Where to book
Diving on the Manthiri liveaboard
The Manthiri cruises the Maldivian waters year-round. Centered mainly in the north of the country, dive trips offer the best combination of dive sites depending on the time of the year.
Tours run six, seven, or nine nights, and those who prefer longer charters can combine two consecutive short tours. All tours include up to four dives a day. Itineraries are designed to highlight whale sharks and marine life sightings year-round with schooling mantas thrown in from June to mid-November.
The Manthiri liveaboard also offers a special tour covering the southernmost atolls of Maldives , Huvadhoo, and Addu. These remote atolls, little visited by tourists, offer colorful coral reefs and channels rich with sharks.
All dives are guided and drift diving with moderate to strong currents is the norm. To participate in current dives, it is recommended that you be an experienced diver (over 50 dives) with good swimming skills. Novice divers can take advantage of highly qualified and experienced dive instructors on board and available PADI courses.
Diving takes place from the Vasantha, the dhoni of Manthiri. The dive boat’s crew of three offers guests on-deck assistance and rinses gear after each dive. A nice touch is the warm towel that’s placed around your shoulders shortly after each dive.
Full rental equipment is available onboard, including dive computers and torches, and nitrox is available for qualified divers at a surcharge. It is worth noting that all divers must carry a surface sounding device and a safety sausage (SMB) during their dives.
Underwater photographers will love not only the camera racks, separate rinse tank, table, laptop, CD burner and projector, but also the assistance of the photo professional on board.
Highlights:
- Photography professional on board
- Marine life including whale sharks, mantas and sharks
- Special tours to Huvadhoo and Addu
Onboard the Manthiri
Manthiri’s exceptionally wide beam minimizes rocking motion and the limit of 12 guests allows for six spacious cabins. Configurations provide numerous options, with four twins and two doubles with queen-size beds.
All cabins are ensuite and feature individually controlled air-conditioning and minibars. Your dive gear will be transferred off the main boat to the dive tender, so there’s plenty of storage in every cabin.
Manthiri’s teak-paneled salon is one of the largest on any vessel of this size. Furnished with comfortable sofas, it also offers a state-of-the-art music system, a DVD player, and multi-system TV/VCR with video-camera viewing facilities.
When sea breezes beckon, Manthiri’s top deck can accommodate both sun-worshippers and shade-seekers. Deck chairs are ideally placed for soaking in the rays, icy drink in hand, or stargazing in the evening.
The Vasantha, the Manthiri’s custom-built dive dhoni, features a stable low-sitting platform, to offer comfortable entry for dives. The Vasantha’s 400-square-foot (37-square-meter) dive deck offers four exits, freshwater camera rinse tanks, a toilet, and two hot-water showers.
Highlights:
- Dedicated camera salon with computer and slide projector
- Daily fresh towels in cabins
- Two hot showers on the dive deck
Dining onboard the Manthiri
Professional chefs Bodey and Hema bring a sophisticated twist to the diverse flavors of the Maldives, combining Eastern and Western culinary influences. With a decade of experience on the Manthiri, they excel in crafting menus that cater to the diverse palates of guests from around the world.
Fresh fruits and vegetables abound, and the dining schedule is tailored to meet the needs of divers, offering pre-dive mini breakfasts, full breakfasts post-dive, and delectable snacks in between.
Meals are served by a waiter and all diets, including vegetarian and halal, can be catered for with prior notice. A large selection of soda, beer, and alcoholic beverages is available at the bar for an extra cost.
If you wish to have a particular brand of drinks while on the boat, all attempts will be made to stock enough of your preferred brand provided you make the request in advance. Water, coffee, and tea are available throughout the day and are free of charge.
Highlights:
- Gourmet-style meals
- Chefs have been on the Manthiri for over 10 years
- Plated meals with table service
Things we like:
- Laptop computer provided for digital photographers
- Both 230 VAC and 110 VAC outlets
- Ensuite cabins with minibars
- Very experienced crew
Things we don't like:
- Cabins are a bit outdated
- Nitrox available but not included
Key Facts
| Year Built | 1996 |
| Max Divers | 10 |
| Price Range | Mid-range |
| Trip Length | 8+ Nights |
| Internet | No |
| Nitrox | Yes ($) |
| Equipment Rental | Yes ($) |
| Camera Station | Yes |
| Air Conditioning | Yes |
| Min. Logged Dives | No minimum |
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