorful reefs and rich macro: Maldivian reefs are home to turtles, lobsters, morays, nudibranchs, huge schools of fusiliers and pelagic fish around deep pinnacles.
The route, atoll by atoll
North Malé Atoll – the gateway to the Maldives. Right next to the capital, Malé, the area offers excellent sites for every level, from shark encounters to manta cleaning stations and abundant fish life.
South Malé Atoll – exciting current channels. Embudu Kandu and other deep channels offer adrenaline-filled drifts and depths where pelagics can be seen.
Ari Atoll – the capital of sharks and pelagics. One of the most famous areas in the world for whale shark encounters, mantas and thilas such as Maaya Thila and Fish Head, with rich fish life and constant action.
Vaavu Atoll – a night with nurse sharks. The night dive at Alimatha has become one of the big highlights: dozens of nurse sharks coming within touching distance, a safe and amazing experience.
Why Best of Maldives is worth it
- A perfect mix of big fish and coral gardens
- Accessible to divers of all levels (Open Water and up, Advanced recommended)
- Unique night dives with nurse sharks at Alimatha
- Pinnacles and cleaning stations with rich, varied activity
- Considered a must-do route for divers in the Maldives
Sample week – Best of Maldives (7 nights)
- Day 1 – Malé: welcome, boarding the liveaboard, safety briefing and a shallow check dive nearby.
- Day 2 – North Malé: 2–3 dives at sites such as Lankan Manta Point (in season), with a first chance of reef sharks.
- Day 3 – North and Central Ari: Maaya Thila with mantas, turtles and schools of fusiliers; a spectacular pinnacle dive in the afternoon.
- Day 4 – South Ari: searching for whale sharks along the southern outer reef; drift dive at Kudarah Thila.
- Day 5 – South Ari to Vaavu: two Vaavu channel dives; at night the nurse shark dive at Alimatha, a must.
- Day 6 – South Malé: epic drifts and deep sites with a variety of sharks and pelagic action.
- Day 7 – North Malé: a relaxed final morning dive and back to Malé.
The route may change according to sea conditions and the captain’s decision.
Who is it for?
- Divers with Advanced Open Water and above – recommended
- Open Water divers can join, but some sites will require a private guide or an AOW course
- Moderate to strong currents in some of the channels
The liveaboard experience – why it is better
- Reach remote sites that day boats cannot
- Make the most of 3–4 dives a day
- Professional crew, experienced guides, food, briefings and full support
- Many underwater encounters you cannot get from shore
Contact us for dates and prices.
