Liveaboard White Pearl – Luxury, comfort and fantastic diving
Travel period
Features
Starting from
Diving in the Maldives from the luxury liveaboard White Pearl
The Maldives is one of the world’s most popular destinations for diving enthusiasts. Located in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka, the Maldives is an archipelago of islands consisting of 26 natural atolls. With their crystal clear waters, colorful coral reefs and abundance of marine life, the Maldives offer an unforgettable diving experience.
With the luxurious M/Y White Pearl, you can go explore the Maldives. This liveaboard ship usually makes the central route (Malé to Malé), offering a harmony of luxury, comfort, exquisite gastronomy and breathtaking diving. For the fanatics among us, there are kayaks and SUPs on board, and for those seeking peace and quiet, the boat offers wellness options. The White Pearl is perfect for divers looking for that little bit of extra comfort and convenience. The spacious dive deck also has a well-appointed camera station, ideal for underwater photographers.
Best travel time: Whale sharks are spotted here throughout the year. As well as the mantas. Still, we recommend going here between October and May. You then have the best chance of nice weather and little wind.
During this liveaboard diving vacation you will do the “Best of Central Atolls” itinerary. A classic and highly varied itinerary that takes you past the top highlights of the Maldives. Beautiful wall dives, channel dives with masses of sharks, colorful coral gardens, whale sharks and mantas cleaning stations…, and many more.
Average Temperatures
Wetsuit advice for the Maldives
All year round you can dive here with a 3mm.
What will you experience on this trip?
View itinerary here
Day 1 & 2 | Flight to the Maldives
Today you will depart from Amsterdam, Düsseldorf or another major European city for the Maldives. Your trip starts with an overnight flight to Malé, the capital of the Maldives.
Often, flying from Düsseldorf is the most economical option. Together with you, we will see which airports are most convenient for you to fly from.
On Day 2, always a Saturday, you will arrive in the Maldives. From 12:00 you can check in on the boat. In terms of arrival times, this often works out pretty well with each other. Of course, we also take this into account when picking flights.
Once you arrive on the boat you settle into your cabin, you can already get your dive gear in order and the rest of the day is all about relaxing and recovering from the trip. Tomorrow the diving program begins!
Day 3 | Diving around South Male & Kandooma Thila
Today is the first day of diving. From Malé, you go to the south.
The South Male Atoll is known for its current-fed channels. The underwater landscape of South Malé, famous for its steep walls, ledges and small caves, is rich in reef fish, as well as plenty of macro life and several manta ray cleaning stations. With any luck, you’ll spot a manta ray on your first dive!
Kandooma Thila, often known as Cocoa Thila, is one of the most famous dive sites in the Maldives. It is in a wide passage guarded by gray reef sharks, and chances are you will also encounter schools of eagle rays, sea turtles and colorful reef fish that cover the entire reef here. Guraidhoo Corner is another wonderful location. This large marine protected area is home to a huge concentration of reef life, including sharks, schools of trevallies, rays and sea turtles.
Day 4 | Diving on the Vaavu Atoll
The channels of Vaavu Atoll are a special diving location. Devana Kandu is one of the channels where people love to dive. The channel is divided in the middle by a reef 250m long. With an incoming current, divers can do some fantastic drift diving here. On the outer reef, there are caves and overhangs that drop vertically from 30m to the depths. Gray reef sharks, eagle rays and pelagic species are seen around the entrance to both passages. Many reef fish have colonized these rocks, and it is not uncommon to see blue-face angelfish, valentine pufferfish and reef lizardfish. As divers drift dive the mile-long channel, the northern and southern passages merge along the way.
Also nearby is the Miyaru Kandu Canal, which translates to “Shark Canal,” and it certainly lives up to its name. A huge variety of marine life can be seen here, including tuna, large schools of gray reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, tuna and Napoleon wrasse, as well as many colorful reef fish.
Day 5 & 6 | Diving at South & North Ari Atoll
South Ari is known for its stunning underwater topography and spectacular marine life. Reefs affected by climate change are recovering and the visibility of iconic species remains reliable. At the South Ari Marine Protected Area, if you’re lucky, you’ll encounter a whale shark. Manta rays are also spotted at Madivaru, better known as Manta Point, especially during the northeast monsoon. In central Ari are classic thilas like Kudarah Thila, a natural wonder filled with marine life and colorful corals. Fish Head, a top diving spot worldwide, is known for its rich diversity of fish species and is home to sharks. The most common species in this area are scorpion fishs, barracudas, moray eels, and blue-striped snappers. Also on display are numerous black corals, sea fans and anemones.
