MY Mariana

Launched in December 2005 and having undergone extensive refit in Summer 2008, MY Mariana is a very comfortable and spacious liveaboard, attractively designed in traditional Maldivian style.

Mariana accommodates a maximum of 16 +1 guests in 8 air-conditioned cabins with Lower Deck: 2 x small doubles (at bow of boat, suits singles or 'small' couple), 3 x twin (2 beds) and 1 x triple (double with single bunk, 3rd person recommended to be a smaller adult or teenager), Main Deck: 1 x twin (2 beds) and Upper Deck: 1 x double and 1 x twin (first come, first served basis).  The main difference between the bow twin/double cabins is available space; bow cabins have less floor space and smaller bathroom.

All are furnished with en-suite WC and shower, adjustable air-conditioning, mini bar, a wardrobe, and luggage storage. Cabin towels are available for guests.

The main deck offers a fan cooled dining room and saloon area, equipped with comfortable sofas and chairs, and a cosy bar offering a range of drinks including beer, wine and imported spirits. You will also find audio, DVD and TV / video equipment.  Mariana’s kitchen provides a variety of European, Asian and Maldivian dishes. Three meals a day are served including tea and coffee.  During the seven-night itineraries, a BBQ is also organised on an uninhabited island.

Specification

Length: 28.5m, Beam: 7.5m, Draft: 3.2m, Engine: 320 HP, Generators: 2 x 60kw: 2 x KA 14 Compressors, 2 x Desalination plants, Nitrox compressor (EANx 32%).

Navigation / Safety

GPS, Oxygen, First Aid Kit, VHF Marine Radio

Itineraries

Mariana operates 7 and 14 night itineraries out of Male, visiting the best dive sites of the atolls comprising South & North Male, Felidhoo, Wattaru, Faafu, Ari Atolls, Rasdhoo, Baa and Raa Atoll.  The route includes visits to the Marine Reserve Underwater parks, where many pelagic species can be encountered.  The range and diversity of diving make this a very rewarding cruise.  The itinerary is flexible and is conducted according to the local conditions, to ensure that divers get the best diving possible from the itinerary.  There are up tp 3 dives per day, plus land visits where possible.

Sample Itinerary - Sunday to Sunday*

• Day 1: Easy wreck dive near Male airport, Velasaaru Caves, Embudhu Express and anchor in Velasaaru lagoon
• Day 2: Cruise to Ari Atoll (3 to 4 hours), Fish Head, Orimas Thila, Mushim Asgali anchor with possible land visit on uninhabited island
• Day 3: Pannetone, Thundufushi Thila, Dega Thila, anchor at Coral reef
• Day 4: Emas Thila, Malhoss Thila, Mujey's Thila and anchor at Freidhu lagoon
• Day 5: Feshdu Wreck, Maayya Thila, Maaya Thila night dive, anchor at Maayya Fushi
• Day 6: Miyaruga Thila, Gangehi Pass, Rashdoo Maadivaaru, anchor inside Rhashdoo
• Day 7: Rhashdoo Madivaaru dive (flight dependant), cruise back to Male Atol, arrive Male and either disembark or overnight dependant on indivudual arrangements.  Those able to dive this day may dive Okobe or Nasimo Thila

*Itinerary will always be subject to local conditions at time of sail, seasonal variations and diver experience level.

Price includes: Flights with Emirates, transfers, 7 nights standard twin/double (not bow - refer below) cabin twin share, meals FB, 1.5l water day, tea, coffee & snacks, 16 dives per week, BBQ on island weather permitting.  UK Regional departures with Emirates, Sri Lankan, Qatar Airways, Oman Air, British Airways & charter flights also available, please enquire. Package price may fluctuate according to flight seat availability at time of booking.

Supplements

• Bow cabin reduction:  £180 pppw when twin share
• Single use (bow cabin):  £150 pppw (on above twin price)
• Single use (twin/dbl cabin):  Please enquire
• Additional dives: €20
• Non-diver reduction:  £90 pppw
• Triple share reduction (double with single):  Please enquire
• Nitrox:  €5/fill - pay on boat

Equipment:

Whilst equipment can be organised, it is generally expected that divers will bring the majority of their kit with them.  Please request any items in advance, which are payable locally, as they are sourced from Male rather than on the boat. 

