Amba

Overview

Formerly operating in the northern Maldives, the Amba now focuses on dive sites in the central and southern atolls, offering 7 night itineraries and extended 11 and 14 night adventures, all departing from Male. She also operates special trips, one in December and January heading north for 14 nights (one way domestic flight required) and a unique Tiger Shark expedition in March/April - a 25 night itinerary including Fuvamulah in the deep south. The build of boat with its deep keel and weight makes it a very comfortable and quiet vessel as she cruises the different regions of the Maldives atolls. 

To participate in diving activities, guests must be qualified to 30 metres and Nitrox certified. Courses can be taken on board.

A total of 8 roomy standard two-person cabins (6 x lower-deck and 2 x upper deck, with large windows) plus 2 luxury double cabins enables the boat to take 20 guests very easily.

The lower deck cabins have portholes, individually controlled A/C and ventilation, ensuite shower. Choose from twin bed or double with single bed in the standard lower deck cabins. On the upper deck, there are two further spacious standard cabins, one with bunks and the other a double bed. They both  have individually controlled A/C and large windows that allow for good ventilation (and lovely views!). The two luxury cabins feature a queen double and single bed. They have individually controlled A/C and panoramic windows overlooking the bow and ocean, plus direct access to a private sun terrace.

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. Each cabin has a compartment in the saloon for valuables and battery charging. Spend time on the furnished sundeck or outdoor covered seating area at the stern of the main deck.

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

Diving in the Maldives is spectacular throughout the year and one of the easiest and most satisfying ways to experience the incredible range of world class dive sites is to hop on a liveaboard departing from Male. Amba, MV Emperor Leo, MV Emperor Voyager,  MV Emperor Atoll, MV Emperor Serenity, MV Keana, MV Emperor Virgo, MV Ari Queen, MV Emperor Explorer, MY Blue Voyager, MV Carpe Diem  and  MV Carpe Vita offer classic week long diving adventures to the best sites of the nearby atolls. These trips are known as the ‘Best of Maldives’ and follow a flexible itinerary that takes account of local diving conditions. The boats will generally operate in both North and South Male atoll, North and South Ari atoll and include time at Rasdhoo and Vaavu atolls depending on your chosen boat. 

For any divers who simply want a classic week long Maldivian dive adventure with the convenience of departing and returning to Male please look for the ‘Best of’, ‘Central atolls’ or ‘Classic’ trips in the ‘Schedules & Prices’ tab.  

Liveaboard Itineraries Beyond Male

Recent years have seen access to some remote atolls in the Maldives improve dramatically. Regaldive feature liveaboards that cover these exciting new atolls including Baa, Lhaviyani, Rasdhoo in the north to Meemu, Laamu and Huvadhoo and Addu in the south. These atolls represent the new ‘frontiers’ of diving in the Maldives and lie well beyond traditional tourist maps. Diving in these locations can be challenging with strong drifts and diving in the blue. Liveaboard itineraries to these areas range from 7 to 14 nights and often include a domestic flight.

SOUTH ATOLLS MALDIVES

As liveaboard operators explore further and create new itineraries, so the range of diving adventures increases. The south atolls of the Maldives are renowned for their exhilarating shark encounters and many boats sail to this region operating itineraries for the first few months of the year visiting sites in the Laamu and Huvadhoo atolls as well as Fuvamulah and Addu, the most southerly. Many of the trips offer exploratory dive sites that have been seldom dived. This is challenging and pioneering diving, characterised by waters that are abundant in the marine life one expects from the Maldives. These itineraries are best suited to experienced divers and to join, divers must be Advanced certified with a minimum of 100 logged dives. 

Liveaboard itineraries in the southern atolls often begin and end in the region and involve a domestic flight from Male to reach the boat. In addition there are some extended itineraries available which begin or end in Male as the boats move to ensure they are in the best locations throughout the year offering divers the best experiences. 

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 in the maldives

Underwater highlights on most itineraries will include a mix of reef, wreck and channel and drift dives. Expect to dive in warm water and see colourful corals and fish as well as encounters with sharks, manta rays and if you’re lucky, whale shark. 

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. 

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. Diving in the Maldives is regulated, as such all divers must wear a computer and carry an SMB. At some sites the recommended depth is beyond 18 metres so advanced and/or deep diver certification are required. Maximum depth on any recreational dive is 30 metres. 

GROUPS

For anyone travelling as a group of friends, with a dive club or even an extended family there are often group deals available on the liveaboards with free spaces available and special deals for full charters. Ask the team for further details.  

If you're looking for a small group diving experience but not on a liveaboard, we have a very special trip idea.Get the liveaboard experience from land with our new small group trip - Maldives Whale Shark Extravaganza. Staying at the Boutique Resort, it's the perfect base for diving with manta rays and whale sharks.

Alternatively, our Maldives Manta Ray Extravaganza is a 10 night liveaboard safari. Dive the northern atolls and snorkel in Hanifaru Bay amongst the mantas during their annual aggregation. This exclusive adventure is expert led by marine conservationist and cameraman Danny Copeland.

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

The Amba liveaboard now operates primarily in the central atolls of the Maldives. She offers itineraries of 7 night departures touring the very best of the north Malé atoll, south Malé atoll and Felidhoo (Vaavu) atoll. Extended 10 & 11 night departures also take in the Ari & Rasdhoo atolls. 

Occasionally, special extended itineraries for 14-nights or more taking in dive sites farther afield.

Classic central atolls circuits (7, 10 & 11 nights)

Extended southern special (25 nights)

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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