UD Rating - 4 Star

May to September

Maldives

Advanced Open Water

Reefs and Manta Rays

Amba

A Premier Diving Safari in the Maldives

The Amba is a well-maintained, 32-metre liveaboard designed for experienced divers seeking in-depth exploration of the Maldives. The vessel caters to certified divers with a minimum of 50 logged dives and prior experience in current-rich waters.

The Amba navigates the central atolls of the Maldives; including Malé, Rasdhoo, Ari, and Vaavu, offering access to some of the country's most iconic and vibrant dive sites. During the early part of the season, the yacht ventures north, offering a unique chance to snorkel with manta rays and whale sharks in the famed Hanifaru Bay, part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Accommodations aboard the Amba offer the comfort of a floating hotel. The yacht features 11 cosy cabins, each equipped with a private bathroom, adjustable air conditioning, and quality bed linens to ensure restful nights. Guests gather in the main saloon and dining area to enjoy three freshly prepared meals daily, along with afternoon snacks, cakes, tea, coffee, and filtered water. For breakfast lovers, the onboard chefs bake fresh sourdough bread every morning.

Dive operations are run from the vessel’s dedicated 18-metre Dhoni, ensuring safe and efficient access to dive sites. For additional flexibility, small speedboats are available for excursions to nearby islands or closer reef entry points. The Amba is distinguished by its Bauer PureAir system, which delivers top-level air safety standards for all divers.

Guests are guided by a multilingual crew with extensive experience in Maldivian waters, ensuring not only seamless logistics but also a personalized and memorable diving experience from start to finish.

Upper Deck Suite

The large Upper Deck Luxury Cabins can be booked as single or double occupancy. The cabins are spacious and have the following amenities:

  • Double and Single Bed
  • Private bathroom with hot shower
  • Air conditioning

Standard Cabin

The Standard Cabins are very spacious and can be booked as single or double occupancy. The cabins have the following amenities:

  • Double Bed and Single Bed
  • Private bathroom with hot shower
  • Air Conditioning

Upper Deck Cabin

The Upper Deck bunk bed cabins have large windows and are spacious with the following amenities:

  • Double and Single Bunk Beds
  • Private Bathroom with hot shower
  • Air conditioning

Upper Deck Double Cabin

The Upper Deck Standard Double Cabin is smaller than the Upper deck luxury cabins but also features lots of space and has the following amenities:

  • Double Bed
  • Private bathroom with hot shower
  • Air conditioning

Route Options

11 Days 10 Nights

Embark on an unforgettable journey through the Maldives, exploring the vibrant atolls of Ari, Vaavu, and Malé. This round-trip itinerary from Malé offers world-class diving amid thriving coral reefs, abundant marine life, and some of the Indian Ocean’s most iconic underwater sites.

Highlights of the Route
Ari Atoll – Known for frequent sightings of whale sharks and manta rays, Ari also boasts dramatic pinnacles brimming with marine life.

Vaavu Atoll – Offers exhilarating drift dives through deep channels (Kandus) and unforgettable night dives with nurse sharks.

Malé Atoll – Combines colorful coral reefs with fascinating wreck dives, offering variety and adventure.

Sample Itinerary
Arrival Day
Guests are welcomed at Malé International Airport at 12:00 PM by the AMBA crew. For those arriving later, scheduled pickups are arranged. Onboard, a refreshing welcome drink and cool towel set the tone for the journey ahead. Following a brief orientation of the vessel, guests settle into their cabins and unwind.

From 2:00 to 4:00 PM, dive certifications and insurance documents are verified, and guests assemble their gear on the dive tender (Dhoni) with guidance from the dive team. Dinner is served around 6:00 PM, followed by crew introductions and a comprehensive safety briefing. The evening is spent at leisure, offering a chance to relax or socialize with fellow divers.

Diving Days
Each day features two to three dives, with three dives typically scheduled unless longer crossings are required. Dive briefings are conducted in English, German, and Spanish. One night dive is offered during the trip.

Guests explore a variety of dive environments, from coral gardens to thrilling encounters with manta rays, whale sharks, hammerheads, tiger sharks, and more. All dives are conducted in self-reliant buddy teams, with experienced guides accompanying the group to showcase the highlights of each site. Divers are expected to be proficient in independent ascents and the use of surface marker buoys when needed.

Final Dive & Farewell
The last dive of the trip takes place at 8:00 AM on the day before disembarkation. Afterwards, guests rinse and dry their equipment in preparation for packing. In the afternoon, there’s an opportunity to explore the capital city of Malé. The farewell gathering is held in the evening, followed by a final dinner shared onboard.

