What to expect

Unique Experiences

Unique Experiences

Enjoy a Maldivian beach BBQ under the stars

Marine Life

Marine Life

Explore stunning reefs - swimming, snorkelling & diving

Tropical Paradise

Tropical Paradise

Clear waters, secluded beaches & swaying palm trees

About this trip...

Cruising in the Maldives is one of the best ways to truly experience the unique splendour and tranquillity of this tropical paradise. Sample island life, relax on white sandy beaches and appreciate the beauty of different atolls, both above and below the ocean. A holiday in the Maldives conjures up images of white sands, swaying palm trees and crystal turquoise waters, creating an idyllic paradise. Experience it all, eating on beautiful beaches, night explorations and more!
Activity Level: Activity Level Rating
What's this?

What's Included

  • Return Flights & Transfers
  • Airport taxes & charges
  • Lower Main Deck Cabin - upgrades on request
  • All-inclusive: All drinks and meals (excluding premium brand drinks)
  • One desert island BBQ per week
  • Unlimited bottled water
  • Fully financially protected

What's extra:

What's Extra
  • Dive packages - various durations, prices on request
  • Snorkel equipment
  • Gratuities for onboard staff
  • Shore excursions
  • Cabin upgrades - prices available on request
  • Flight Upgrades
  • Insurance see here

Itinerary

  • UK to Male, Maldives
  • Male
  • Kalhuhuraa Sand Bank
  • Hathikolhu Sand Bank
  • Alimatha Sand Bank
  • Oshagali Finolhu
  • Dhigurah
  • Ariadhoo
  • Ariadhoo
  • Hurasdhoo
  • Emdudu
  • Alikoi Rah
  • Meerufenfushi
  • Maayafushi Sandbank
  • Male
  • Depart Male to UK

What you'll be doing

Day One: UK to Male in the Maldives

Day One: UK to Male in the Maldives

Today we take an overnight flight from London to Male.
Day Two: Male

Day Two: Male

Welcome to the Maldives! The Yasawa Princess will be anchored just off of Villigili, which is a convenient 20 minute boat ride from Male International Airport. You'll be greeted on arrival and the Guest Arrivals Officer will assist you to the boat’s private tender for your transfer. On arrival to the boat, you'll be helped with your check-in. There will also be a welcome briefing, including safety procedures and an introduction to your Yasawa Princess cruise experience. During this informal session, you'll meet guests onboard, the dive team and the crew members who will assist you throughout your cruising holiday. This will be followed by a pre-dinner cocktail on the bar/restaurant deck where you'll be able to watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean.
  • All Inclusive
Day Three: Kalhuhuraa Sand Bank

Day Three: Kalhuhuraa Sand Bank

Morning and afternoon visit the beautiful Sand Bank (Kalhuhuraa), where you can relax and soak up the sun, take a dip in the warm Indian Ocean. Beach Umbrellas will be placed on the sand bank for some shade. Night Fishing Trip will be organized by the crew from 17:30 - 19:30. Traditional Hand Line will be used. If there are more than 15 Pax an Additional Night Fishing trip will be organized during the week

Diving: Vaagali Caves & Vaagali Thila Vaagali Caves – Easy Divesite as a start located outside the picnic island Vaagali. Some Overhangs along the wall, lot of schooling fish and Napoleons, Whitetips and Sting rays can be spotted. Kuda Giri wreck - is an interesting dive site in South Malé in the Maldives, which includes both a small wreck and a pinnacle. They create an artificial reef full of marine life. It is possible to penetrate the wreck in a few places, and the bow section is located quite shallow. There is hardly any current around here.
  • All Inclusive
Day Four: Hathikolhu Sand Bank

Day Four: Hathikolhu Sand Bank

Morning and afternoon visit to Hathikolhu Sand Bank. Sand Bank Visit 10:00 - 12:00 Back to the Boat for Lunch. Afternoon Sand Bank Visit 14:00 - 16:00. After all the excursions if weather conditions permit we will cross the channel to Vaavu Atoll.

Diving: Kandooma Thila & Villi Varu Giri Kandooma Thila is one of the most amazing plunge destinations in South Male Atoll. The loftiest point of the reef is fat in coral development. The point is one of the most mind - blowing spots to see some wolf exertion. Whitetip harpies, dark reef harpies, and barracuda harpies are a portion of the beast types you can hope to see then. Villi Varu Giri - is a small round reef near the Island Villi Varu. It is a nice and quiet dive for divers at all levels as there is usually no current. This place has a great quantity stone fish, lion fishes, scorpion fishes, octopus, anemone fishes, pipe fishes, ghost pipe fishes, nudibranchs, flatworms etc.
  • All Inclusive
Day Five: Dhiggiri / Alimatha Sand Bank

Day Five: Dhiggiri / Alimatha Sand Bank

Located on the Eastern Edge of the Atoll. A big turquoise lagoon surrounds this sand bar and an attractive reef to snorkel. The morning and afternoon will be spent on this sand bank. Lunch will be served on the boat. Sun Umbrellas will be placed for shade if the conditions are favourable. Optional: Early Morning Snorkelling Session on Dhiggiri Thila, this excursion has been one of the favourites among our guests. Nurse Sharks (shark point) - USD 15 excluding taxes

