Liveaboard Nautilus Two - Maldives
Experience an unforgettable diving vacation to the Maldives aboard the Liveaboard Nautilus Two. Dive with manta rays, whale sharks and more!
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Diving vacation Maldives with the Nautilus Two Liveaboard
Join us on an unforgettable liveaboard diving trip to the Maldives aboard the famous Nautilus Two. This fantastic ship is known for its 8 to 13-day itineraries that take you to the most beautiful dive sites. With excellent accommodation and diving facilities and even a Jacuzzi on the foredeck, the Nautilus Two offers everything for a fantastic diving vacation.
Diving in the Maldives
Diving in the Maldives is something you must have done at least once. The central itinerary of the Nautilus Two offers the chance to spot manta rays, whale sharks and nurse sharks. These carefully curated dive cruises, with the 11-day being the signature trip, let you discover the Maldives’ most spectacular dive sites. In addition to diving, a number of other activities are available, including supping, snorkeling and atmospheric barbecue nights on uninhabited islets.
Staying on the Nautilus Two
The Nautilus Two is not just another liveaboard, it is a luxury home in the Maldives. Built to traditional Maldivian craftsmanship, this impressive ship combines adventure with comfort.
Best travel time for diving in the Maldives
In the Maldives, there are two defining monsoon seasons. From October to April, the dry and sunny Northeast Monsoon, which is the best time to dive because of the clear visibility and calm weather. The Southwest Monsoon, which is active from May to September, brings rainy and windy days, which can reduce underwater visibility. However, this period also offers unique opportunities to see large marine animals such as whale sharks and manta rays spotting, especially between late July and early October.
Average Temperatures
Wetsuit advice for the Maldives
All year round you can dive here with a 3mm.
What will you experience on this diving vacation?
View itinerary here
Day 1 & 2 | The journey to the Maldives
Day 3 | Diving at North Ari - Maya Tila
The day begins with an exploratory dive in North Ari, an area known for its rich biodiversity. The water here is teeming with life, with a great opportunity to see reef sharks, turtles and schools of fusiliers spotting. In the late afternoon follows a wonderful night dive at Maya Tila. The reef here comes alive at night, with nocturnal animals such as lionfish, lobsters and possibly sleeping sharks showing up.
Day 4 | Diving at Hafsaa Tila - Fish Head - Fesdhoo Wreck
The day begins with a swim at Hafsaa Tila, a popular spot to see gray reef sharks and manta rays spotting. After a relaxing break on board, follow a dive at Fish Head, one of the most famous dive sites in the Maldives. Here one can spot schools of jackfish, tuna and curious reef sharks encounter. The day ends with an impressive swim at the Fesdhoo Wreck, an artificial reef that is now a haven for a variety of marine life, including scorpionfish and octopus.
Day 5 | Diving at Maahlos Tila or Moohfushi Rock
Today there is a choice between Maahlos Tila or Moohfushi Rock for the first dive of the day. Both dive sites are known for their breathtaking coral formations and the chance to see manta rays and reef sharks to see. Lunch is followed by a swim at Penaton, where the dramatic underwater landscapes with steep drop-offs impress. The last dive of the day is at Emas Tila, where strong currents attract large pelagic fish such as barracudas and tuna.
Day 6 | Diving at Dega Tila - Radhiga Tila - Machafushi Wier
You start with a morning dive at Dega Tila, a place full of beautiful coral formations and an abundance of marine life, including napoleon fish and turtles. Later in the day follows a dive at Radhiga Tila, known for its colorful coral gardens full of anemone fish and emperor fish.
The day ends with a swim at the Machafushi Wier, an exciting wreck dive where turtles and stingrays are often spotted.
Day 7 | Dhigurah Channel - Mamingili - Dhigurah
Rise and shine! Today you have the chance to dive into the Dhigurah Channel, where whale sharks are often spotted, especially during the season. This is an unforgettable experience, where one can swim with these gigantic but gentle giants. Lunch is followed by a leisurely dive at Mamingili, followed by a late afternoon dive at Dhigurah, where the day ends with admiring the peaceful marine life.
