Ariyal
Liveaboard · Maldives
Explore the Maldives' underwater wonders in comfort and style.
About This Vessel
Ariyal is a liveaboard cruising the Maldives region. It hosts up to 26 divers on board.
The Ariyal offers access to the Maldivian atolls, providing a platform for exploring the region's diverse marine ecosystems. The Maldivian atolls are not static islands but living reefs, constantly shaped by the powerful monsoonal currents that pulse through the Indian Ocean. This immense flow of water through deep channels, or 'kandus', concentrates nutrients and attracts an abundance of marine …
Upcoming Departures
Upcoming Departures…
Onboard Amenities
Dining & Beverages
Dining aboard the Ariyal is a delightful experience, with a full-board meal plan that includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner, complemented by snacks throughout the day. Meals are served buffet-style, featuring a delicious blend of Western and authentic local Maldivian cuisine. Guests can enjoy their meals in the comfortable indoor dining room or opt for al fresco dining with stunning ocean views. The culinary team is adept at catering to various dietary requirements, offering dedicated vegan and vegetarian options, and can accommodate other special requests made in advance. Special dinners and beach BBQs add a unique touch to the gastronomic journey, while drinking water is included, and a selection of fine wines and beers are available for purchase.
Dive Equipment & Setup
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 · Port Fees
Not Included & Local Fees
Environment Tax (12 USD per night) · Fuel Surcharge (150 USD per week)
Airport Transfers
Return airport transfers are included in the trip price, ensuring a smooth and convenient journey to and from the Ariyal.
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: 10 USD per day · BCD: 10 USD per day
Accommodation
Twin Bed
twin/double • Lower Deck
Located on the lower deck, these comfortable cabins offer a serene retreat. Each cabin is equipped with twin beds, an en-suite bathroom, and air conditioning for a pleasant stay.
Sea View Double Bed
twin/double • Main Deck
Situated on the main deck, these elegant Sea View Suites provide stunning ocean vistas. Each suite features a king-size bed, a comfortable sofa bed, an en-suite bathroom, and individual air conditioning.
Sea View Double Bed
twin/double • Upper Deck
Perched on the upper deck, these luxurious Sea View Suites offer panoramic ocean views. Each suite is furnished with a king-size bed, a sofa bed, a private en-suite bathroom, and climate control.
Booking & Travel FAQ
How does the booking process work?
Select a cabin and departure on Ariyal, 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
Navigation & Safety Systems
What guests say online
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.
Guests praise this luxury liveaboard experience for its professional service and comfortable amenities, often highlighting the exceptional diving and attentive crew. Many found the trip from start to finish to be wonderful.
- +Professional, comfortable, and lovely trip
- +Well-appointed and luxurious cabins
- +Expert crew and attentive service
- +Strong focus on diving and water sports
Based on approximately 112 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.
All routes of this liveaboard
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