MV Carpe Diem

Overview

This beautiful and spacious 35m liveaboard accommodates up to 20 guests. The boat has four decks including the partially shaded sun deck, and cabins are spread over the lower, main and upper deck with a lovely sleek design. The boat features plenty of interior, air-conditioned, and exterior relaxation areas. There is also a flat screen TV, DVD and MP3 player.

Dives are carried out from the boat’s Dhoni and the spacious dive deck has fresh water showers and toilet. Nitrox is available at extra charge (membrane filling system). Internet connection is possible on the boat at extra charge; strength of connection dependant on location.

Accommodation

20 guests are accommodated in 10 cabins. 2 twin/double cabins (double with bunk over) and 4 twin/ double cabins on the lower deck, 2 double cabins on the main deck and the upper deck houses a double suite and king-size suite. All cabins have individually controlled AC units.

Specification

Built: 2008, Length: 35 metres, Beam: 10m, Engines: Doosan Daewoo Diesel 650 HP, Generators: 2 x Doosan Daewoo Marine Soundproof 50Hz / 380v / 45Kw, Sockets: UK style - Multiple plug fittings available, 2 x MCH 16 Coltri Sub & Bauer M320

Navigation / Safety

GPS 3, Radar 2, VHF radio 2, Sonar & Satellite phone 2, Life Rafts 2 self inflating, Life Jackets, Fire Extinguishers, Smoke Alarms, Emergency Long Distance Radios.

Please note: Use of a dive computer is obligatory. All divers must be Advanced Open Water or higher qualified.

Group savings

Book 6 divers and 1 will have a free boat space. Please ask for details.

Click here to view Carpe Diem deck plan

Schedules & prices

Dive info

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 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 and explored in the atolls surrounding the capital, Male. MV Emperor Voyager,  MV Emperor Atoll, MV Emperor Serenity, MV Emperor Leo, MV Emperor Virgo,  MV Keana,  MY Mariana,  MV Ari Queen, MV Carpe Diem  and  MV Carpe Vita 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 and some operate a limited number of special trips further afield.

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 as yet. 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 September and October for the best sightings, but nearly every week there are Mantas on some of the dive sites.

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

We offer tailor-made holidays to the Maldives. This means that we can organise your holiday based on your requirements. We can also offer a twin centre option of a liveaboard and island based holiday in the Maldives.

Alternatively, many guests choose to combine the incredible sights in Sri Lanka with either an island or liveaboard in the Maldives.

For Sri Lanka options, click here

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 circumstances.

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.

GROUPS

Click here for GROUP LIVEABOARD OFFERS

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 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 and 14 night durations, usually flying overnight on outbound. Charter flight days may not match all the liveaboard departure days, with the exception of Carpe Diem.

Internal transfers to your liveaboard

Your 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 liveaboards that opearate out of Male will organise a transfer using a dhoni that will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to the baot. Liveaboards operating from other areas will have a either a speedbaot transfer, seaplane or pressurised flight.

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 / boats requirements. 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 per kilo to the island and $4 perkilo 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.

Itineraries

Itineraries aboard MV Carpe Diem offer a unique dive itinerary based on the seasons, current and pelagic migration patterns. Each itinerary visits a combination of popular and new dive sites and attempts to give guests the chance to encounter everything from big pelagics like mantas, sharks and whale sharks to shrimps, colourful nudibranches, ghost pipe fishes and everything in between.

Please note: Use of a dive computer is obligatory. All divers must be Advanced Open Water or higher qualified.

North Male – Ari – Baa – Raa –7 nights (May to Oct)
North Male – Rasdhoo – Ari – South Male – 7 nights (Jan to Dec)
North Male – South Male – Vaavu – Meemu – South Ari – North Male – 7 nights (Jan to Dec)
North Male – South Male – Rasdhoo – Ari – Baa – Raa - 10 nights (May to Nov)
North Male – South Male – Felidhu – Meemu – Ari – 10 nights (Jan to Dec)
Deep South Shark Itinerary – North Male to Addu (10 / 11 nights)
Deep South Shark Itinerary – Male to Huvadhoo –10 nights

Reviews

Fantastic Dive Boat

"I have just finished my second trip on board the Carpe Diem and this is definately a fantastic boat to dive the Maldives. The staff and crew are brilliant, very cheerful and friendly and immensely helpful. The dive guides were amazing, they really know these sites and try to make the diving as easy as possible when dealing with the currents. This is one of the best dive boats I have stayed on - the facilities are first class and the food was delicious, particularly the Mas Huni. The crew work really hard so please leave them a good tip at the end!

The diving was great. No whale sharks this time around but several manta, plenty of turtles and an exhilarating night dive with nurse sharks. "

William Colledge - UK | 22 December 2016

10

Guest rating: 10/10 (1 vote)

Great diving holiday

"Just had a great diving experience on the Carpe Diem. We saw whale sharks. We had Mantas dive bombing us in a friendly way. Saw grey reef sharks turtles and much more. The team on the boat very great. The food was very good. I spent two days at the Thulgari Resort at the end. All the transfers went like clock work. Thank you."

John Stalker - UK | 24 November 2015

0

No votes yet

Carpe Diem - Had a whale of a time - literally!

"Hi Michaela,

Happy New Year to you and all at Regaldive. Some feedback for you...

We got back from the Maldives just before Christmas and had a whale of a time (literally) on board Carpe Diem. Great boat, dive guides and hospitality.

The diving in the Maldives was really good but challenging with some strong currents and rough seas. So we learned how to get in and out of a pitching and yawing boat and to use a hook to prevent being swept away whilst waiting for sharks and mantas at cleaning stations. The highlights were snorkelling with Whale Sharks and watching a huge manta being groomed by wrasse.

The Whale Shark just came swimming past the boat at a depth of about 5 metres. No time to get diving gear on so we jumped in just with fins, mask and snorkel. It was a juvenile about 6m in length. There were actually two sharks both about the same size and we managed to snorkel with them for about 20 mins and get down beside them about 5 or 6 times.

We also had a great couple of Manta Ray experiences, the best of which was a huge specimen about 4m across which we saw coming towards us from the blue. We were at about 20m deep and it came so slowly and gracefully right over the top of us like the starship Enterprise and I went all shivery, it just needed the 'Thus Spake Zarathustra' music! Great crowd on board the boat too. A really memorable diving experience and holiday.

Thanks for your excellent organisation of the trip.

Cheers,

Bob S."

Bob S - UK | 18 February 2013

10

Guest rating: 10/10 (1 vote)

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