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 Serenity, MV Keana, MV Emperor Virgo, MV Ari Queen, MV Emperor Explorer, MY Blue Voyager, Mariana, Seascape, MV Carpe Diem, MV Carpe Vita and MV Carpe Novo 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