Spirit of Maldives Liveaboard • Explore the Far North
Discover the unspoiled northern atolls of the Maldives on a luxury liveaboard. Enjoy 30 spectacular dives on remote reefs that few divers ever visit.
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Discover the northern atolls of the Maldives
Not many liveaboards sail to the remote northern atolls of the Maldives. The Spirit of Maldives’ “Explore the Far North” route takes you to this tranquil part of the archipelago, where pristine reefs, impressive drift dives, and a sense of true discovery take center stage. During this twelve-day expedition, you’ll sail from Malé to Hanimadhoo and make about 30 dives at some of the country’s most beautiful and least-visited dive sites.
The route takes you past North Malé, Lhaviyani, Baa, Raa, Shaviyani, and Haa Alifu Atoll. Instead of a fixed itinerary, the experienced cruise directors select the best dive sites each day based on weather conditions, currents, and marine life. This ensures you get the most out of every day of diving. You’ll dive among colorful coral reefs, steep reef walls, thilas, and current-filled channels where you’re likely to encounter reef sharks, manta rays, eagle rays, barracudas, tuna, and other pelagic fish. Thanks to their remote location, the reefs are exceptionally healthy, and on many dives you’ll hardly encounter any other divers.
You’ll want for nothing above water, either. The Spirit of Maldives is a modern and luxurious liveaboard with spacious cabins, a cozy lounge, a sun deck with comfortable loungers, and a jacuzzi. Between dives, you’ll enjoy delicious meals, views of the Indian Ocean, and the crew’s personalized service. If you’re looking for a liveaboard that combines luxury, comfort, and a unique expedition route with spectacular dives, then “Explore the Far North” is a trip that absolutely belongs on your bucket list.
Best travel time for a diving vacation to the Maldives
The cruise takes place in July, August, and September. During these months, you’ll enjoy the best underwater visibility. During the other months, the Spirit of Maldives follows a different route.
Average temperatures
Wetsuit advice for the Maldives
In general, a 3mm wetsuit is sufficient for diving in the Maldives.
What will you experience on this trip?
View itinerary here
Day 1 & 2 | The trip to the Maldives
Today marks the start of your trip to the Maldives. There are several flights from Europe to Malé, including direct flights on certain days. Depending on your flight, you’ll usually arrive at Malé International Airport on Day 2.
Upon arrival, a transfer will be waiting to take you to the harbor, where the Spirit of Maldives will be waiting for you. After boarding, you’ll meet the crew and receive a detailed briefing about the boat, safety procedures, and the itinerary for the coming days. You’ll then be assigned your cabin and have plenty of time to prepare your diving gear for the first dives.
Once everyone is on board, the boat sets sail for its first destination. As the sun sets, you’ll enjoy your first dinner on board and get to know your fellow travelers. Let the adventure begin!
Days 3–12 | Diving in the northern atolls
The next ten days will be entirely devoted to diving in one of the most remote areas of the Maldives. Instead of a fixed itinerary, the Spirit of Maldives opts for a flexible route. The cruise directors decide each day which dive sites to visit, based on weather conditions, currents, visibility, and any sightings of large marine life. This way, you’ll get the most out of every day of diving.
During this expedition, you’ll sail from North Malé through Lhaviyani, Baa Atoll, and Raa Atoll, heading further and further north toward the remote atolls of Shaviyani and Haa Alifu. Only a handful of liveaboards venture into this part of the Maldives, which means that many reefs are rarely visited and remain in excellent condition.
The route takes you past colorful coral reefs, steep reef walls, thilas, and channels with strong currents. It is precisely these channels that attract a lot of large marine life. During your dives, you’ll have the chance to see various species of reef sharks, manta rays at cleaning stations, eagle rays, large schools of barracuda, tuna, and other pelagic fish. The combination of healthy reefs, strong currents, and the remote location makes every dive unique.
