The typical 7-night Emperor Serenity itineraries on the popular "Best of Maldives" tour lead through Rasdhoo Atoll, Ari Atoll and the northern and southern parts of Male Atoll. Here, guests can expect encounters with manta rays, sharks, turtles, moray eels and a variety of macro creatures - both during drift dives and at impressive seamounts.
Diving is done via an accompanying, fully equipped dive dhoni, which provides ample space for equipment, preparation and convenient access to the best spots. Free Nitrox is available to all certified divers. The diving experience is supported by four professional dive guides and a dedicated crew of 13 experienced members who ensure smooth operations and personalised attention.
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The MV Emperor Serenity is an elegant, modern liveaboard designed specifically for divers, travelling to the Maldives' top dive sites all year round. With 13 comfortable guest cabins, it offers space for up to 26 people - ideal for groups or individual travellers who want to combine world-class diving with a high level of comfort.
There are eight double cabins on the lower deck, while two spacious suites with king-size beds, an additional single bed and panoramic ocean views are available on both the main deck and the upper deck. All cabins are equipped with their own bathroom, individually adjustable air conditioning, charging facilities and generous storage space - well thought-out comfort that leaves nothing to be desired.
The main deck houses an air-conditioned saloon with TV and entertainment system, which flows seamlessly into the outdoor lounge area. A varied buffet with international and regional specialities is served daily in the stylish dining room - and there is a complimentary glass of wine every evening. If you want to relax at the end of the day, you can enjoy one of the many sun loungers on the large sun deck or take advantage of the 2-for-1 happy hour, which is offered most evenings before dinner.
As with all safaris in the Emperor fleet, all harbour, fuel and parking fees are included in the cruise price, as are Nitrox for certified divers and a glass of wine with dinner. There are no hidden additional costs - for full transparency from start to finish.
This is the best of the Maldives - and it delivers just that. Here you'll immerse yourself in the Maldives' best and most famous dive sites, travelling across Male and Ari atolls on a week of wonderful liveaboards.
Enjoy a diving holiday that offers you everything you could wish for from the iconic sites of North Male, South Male and Ari Atoll. You can expect channels, currents and pinnacles where you have every chance of encountering manta rays, whale sharks and fascinating marine life in so many varieties. We don't follow an exact itinerary; flexibility is the word, so no matter what time of year you visit, you (and ours) can explore this underwater world.
This itinerary offers you a marine mix of big fish such as shark and manta dives as well as reef dives, reef fish, moray eels and the abundant macro life. Get up close and personal at the cleaning stations without disturbing the locals! One of the most famous dive sites is Maaya Thila; this pinnacle is around 30 metres in diameter and drops off to reveal sharks and fish galore.
A night dive from sheltered moorings is a must here! The boat will also try to find whale sharks so you can get in the water and snorkel with them... as long as they stay!
The first and last night of each trip is spent on board in the harbour.
Highlights:
- Rasdhoo Atoll: hammerhead shark dive, beautiful reef with pelagics.
- North Ari Atoll: grey reef sharks, Maaya Thila night dive, several manta cleaning stations.
- South Ari Atoll: Whale sharks, beautiful pinnacles.
- Southern Male Atoll: Grey reef sharks, eagle rays, other pelagics, beautiful macro wreck.
- Vaavu Atoll: Grey reef sharks, eagle rays, other pelagics, traditional Maldivian channel diving.
- North Male Atoll: Beautiful rock pinnacles.
This itinerary offers you a mix of big fish such as shark and manta dives as well as reef dives, reef fish, moray eels and plenty of macro life. Get up close and personal at the cleaning stations without disturbing the locals! One of the most famous dive sites is Maaya Thila; this pinnacle is around 30 metres in diameter and drops off to reveal sharks and fish galore.
There is no minimum number of dives required, but you should be comfortable with drift dives as the currents can be strong.
Many of the dives on the Best of Maldives, Manta Madness and Pelagic Magic itineraries are suitable for divers of all levels, but unpredictable and strong currents can be expected in certain areas. Inexperienced divers and novice divers may find some dives challenging and may be asked by the cruise director to skip dives that are not suitable for their diving experience. On some dives the recommended depth is below 18 metres, so advanced or deep dive training is recommended.
All dives are made from dhonis or zodiacs to provide precise entry and exit points. Experienced divers can dive in a buddy pair without a guide.