Day 7 | Diving at the Rasdoo Atoll
From shallow lagoons and gentle reefs for beginners to challenging, channels and dramatic landscapes for the advanced. With an unusually large selection of extraordinary marine life, Rasdhoo Atoll offers the complete diving experience. Rasdhoo Madivaru, a horseshoe-shaped edge, is patrolled by gray reef sharks, whitetip sharks and schools of eagle rays. Looking over the edge into the depths, you can see large sea fans and black coral hanging from the wall, while thousands of anthias flutter around you. Back in the shallows, you are greeted by schools of reef fish such as oriental wrasse, fusiliers, goatfish, snappers and many others. Add to that the occasional spotted eagle ray or a school of large barracuda and you have all the ingredients for a near-perfect Maldivian diving experience.
Day 8 | Diving on the North Malé Atoll
Today is the last day of diving, depending on what time you fly tomorrow you can do 1 or 2 more dives. These dives take place on the North Malé Atoll. Diving at the North Malé Atoll often means diving including at the famous Lankan Manta Point, this offers an unforgettable experience with stingrays.
In the early afternoon it is time to let all the diving gear dry on the deck and relax, for example in the pool on the deck. Or in one of the lounges.
Day 9 & 10 | Return home
The beautiful diving trip in the Maldives is over. Don’t you want to go home yet? Then be sure to check out the options for extending your stay at a resort. Or maybe you’ll still go south to the tiger sharks?
On the last day of the cruise, guests will be taken to the airport at least 2 hours before their flight time. Check-out and disembarkation will take place from 7:00 am to 9:00 am on the last day. Guests who have extended their stay in the Maldives and are going to a hotel can request a transfer to their respective hotels, this may still incur a small surcharge.
Highlights of this trip
What can you expect from the underwater world in the Maldives?
Whale shark spotting
During this liveaboard, you may encounter whale sharks throughout the year. Due to the constant presence of plankton in certain areas of the Maldives, these gentle giants often linger in the same area. They swim quietly through the open water and allow themselves to be viewed up close during a dive or snorkel. Surrounded by schools of reef fish and colorful coral, it is an impressive experience and one of the most memorable encounters at sea.
Diving at the Rashdoo Atoll
Rasdhoo is one of the most impressive dive sites in the Maldives. The mix of colorful reefs, impressive walls and great marine life makes every dive special. With luck, you’ll see hammerhead sharks in the blue, while gray reef sharks and whitetip sharks swim around the reef edge. Schools of eagle rays pass gracefully among clouds of colorful reef fish. A place where every dive is different and always has something spectacular to offer.
Drift diving at Vaavu
The channels of Vaavu Atoll are also among the most spectacular diving areas in the Maldives. Here you will experience the thrill of current diving among steep walls and colorful reefs full of life. At Devana Kandu, you glide with the current through the channel while gray reef sharks, turtles and eagle rays patrol around the entrance. Among the corals lurk countless reef fish, from the brightly colored blue-faced angelfish to curious puffer fish – an action-packed and varied dive.
The liveaboard
The boat & cabins
M/Y White Pearl
The M/Y White Pearl is a 56.4-meter yacht with 13 luxurious rooms including a Master Suite, 2 Junior Suites and 10 Deluxe Cabins, accommodating up to 26 guests. The ship, built in 2020, offers an unforgettable diving experience in the beautiful waters of the Maldives.
The design of the M/Y White Pearl is sophisticated with numerous amenities, including a sun deck, dining area, camera room and diving area. For non-diving activities, kayaks and paddleboards are available, and you can pamper yourself with a massage at the spa.
The boat is equipped with two powerful Cummins KTA38-M3 engines and has three aluminum dinghies for various purposes.
The comfortable outdoor spaces offer plenty of opportunity to relax with an outdoor bar, whirlpool, sun deck with loungers and seating. Inside you will find a spacious dining area with café and bar, an entertainment lounge with two televisions, fitness equipment and a business center.