What makes this route special is the sense of true discovery. You’ll dive in spots where hardly any other dive boats go and where nature remains largely untouched. It often feels as though you’re the only divers for miles around. That makes every dive just a little bit more special.
Between dives, there’s of course time to relax on board as the Spirit of Maldives continues sailing further north. Depending on the itinerary, you’ll also visit a local island along the way, such as Maroshi. Here, you’ll get a glimpse into daily life in the Maldives—a nice change of pace from all the impressive dives.
This route was specially designed for divers who want to see more than just the well-known central atolls. The combination of remote reefs, excellent coral conditions, spectacular drift dives, and the chance to encounter large marine life makes “Explore the Far North” one of the most extraordinary liveaboard routes in the Maldives.
Day 13 & 14 | Return home
After twelve unforgettable days aboard the Spirit of Maldives, it’s time to say goodbye to the crew. After a final breakfast, you’ll disembark early in the morning in Hanimadhoo, located in Haa Dhaalu Atoll in the far north of the Maldives. This island is located about 300 kilometers north of Malé and serves as the gateway to the remote northern atolls where you’ve been diving over the past few days.
From Hanimadhoo, you’ll take a domestic flight of about 50 minutes back to Malé International Airport. There, you’ll transfer to your international flight back to Europe. Depending on your chosen airline, you’ll either fly directly or make a layover, for example in Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, or Istanbul. Most travelers arrive home the next day, bringing this extraordinary expedition to the unspoiled northern Maldives to a close.
Highlights of this trip
What can you expect from this trip to the northern Maldives?
Pristine northern atolls
Only a small number of liveaboards sail to the far north of the Maldives. That’s precisely why diving here still feels like a true discovery. You’ll visit reefs that are rarely dived, so the corals are in excellent condition and you’ll seldom encounter other divers. The tranquility underwater creates a special atmosphere and gives you the feeling that you’re discovering a part of the Maldives that very few people ever get to see.
Good chance of seeing plenty of pelagic life
The northern atolls are known for their current-filled channels, healthy reefs, and manta ray cleaning stations. During your dives, you’ll have the chance to encounter reef sharks, eagle rays, manta rays, tuna, barracuda, and other pelagic fish. Since the itinerary is adjusted to suit the conditions, we always select the locations where the chances of special encounters and the best diving conditions are highest.
Expedition Diving
No two days are the same on this liveaboard. The itinerary isn’t set in advance, so the cruise directors can adapt each day based on weather conditions, currents, and marine life sightings. This ensures you’ll always visit the most interesting dive sites at any given time. It makes the trip dynamic and ensures that every expedition is unique. You’ll experience the Maldives as few divers do, far off the beaten path.
The liveaboard
The stay and surroundings
Spirit of the Maldives
The Spirit of Maldives is a 40-meter-long liveaboard that can accommodate up to 26 guests. The boat has been in service since late 2024, so it’s a new and modern vessel. The cozy, air-conditioned lounge is the ideal place to relax between dives, read a book, look at photos from the day, or chat with your fellow travelers.
Outside, you’ll find a large sun deck with lounge chairs and a hot tub, where you can enjoy the view of the azure-blue Indian Ocean. The restaurant serves fresh buffet meals daily, featuring both local and international dishes. Vegetarian and other dietary requests can also be made in advance.
For photographers, there is a special camera room where cameras can be safely stored and charged. In addition, the Spirit of Maldives features a spacious, 20-meter-long dive dhoni, which is used for the dives. Nitrox is available free of charge to certified divers. Thanks to Starlink internet, modern safety features, and an experienced crew, the ship has everything you need for a relaxing and carefree liveaboard experience.
The Spirit of Maldives features 13 comfortable cabins, accommodating up to 26 guests. You can choose from various cabin types, spread across three decks. There are seven standard cabins on the lower deck, two spacious suites on the main deck, and two more standard cabins and two suites on the upper deck.
All cabins are equipped with individually controlled air conditioning, a private bathroom with a toilet and hot shower, a safe for valuables, and a closet for your luggage. A hair dryer, towels, and toiletries are also provided, ensuring you have everything you need during your stay.