Guideline Equipment Rental Prices: 

• Regulators:  $15 per day
• BCD:  $15 per day
• Computer:  $15 per day
• Wetsuit (3mm shortie):  $8 per day
• Torch:  $8 per dive
• 15l tank:  $5 per dive (limited no. of tanks available)

Guideline Drinks Prices:

• Bottle mineral water:  $2.50
• Tea:  Included
• Coffee:  $1.50 or $2 outside mealtimes
• Canned drinks:  $2.50
• Beer:  $3
• Wine:  $18 to $25 per bottle
• Spirits:  from $4

Plus local sales taxes

Diving in the Maldives is influenced by the seasons.  The quality of individual dive sites and marine parks is determined by the ebb and flow of seasonal currents, which in turn affects both the underwater visibility and the marine life.  Liveaboards follow these seasonal variations, taking divers to the best sites for the time of the year.

Regaldive operate a range of liveaboards throughout the Maldives. These include classic itineraries following established routes out of Male to new itineraries in remote atolls where the dive sites have only recently been established Maldivian Liveaboards are supported by a ‘dive dhoni’ where all dives are conducted from.  The dhoni which carries all cylinders, equipment and compressors.

Classic Liveaboards out of Male

Over the past thirty years an incredible range of world class dive sites have been charted in the atolls surrounding the capital, Male.  MY Mariana and MY Ari Queen visit many of the Maldives best known dive sites following a flexible itinerary that take account of local diving conditions.  The boats will generally operate in both North and South Male atoll, Felidhe and Ari atoll.

Liveaboard Itineraries Beyond Male

The last two years has seen access to some remote atolls in the Maldives improve dramatically.  Regaldive feature liveaboards that cover these exciting new atolls, ranging from Haa-Alifu in the far north, to Huvadhoo in the far south.  These atolls represent the new ‘frontiers’ of diving in the Maldives and lie well beyond traditional tourist maps. 

Far North Haa Alifu Atoll

Haa Alifu is the most northerly atoll in the Maldives.  There is a sizeable local population in the atoll but virtually no tourism development.  MY Amba is the first liveaboard to the atoll offering a mix of dives on charted dive sites alongside truly original exploratory diving.  Access to the atoll is via Male and involves an internal sea plane flight to Hanimadhoo airport.  Main Manta season in this area is November/December through to May.

Far South Meemu Atoll

Meemu, Thaa and Laamu atolls are 3 of the 5 most southerly atolls and MY Sheena, under the expert management of Werner Lau, offers an exhilarating itinerary from the island of Medhufushi.  Challenging drift dives make up the majority of the 3 daily dives available on MY Sheena; as many of these islands are yet to be fully dived and explored, many of the dives will be semi-exploratory, suiting divers looking to document some untouched sites in search for the unknown.

Liveaboard and Island Combinations Tailormade

Twin-centre holidays are easily arranged. Regaldive offer flights departing every day of the week on a range of schedule airlines allowing you the flexibility to determine the duration of your holiday.  Charter flights are also available, but their weekly schedule may not match the liveaboards departure days.

Diving

Diving in the Maldives can be challenging, and as such it is recommended that divers have a minimum qualification of PADI Advanced or equivalent, with 40+ logged dives, although experienced Open Water divers are not precluded.  M/Y Sheena requires a minimum of 60 logged dives, but exceptions may be made on request in certain cirsumstances.

Diving is encouraged to be undertaken in individual self-sufficient buddy teams and small groups, though you may of course choose to follow the guide for ease of navigation.

Whether you are looking to visit the renowned and established sites close to Male or want to discover remote atolls in newly-chartered waters, Regaldive operate a number of liveaboard itineraries so you can choose your ideal Maldivian diving experience.

Liveaboards out of Male

Over the past thirty years, an incredible range of world class dive sites have been charted in the atolls surrounding the capital Male.  MY Mariana, MY Ari Queen will visit many of the Maldives’ best known dive sites whilst following a flexible itinerary that takes account of local diving conditions.

Itineraries out of Male usually dive sites in North Male, South Male, Ari, Felidhe, Baa and Lhaviyani atolls. In South Male, the diving will typically incorporate the beautiful marine park of Guraidhoo. Further south, the sheer walls of Felidhe atoll often attract a great range of shark species. Dive sites in Baa and Lhaviyani are well established and offer some of the most thrilling drift dives in the Maldives. Itineraries will incorporate some (but not all) of these areas over a typical week’s diving.