Day 8 | Diving at Dhigurah Kandu - Alimata
The morning of day eight begins with two dives at Dhigurah Kandu, a channel famous for its strong currents and the chance to see large pelagic fish such as gray reef sharks and eagle rays. After an invigorating break and lunch on board, the boat sails to Alimata for a spectacular night dive. This location is known for its large population of nurse sharks and stingrays that are active at night.
Day 9 | Golden Wall - Fushi Kandu - Fotheo
The dawn has gold in its mouth. You start this morning with a swim at the Golden Wall, a coral wall covered with soft yellow coral sparkling in the morning light. The afternoon dive at Fushi Kandu offers strong currents and the chance to see large schools of fish and manta rays to see. The day ends with a leisurely swim at Fotheo, a place with colorful corals and a wide variety of reef fish.
Day 10 | Farikholu - Guhraidhoo - Kandoma
The tenth day begins with a swim at Farikholu, a quiet location where one can enjoy various coral formations and calm diving conditions. Next is diving at Guhraidhoo, where large schools of fish such as snappers and fusiliers to be found. The last dive of the day is at Kandoma, an exciting spot with strong currents and a good chance of seeing large pelagic species.
Day 11 | Guraidhoo - Malé
The last dive of this dive vacation will take place in the morning at Guraidhoo, where the beautiful marine life of the Maldives can be enjoyed one last time. After the dive the Nautilus Two back to Malé, where the rest of the day can be spent relaxing on board. Hang your scuba gear to dry on the deck, enjoy a good book and, above all, don’t think about tomorrow at all just yet….
Day 12 | Return home
Alas, the diving vacation is over. This morning you will leave the liveaboard and be taken to the airport. Depending on the flight departure, usually arrives at the destination in the evening.
Don’t you want to go home yet? Then definitely consider an extension at one of the resorts in the Maldives.
Please note that the exact daily schedule and route may vary or change depending on various factors such as weather, currents, crowds, etc.
The liveaboard
The ship and cabins
Liveaboard Nautilus Two
The Nautilus Two offers spacious and comfortable amenities for all guests. In the 120-square-meter salon, one can enjoy a cold beer on tap, cocktails, soft drinks or fresh fruit juices after a swim. The salon is tastefully decorated with a combination of wooden furniture and a traditional vissersdhoni as a room divider. The onboard chef prepares a varied menu of local and Asian specialties, complemented by European dishes. Guests can also enjoy home-caught fish, prepared to your liking upon request. The sun deck offers ample opportunities to relax, with a Jacuzzi and comfortable loungers in the shade.
Cabs
During the diving safari on the Nautilus Two guests stay in one of 12 spacious and comfortable cabins, which were completely renovated in 2022. Cabins are larger than on any other liveaboard in the Maldives, with an average size of 20 square meters. Each cabin features a bathroom with toilet, a king-size double bed and/or king-size single beds, a desk with stool and mirror, and a closet. The cabins are equipped with king-size beds, and some have an extra single bed, so almost all cabins can be occupied as twin or for double occupancy. Air conditioning in each cabin can be individually controlled, but for guests who prefer natural ventilation, large roof vents and side hatches provide ample fresh air and cooling.
Travel costs
What is included
This dive vacation to the Maldives is available from US$ 3.925 per person based on two people in one cabin. The diving trip can be expanded as desired. A number of things are included by default in this travel package.
Prices are subject to price changes, increases or changing exchange rates. Flights are always based on the cheapest possible booking class.
Want to know more about this diving vacation to the Maldives? Feel free to request a no-obligation travel proposal.
Included in this diving trip, from US$ 3.925 p.p.
- 10 nights
- Accommodation on full board basis
- Water, juice, tea, coffee
- Picnic / BBQ desert island
- Return transfers Airport / Liveaboard
- Dive package consisting of approximately 26 dives
- Service charges & gratuity
- VZR & Administration fee
Excluding
- Flight to Malé (from US$ 1.070 p.p.)
- Greentax ($12 p.p.p.n.)
- 10% service charge and 17% GST on all products and services you purchase locally
- All other (alcoholic) beverages
- Dive insurance, mandatory
Optional
- Nitrox diving package for certified divers (US$ 19 per night - 10 nights = US$ 190 )
- Rental of diving equipment - to be booked when booking US$ 440 (including dive computer)
- Extra tips for the crew. These are basically already included in the price.