On board the M/Y White Pearl, you will enjoy comfortable and well-appointed cabins. Each cabin has a private bathroom with hot shower and is equipped with an HD television with Google Cast for entertainment. The sleeping areas offer flexibility with both double and king-size beds, ideal for individuals or couples.
For your convenience, there is a safe and simple code door lock system. In addition, a range of basic amenities are offered such as 2-in-1 shampoo and bath gel, separate towel holders for bath and towels, clothes hooks, a hair dryer and a safe. USB ports for charging devices and an inter-room communication system are also provided to make your stay even more enjoyable.
Travel costs
What is included
This travel package is € 2.699 per person based on two people in one deluxe cabin. The trip can be extended 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 the possibilities? Get in touch with us!
Included in this trip, from € 2.699 p.p.
- 7 Nights in a Deluxe Cabin
- Lodging based on full board & water, coffee, tea
- Return transfers Malé Airport - Liveaboard
- Dive package consisting of approximately 15-18 dives
- Free Nitrox Upgrade
- Use of paddleboards and kayaks
- VZR & Administration fee
Excluding
- Flight from € 700
- Green Tax $12.00 p.p.p.d.
- Dive insurance (mandatory)
- 17% GST on all products and services purchased locally
- 10% service charge payable on board, this is not a tip but a mandatory fee. This is 10% of the price of the liveaboard.
✈︎ 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
- Upgrade to Junior Suite approx. € 137 p.p.
- Diving equipment approx. € 41 p.p.p.d.
- 15L tank approx. € 15 p.p.p.d.
- WiFi ca. € 28 p.p.
- Wellness treatments
- Soft drinks & Alcoholic beverages
- Tips for the crew
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Frequently asked questions about this diving holiday
Diving general
Boat dives on the reef. Often with sharks, manta rays and other big stuff. You will also make frequent dives on a wreck and many drift dives.
At your doorstep, as the liveaboard goes to all the dive sites. Then you will go to the dive site in the smaller Dhoni. This is often less than a 5-minute boat ride away.
Day 3 to 7 you will make 3 to 4 dives per day. Day 8 up to 2 in the morning.
Yes for sure, including Manta rays!
You can make your Advanced Course on the White Pearl ($515.00) as well as the Nitrox Course ($320.00).
Dive insurance is mandatory for all divers aboard the M/Y White Pearl. Your travel insurance may be able to cover diving activities and related incidents. It is important to check that you are adequately insured and have the necessary coverage (maximum depth, recompression chamber fees, etc.) to sail on the White Pearl. Bring the dive insurance card and/or confirmation details on board. It is also possible to purchase dive insurance on board. Cost is about €80 for a week.
Diving equipment
There are both DIN and INT tanks
Yes, you can rent these for approx. $17 per day.
Nitrox is free – only for certified nitrox divers
All prices are per day and do not include 16% sales tax:
BCD $10
Regulator $10
Mask & Snorkel $5
Fins $3
Wetsuit $10
Dive Computer $10
Complete set of the above $40
Rash Vest $8
Nautilus GPS $4
SMB $4
Reef Hook $4
Dive Light $9
Dive Light (per dive) $3
Extra 12-Liter Tank for sidemount $4
100 CC/15-Liter Tank $15
Other activities & excursions
On some dive sites you can also snorkel very nicely, other dive sites are too deep. We can arrange a snorkeling guide if the request is made at least one month before departure, however, this may incur additional costs.
Non-divers are welcome on board the M/Y White Pearl! They can enjoy onboard facilities such as the gym, SPA, or just relax on our beautiful sun deck.
Liveaboard
Yes. There is WIFI on board. However, the signal is not always good. Set yourself up for this.
Yes, or for an additional cost you can reserve the entire cabin. Ask us about the possibilities.
The dives are from a dhoni. This is a fairly spacious boat, on which you are more comfortable than, say, a zodiac. This dhoni drops you on top of the dive sites.
International outlets to fit any type of electrical plug are available on board. The voltage is 220V.
The camera station also offers a variety of power outlets and USB ports that should satisfy your batteries and charging systems.
Guests will receive a final invoice with their additional charges on the last night before disembarkation. Invoices can be paid by contact or credit card. The White Pearl accepts USD and EUR cash. Regarding credit cards, VISA, Mastercard and American Express are accepted.
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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