The Best of the Maldives

This is the Best of the Maldives - and it delivers exactly that. This is where we dive the best and most famous dive sites of the Maldives in a week of wonderful liveaboard diving across Male and Ari atolls.

Join our Grand Rainbow Reunion Tour and dive the iconic sites of North Male, South Male and Ari Atoll. Explore channels, drifts and pinnacles with every chance of meeting mantas, whale sharks and mesmerising marine life of many varieties. We don't follow an exact itinerary; flexibility is the name of the game so that we can explore the very best the region has to offer.

The itinerary gives you a mix of big fish such as shark and manta dives as well as reef dives, reef fish, morays and the abundant macro life. Get up close at the cleaning stations without disturbing the locals! One of the best known dive sites is Maaya Thila; this pinnacle is approximately 30m in diameter and falls away to reveal sharks and teeming with marine life.

A night dive from sheltered moorings here is a must!  And the boat will also aim to find whale sharks so you can get in the water and snorkel with them...as long as they stay around long enough!

Three years since our last overseas trip in Puerto Galera, Philippines and we're back!  Bigger and bolder than ever.  Don't miss this Grand Rainbow Reunion Tour and dive with some of the iconic people you've come to know and love over the past 18 years.  And if its your first Rainbow-Scuba liveaboard - don't be shy!  We don't bite although sometimes leave a little chafing...

Trip highlights:

- Rasdhoo Atoll: Hammerhead Dive, Beautiful Reef with Pelagics
- North Ari Atoll: Grey Reef Sharks, Maaya Thila Night Dive, Multiple Manta Cleaning Stations
- South Ari Atoll: Whale Sharks, Beautiful Pinnacles
- South Male Atoll: Grey Reef Sharks, Eagle Rays, Other Pelagics, Beautiful Macro Wreck.
- Vaavu Atoll: Beautiful channels with magical soft corals and pelagic delights.
- North Male Atoll: Beautiful Pinnacles. Action packed night dive with Nurse Sharks and others.

The Best of the Maldives
19-26 February 2023
2,100 Euro per person in twin or double share cabins both upper and lower deck

Price Includes:-

No supplement for Upper or Main Deck Cabins!  First come first served. Free transfers depart from the airport to the boat at midday and 16:00.

Not Included:-

Equipment rental. Extra large tanks. Alcoholic beverages.  Euros, GBP Sterling and US Dollars are accepted for cash payments. Visa and MasterCard will be charged in USD converted at the daily bank rate. A 4% surcharge will be applied.

Introducing the MV Emperor Virgo

- Luxury liveaboard for just 18 divers
- Lower and upper deck twin or double ensuite cabin options
- Contemporary, spacious living and restaurant-style dining areas
- Mouth-watering cuisine with international dishes
- Sun deck & upper deck with internationally stocked bar of cocktails, wine & beers
- Separate diving dhoni so more space on board and no lugging dive kit
- Onboard WiFi (local charges) when in range
- Free glass of wine with dinner
- Free Nitrox

Accommodating 18 divers over her 32m length, all her cabins have double/twin beds, and cabin 3 can be booked as a triple. All cabins are ensuite. Upper and main deck cabins have large windows giving amazing views to the ocean and islands beyond.

Decorated in light wood and contemporary style, the main deck has a large saloon with comfy sofas. The bar is fully licensed so you can enjoy your favourite tipple as the sun dips below the horizon. The upper deck has loungers for sun bathing and just kicking back.  A complimentary glass of wine is served with dinner.

How to Get to Male
Fly

Visa Information
All guests must have a passport valid for at least six more months after arrival. 30-day tourist visas are issued on arrival at the immigration desk at Maldives International airport for all nationalities and are free of charge. All visitors must be in possession of a return/onward flight ticket.

Embarkation & Disembarkation
Transfers to and from the liveaboard: From January 1st, 2022, Emperor arranged transfers depart from the airport to the boat at midday and 16:00 and both timings are offered free of charge. Guests who use the midday transfer accept that the boat will not be fully cleaned or ready. A light sandwich style snack will be provided for lunch. If you do not wish to wait for one of the above transfers or you arrive after the last transfer, taxis are available for around $15, our airport representative will be happy to help you, however, please note that boarding may not be possible before 13:00. If you are already in the Maldives, you should make your way to the airport for the 16:00 transfer. Our boats moor in port on arrival day and overnight, departing early on the morning following the check-in day. The boat moors in port mid- afternoon the day before departure and remains in port overnight until check-out from the boat.

Check out is at 07:00 and guests will be in the airport by 07:30. For guests continuing their holiday in the Maldives at a resort, hotel or another liveaboard, your on-going transfers need to be arranged by you from the airport. We will not be able to arrange direct transfers from the liveaboard to resorts. Day use rooms are available with hotel/guest houses on Hulhumale, the boat manager can help you arrange this on request. Payment is made locally.

Insurance: Emperor Divers & Rainbow-Scuba will not be responsible for any financial loss incurred by issues beyond our control such as, but not limited to; weather, 'Act of God' or changes made by the local authorities. It is your responsibility to ensure you have purchased comprehensive dive and travel insurance cover specific to your booking and to bring proof of this with you to show the guides when you check in.