Maldives
Explore rarely visited atolls in the northern Maldives
Choose between two bespoke ‘Our Beloved Seas’ charters of Carpe Vita live-aboard
February 2026
A trip to the Maldives has been on Wendy and Richard’s wishlist for a long time. Richard has visited a number of times, the last being 2013. For those of us that dive mostly in the Coral Triangle and Pacific Ocean, the Maldives offers an opportunity to visit one of the other great realms of tropical marine life in the Indian Ocean. Many species differ here, even the ubiquitous pyramid butterflyfish are quite different compared to our familiar yellow, black and white buddies where we more often dive. The anemonefish is endemic, and there are several newly described species that Richard will be on the look out for, as well as a few entirely new species too of course ;)
Expedition Highlights:
Endemic Maldivian anemonefish unique to the Indian Ocean
Newly described, and undescribed species that Richard will be actively seeking
Rarely visited atolls away from the typical dive routes
Indian Ocean marine biodiversity - a contrast to Pacific diving
Expert marine biology presentations by Dr. Richard Smith
Explore one of the world's great tropical marine realms on this special Indian Ocean expedition aboard the luxury vessel ‘Carpe Vita’. This unique itinerary has been carefully crafted by Wendy and Richard to showcase the distinctive marine life of the Maldives - a fascinating contrast for divers familiar with the Coral Triangle and Pacific Ocean.
Starting in North Male and concluding in Hanimaadhoo (with convenient domestic airport connections back to the capital), this expedition follows a specially designed route through rarely visited atolls that most dive operators never reach. The itinerary has been thoughtfully planned to minimize exposure to the strong currents and challenging channels that can make marine life observation difficult, though some current diving in these exposed atolls will be unavoidable.
The return journey revisits favorite sites from the outbound route while adding entirely new locations - creating a true adventure expedition that maximizes your exposure to the Maldives' unique Indian Ocean marine ecosystem. For Richard, this marks an exciting return to the Maldives after more than a decade, bringing fresh eyes and extensive experience to uncover the secrets of this distinctive marine realm.
Trip Details:
Trip 1
North Male to Hanimaadhoo
7-18th February 2026
Please contact us for prices and availability.
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TRIP ONE: North Male to Hanimaahdoo – 11 nights
Trip start: 7th February 2026
Trip end: 18th February 2026
Prices start from: US$ 5,120
Availability: Waitlist – please contact us to join
Depart from: North Male Airport
Return to: Hanimaahdoo Airport
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North Male – South Ari – North Ari – Rasdhoo – Baa – Raa – Noonu – Shaviyani – Haa Dhaalu – Haa Alif – End Trip in Hanimaadhoo
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Inclusions:
Food & Beverages
Diving
Nitrox
Marine life talks by Dr Richard Smith
Transfers from North Male & Hanimaadhoo Airports
Green Tax charged at $66 per person, per trip (subject to change)
Trip 2
Hanimaadhoo to North Male
18th February – 1st March 2026
Please contact us for prices and availability.
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TRIP TWO: Hanimaahdoo to North Male – 11 nights
Trip start: 18th February 2026
Trip end: 1st March 2026
Prices start from: US$ 5,120
Availability: Full – contact us for waitlist
Depart from: Hanimaahdoo Airport
Return to: North Male Airport
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Rough itinerary:
Hanimaadhoo – Haa Alif – Haa Dhaalu – Shaviyani – Noonu – Raa – Baa – Rasdhoo – North Ari – South Ari – North Male
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Inclusions:
Food & Beverages
Diving
Nitrox
Marine life talks by Dr Richard Smith
Transfers from North Male & Hanimaadhoo Airports
Green Tax charged at $66 per person, per trip
About Carpe Vita
Carpe Vita is operated by Carpe Diem, a trailblazing cruise operator with over 15 years of expertise in the Maldives. The company operates three distinct vessels and prides itself on professionalism, crewed by experienced and welcoming staff committed to delivering exceptional service.
Accommodation & Comfort:
Carpe Vita has 10 cabins divided over 3 decks and can accommodate a maximum of 20 people. Guest testimonials highlight that the rooms are cleaned daily and the boat is maintained in very good condition. The rooms are described as clean and spacious, each with a private bathroom, ensuring comfort throughout your expedition.
Living Spaces:
At 38 meters in length with a 10-meter beam, Carpe Vita provides ample space for relaxation and socializing. The vessel's multi-deck design creates comfortable common areas where guests can unwind between dives. The crew ensures that guests feel comfortable, safe, and at home throughout their stay.
Dive Operations:
The boat is accompanied by a diving dhoni (tender) and a small speedboat (dingy) for efficient dive operations. The diving team is very organized and accommodating to individual diver's preferences, with pre-dive briefings that are very thorough and well-maintained equipment. The divemasters and instructors are very experienced and go out of their way to ensure guests are safe and comfortable both on the boat and underwater.
Camera & Photography Setup:
Underwater photographers are catered to with knowledgeable guides who take time to show guests everything, providing the perfect mix of big stuff like mantas and whale sharks to macro subjects (our favourites!). The organized dive operations and experienced guides make it ideal for capturing the diverse marine life of the Maldives.
Dining & Refreshments:
The kitchen is extraordinarily good, tasteful and fresh, with meals described as excellent by guests. The chef and bar person are described as a dream team, delivering impeccably on requests including surprise birthday cakes, desserts, and vegan meals. The crew goes above and beyond to accommodate special dietary requirements and unexpected requests with grace and smiles.