Indian Ocean - Liveaboards

The Maldives is diving holiday heaven. An Indian Ocean scuba diving holiday, where exciting marine life abounds, is best summed up by the sheer quantity and size that can be seen.  Head to the Maldives for a great mix of endless white sand beaches, azure blue waters and fabulous underwater topography. We have selected the widest range of hotels, liveaboards in the Maldives, exotic Mauritius and hideaway Rodrigues island. As experts in this area we can find something just right for you!

The Maldives is the perfect place to learn to dive from one of the idyllic island resorts. As Maldives diving holiday specialists, Sportif Dive offer over 100 islands with some of the very best prices out there. Or why not immerse yourself in diving from a dedicated liveaboards taking you to some of the less busy, pristine sites.

Mauritius and the lesser know nearby Island of Rodrigues offer widely contrasting holidays. The former with luxury hotels resorts and many options for relaxing and other activities. The latter to discover an island untouched by tourism and off the beaten track.

All provide first class facilities for diving and snorkelling, shallow water lagoons and more challenging dive sites for the advanced divers. Whale Sharks, Manta Rays, Wreck and Drift Diving characterise most of the Indian Ocean dive sites with more sheltered dives closer to shore.

Maldives Emperor Orion Liveaboard - Maldives, Indian Ocean

The Maldives Emperor Orion is a 5* luxury liveaboard that is a spacious 39 meters in length with twin and double cabins as well as suites available. All levels of divers are welcome and non divers can enjoy snorkelling and on board massage service. Varied itineraries are available through the year covering Rasdhoo, North and South Ari, South Male, Vaavlu and North Male Atolls. Here you will have the chance of amazing encounters from whale shark to mantas, pelagics, beautiful coral and macro life.

Location
The Maldives Orion liveaboard departs from Male.
 

Accommodation
The Orion has 12 guest rooms and can accommodate up to 24 guests, the upper deck has 1 executive suite and 3 twin/ double mini suites, the lower deck has 1 junior suite, 3 double and 4 twin/ double rooms. Each room has a twin or double bed, a mini bar, room to room intercom, an en suite toilet and shower facilities, individually controlled air-conditioning, a TV, DVD player, safe and hair dryer. Two of the cabins have a bath tub. The Executive Suite is spacious with a king size bed, a private jacuzzi and an outside patio area. 
 

Facilities
The main deck has a lounge with sofas and a dining room with a bar. The upper deck has a jacuzzi, massage room (payable locally) and the main bar. The spacious fly deck has sunbeds to relax on. Wifi is available at an additional cost. Non-divers are welcome and can get free snorkelling kit rental.
 

Diving
All the diving takes place from the 19.8m dhoni, allowing divers to get to the perfect dive spot every time. Orion is rebreather friendly and offers free Nitrox, all diving and safety equipment as well as a photography charging station and four dive guides. For those requiring hire equipment, we recommend booking in advance to ensure availability. Water temperatures in the Maldives ranges from 26-30°C year round, with good visibility (20 meters/ 70 feet). In the open ocean, near the reefs there are manta rays, eagle rays, tuna and a variety of sharks (including whale sharks). Maldives also has parrotfish, groupers, snappers, turtles and moray eels.


Itinerary

MV Orion offers a variety of itineraries including The Best of the Maldives, Deep South & Southern Sharks, Manta Madness, Pelagic Magic, Sharktastic and South Central Atolls.
 

Guide for Diving Experience:
To dive with a dive buddy you must be a PADI Open Water diver or equivalent and be able to complete each dive with your buddy or following the guide. Inexperienced divers may be asked to skip dives that are not suitable for their diving experience. Experienced divers can dive in a buddy pair unguided. The guides may decide, upon seeing each diver's ability, not to enter the water for every dive and remain onboard providing surface support only. You are expected to be able to dive to a standard that reflects the certification and experience requirements outlined for each itinerary. The maximum depth for diving in the Maldives is 30 metres with an equally qualified buddy. Your maximum diving depth will be dependent on your level of training and experience. To help gain experience and confidence, it is possible to complete the Advanced Open Water Course, Specialty Courses and Adventure Dives (Nitrox, Deep, Drift and Night) whilst on the trip.