Amba

Overview

Amba was one of the first liveaboards to operate in Haa-Alifu, the most northerly of the Maldivian atolls. The build of boat with its deep keel and weight makes it a very comfortable vessel, covering quiet, remote dive sites over the 24 unpopulated and 14 inhabited islands of the region. Nitrox is available.

A total of 9 roomy standard two-person cabins (7 x lower-deck and 2 x upper deck, with large windows) plus 1 double luxury cabin enables the boat to take 20 guests very easily.

The lower deck cabins have portholes, individually controlled A/C and ventilation, en-suite shower. On the upper deck, there are two further spacious double bed cabins with individually controlled A/C and large windows that allow for good ventilation (and lovely views!). The Luxury 'panorama' cabin, with double bed, has large windows to front and direct access to a private sun terrace (for this cabin only).

There is a spacious saloon equipped with comfortable sofas and chairs, a TV, DVD player and audio system. There is a bar on board the boat. 

Itineraries

The boat operates a range of itineraries to make the most of local prevailing conditions around the Haa-Alifu and Haa-Dhaal Atoll, where one can expect to have many of the dive sites to yourselves. Arriving via Male, you will take an internal flight of about 40 minutes to Hanimadhoo, which many clients say is one of the above water highlights of the journey, through the stunning views afforded of Maldives' extensive atolls.

Boarding days: Sundays at 11.00 and check-out the following Sunday at 08.00

Twin centre your stay with J Resort Alidhoo. Alternatively, take an additional sea plane transfer to an island located on other atolls.

Specification

Cruiser, Length 33m, Beam 10m, Engine Volvo Penta 430HP, Speed 12 knots, Generators 3 Fischer Panda (super silent), 1 x 22 KW Lombardini, Voltage 380/220 throughout.

Navigation / Safety

Life preservers, GPS, Oxygen and First Aid Kit, Compass marine radio, radar and GPS.

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 Filitheyo. 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, some 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 tailormade 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 on diving experience may be made on request in certain circumstances. Due to the diving area and profile from March 2019 a Nitrox certification is mandatory to join a trip. It's possible to complete this on board (local payment) the M/Y Sheena.

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

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. The itineraries follow a combination of established dive sites alongside 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, one of the first liveaboards 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 to Hanimadhoo airport, which is organised as part of the your travel package.

Amba Special Itinerary (7 nights)

View a dive site map for MY Amba

Reviews

Amba in North Maldives

"Just got back from a week with Amba. Firstly a week is not enough for a long trip from London (3 days traveling, 5 days diving).

The Amba is a family business is run by a nice couple (Nicole and Franco). Franco and Shazeel are the dive guides. The boat is German and on my trip had 1 Brit (me), 1 Irish, 1 American and the rest were German / Swiss / Danish (8). The guests were friendly and took special care to speak in English when English speakers were around and so were inclusive.

This boat is for experienced divers only. The currents are often strong and you need a reef hook. The sites that Amba have discovered are superb and this is the single strongest reason to book with them. They know their diving. Being German they are not shy about telling you bluntly about any errors you make and any behavior they want you to modify. The accommodation was good in my view - the en-suite was large and kept shower well segregated.

The tanks are all DIN and they can provide inserts for Yoke adaption. Don't leave your tank unhooked - mine fell over. There is no tank well on the diving dhoni. Also good idea to go to top of dohni after dive to get away from diesel smell and noise. The sun deck is fab - lots of covered space with mattresses laid out to lie on as well as sun beds.

Not a huge amount of space to lounge around in if the boat is full but quite ok when not full. Boat is generally quiet and moves almost imperceptibly from mooring point to mooring point. We travelled a lot, but I hardly noticed.

Bottom line: Diving sites are great - manta / sharks [reef / whitetip / guitar / leopard] / turtles / moray / eagle ray / marble ray / Napoleon / Lobster. One dive had spectacular glass fish clouds you had to swim through. 6 Manta seen reasonably near - 3 of them at once - dancing. Turtle Farm (I would call it turtle hotel) is an amazing dive on a wall in which 60 turtles bed down. Franco has done an amazing job of discovering new sites over the years.

Non-diving - adequate - comfortable - quiet."

