Central & Southern Atolls
MANDATORY Requirements: PADI Advanced Open Water or equivalent - minimum of 50 logged dives and experience in currents
Duration
7 & 10 nights
Skill level
Advanced
Overview
Thriving reefs
Manta Rays
Abundant marine life
Drift Diving
Pelagic Sightings
Covering large areas of both the central and southern Maldives, this one way itinerary covers plenty of ocean and some fantastic diving along the way. South Male, Vaavu, Meemu, Thaa, Laamu, and Huvhadoo atolls all feature on the route. With ocean currents feeding many of the channels on the itinerary, incoming nutrients mean healthy reefs and an abundance of sea life. From beautiful soft corals and colourful invertebrates to schooling jacks, tuna, sharks, and rays; this trip never fails to deliver.
Dates & Prices
What's included:
- Return shared transfers between the local airport and the liveaboard on embarkation and disembarkation days
- Full board accommodation (based on shared occupancy)
- Tea, coffee and drinking water
- Up to 3 dives daily
- 12 litre cylinder with air fills
- Weights, weight belt and SMB
Obligatory surcharges:
- Maldives Green Tax
- Goods & Services Tax*
- Flights
- Additional or private transfers
- Equipment rental
- Nitrox
- On board merchandise
- Alcoholic drinks
- Soft drinks / sodas
- Crew and dive guide gratuities
*Goods & Services Tax applies to payments made on board for equipment rental, nitrox, courses, alcohol, soft drinks and merchandise.
Maps & Itinerary
PLEASE NOTE: The inclusion of some of the sites listed below is dependent on itinerary duration, season and other factors that may be beyond our control.
Huvadhoo
Huvadhoo Atoll features a circular expanse with a deep central lagoon enclosed by reefs and coral islets. Its 40 reef segments create a diverse diving environment, teeming with marine life and vibrant corals affording exciting encounters and exhilarating drift dives.
Laamu Atoll – Fushi Kandu
Often described as ‘Fish Soup’, Fushi Kandu is one of the most popular dive sites in the region. Relatively shallow at a depth of 12-15 metres, the channel stretches almost 250 metres and is frequented by numerous sharks and other pelagics to excite and delight divers as they drift along with the current.
Thaa Atoll – Olhugiri Kandu
On the South side of Thaa Atoll, large numbers of schooling fish draw reef sharks and tuna from the blue beyond along the walls and channel opening on the hunt for an easy meal. Eagle rays can often be seen foraging for crustaceans amongst the sand and corals, or scooping up discarded fish morsels.
Meemu Atoll – Mulaku Kandu
The north east is peppered with submerged pinnacles covered predominantly in soft corals, whilst the west will see you surrounded by jacks and snappers. Keep an eye open for sharks and rays along the wall at 30 metres.
Vaavu Atoll – Fotteyo Kandu
Considered by many as one of the best dive areas in the Maldives, Vaavu offers pristine reefs on the eastern side and thrilling shark dives. Fotteyo is one of the more challenging dive sites which is best suited to experienced divers; reef hooks are recommended as currents are usually very strong.
South Male Atoll – Guraidhoo Kandu
Since the eastern side of Guraidhoo channel is open ocean, large predatory fish can regularly be spotted here. This site is famous for sightings of sharks, schools of eagle rays and the occasional sailfish and hammerhead.
Your cruise director will schedule up to three dives per day. This means up to 25 dives during the 10 night cruise. The diving day is typically scheduled as follows:
- Light Breakfast followed by a briefing and Dive 1
- Full Breakfast, relaxation period, briefing and Dive 2
- Lunch, relaxation period, briefing and Dive 3*
- Snack relaxation period
- Dinner
*If we offer a sunset or night dive, the schedule will be slightly amended.
PLEASE NOTE: This itinerary involves diving in strong currents and is only suitable for experienced divers. Our crew reserve the right to deny participation in some or all dives if they deem any person unfit or not experienced enough to cope with the diving conditions.
*The itinerary above is an example only and is subject to change at the time of sailing depending on local regulations and restrictions, guests’ experience, weather conditions and logistics and is at the Captain’s discretion. Adverse weather and sea conditions can affect this route which includes several overnight sailings.
Accommodation
9.52
Rated excellent
Nitrox
Surcharge
Wifi
Surcharge
Equipment
Surcharge
Tech friendly
No
Maldives Master welcomes 26 divers on board with spacious modern comfort, providing the best Maldivian diving experience.