11 Days 10 Nights

Set sail on an unforgettable liveaboard journey through the northern atolls of the Maldives aboard the AMBA. This exclusive route showcases the pristine beauty of Northern Malé, Lhaviyani, and the world-renowned Baa Atoll, offering unmatched biodiversity, vibrant reefs, and magical encounters with manta rays and whale sharks at Hanifaru Bay, a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Itinerary Highlights
Northern Malé Atoll – A diverse underwater landscape featuring coral gardens, wrecks, and regular sightings of reef sharks.

Lhaviyani Atoll – Characterized by dramatic overhangs, lively marine ecosystems, and iconic wreck dives like the Shipyard.

Baa Atoll & Hanifaru Bay – A globally recognized marine sanctuary famous for seasonal manta ray and whale shark aggregations.

Sample Itinerary
Arrival Day
Guests are welcomed at Malé International Airport at 12:00 PM by the AMBA crew. For those arriving later, pre-scheduled transfers are arranged. Once aboard, guests are greeted with a refreshing drink and a cool, lime-scented towel. A short orientation follows, introducing the vessel’s layout and the plan for the day.

Between 2:00–4:00 PM, certifications and insurance documents are verified, and guests set up their dive gear on the Dhoni (the dedicated dive tender) with assistance from the dive team. Dinner is served around 6:00 PM, followed by introductions to the crew and a full safety briefing. The evening offers time to relax and settle in after the journey.

Diving Days
From Day 2 onward, the adventure truly begins. Most days include 2–3 dives, depending on the travel distance between atolls. One night dive is included during the trip. Each dive is preceded by detailed multilingual briefings (English, German, Spanish) to ensure guests are well-prepared.

Diving in the Maldives reveals an incredible underwater world—from delicate coral gardens and vibrant reef walls to exhilarating encounters with manta rays, whale sharks, and a range of pelagic species like hammerheads, tiger sharks, and bull sharks. All dives are conducted in self-reliant buddy teams, with expert dive guides available to lead and highlight the best features of each site. Divers are expected to be comfortable making independent ascents and using surface marker buoys when necessary.

Last Diving Day
The final dive is scheduled for 8:00 AM on the day before disembarkation. Afterwards, gear can be rinsed and dried in freshwater tanks in preparation for packing. In the afternoon, guests have the option to explore the capital city, Malé. The evening concludes with a farewell gathering and a final shared dinner onboard.

Departure Day
Disembarkation takes place before 10:30 AM. A light breakfast is served, and early check-outs are accommodated on request. Late check-outs are unfortunately not possible due to turnaround preparations for the next charter.

Vessel Details

Length & Width 30m x 10m
Engines Yanmar Heavy Duty 350 HP
Generators 2x Fischer Panda 40 KW, 1x Kohler 80 KW
Compressors 2x Bauer compressors, Bauer Pure Air certified, 1x membrane for Nitrox
Diving Bottles 12 liters aluminum, 15 liters aluminum, DIN valves, with or without inlet
Navigation Compass, radio, GPS, depth gauge, fish finder
Top Speed 13 knots
Cruising Speed 8.5 knots
Fuel capacity 4000 litres
Freshwater maker 6000 litres per day
Equipment Rental Available
Rinse Hose Available
Sidemount diving Available
Shaded diving area Available
Dive Deck Available
DIN Adaptors Available
Tenders for diving 2
Diving Dhoni Available
15 liter tank USD 12 per day
Mask and snorkel USD 6 per day
Fins USD 6 per day
Wetsuit USD 12 per day
Dive Computer USD 12 per day
Buoyancy compensator USD 12 per day
Regulator Set USD 12 per day
Diving Lamp USD 12 per day
Reef Hook free
Surface Buoy free
Full Equipment USD 50 per day

Available Experiences

ITINERARIES AVAILABLE IN THIS DESTINATION

Marcelina

Friday, 06 December 2013

Fabulous Fiji by Marcelina Jesus on Sport Diver Magazine

Lured by the promise of world-class reefs and adrenaline-fueled shark encounters Marcelina Jesus ventures to the wild islands of Fiji.

Fabulous Fiji by Marcelina Jesus on Sport Diver Magazine

What Our Customers Have To Say

Reviews from our Clients, Journalists, Photo Pro's and our own Experts

Our reviews and blogs are an additional guide to evaluate of the holiday is exactley what you are looking for or not. Some love an Eco-Resort, some love air-con and a flat screen TV, we aim to ensure you get what you are looking for, at great value for money.