Complimentary shared pick-up times from the airport are 12.00 and 16.00. Pick-ups can be arranged at other times from USD 15 per person.
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Double cabin lower deck
- 1 double bed
- En-suite bathroom
- adjustable air conditioning
- max. 2 guests
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Double cabin lower deck Twins
- 2 single beds
- En-suite bathroom
- adjustable air conditioning
- max. 2 guests
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Double cabin twin upper deck
- 1 double bed + 1 single bed
- en-suite bathroom
- adjustable air conditioning
- max. 2 guests
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Double cabin upper deck
- 1 double bed
- En-suite bathroom
- adjustable air conditioning
- max. 2 guests
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Suite main deck
- 1 double bed
- En-suite bathroom
- adjustable air conditioning
- max. 2 guests
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Suite upper deck
- 1 double bed
- En-suite bathroom
- adjustable air conditioning
- max. 2 guests
Included: VAT, harbour dues, environmental tax, airport transfers, tea & coffee, drinking water, wine with dinner, special dinner, snacks, beach barbecue, full board (all meals), nitrox, dive packages, shore excursions, snorkel guide, snorkel set, towels for use on deck, cabin towels.
Optional extras: travel insurance, diving insurance (6 EUR per day), tips (150 USD), alcoholic drinks (5 USD), soft drinks (3 USD), rental equipment, Nitrox course (284 USD), diving courses (101-466 USD), WLAN (31 USD).
Prices for rental equipment
Rental equipment is available on this ship. Please indicate what you need on the booking form. Details below of what is included and the additional prices.
- Regulator 69-106 USD per trip
- BCD 69-106 USD per trip
- Fins 25-38 USD per trip
- Mask 19-32 USD per trip
- Snorkelling set Included
- Signal buoy Included
- Torch 10 USD per day
- Dive computer 82-119 USD per trip
- Full equipment (with: regulator, BCD, fins, mask, signal buoy, dive computer, wetsuit) 271-403 USD per trip
- Wetsuit 57-88 USD per trip
- Air temperature: Stable all year round between 27 °C and 28.5 °C.
- Water temperature: Constantly warm between 28 °C and 30 °C, ideal for diving.
- Rainfall: Drier months from January to March; wetter period from May to October, with the highest rainfall in October.
The Maldives
is an archipelago in the Indian Ocean consisting of around 1,200 islands, of which around 200 are inhabited. These islands are located southwest of Sri Lanka and India and form one of the world's most famous and beautiful holiday destinations. The Maldives is known for its stunning white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and rich marine life that attracts divers and snorkellers from all over the world.
Location and geography:
The Maldives covers an area of around 90,000 square kilometres, with the majority consisting of coral atolls. The capital Malé is located on one of the largest islands and is the political and economic centre of the country. The islands are located in a tropical climate zone, which means they enjoy warm temperatures and high humidity all year round.
Population and religion:
The population of the Maldives is relatively small at around 520,000 people. The majority of the population are ethnic Maldivians and the national language is Dhivehi. The Maldives is a Muslim country and Islam is the state religion. Around 98% of the population are Sunni Muslims, which strongly characterises the country's cultural and religious identity.
Economic situation:
The economy of the Maldives is mainly based on tourism, fishing and boat building. The tourism sector is of crucial importance as it accounts for a significant proportion of the gross domestic product (GDP) and creates many jobs. The Maldives is a popular destination for luxury travellers due to its pristine nature, luxurious resorts and world-famous diving opportunities. Fishing, especially tuna fishing, also plays an important role in the country's economy.
Position in the Indian Ocean:
The Maldives occupies a strategically important position in the Indian Ocean, between the Arabian Peninsula and South Asia. This geographical position makes it an important hub for maritime trade and shipping. The islands are also vulnerable to the effects of climate change, especially sea level rise, as many islands are only a few metres above sea level.
Importance of diving tourism:
Diving plays a central role in the Maldivian tourism industry. The country is known worldwide for its spectacular diving spots, including coral reefs, shipwrecks and a variety of marine life such as manta rays, sharks, turtles and colourful tropical fish. The unspoilt nature and impressive underwater biodiversity make the Maldives one of the best diving destinations in the world. Many tourists come for this reason, and the Maldivian islands offer a variety of diving centres and schools for beginners and experienced divers.
The Maldives is therefore not only a tourist paradise, but also a country with a unique geographical location, a close connection to nature and a significant role in international diving tourism.