Maldives Explorer

Destination: Maldives

Hanifaru Bay, Deep South, and The Best of Maldives (7 Nights) | From $243++/night

Maldives Explorer Quick Pitch

Maldives Explorer is your 'Classic' Safari boat with exceptional onboard facilities, perfect for diving, surfing and cruising groups. The boat is managed and operated exclusively by Maldives Holiday Collections. With a total of 8 cabins, this luxury liveaboard promises to deliver an intimate vacation.

Why You'll Like Maldives Explorer

• A 'Classic' Safari with value for money
• Trips around Hanifaru Bay, Deep South and The Best of Maldives
• WiFi available
• Spacious lounge deck
• Airconditioned & ensuite cabins

Dive Overview

The Maldives is one of the most popular diving destinations throughout the globe with some of the world-renowned dive sites. With clear blue water, white sand beaches, and great visibility, the Maldives is an idyllic paradise. Take a trip to the Maldives and you may see manta rays, whale sharks, reef sharks, and much more.  With their team of experienced dive guides, well-equipped gear, and quality dive tenders, Maldives Collections makes sure that all their dive trips are a success. 

[See: Maldives Dive Travel Guide]

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Accommodations

Types of Cabins, Amenities and Photos

Maldives Explorer Cabin Overview

Total 8 airconditioned cabins, 4 standard cabins providing double/twin/triple accommodation on the lower deck, 1 family suite providing double/twin accommodation for 4 pax, 1 seaview standard cabin for double/twin accommodation, and 2 seaview suites providing double accommodation. All cabins are air-conditioned with gorgeous interiors and trendy fittings and en-suite bathrooms with hot and cold water.

Standard Cabins and Ensuite Bathroom

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General Facilities

Saloon & Dining Area

Top Deck & Sundeck

Maldives Explorer Boat Features

• Spacious lounge deck
• Air conditioned saloon with restaurant & bar
• Sun deck with bar
• 32 inch full HD TV & blue-ray disk player with surrounded speakers
• Board games & multimedia library
• Relaxation & seating areas in both front & back of the boat
• Camera station
• Full capacity diving tender

Food & Drinks Aboard Maldives Explorer

Mouth-watering cuisine with international dishes (Maldivian, Asian, European). Vegetarian dishes & alcoholic beverages available.

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Maldives Explorer LIVEABOARD DECK PLAN

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Schedule & Rates

Maldives Explorer Schedule & Rates

NOOE Maldives Kunaavashi X Maldives Explorer packages

The Maldives Explorer has partnered with NOOE Maldives Kunaavashi to offer joint liveaboard and resort stays for its guests. Packages are valid until June 30, 2024.

4N Liveaboard + 3N Resort

7N Liveaboard + 3N Resort

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Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru X Maldives Explorer packages

The Maldives Explorer has partnered with Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru to offer joint liveaboard and resort stays for its guests. Packages are valid until June 30, 2024.

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 Dusit Thani Maldives X Maldives Explorer packages

The Maldives Explorer has partnered with Dusit Thani Maldives to offer joint liveaboard and resort stays for its guests. Packages are valid until June 30, 2024.

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Inclusions

• 4 Nights in Maldives Explorer + 3 Nights in Resort/ 7 Nights in Maldives Explorer + 3 Nights in Resort 
• Return airport transfer by Shared Speedboat
• Meal Plan: Full Board basis (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
• 2 Dives per day in Resort (includes Tanks and Weights only) (A Refresher Dive is mandatory if you have not dived in the last 12-24 months. A Night Dive incurs a surcharge of $15 per diver)
• Meet and greet at Male’ airport and assistance with transfer and international flights
• Inclusive of 10% Service Charge and 16% TGST & Green Tax. 

Rates & Availability

For information on rates and availability email us at info@bluewaterdivetravel.com or call us at +1-310-915-6677 and we will gladly help you plan your dream dive vacation!

