Magnificent Maldives

M/V Manthiri Live-Aboard Cruises

M/V Manthiri Live-Aboard in the Maldives - Photo compilation courtesy of M/V Manthiri

Best of the Maldives     from $4925 per diver
including airfare from USA on award-winning Singapore Airlines



A chain of 900 islands straddling the Equator in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives Archipelago is one of the world's most unique and interesting dive destinations. The waters are warm, and the marine life rich, diverse and colorful. Encounters with creatures large and small, and schooling fishes in the thousands, are common experiences on the broadly varied dive sites. The Maldives is one of the finest places for marine life photography, with opportunities for both wide angle and macro to be found on every dive. When it comes to enjoying the very best diving, the Maldives is also a place where a live-aboard definitely will give the best experience. M/V Manthiri is unequivocally one of the best and most highly experienced dive operators in the Maldives.

M/V Manthiri FIT Pricing for 2008/2009
Travel Date Range Price per person per night in USD
Through May 16, 2009 $325
Non-diver pricing Less 20%
 
Manthiri package includes:
  • Pickup and drop off at Male Airport on cruise departure and return dates
  • Accommodation onboard M/V Manthiri in double or twin-share cabin
  • Three to four scuba dives daily with tank and weights included
  • Services of a PADI-qualified and highly experienced English speaking dive master
Prices are per person, based on double occupancy lodging. Availability is limited.
Prices, schedules and inclusions are subject to availability and subject to change.
A non-refundable deposit of $750 per person will guarantee your berth.
Full payment is due 60 days prior to departure.


For a detailed description of the Maldives experience see Ken Knezick's Maldives Dive Report.

M/V Manthiri - Maldivian owned and operated, the 85' motor yacht Manthiri brought Maldives live-aboard diving into the modern era, and remains one of the highest regarded dive operations in the world. This premier live-aboard carries only 12 guests in six comfortable double occupancy cabins. Each cabin has its own individually controlled air-conditioning, storage, a personal mini bar, and en suite bathroom with modern fixtures, toilet, shower, and plenty of hot water. To accommodate an international clientele, the cabins and salon are equipped with both 110-volt and 220-volt electrical outlets.

For Your Comfort - Dedicated to excellence in diving and superior service, Manthiri's crew of 12 pride themselves on looking after your every need from the moment you arrive at Male International Airport, until your departure for home or a land-based resort option. Outfitted with a spacious salon with comfortable couches and a roomy dining area, life aboard Manthiri is relaxed and accommodating. Two chefs provide three delicious meals daily, plus snacks after every dive. When not underwater, guests can relax in the air-conditioned cabins, in the comfortable salon, on the large sun deck, or rest in the pleasant open air shaded area.

M/V Manthiri Live-Aboard in the Maldives - Photo copyright 2006 Moosa Hassan, provided courtesy of M/V Manthiri

Diving Variety - To provide guests the richest dive sites, the professional and highly experienced crew of the Manthiri often relocates the boat three or four times per day. As a result, divers aboard Manthiri get the unique and exciting opportunity to experience the most beautiful pinnacles, sea mounts, walls and channel dives of the Maldives, where the archipelago's best soft and hard corals are abundant. The Maldives is one of the few places in the world where divers can see whale sharks and giant manta rays year round. Sightings of whale sharks on trips aboard M/V Manthiri average over 90% year round. Giant mantas are seen on almost every trip, at various cleaning and feeding stations. Water visibility generally ranges from 60 to 100+ feet.

M/V Manthiri's diving dhoni, the Vasantha - Photo copyright Mark Snyder, provided courtesy of M/V Manthiri Diving Dhoni, the Vasantha - Diving is done from an accompanying dhoni, the Vasantha, a 54' dive boat fitted with air and Nitrox compressors, oxygen, and safety equipment. This 45-ton displacement vessel is designed to provide a stable and comfortable diving platform. The large 300 square foot covered dive deck is conveniently laid out with tank racks, two hot water showers, and a camera rinse tank. For your diving comfort, a modern toilet is also provided onboard. Dive gear remains on the Vasantha for the duration of your cruise and is carefully maintained by the dive crew. Typical of Maldives live-aboard diving, the diving dhoni feature ensures greater comfort, ease of diving, and best of all, no compressor noise for guests aboard Manthiri.

The Maldives Await You - Each tour begins in Male, the capitol, and covers approximately 250 miles, visiting two, three or more atolls depending on duration of the cruise. Cruising is done during daylight hours with the Manthiri passing by palm-fringed islands and pristine turquoise lagoons. At sunset, your mobile dive hotel anchors in calm waters near a deserted island or perhaps a small village island where guests have the opportunity to experience local arts and crafts, music, dancing and the local way of life. Maldivians are hospitable people and take pride in sharing their world. They, along with Manthiri and Island Dreams, invite you to come and experience the Maldives for yourself.

Swirling fusiliers in the Maldives -- photo copyright Ken Knezick, Island Dreams


Island Dreams Dive Travel For your consideration, we offer additional Maldives information and photographs:

Looking for YOUR next great adventure? If this sounds like your kind of diving experience, contact Ken at Island Dreams now to learn how you can join in the fun. ken@divetrip.com


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