At 42m, Maldives Master is a fibreglass vessel that boasts two roomy fixed double-bed cabins, ten convertible twin/double cabins and two single cabins. She features an indoor dining area, a bar and sky lounge, as well as a jacuzzi. A shaded outdoor lounge area can be found on the sun deck, plus viewing decks located at the front of both the upper and sun decks, an open air deck on the sun deck plus an ocean deck at the stern of the boat on the main deck, all providing comfortable seating and loungers.
Extras
Master Liveaboards offers a range of services to make your stay on board even more enjoyable. Equipment rental, Nitrox and courses can be pre-booked and pre-paid when booking your liveaboard.
7 nights | 10 nights | |
|---|---|---|
Maldivian Green Tax (per person)* | 84 USD | 120 USD |
Maldivian Goods & Services Tax | ||
*All surcharges, including local taxes, are subject to change at any time, and without notice.
PLEASE NOTE: 16% Maldivian GST applies to all services and extras paid for on board. GST will increase to 17% effective from 1st July 2025.
Credit card payments are subject to a 3.5% surcharge.
Cash payments on board can only be accepted in USD. All USD banknotes must be in good condition, without damage, creases, tears, pen marks, stains or discolouration. We can not accept old versions of USD banknotes: $100 banknotes should have a blue security strip (issued after 2013); $20 and $50 banknotes should not be dated older than 2006.
Equipment | 7 nights: | 10 nights: |
|---|---|---|
Full equipment set* | 255 USD | 382.50 USD |
Wetsuit (3mm shorty) | 70 USD | 100 USD |
Regulators | 80 USD | 120 USD |
BCD | 80 USD | 120 USD |
Fins (full-foot only) | 25 USD | 37.50 USD |
Mask & snorkel | 20 USD | 30 USD |
Dive computer** | 70 USD | 100 USD |
U/W torch | 45 USD | 67.50 USD |
Reef Hook | 9 USD | 13 USD |
13.2 Litre (AL100) cylinder | 77 USD | 110 USD |
Extra 11.1 Litre (AL80) cylinder | 35 USD | 52.50 USD |
*Full equipment set includes wetsuit, BCD, regulators, mask, fins, boots and snorkel only. SMB, Weight belts and weights are provided free of charge.
** All divers are required to dive with a computer. ** All equipment must be pre-booked to ensure availability and correct sizes, etc. are on board.
PLEASE NOTE: All items paid for on board are subject to Maldivian GST
Price | |
|---|---|
Nitrox (single cylinder) 7 nights | 105 USD |
Nitrox (single cylinder) 10 nights | 150 USD |
PLEASE NOTE: Nitrox paid for on board is subject to Maldivian GST
Beer (per 330 ml serving) | from 5 USD |
Spirits (per shot) | from 4 USD |
Cocktails | from 10 USD |
Wine (per 125 ml glass) | from 3 USD |
Wine (per bottle) | from 32 USD |
Sparkling wine (375 ml bottle) | 25 USD |
Sparkling wine (750 ml bottle) | 47 USD |
Sodas (Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Fanta) | 3 USD per can |
Mocktails (per serving) | 8 USD |
Internet Data Packages | |
1 GB | 11 USD |
2 GB | 16 USD |
5 GB | 21 USD |
Alcohol prices may be subject to change without notice. While we endeavour to keep this information as up-to-date as possible, please be aware that availability and prices are dependent on specially licensed local suppliers and may be different on your cruise.
PLEASE NOTE: The prices listed above do not include Maldivian GST which applies to all onboard payments. Alcohol can not be paid for in advance.
Diving Courses | Cost: |
|---|---|
SSI Enriched Air Nitrox | 183 USD |
SSI Advanced Adventurer Diver** | 340 USD |
SSI Deep Diving | 225 USD |
Other SSI Courses | Please enquire* |
PLEASE NOTE: The course prices listed above include SSI online learning, training dives on board, and online certification.
** SSI Advanced Adventurer Diver is equivalent to PADI Advanced Open Water Diver
*A range of other speciality courses are available on request. Please enquire with our reservations team for more information, prices and to pre-book.
Sail with us on this amazing liveaboard adventure
Explore the 'Central & Southern Atolls' aboard Maldives Master
You could secure your spaces today for as little as 5% deposit*
*our payment terms and standard terms and conditions apply
Do you have questions about diving the Maldives?
We’ve tried to include a lot information on our website. You may find, however, that you have additional questions about our Maldives liveaboard, the diving around the Maldives and general travel information. Via the following link you can find answers to some commonly asked questions. Should you have other questions or queries, please contact our reservations team who will be pleased to assist you.
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