Diving : Miyaru Kandu & Devana Kandu Miyaru Kandu – Channel Dive, where you cross the channel from one side to the other looking out for larger pelagic like Sharks and Eagle rays passing by. Devana Kandu – Narrow Channel with a reef in the middle. Ideal for Big Fish, like sharks, Napoleon and Eagle Rays. Turtles can be also sighted on the shallower part of the dive.
  • All Inclusive
Day Six: Oshagali Finolhu

Day Six: Oshagali Finolhu

The tender will be ready as soon as we reach this sand bank in South Ari atoll. The reef surrounding the sandbank has lot of healthy hard corals, snorkellers love this reef. Lunch will be served on the boat and we will return to the sand bank in the afternoon. Visit the local island of Dhagenthi from 16:30 - 18:00. Wander through experiencing the local lifestyle, a good opportunity to do some shopping for souvenirs for your loved ones.

Diving: Five Rocks (Panettone East) / Kahanbu Thil Five Rocks – This site consists of 5 rocky outcrops lying roughly in a circle and featuring a series of fissures, caverns and overhangs. The dive begins by dropping down onto the 5 rocks to the floor at about 25 to 30m. In the channels between the rocks and dropping down the reef slope, there are a lot of pink gorgonian fans. Kahanbu Thila – The black coral trees surrounded by small glass fish are a striking feature of this reef. It is also the home of 'Fred' the frog fish. Here you also can find lionfish, scorpion fish, the very shy comet fish and white tip reef sharks cruising around.
  • All Inclusive
Day Seven: Dhigurah

Day Seven: Dhigurah

Dhigurah is a stunning island located in the Alif Dhaal Atoll of the Maldives. Known for its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant marine life, Dhigurah offers a serene tropical escape. It is an intimate local island with a small population. Guests will enjoy the western side, with anchored boats near the beach in a large lagoon. Full Day on Dhigurah, Picnic Lunch back to the boat at 16:00. Return to the island at 17:30/18:00 for sunset cocktails and BBQ Evening

Diving: Kudarah Thila & Kudhimaa Wreck Kuda Rah Thila – This is a protected dive site and is a small pinnacle with the top reef starting at around 16m with soft corals and overhangs. Thousands of Blue Striped Snappers can be found at the top of this reef. Kudhimaa Wreck - this is a medium sized steel wreck lying very close to the Machafushi house reef. The wreck was purposely sunk in 1998 to provide divers visiting the South Ari Atoll with a wreck. This is the only Wreck in the region. Lots of coral has grown on the top making it a healthy artificial reef. Lots of Glass fish can be found inside the crevices. Lionfish, Scorpion and Stone Fish can be also be spotted.
  • All Inclusive
Day Eight:  Araidhoo

Day Eight: Araidhoo

An agricultural Island with lots of plantation. Access to a sand stretch to relax, easy excess to the ocean for swimming and snorkelling. Optional: Whale shark excursion, guests will go out on the dive dhoni in search of these gentle giants. This region in the Maldives has the highest probability of finding the Whale Shark. (Chargeable USD 25 excluding taxes)

Diving: Maamagili Corner/Bodufinolhu Thila Both dive sites are outside of the atoll easy wall dives with the chance of spotting a whale shark.
  • All Inclusive
Day Nine: Araidhoo

Day Nine: Araidhoo

An agricultural island with lot of plantation. Access to a sand stretch to relax, easy excess to the ocean for swimming and snorkelling. Optional: Whale shark excursion, guests will go out on the dive dhoni in search of these gentle giants. Today there may be new guests joining us and some departing. Excursions arranged for guests staying on board

  • All Inclusive

Diving: Maamagili Corner / Kudadhoo Beyru Diving activities conducted depending on availability of Dhoni. Both dive sites are outside of the atoll - easy wall dives with the chance of spotting a whale shark.
Day Ten: Hurasdhoo

Day Ten: Hurasdhoo

Hurasdhoo is a small deserted island with a white sandy beach surrounding the island. Beach umbrellas will be placed if the conditions are favourable. Optional Manta Ray excursion: Guests will go out to Rangali Madivaru, a manta ray cleaning station. Peak Season (January – April) (chargeable USD 20 Excluding Taxes) Night Fishing - Tonight’s fishing trip is targeted for reef fish with traditional Hand line bottom fishing technique. Whilst we encourage the practice of “catch and release” and sustainable fishing practices, we are also happy to help out and take back a fish for dinner.