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Dive Information & Itineraries

Standard route - Best Of Maldives

• 
• Duration: 5 Days 4 Nights OR 8 Days 7 Nights
• The 7 nights itinerary will include the route from: North Male' - South Male' - Vaavu - Ari 
• The 4 nights or 5 nights itinerary will include the route from: North Male' - Ari Atoll  
• Number of dives: 3 dives a day & 1 night dive a week
• Sample Dive Itinerary (7 Nights)
• Day 1 – Saturday – Arrival And Departure Day
• Maldives Holiday Collections Airport staff will receive and welcome you at Velanaa International Airport.  They will guide you to the boat for boarding where you will be welcomed with refreshments. General briefing of the boat will be provided on arrival. Dinner will be served in the evening as soon as the guests are settled in.
• The boat will set sail to the first Dive site in the first light of sunrise
• Day 2 – Sunday – North Male > Vaavu Atoll
• The ‘Check Dive’ or the first dive of the trip starts on ‘Maagiri’ dive site which is more of a warming up for the upcoming amazing dives our guests will get to experience.
• The Dives points mentioned below are home to plenty of reef fishes and sharks and occasional view of rays.
• Dive 1 – Maagiri
• Dive 2 – Embudhoo Express
• Dive 3 –  Kandooma/Guraidhoo
• Dive 4 –  Alimatha Night Dive
• The last dip of the day will be in ‘Alimatha’ where the boat will anchor for the night and prepare for the next day to start on sail for the next diving stops.
• Day 3 – Monday – Vaavu Atoll > Ari Atoll
• Ari Atoll is a definite ‘must to’ with gorgeous dive points which lets you enhance your beautiful Maldivian Diving Story. Where rays and sharks are present regardless of the directions of the current. This is one of the favorite of many underwater photographers promising to give breathtaking pictures of the underwater scenery, from big to small creatures of corals.
• Dive 1 – Miyaru Kandu/Dhevana Kandu
• Dive 2 – Vilamendhoo
• Dive 3 –  5 Rocks
• The last dip of the day will be in ‘5 Rocks’, and the boat will anchor near ‘Dhangethi or Dhigurah’ for the night.
• Day 4 – Tuesday – South Ari Atoll
• The main highlights of the day is searching for the presence of whale shark. Once we locate the Whale Shark, we will allow you a chance to snorkel or even Scuba with them. Occasionally, if you are lucky, you just might be able to spot whale shark during dives in ‘Maamiligi or Dhigurah’
• Dive 1 – Kuda rah thila
• Dive 2 – Maamigili beyru (whale Shark)
• Dive 3 – Whale Shark Dive (Dive site may change)
• The the boat will anchor near ‘Maamigili’ for the night.
• Day 5 – Wednesday – South Ari To Central Ari Atoll
• With the depth of around 12 to 16 meters, Panathone is a famous manta site with high possibility of manta feed sighting outside the atoll during outgoing current. During incoming currents on the ridge of the atoll, you’ll see what is known as the “Shark City” and dozens of big grey reef sharks mesmerizing your every thought and after dozens of dives our staff will invite you a BBQ dinner
• Dive 1 – Rangali Manta
• Dive 2 – Rai Dhiga
• Dive 3 – Panathone
• BBQ in ‘Embudhoo’ is optional after dives if you like to have relax evening on the beach of a secluded island. Our staffs will arrange it accordingly.
• The boat will anchor near the desert island for the night.
• Day 6 – Thursday – Central Ari Atoll To North Ari Atoll
• Discover numerous Manta Cleaning Stations, extra ordinary pinnacle – rich with marine life. Eagle rays, hawks-bill turtles, napoleon wrasse, school blue stripped snappers, bat fish and fusiliers are some of the creatures you’ll be able to sight and conclude with night manta show.
• Dive 1 – Moofushi Manta Point
• Dive 2 – Himandhoo Thila
• Dive 3 – Mayaa Thila
• Dive 4 – Night Manta Fesdu/Mayaa Thila
• The boat will anchor near the ‘Fesdu’ for the night.
• Day 7 – Friday – Ari Atoll To Kaafu Atoll
• Watch beautiful movement of large school of grey reef sharks big schools of snappers, jack fishers, fusiliers, barracudas and dog tooth tunas at Bathala Maagau. Fish head is the wonderful place to view schools of fish and many other marine life. If time permits, last dive at Fish Tank will give amazing movements of fish life, specially guitar sharks and rays – Eels are the stars of the show.
• Dive 1 – Bathala Maagau / Fish Head
• Dive 2 –Bathala Maagau / Fish Head
• Dive 3 – Fish Tank (Kaafu) / Kuda haa
• The boat will anchor near ‘Kurumba’ for the night.
• Day 8 – Departure
• Our amazing crew will assist you to cleaning and washing your dive equipment and help you for packing if required. They will guide you through domestic flight to your International Flight checking. The Team is guaranteed to provide assistance throughout your trip until the very last moment at the Maldives.
• Itinerary may change anytime according to weather conditions, last minute request & other issues.