Email this diving holiday
Want to save or share the details of this diving trip with someone? You can do so by sending the trip by email.
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Frequently asked questions about diving on the Nautilus Two
Diving in the Galapagos Islands general information
On the Nautilus Two liveaboard in the Maldives, all diving is conducted from the one Dhoni. The Dhoni takes divers from the liveaboard to several exceptional dive sites in the Maldivian atolls. The types of dives you can do are:
Drift Diving: Due to the strong currents in many areas, drift diving is common, allowing divers to float along colorful coral walls and reefs.
Wreck Diving: The itinerary includes dives at sites such as the Fesdhoo Wreck, an artificial reef teeming with marine life.
Night Dives: Night dives are regularly scheduled, giving you the chance to see nocturnal marine life such as feeding coral polyps, sleeping reef sharks and other nocturnal creatures.
The dive sites are generally within 5 to 15 minutes of the boat’s anchorage. The Nautilus Two is specially designed to move efficiently between atolls, providing quick access to the best dive sites.
The maximum number of dives you can make per day on the Nautilus Two is usually 3. This includes:
Two morning dives and one afternoon dive or one night dive (depending on conditions and dive site) . Generally the trips include 1 night dive.
Yes, night dives are a regular part of the Nautilus’ itinerary Two. There is usually a minimum number of divers (usually around 4) required for the night dive to ensure both safety and experience. In practice, it is often one night dive per trip.
Since all dives are conducted from the boat, there is no specific house reef for shore diving. The liveaboard moves between several atolls, allowing access to multiple reefs directly from the dive boat.
Yes, on the Nautilus Two diving courses are offered. Courses are taught by certified PADI instructors and include a range of certifications from Open Water to Advanced and specialty courses such as Nitrox. However, these must be requested and booked in advance.
Diving equipment
The Nautilus Two is equipped with 12-liter tanks that support both DIN and INT connections. Divers need not bring adapters, as both types of connections are available.
Yes, 15-liter tanks are available upon request and are free of charge. However, there are only a limited number available so preferably book far in advance if this is a necessity for you.
Nitrox is available on the Nautilus Two. The cost for Nitrox amount to about US$ 18 per night, and if you opt for a 15-liter tank with Nitrox, an additional charge may apply, depending on the package.
Full dive equipment sets are available for rent on the Nautilus Two. The cost for a full set, excluding a dive computer, is approximately US$ 440 for the entire 8-day trip.
Activities, Excursions and Wellness
Yes, snorkeling is possible directly from the Nautilus dive boat Two. Snorkeling equipment is provided and there is no additional charge for snorkeling as part of the liveaboard experience.
During your stay on the Nautilus Two, you can enjoy a variety of activities:
Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP): Available free of charge.
Snorkeling: Included in the liveaboard package.
Island Explorations: Free as part of the itinerary.
Barbecue nights on deserted beaches: Also included. Do pay a one-time €5 per person locally for the island permit.
There is no dedicated spa or wellness center aboard the Nautilus Two, but the boat offers several relaxation options, including a Jacuzzi on the foredeck. After a day of diving, guests can relax in the Jacuzzi or enjoy the serene ocean views on comfortable lounge chairs.
Available excursions include:
Island Hopping: Visit local islands to experience Maldivian culture.
Fishing trips: participate in traditional Maldivian fishing.
Beach barbecues: Enjoy a unique dining experience on a deserted island beach.
These excursions are included in the liveaboard package and provide an excellent way for non-divers to explore the area.
Liveaboard
Yes, this is free, but only for using email. Not for streaming movies etc – but range is sometimes limited. Buying a Sim card at the airport or an eSim is sometimes more sensible. https://ewdr.com/inspiratie/esim-op-duikvakantie-internet-unlimited-op-je-mobiel/
Yes, or you can reserve the cabin for you alone at an additional cost. If you share the cabin that will always be with a person of the same sex.
From the Dhoni.
In addition to the listed price, a 10% service charge and 17% GST (Goods & Services Tax) apply for products and services you purchase locally, such as drinks, spa treatments, excursions or other extras. These charges will be settled on the liveaboard.
It is best to pay this in cash, as there is also a 3% surcharge for debit cards.
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