Kudarah Thila

Ari Atoll , Maldives

The topography here is quite complex. The thila is divided into four large coral heads, of varying sizes, that sit on a plateau rising from 40m (130ft) to 12m (40ft). The thila is no more than 100m (110yd) in diameter, and you can swim around the whole site in a single dive. Each of the blocks is undercut from 15m (50ft) to 25m (80ft) with superb caves jammed full of soft corals, gorgonians and whip corals.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Advanced Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 25m

Felidhoo

Northern Region, Maldives

The Felidhoo is a sloping wall with overhangs and divers can expect to see white tip reef sharks, banner fish, stingrays, boxfish, barracuda and fusiliers.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Advanced Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 30m

Baa Atoll

South Male Atoll, Maldives

Scuba diving the Maldives' Baa Atoll is to scuba dive in one of the greatest biospheres on Earth. The region harbors significant biodiversity of reef animals, hard and soft corals, reef fish species, turtles, manta rays and any number of shark species. Baa Atoll scuba diving is also famous for offering one of the largest gathering of manta rays worldwide.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 18

North Male

South Male Atoll, Maldives

Explore the captivating underwater world of North Male Atoll with its renowned dive sites like Lankan Manta Point and Fish Factory. Encounter vibrant coral reefs, diverse marine life including mantas, sharks, and colorful reef fish, making it a diver's paradise.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 18

Hanifaru Bay

Northern Region, Maldives

The famous Hanifaru Bay, which is known locally as Vandhumaafaru Adi, is thought to be one the few places in the world where whale sharks congregate in to mate, although recent research suggests otherwise with the vast majority of the whale sharks seen there being young males. The bay also regularly sees some of the largest gatherings of Manta rays worldwide with up to one hundred individuals in the small inlet when the tide pushes plankton into the bay.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 18

Hanifaru Lagoon

Male Atoll, Maldives

From May to November, an exceptional concentration of kreel attracts hundreds of mantas for feeding and often some whale sharks also feed among them.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 20m

Lhaviyani Atoll

Male Atoll, Maldives

Lhaviyani Atoll, whose shape and particular position features oceanic channel dives either on the east and on the west side, giving us the chance to dive with “in-coming currents” in both monsoon seasons to spot any kind of pelagic fish including grey reef sharks.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 20m