Deep South Maldives

• Day 1 – Saturday – Arrival
• You will be greeted by our Airport staff at Velana International Airport. Information regarding your Domestic flight to Kooddoo / Kaadehdhoo will be provided and our staff assist you on checking for the domestic. Our dive guide and captain will receive you from Huvadhoo Atoll airport will direct you to the boat. After being settled down, our boat crew will provide detailed trip itinerary, as well as the dives. Following will be a check dive. When
• At anchorage you can choose to do as much or as little as you please. Options include snorkeling and swimming, fishing or just relaxing.
• Dive  –  Check Dive
• Day 2 – Sunday – Kooddoo & Whale Shark Point
• On the first day of the trip, you get to experience all the little things that Maldives has to offer. Through various channel dives, you are to sight Mantas, Sharks, Whale Sharks, School of Barracudas, Eagle rays, School of jacks, as well as turtles on the sandy bottom among many more.
• Dive 1 – Villingili
• Dive 2 – Kooddoo Kandu
• Dive 3 – Kooddoo Spinner Point
• Anchor – Near Bodu Whale Shark Point
• Day 3 – Monday – Kurehdhoo, Nilandhoo Kandu And Dhandhoo Kandu
• Day 3 is definitely the best day to experience and savor the full effect of the greatest channel dives in the region. These dives are best undertaken by Expert Divers. These locations are well known for their exquisite pelagic aquatic scenaries.
• Day 1 – Kurehdhoo Kandu
• Day 2 – Nilandhoo Kandu
• Day 3 – Dhandhoo Kandu
• Possible to go Boodu
• Day 4 – Tuesday – Maareha & Kondey
• With the first ray of light, we head to Maareha Kandu, kondey kandu and Kondey Coral Gardens which are dive spots with plenty of marine life to discover.  Offers impressive diving conditions, with dozens of grey reef sharks, eagle rays and many species of fish.
• Dive 1 – Maareha Kandu
• Dive 2 – Kondey Kandu
• Dive 3 – Kondey Coral Gardens
• Anchor Kondey
• Day 5 – Wednesday – Gemanafushi
• The first stop will be Gemanafushi Canyon which is largely known for hammer heads and other varieties of fish. This is locally acclaimed as one of the favorite dive sites in the atoll for the most recognizable shark species, Hammerheads.
• Dive 1 – Gemanafushi Canyon
• Dive 2 – Gemanafushi Kandu
• Dive 3 – Gemnafushi Coral Land
• Anchor near Gemanafushi
• Day 6 – Thursday – Close To Equator Line & Fuvahmulah
• Fuvahmulah is one of the main highlights in a Deep South trip. Quality of the diving isn’t affected by the seasonal changes. As each and every dive is equally unique and a challenging experience. The real treasure you could find in this area is the Thresher Shark. However, other shark species such as Reef Sharks, Tiger Sharks, Hammerheads and Silver Tips also resides in the location. And if you are just lucky enough, you might spot the world’s heaviest bony fish – MOLA MOLAS. The list is really endless.
• Dive 1 – Fuvahmulah South Corner
• Dive 2 – North End of Mantas
• Anchor near Fuvahmulah
• Day 7 – Friday – Addu
• First dive of the day starts at Maakandu, home to stunning coral formations of soft corals and its extravagant marine life. Following, the second dive for the day will be on a British Loyalty wreck site.
• Dive 1 – Maakandu
• Dive 2 – British Loyalty Wreck
• Anchor near Addu
• Day 8 – Departure
• After the breakfast, our boat crew will lend a hand in cleaning Diving Equipment as well as packing if its required. Then the guests will be dropped off and guided to catch the domestic flight. Upon arrival to Velaana International Airport, our airport staff at Velaanaa International Airport will receive the guests and guide you to catch your international flight. Our Team is guaranteed to provide assistance throughout your trip until the very last moment at the Maldives.
• Itinerary may change anytime according to weather conditions, last minute request & other issues