Liveaboards out of Haa-Alifu - North

Haa Alifu is the most northerly atoll in the Maldives, with a sizeable local population and virtually no tourism development.  Regaldive’s itineraries follow a combination of established dive sites alongside truly virgin sites that have rarely been dived until now.  This is adventurous, pioneering diving, characterised by waters that are heavily populated with rays, game fish and abundant corals.

Regaldive’s Haa Alifu itineraries are conducted from MY Amba, the first liveaboard to operate in these waters.  This area will appeal to divers looking to travel well beyond the tourist map and experience some truly original diving.  Access to Haa Alifu is via Male and involves an internal flight by seaplane to Hanimadhoo airport, which is organised as part of the cost for you.

Liveaboards out of Meemu - South

Meemu is one of the 5 most southerly atolls in the Maldives, with very little tourism development.  Regaldive’s itineraries follow a combination of established dive sites alongside exploratory dive sites that have rarely or never been dived until now.  This is challenging and pioneering diving, characterised by waters that are abundant in the marine life one expects from the Maldives.

Regaldive’s Meemu, Thaa and Laamu atol itineraries are conducted from MY Sheena, the first liveaboard to operate in these waters. This area will appeal to divers looking to travel well beyond the tourist map and experience some truly original diving. Access to Medhufushi ialsnad is via Male and involves an internal flight by seapane from Male.

Flight Options

Emirates via Dubai from Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow. Other regional departures may be available; supplement may apply.  Regaldive's prices are currently based on Emirates.  Supplements may or may not apply for other airlines dependant on seat availability.

Sri Lankan non-stop or via Colombo from Heathrow, Qatar Airways via Doha from Heathrow and Manchester, Oman Air via Muscat from Heathrow, British Airways from Gatwick.

Charter Flights: Flights are direct, once a week for 7 night durations. We can tailor-make a quote for you. Charter flight days may not match the liveaboard departure days.

Departure tax: n/a

Internal Transfers to Your Island Resort from Male

Your resort/boat is reached either by sea plane, speedboat transfer or internal flight from Male airport. Transfers are organised as part of your holiday package, unless requested otherwise.

Seaplane and Boat Transfers

Most islands close to Male offer speedboat transfers.

Island resorts located in Ari atolls, Raa atoll, Baa atoll, Lhaviyani atoll, Felidhe atoll, Meemu atoll, North and South Nilande atolls and Haa Dhaaul atoll are served by seaplane services.

Islands and liveaboards located on Haa Alifu atoll are reached by internal scheduled flight.

Some more distant islands offer a boat transfer as well, although as the transfer crosses between atolls they can often be long and uncomfortable and affected by the currents, so we opt to use the most comfortable option for each island.

If you are transferring by seaplane you should be aware of the following:

• Seaplanes do not operate a fixed departure schedule, but are planned daily according to the islands and guests that must be picked up and dropped off. The planning is carried out locally 24 hours in advance.
• Seaplanes often pick up and drop off guests from a number of islands on a single transfer run.
• Seaplanes only operate during daylight hours, generally 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
• You may have to wait for a short duration after arriving in Male. On departing, the islands will transfer you back to Male as late a local logistics on that day will allow.
• On departing your island resort your return seaplane transfer time will be confirmed the day before departure by your resort.
• If you have a late international flight departing home, it is highly advisable you ask Regaldive to reserve a day use package for you at the Hulhule hotel.
• Seaplanes are not pressurised flights.
• Seaplanes typically operate a strict weight policy of 20kg for hold luggage.
• Excess luggage is currently $2/kilo to the island and $4/kilo on the return.

Inter Atoll Flights - Haa Alifu

Transfers to Haa-Alifu in the North involve an internal pressurised flight from Male.  This is arranged and costed as part of your travel package to the north of the Maldives, unless otherwise requested.

Hulhule Airport Hotel - Day use & overnights

International and internal flight schedules occasionally make fairly long connection times in Male Airport inevitable.  The Hulehule Airport hotel offers inexpensive day packages to non-residents for use of their beach, pool, showers, left luggage and other facilities. Pre-booked packages are available with Regaldive, for day use with and without a room, and overnight stays (refer to separate webpage on Hulehule Airport hotel).

Passports

Passengers travelling to the Maldives must have six months valid on their passport from the date of return to the UK.

Visas

A free 30 day permit is given to British travellers on arrival in Male. Other nationalities should consult their consular website.

Vaccinations

Vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.  For the most up to date advice please consult your travel clinic or local GP.  Further information regarding vaccinations for travel to this country can be found at www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk.  There are no compulsory vaccinations for travel to the Maldives, but we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A and polio.

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