Whaleshark Point

Male Atoll, Maldives

Huvadhoo atoll is known for being home to the biggest fish in the world. Just like in Thaa atoll there is now specific place where diving would guarantee an encounter with a whale shark but the common practice is to use a strong light in the evening at the back platform of the boat to attract the zooplanktons which will further attract the whale sharks. Scuba diving while having the shark at the back of the boat is rather discouraged as the bubbles may disperse the mass of the plankton. Sometimes the whale sharks will stay for hours.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 30m
Dates Duration Route Room Type Price
1 Sep 2025
11 Sep 2025
10 Nights Best of Maldives Standard Cabin £1418
1 Sep 2025
11 Sep 2025
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Cabin £1418
15 Sep 2025
25 Sep 2025
10 Nights Best of North Upper Deck Cabin £1891
15 Sep 2025
25 Sep 2025
10 Nights Best of North Standard Cabin £1891
4 Nov 2025
14 Nov 2025
10 Nights Best of Maldives Standard Cabin £2129
16 Nov 2025
26 Nov 2025
10 Nights Best of Maldives Standard Cabin £2129
10 Dec 2025
20 Dec 2025
10 Nights Best of Maldives Standard Cabin £2129
10 Dec 2025
20 Dec 2025
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Cabin £2129
23 Dec 2025
2 Jan 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Cabin £2445
23 Dec 2025
2 Jan 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Standard Cabin £2445
4 Jan 2026
14 Jan 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Standard Cabin £2129
4 Jan 2026
14 Jan 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Suite £2445
4 Jan 2026
14 Jan 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Cabin £2129
4 Jan 2026
14 Jan 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Double Cabin £2287
16 Jan 2026
26 Jan 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Cabin £2129
16 Jan 2026
26 Jan 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Suite £2445
16 Jan 2026
26 Jan 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Standard Cabin £2129
29 Jan 2026
8 Feb 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Standard Cabin £2445
29 Jan 2026
8 Feb 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Cabin £2445
29 Jan 2026
8 Feb 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Double Cabin £2603
10 Feb 2026
20 Feb 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Double Cabin £2603
10 Feb 2026
20 Feb 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Standard Cabin £2445
1 Apr 2026
11 Apr 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Standard Cabin £1891
1 Apr 2026
11 Apr 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Suite £2208
1 Apr 2026
11 Apr 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Double Cabin £2049
14 Apr 2026
24 Apr 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Double Cabin £2049
14 Apr 2026
24 Apr 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Cabin £1891
14 Apr 2026
24 Apr 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Suite £2208
14 Apr 2026
24 Apr 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Standard Cabin £1891
27 Apr 2026
7 May 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Standard Cabin £1891
27 Apr 2026
7 May 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Suite £2208
27 Apr 2026
7 May 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Cabin £1891
27 Apr 2026
7 May 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Double Cabin £2049
10 May 2026
20 May 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Double Cabin £2049
10 May 2026
20 May 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Cabin £1891
10 May 2026
20 May 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Suite £2208
10 May 2026
20 May 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Standard Cabin £1891
5 Sep 2026
15 Sep 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Standard Cabin £1891
5 Sep 2026
15 Sep 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Suite £2208
5 Sep 2026
15 Sep 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Cabin £1891
5 Sep 2026
15 Sep 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Double Cabin £2049
18 Sep 2026
28 Sep 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Double Cabin £2049
18 Sep 2026
28 Sep 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Cabin £1891
18 Sep 2026
28 Sep 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Suite £2208
18 Sep 2026
28 Sep 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Standard Cabin £1891
1 Oct 2026
11 Oct 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Standard Cabin £1891
1 Oct 2026
11 Oct 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Suite £2208
1 Oct 2026
11 Oct 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Cabin £1891
1 Oct 2026
11 Oct 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Double Cabin £2049
14 Oct 2026
24 Oct 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Double Cabin £2049
14 Oct 2026
24 Oct 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Cabin £1891
14 Oct 2026
24 Oct 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Suite £2208
14 Oct 2026
24 Oct 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Standard Cabin £1891
27 Oct 2026
6 Nov 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Standard Cabin £1891
27 Oct 2026
6 Nov 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Suite £2208
27 Oct 2026
6 Nov 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Cabin £1891
27 Oct 2026
6 Nov 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Double Cabin £2049
9 Nov 2026
19 Nov 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Double Cabin £2287
9 Nov 2026
19 Nov 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Cabin £2129
9 Nov 2026
19 Nov 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Suite £2445
9 Nov 2026
19 Nov 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Standard Cabin £2129
22 Nov 2026
2 Dec 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Standard Cabin £2129
22 Nov 2026
2 Dec 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Suite £2445
22 Nov 2026
2 Dec 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Cabin £2129
22 Nov 2026
2 Dec 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Double Cabin £2287
5 Dec 2026
15 Dec 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Double Cabin £2287
5 Dec 2026
15 Dec 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Cabin £2129
5 Dec 2026
15 Dec 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Suite £2445
5 Dec 2026
15 Dec 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Standard Cabin £2129
18 Dec 2026
28 Dec 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Standard Cabin £2129
18 Dec 2026
28 Dec 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Suite £2445
18 Dec 2026
28 Dec 2026
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Double Cabin £2287
5 Jan 2027
15 Jan 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Double Cabin £2287
5 Jan 2027
15 Jan 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Suite £2445
5 Jan 2027
15 Jan 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Cabin £2129
5 Jan 2027
15 Jan 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Standard Cabin £2129
18 Jan 2027
28 Jan 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Standard Cabin £2129
18 Jan 2027
28 Jan 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Suite £2445
18 Jan 2027
28 Jan 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Double Cabin £2287
18 Jan 2027
28 Jan 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Cabin £2129
31 Jan 2027
10 Feb 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Cabin £2445
31 Jan 2027
10 Feb 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Double Cabin £2603
31 Jan 2027
10 Feb 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Suite £2920
31 Jan 2027
10 Feb 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Standard Cabin £2445
13 Feb 2027
23 Feb 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Standard Cabin £2445
13 Feb 2027
23 Feb 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Suite £2920
13 Feb 2027
23 Feb 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Double Cabin £2603
13 Feb 2027
23 Feb 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Cabin £2445
26 Feb 2027
8 Mar 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Cabin £2445
26 Feb 2027
8 Mar 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Suite £2920
26 Feb 2027
8 Mar 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Standard Cabin £2445
12 Mar 2027
22 Mar 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Standard Cabin £2445
12 Mar 2027
22 Mar 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Suite £2920
12 Mar 2027
22 Mar 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Cabin £2445
25 Mar 2027
4 Apr 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Cabin £2445
25 Mar 2027
4 Apr 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Double Cabin £2603
25 Mar 2027
4 Apr 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Standard Cabin £2445
25 Mar 2027
4 Apr 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Suite £2920
7 Apr 2027
17 Apr 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Suite £2208
7 Apr 2027
17 Apr 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Standard Cabin £1891
7 Apr 2027
17 Apr 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Double Cabin £2049
7 Apr 2027
17 Apr 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Cabin £2049
20 Apr 2027
30 Apr 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Cabin £1891
20 Apr 2027
30 Apr 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Double Cabin £2049
20 Apr 2027
30 Apr 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Standard Cabin £1891
20 Apr 2027
30 Apr 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Suite £2208
1 May 2027
11 May 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Suite £2208
1 May 2027
11 May 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Standard Cabin £1891
1 May 2027
11 May 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Double Cabin £2049
1 May 2027
11 May 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Cabin £1891
14 May 2027
24 May 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Cabin £1891
14 May 2027
24 May 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Double Cabin £2049
14 May 2027
24 May 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Standard Cabin £1891
14 May 2027
24 May 2027
10 Nights Best of Maldives Upper Deck Suite £2208