Hanifaru Bay

Hanifaru Bay is a marine protected uninhabited island located in the Baa Atoll of the Maldives Islands. Its size is no greater than that of a football field and yet it has become one of the hottest spots for underwater photographers. The reason for this modern day phenomenon of underwater diversity is because plankton blooms between the months of May and November – a very unusual phenomenon – attracting manta rays by the hundreds. At any one time at Hanifaru Bay, there can be up to 200 manta rays feeding off the coral reefs as well as plenty of whale sharks which do the same! Hanifaru Bay has become the world’s largest manta ray feeding destinations.

PLEASE NOTE: From January 2012 scuba diving is not permitted in Hanifaru Bay, however you will be able to snorkel in this area for a $20 fee (per person for approx. 45mins).

• Day 1 – Saturday – Arrival
• You will be greeted by our Airport staff at Velana International Airport. They will guide you to the boat for boarding where you will be welcomed with refreshments. General briefing of the boat and diving will be provided by the boat crew. The boat will set sail to the first Dive site.
• Day 2 – Sunday – North Male’ Atoll and Baa Atolls
• Day 3 – Monday – Baa Atoll / Hanifaru Bay Area
• Day 4 – Tuesday – Baa Atoll / Hanifaru Bay Area / Cross to Rasdhoo
• Day 5 – Dive Rasdhoo and North Ari Atoll / Grey Reef Sharks and Hammerhead Sharks
• Day 6 – North Ari Atoll / Mantas and night dive on the famous Maaya Thila
• Day 7 – North Male Atoll / Manta Point / Afternoon tour of Male’ City
• Day 8 – Departure

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Other Information

Boat Specifications

• Vessel: Wooden Hull (Tholan Timber with upper water linefully laminated with polished fiberglass
• Year Built: 2012 / Refurbished: 2018
• Length: 33.5 m 
• Beam: 10.5 m
• Cabins: 8 
• Pax: 16/22 
• Speed: 14 knots
• Propulsion: Hyundai marine diesel engine (M6D35TI 500PS/2000RPM)
• Fuel Capacity: 6000 litres 
• Fresh Water Capacity: 8000 litres
• Desalinator: Produces 10,000 litres per day
• Navigation & Communication: Samyung 36 miles marine radar system, Eco sounder, Compass, map, fish finder, GPS, CB Radio, mobile phones, internet, search light, binoculars
• Power: Genset 2 x HMG-70H
• Compressor: 2 Bauer Mariner 320 + one spare

Practical Information

• Time Zone: UTC+5
• Local Currency: MVR (Maldivian Rufiyaa)
• Language Spoken: English
• Payment Onboard: Cash (EUR/USD)

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Underwater Gallery 

Best of Maldives

Deep South

Hanifaru Bay

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