Emperor Serenity · Maldives · 11 Days / 10 Nights
An extended 11-day / 10-night liveaboard journey aboard Emperor Serenity, covering the most iconic dive sites of the central Maldives: Rasdhoo, North & South Ari, Vaavu and North & South Male atolls. Expect channel (kandu) drifts with grey reef and white tip sharks, thrilling thila pinnacles, manta cleaning stations, and the unforgettable Alimatha sunset/night dive with resident nurse sharks. Emperor does not follow a fixed plan — the cruise director chooses the best sites each day based on currents, weather and marine life activity. AOW recommended; comfort with currents is essential.
Male, North Male Atoll
Welcome at Male International Airport and transfer to Emperor Serenity. Boat briefing, cabin allocation and welcome dinner on board.
North Male Atoll
Easy check dive followed by classic North Male sites — long drift along Kurumba house reef and a chance for mantas and reef sharks at Lankan Manta Point. Fish Factory (Kandu Oiy Giri) offers schooling stingrays and possible guitar shark.
Dive sites: Kurumba, Lankan Manta Point, Kandu Oiy Giri (Fish Factory)
Rasdhoo Atoll
Early blue-water dive at Rasdhoo Madivaru for a chance of scalloped hammerheads, then drift the Kuramathi Channel mouth for grey reef sharks, eagle rays and possible mantas.
Dive sites: Rasdhoo Madivaru, Kuramathi Channel
North Ari Atoll
Three dives across the best of North Ari — Maaya Thila for white tip reef sharks (day and night dive), Fish Head for grey reef sharks and trevally action, and the colourful blue caves of Maalhos Thila.
Dive sites: Maaya Thila, Mushi Mas Mingili Thila (Fish Head), Maalhos Thila
Ari Atoll
Channel diving at Gangehi Kandu for grey, white tip and occasional leopard sharks, drift along Bathala Maga Kan Thila, then unwind on the overhangs and soft corals of Dhigga Thila.
Dive sites: Gangehi Kandu, Bathala Maga Kan Thila, Bathala Thila, Dhigga Thila
South Ari Atoll
Manta cleaning action at Moofushi, the impressive U-shaped Seventh Heaven and the swim-throughs of Kuda Rah Thila. Optional macro/wreck dive on the MV Kudima cargo wreck off Machchaafushi.
Dive sites: Moofushi, Seventh Heaven, Kudahrah Thila, Kudima (Machafushi) Wreck
Vaavu (Felidhoo) Atoll
Channel diving at Miyaru Kandu — hook in and watch grey reef sharks, eagle rays, tuna and barracudas patrol the entrance. Continue with Fotteyo Kandu, one of the richest sites in the Maldives.
Dive sites: Miyaru Kandu, Fotteyo Kandu
Vaavu Atoll
Drift the Golden Wall and Devana Kandu by day, then the signature sunset/night dive at Alimatha with the resident nurse sharks — one of the most iconic Maldives encounters.
Dive sites: Golden Wall, Devana Kandu, Rakeedhoo, Alimatha Night Dive
South Male Atoll
Channel diving in South Male — Kandooma Thila for grey reef sharks, big-eye jacks and dog tooth tuna in the current, and Cocoa Corner with overhangs, white tips and pelagic action.
Dive sites: Kandooma Thila, Cocoa Corner
North Male Atoll
Final two dives back in North Male Atoll, chosen by the cruise director based on conditions — typically a relaxed reef and a last manta or shark site. BBQ dinner on board.
Male
Breakfast on board, then transfer to Male International Airport for your onward flight. Please allow a minimum 18-hour surface interval before flying.