The standard cabins feature a double bed or a combination of a double bed and a single bed. The suites offer extra space and are furnished with a king-size bed and a single bed. The cabins on the main and upper decks have large windows with ocean views, while the standard cabins on the lower deck are equipped with portholes.
After a day full of impressive dives, your cabin is the perfect place to unwind. Thanks to the modern decor and comfortable amenities, you’ll enjoy a relaxing stay every night, so you can start the next day’s diving feeling well-rested.
Travel costs
What is included
This travel package costs US$ 4.487 per person, based on two people sharing a Standard Cabin on the lower deck. The trip can be extended as desired. A number of items are included as standard 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.
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Included in this trip, from US$ 4.487 p.p.
- 11 nights in a Standard Cabin on the Lower Deck
- Stay on a full-board basis
- Coffee, tea, drinking water, and snacks
- 1 glass of house wine or beer per day
- Diving package consisting of up to 30 dives
- Nitrox for certified divers
- Fuel surcharge, green tax, cabin and government taxes, port fee, marine park fee
- Return transfers
- VZR & Administration fee
Excluding
- Flight to Malé from US$ 810
- Domestic Flight Fuel Surcharge US$ 405
- Soft Drinks & Alcoholic Beverages
- Dive insurance (mandatory)
✈︎ The quoted (international) flight prices are indicative prices and based on departures from Europe. However, we can arrange flights from any location worldwide. Booking your own flights is of course also possible.
Optional
- Diving equipment (approx. US$ 254)
- 13-liter tank (approx. US$ 134)
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Frequently asked questions about diving in the Maldives
Diving general
For this trip, you’ll need at least an Advanced Open Water certification with a minimum of 50 logged dives. In addition, diving with nitrox is strongly recommended given the number of dives you’ll be doing each day and throughout the week, so a nitrox certification is also recommended for this trip.
Here, you can go reef diving and channel diving.
The dive sites are nearby, just a 5- to 15-minute boat ride from the harbor. You’ll go on the dives aboard a dhoni, a small boat that serves as a dive boat.
During the trip, you’ll make up to 30 dives, spread over 10 days of diving. On most days, you’ll make three dives, while the last day of diving usually has a modified schedule due to the return flight.
There may be dives that require a reef hook. There are plenty of reef hooks on board, and you can use them for free during the dives.
Night dives may occasionally take place.
Yes, PADI courses are offered. For example, you can take a nitrox specialty course.
Diving equipment
Both tanks are available.
No, but 13L tanks are available. You’ll typically dive with an 80 cu ft tank, which is roughly 11 liters. If you want a larger tank, you can dive with a 100 cu ft tank, which is equivalent to 13L. Using a large tank costs 132 USD for the entire week, which is approximately CHF 135.
Yes, that’s possible. If you want to use an additional 11-liter tank (S80) for the side-mount configuration, it will cost $50 for the trip, which is approximately CHF 51.
Absolutely—if you’re certified to dive with nitrox, you can use it here for free. Don’t have this certification? You can also take the specialty course on board the Spirit of the Maldives.
Yes, renting a full set costs 249 USD per week, which is about CHF 256 when converted.
Your diving gear stays on the boat.
The liveaboard
Yes, that’s definitely possible. Non-divers can snorkel with manta rays, sea turtles, and whale sharks. You can also explore the islands and lagoons.
Absolutely, the Spirit of Maldives offers 5 different itineraries, and some of them also offer the option of a short (7-night) or longer (up to 11-night) stay on board. The itineraries vary depending on the season.
- Explore the Far North
- Wonder of the Northern Atolls
- Equatorial atolls
- Heart of the Maldives
- The Deep South (November–April)
Yes, there’s a Starlink connection on the boat that you can use. It costs 10 USD per day, which is about CHF 10.
Yes, all cabins have individual air conditioning.
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