Joshua Green - London UK

8

Guest rating: 8/10 (1 vote)

An Enjoyable Trip with Some Excellent Diving

"We had a good week, Amba is a very comfortable and well run boat and the cabins are a good size, common areas are comfortable and the food was first class and very varied. The Dhoni used for the diving is very well planned and gives plenty of space for gearing up.

Diving is described as “challenging” and that turned out to be true with some hard swimming against the current at times, a reef hook is an absolute must. Nevertheless an enjoyable trip with some excellent diving.

As mentioned by another reviewer it should be noted that most the other divers were mostly German, Austrian and Swiss, not British, and language was a barrier at times, but this is no way affected the trip.

Melvyn and Ian"

Melvyn Hill - UK

9

Guest rating: 9/10 (1 vote)

Amba

"I had a week on Amba and a week on Sheena in early January 2015 and can recommend both, though I thought Amba had the edge on food, boat, diving, and service. I started going to the Maldives in the mid-nineties and have visited 17 times, but in the last decade the experience has been less good than the first. The diving in the far north reminded me of my memories of the Maldives at their very best: abundant life, including lots of big stuff; superb corals; sometimes strong currents but that's what you need for the best life; awesome visibility with incoming current. The owners pair for guiding (he takes the group, she spots and signals from shallower depth) and this works extremely well. As far as I recall we never saw another dive boat on the whole trip. Life on board? I'm a middle-aged geezer and I like my comforts; Amba has those and I recommend it without reservation."

Rab - Maldives

10

Guest rating: 10/10 (1 vote)

Highly Recommended

"We had a delightful weeks diving on MV Amba. The owners Nicole and Franco were charming as were all the crew. The diving was excellent, well guided and well organised.
This was our fourth liveaboard in the Maldives and I would highly recommend this boat.
"

The Williams Family - UK

10

Guest rating: 10/10 (1 vote)

Maldives

"Thank you all so much for your help and advice, and for making my husband 50th birthday so very special.

Absolutely first class service from the office and from the rep at Male, best we’ve ever had.

Nikki Wheetman
"

10

Guest rating: 10/10 (1 vote)

Maldives - Amba trip

"Dear Claire,

Thought it was about time we got in touch to say what a wonderful two weeks we had doing the Northern Itinerary in the Maldives on MV Amba.

Everything went ahead as planned, without too much delay at Mali airport. The boat is huge and very comfortable, designed with stability in mind. Franco and Nicole as dive guides and hosts were fantastic and very accommodating.

The diving was excellent. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend this trip to others but they need to be aware that the divers were mostly German, Austrian and Swiss, not British, and language was a barrier at times. But with good will among the guests, this can be surmounted.

We had a great time and the food was wonderful.

Thank you

John Ramsay and Judith Richards
"

10

Guest rating: 10/10 (1 vote)

Amba

"Hi Iain,

Michael and I had a fantastic time in the Maldives. Thank you for all of your help in making it possible. Thank you as well for the bottle of wine that was waiting for us in our cabin.

The crew of the Amba were all great and it was so nice to have dive sites all to ourselves. We did get to see mantas and a lot of different sharks. There was just so much to see, it was beautiful. We'd both love to go back!

Many thanks again,
Helen
"

10

Guest rating: 10/10 (1 vote)

Feedback

"Hello Helena,

Our trip went very well and the diving was the best I ever experienced and I have been around for a good while.

The boat (the Amba) is lovely and the owners run and manage it - a German and an Italian, so all runs like clockwork, the food is great and no bad tummies at all. I can strongly recommend with a few points to be noted.

1. They are the only boat way up north at the very top of the Maldives. So you are diving on pristine coral.....down side you are very far from help if you have a problem so only for very experienced divers.
2. A MUST… there are very strong currents, so strong that you must use a hook to fix yourself to the rock in strong currents. You stay there in the one place watching out into the blue for Sharks and Rays going past feeding in the current.
3. Like the Red Sea and elsewhere they do not look at tide tables..... so you may well dive on the third hour of the tide on Springs (we did and it was very unpleasant without a hook).

So it was a really good boat and a good trip - so good that I hope to return some day.

Regards

Peadar Farrell
"

10

Guest rating: 10/10 (1 vote)

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