11 cabinsUp to 22 guests
Up to 3 dives a dayNitrox included
15 crew · 3 captainsDedicated dive dhoni
Cruise director on boardEvery trip
Four briefing languagesEnglish, German, Italian & Spanish
A LIFE AT SEA
About AMBA
AMBA is a German-run dive liveaboard that has sailed the Maldives for more than 20 years. The cruise director, who is also the managing director, lives on board and personally leads every trip. All three captains have at least 20 years at sea, and some of the 15 crew have been with AMBA for up to two decades.
Diving is done from a custom-built dive dhoni that follows the main yacht, so the yacht stays calm and the dive deck stays organised. Briefings are given in English, German, Italian and Spanish.
YOUR ROOM ON BOARD
Cabins made
for a good rest.
Lower Deck Cabins 6 cabins
En-suite and air-conditioned, with convertible double or twin beds.
Cabins 1–7
Upper Deck Cabins 3 cabins
En-suite and air-conditioned, with a double bed; also available for single use.
Cabins 8, 9 & 12
Private Balcony-Lux 2 cabins
Upper-deck, en-suite and air-conditioned, with a private balcony and convertible beds.
Cabins 10 & 11Single use has a 65% surcharge. Solo women booking a twin cabin are paired only with another woman.
Explore the deck plans
AT A GLANCE
What’s included
in your trip.
Included
- Cabin in the booked category, daily cleaning and towels
- Breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, fruit and dinner
- Drinking water, tea, instant coffee and juice
- Up to 3 dives a day, including up to 2 night dives per trip
- Nitrox fills, diving weights and belts
- Airport transfers to and from the yacht on embarkation and disembarkation days
- Shower gel, soap and shampoo
- 17% tourism tax (TGST)
Not included
- 15-litre tanks, rental equipment, spare parts and courses
- Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks
- Crew tips: about USD 10 per guest per night, paid in cash
- Hanifaru Bay fee: USD 30–50 per guest per night (Hanifaru trip)
- Fuvahmulah tiger shark dive fee: USD 50 per guest per dive (Deep South)
- Domestic flights where a route starts or ends outside Malé
- Travel and dive accident insurance (required)
FRESHLY PREPARED ON BOARD
Good food between
days on the water.
AMBA's chef and kitchen team cook international dishes, starting with freshly baked bread and rolls at breakfast. Lunch and dinner offer a wide choice of freshly prepared dishes, including Hereford beef, free-range chicken and fresh fish. All vegetarian dishes are vegan, so vegans are well looked after. Tell us about any dietary needs when you book.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Who can
join?
These are diving trips for certified divers—not beginner or non-diver holidays.
Central routes & Corals, Channels & SharksAt least 30 logged dives, AOWD or equivalent, plus Nitrox certification.
Deep SouthAt least 60 logged dives and solid experience in strong currents.
Hanifaru Manta & Whale SharkAt least 10 logged dives, AOWD or equivalent, plus Nitrox.
Dive limits & equipment
Maximum depth 30 m and dive time 60 minutes including the safety stop. No decompression diving; Nitrox only. Buddy teams dive independently with guides, about 6 divers per guide. Divers must be able to ascend independently with an SMB and use a compass.
Bring: mask, BCD, fins, regulator with alternate air source, Nitrox-capable dive computer, compass, SMB, whistle, reef hook, cutting tool and torch. Rental equipment is available for a fee.
Paperwork: certification and guest forms must be submitted at least 31 days before departure.
FROM ARRIVAL TO FAREWELL
A day on board,
step by step.
- Arrival day
Crew meets you at Velana Airport next to the Presidential Pier, opposite the domestic terminal, from 12:00. Arrive by 16:00 at the latest. Welcome drink and cakes, then check-in and equipment set-up on the dive dhoni at 17:00. Dinner at 18:00, crew introductions and safety briefing. No diving on arrival day.
- Diving days
Two to three dives a day, including night dives, all from the dive dhoni. Briefings are in English, German, Italian and Spanish.
- Last diving day
The final dive is at 07:30 the day before departure, followed by gear rinsing and drying. Farewell gathering at 18:00.
- Departure day
Breakfast, then check-out before 08:30; airport arrival is 07:00–09:00. Book flights leaving after about 10:00. Late check-out is not possible.
Deep South trips start or end at Kooddoo (Huvadhoo Atoll).
SEVEN WAYS TO EXPLORE
Routes &
atoll highlights.
Best of Central – North 11 nights
Ari — whale sharks, mantas and pinnacles. Rasdhoo — strong-current channels, with a chance of hammerheads, grey reef sharks and pelagics. Vaavu — kandu channels and night dives with nurse sharks. Malé — reefs and wrecks.
Best of Central – South 11 nights
Ari and Vaavu, then Meemu for dramatic channels, overhangs, soft corals and grey reef sharks; finishes in Malé. Route: Ari, Vaavu, Meemu and Malé atolls.
Corals, Channels & Sharks 7 nights
Vaavu channels, South Ari drift dives, overhangs and thilas in whale shark country, and Malé reefs.
Hanifaru Manta & Whale Shark 8 nights · one way
Malé to Dharavandhoo (Baa). Hanifaru Bay is known for large manta gatherings in plankton season, with occasional whale sharks. Guides come from Dhonfanu, next to the bay. The route can change at short notice to follow manta “tornadoes” reported by rangers. Many encounters are by snorkel, and count as dives.
The domestic flight from Dharavandhoo back to Malé is not included. We can book it for you.
Christmas & New Year 14 nights
Rasdhoo, Ari, Vaavu, Meemu and Malé (the partner guide also lists Faafu), with special Christmas and New Year's Eve dinner and party.
Deep South 13 nights · both directions
Malé, Vaavu, Meemu, Thaa, Laamu, Huvadhoo and Fuvahmulah. A chance to see tiger sharks at Fuvahmulah, as well as great hammerheads, silvertips, threshers, oceanic mantas, whale sharks and dolphins. For experienced divers only.
LIFE ABOARD AMBA
Maldives, from
the water.
SAFETY ON BOARD
Thoughtful
preparation.
- Official Maldives safety certificate
- Pre-trip inspection by the captains and cruise director
- Regular drills
- ENOS diver location system
- EPIRB, GPS tracking and satellite phone
- Starlink for emergencies
- Emergency oxygen and first aid on both vessels
- Auto-inflating life rafts for 60 people
- Smoke detectors throughout
- Independent emergency generators
GOOD TO KNOW
AMBA FAQs
Can non-divers or snorkellers join?
These are certified-diver trips. Hanifaru includes snorkel encounters, but diving certification is still required.
What certification do I need?
Central routes and Corals, Channels & Sharks require at least 30 logged dives, AOWD or equivalent and Nitrox. Deep South requires at least 60 logged dives and solid current experience. Hanifaru requires at least 10 logged dives, AOWD or equivalent and Nitrox.
Is Nitrox included?
Yes. Nitrox is included and required.
What time should my flights be?
Arrive by about 15:00 on arrival day (16:00 at the latest). On departure day, book a flight after about 10:00.
Can I rent equipment?
Yes, rental equipment is available for a fee.
Are vegetarian or vegan meals available?
Yes. All vegetarian dishes are vegan. Please tell us about dietary needs when you book.
Do I need insurance?
Yes. Travel and dive accident insurance are required.
Can I book a single cabin?
Yes. Single use has a 65% surcharge. Solo women booking a twin cabin are paired only with another woman.
Can we charter the whole boat?
Yes. AMBA lists a group charter offer of pay 18, get 22. Ask us about full-boat charters.