Duke of York Liveaboard

Duke of York

Experience luxury diving in the Maldives aboard the Duke of York.

23
Maldives
2010

About This Vessel

The Maldivian archipelago's extensive coral atolls and nutrient-rich currents foster a complex underwater environment, explored by the Duke of York. Spanning the equator, the Maldives is a nation defined by water, its 26 atolls forming a double chain of submerged volcanic mountains capped with coral. This unique geology creates a complex system of channels, or *kandus*, which funnel nutrient-dens…

Upcoming Departures

Upcoming Departures

Onboard Amenities

En-Suite bathrooms
Family Cabins
Aircon Cabins
Non-Diver (Snorkeler) Friendly
Warm Water Showers
Massage
Air Conditioned saloon
Sun Deck
Camera Station
Kayaks On-Board

Dining & Beverages

Fine Cuisine
Al Fresco Dining
Vegan Options
Vegetarian Options
Beer available
Wine Available
Beach BBQ
Fine Wines Selection
Snacks All Day
Buffet style

Dining aboard the Duke of York is a delightful culinary journey, blending Italian and Maldivian flavors into a delicious buffet spread. All meals are freshly prepared and served in the main deck restaurant, with options for al fresco dining to enjoy the beautiful Maldivian scenery. The crew is adept at catering to various dietary needs, including vegetarian and vegan options, ensuring every guest enjoys their meals. Beyond the main meals, snacks are available throughout the day, and a selection of fine wines, beers, soft drinks, and spirits can be purchased from the bar. Special events like beach BBQs add an extra touch of excitement to the dining experience.

Dive Equipment & Setup

Shaded Diving Area
DIN Adaptors
Tech diving
Rebreather Support
Rinse Hoses
Dive deck
Tenders for diving
Sidemount Diving

Dive Area & Sites

The Maldives offers a truly extraordinary underwater world spread across 26 atolls in the Indian Ocean, with crystal-clear waters and visibility frequently exceeding 30 meters. Divers are drawn here for reliable encounters with manta rays at famous cleaning stations like Hanifaru Bay and Lankan Reef, as well as whale sharks that cruise through the channels year-round. The atolls feature distinctive underwater topography including thilas (submerged pinnacles), kandus (channels), and overhangs draped in soft corals. Grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, eagle rays, and Napoleon wrasse are common sightings, while the nutrient-rich currents attract large schools of fusiliers, trevally, and barracuda. Night dives reveal nurse sharks resting on sandy bottoms and bioluminescent plankton glowing in the darkness.

Important Information

What's Included

VAT · Airport Transfer

Not Included & Local Fees

Environment Tax (12 USD per day) · Mandatory Service Charge (120-140 USD per week)

Airport Transfers

Return airport transfers are included in the trip price. Guests will be transferred from the airport to the liveaboard.

Insurance Recommendation

We strongly recommend all guests to purchase comprehensive dive accident insurance and trip cancellation insurance before departure. Dive accident insurance covers medical treatment, hyperbaric chamber costs, and emergency evacuation in the event of a diving incident. Trip cancellation insurance protects your financial investment — not only if you need to cancel or cut short your trip due to personal illness, injury, or other unforeseen circumstances, but also if the trip is postponed or cancelled by the operator due to severe weather, technical issues, or other operational reasons. In the unlikely event of operator insolvency, cancellation insurance can also help recover your payments. Please ensure your policies are valid for the entire duration of your trip and cover the planned activities.

Rental Gear

15L tanks: 20 USD per day · BCD: 25 USD per day

Accommodation

Lower Deck Double/Twin Cabins (# 1, 2, 7 & 8)

Lower Deck Double/Twin Cabins (# 1, 2, 7 & 8)

Double or Twin • Lower Deck

4x
👥 2 GuestsAir ConditioningEn-suite Bathroom
Main & Upper Deck Cabins (# 9, 10, 11 & 12)

Main & Upper Deck Cabins (# 9, 10, 11 & 12)

Twin or Double • Main Deck, Upper Deck

4x
👥 2 GuestsAir ConditioningEn-suite BathroomOcean View (some cabins)
Upper Deck Cabin (#14)

Upper Deck Cabin (#14)

Double • Upper Deck

2x
👥 2 GuestsAir ConditioningEn-suite BathroomOcean View
Lower Deck Twin Cabins (# 3 & 6)

Lower Deck Twin Cabins (# 3 & 6)

Twin • Lower Deck

2x
👥 2 GuestsAir ConditioningEn-suite Bathroom

Booking & Travel FAQ

How does the booking process work?

Select a cabin and departure on Duke of York, and we send a real-time inquiry to the operator. After availability is confirmed, you receive a booking confirmation by email and secure your spot with a deposit.

When do I need to pay?

A deposit (usually 25-35%) is due upon confirmation. The remaining balance is typically due 4-8 weeks before departure, depending on the operator.

What documents will I receive?

After your final payment, you'll receive a travel voucher with meeting point, embarkation time, airport transfer details, packing tips, and your full itinerary.

How do I get to the boat?

Most liveaboards depart from a designated marina. Many operators offer airport pickup and transfers — details are in your voucher. We recommend arriving one day before departure.

What certifications do I need?

A valid dive certification (e.g. PADI Open Water), dive insurance, and a valid passport. Some destinations require additional permits or visas — we inform you during booking.

Can I cancel or change my booking?

Cancellation terms vary by operator and are in your confirmation. Generally, the earlier you cancel the higher the refund. Changes depend on availability — contact us as soon as possible.

Vessel Technical Overview

Vessel Specifications

Year built2010
Year renovatedYearly
Cruising speed9 knots
Top speed12 knots
Max guests23
Number of cabins12
Number of bathrooms11
EnginesDaewoo 600HP
Freshwater maker12 tons per day
Water capacity10 tons
Fuel capacity8000 liters
TendersDive Dhoni

Navigation & Safety Systems

Radar
GPS
Radio VHF/DSC/SSB
Fire Alarm & Fire Extinguishers
Oxygen
First Aid Kits

What guests say online

4.6 / 5(27 reviews)
How is this overall rating calculated?

The headline score is the simple average of the category scores shown below (Boat, Crew, Value, Diving, Dive sites, etc.), each weighted equally. The review count reflects how many source reviews back the underlying analysis. When no category breakdown is available for a vessel, the headline falls back to the guest-weighted average across source platforms.

The Duke of York is a highly-regarded liveaboard offering a luxurious diving experience at a reasonable price, combining comfortable amenities with a dedicated crew. Many guests praise its high-end feel, despite being mid-priced.

Boat4.5
Crew4.9
Food4.8
Value4.7
Diving4.7
Comfort4.6
Service4.9
Most praised
  • +Luxury experience at a very reasonable price
  • +Superb crew working round the clock
  • +Comfortable accommodations and sleek, stylish layout
  • +Amazing food and very good diving

Based on approximately 27 reviews. Aggregated rating based on reviews from multiple independent dive travel and operator platforms as well as on ratings from our customers. Public statements from diving forums and community platforms may also be incorporated as text into the highlighted praises and critiques. Ratings are independently calculated and are not affiliated with or endorsed by the source platforms.

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