Diving: Rangali Madivaru / Angaga Thila Rangali Madivaru (Manta Point) – Rangali Madivaru Manta point is located at the southwest point of the big reef plateau near the island of Rangali. This reef is surrounded by two channels and is a Manta rays cleaning station during the outgoing currents of the northeast monsoon. Angaga Thila – Small pinnacle with a top reef of 6-8 Meters. Turtles feed the corals on the top reef while sharks cruises in the current and can circle around the pinnacle.
  • All Inclusive
Day Eleven: Embudhoo

Day Eleven: Embudhoo

Embudu is a small deserted island on the western edge of the atoll, with a small plantation and a long stretch of white sandy beach. Morning and afternoon excursions are arranged, and if conditions are favourable, beach umbrellas are placed for shade on the beach. The house reef of the island is perfect for snorkelling, and with a bit of luck, you might spot turtles or Eagle Rays passing by. A night fishing trip will be organized by the crew from 1730 Hrs - 1930 Hrs. Traditional Hand Line will be used.

Diving: Moofushi Kandu & Embudu Thila Moofushi Kandu – A Channel dive with a Manta Cleaning Station. Lots of fish Life, with incoming current Grey reef Sharks, White Tips, Eagle rays can be spotted infront of the channel. Embudu Thila – A small pinnacle with a shallow top reef of 5-6 meters, there is healthy coral all around the pinnacle which is home to many reef fishes.
  • All Inclusive
Day Twelve: Alikoi Rah

Day Twelve: Alikoi Rah

This is a Sand bank located in the centre of Ari Atoll, surrounding a well grown reef. Snorkellers love this house reef as there are a lot of fish and turtles and with a bit of luck rays can be spotted. Morning and afternoon excursions arranged to this sand bank.

Diving: Lhamiyaru Gaa Thila / Giri 2 Lhamiyaru Gaa Thila – “Lhamiyaru” means baby shark in Maldivian, as the name sounds you can spot lots of small baby white tipped reef sharks on this Thila. The top of the reef starts at around 6-8 meters with lots of big coral formations where you can spot lots of marine life around them like Moray eels, Lion & Scorpion fish. Giri 2 – Overhangs and Coral blocks separated from the reef makes this dive site home for varieties of schooling fish including blue stripped snappers, humpback snappers and red snappers. Napolean wrasse, sharks and rays can be spotted during this easy dive.
  • All Inclusive
Day Thirteen: Meerufenfushi

Day Thirteen: Meerufenfushi

Full Day on Meeru, Picnic Lunch back to the boat at 16:00, Return to the island at 17:30/18:00 for sunset cocktails and BBQ Evening

Diving: Fish Head  Fish Head is a very famous dive site in the Maldives. This site is protected by the Maldivian government. The reef is shaped in the form of a circular plate with a depth between 10 and 14 metres. The side of the plate consists of steep walls descending to 35 metres. Here you’ll find large and small overhangs and numerous caves. Marine life thrives at Fish Head. You'll spot grey and white reef sharks, schools of fusiliers, mackerel and tuna, turtles, snappers, and surgeonfish.
  • All Inclusive
Day Fourteen: Maayafushi Sandbank/Madivaru Finolhu

Day Fourteen: Maayafushi Sandbank/Madivaru Finolhu

Maayafushi Sandbank - This is a large sand bank located at the northern edge of Ari Atoll. Flocks of common Seabirds can be found on this sand bar. The reef has lots of nice coral and fish for snorkelling. Sun umbrellas will be setup if the conditions are favourable.

Diving: Maaya Thila / Bathalaa Maaga Kan Maaya Thila - one of the most famous night dive site in the Maldives, Sharks and Sting Rays hunt at this site at night. Bathala Maagaa Kan - an extension of the reef sloping down inside a channel, with large pelagics crossing the channel.
  • All Inclusive
Day Fifteen: Male Anchorage

Day Fifteen: Male Anchorage

Today we are at anchor in Male. We will be able to experience the Fish Tank Excursion.  This is a snorkelling spot 20 minutes from where we are anchored in Male’. The snorkelling spot is famous for a wide concentration of different reef fish, you can come across an abundance of marine life, a multitude of colourful fish, Turtles and even Sharks. Enjoy lunch and a visit to Male City.

  • All Inclusive

Diving: Neru Mathi Neru Mathi – diving available depending on guests’ departure flight timings. Minimum pre-flight of 24hrs requirefishd after Multiday Diving
Day Sixteen: Depart Male to UK

Day Sixteen: Depart Male to UK

At the end of your cruise, enjoy a nice relaxing breakfast overlooking the Indian Ocean before we arrange your transfer for departure to the airport.

  • Breakfast Included

Accommodation

The Yasawa Princess

The ship offers a comfortable, friendly and relaxed experience, where the dress code is casual throughout. There are no more than 60 guests at any one time, providing for a very informal atmosphere onboard. The official dress code is shorts and swimwear during the day and casual dress in the evenings both onboard and on the deserted islands, where beautiful soft white sand makes shoes optional.

Facilities include

The dining area and main bar are on B deck where there is also a small air-conditioned lounge with comfy settees, a large LCD TV and DVD player. Beach towels are provided every day of snorkelling and there are sun loungers on the top deck. There is a small laundry room with free use of washing machines and a tumble dryer, perfect for light packing.

Room includes

All 33 cabins are non-smoking and spread over three decks with sea views: Lower Main Deck: situated on the lower deck of the ship but slightly larger with a double bed or twin beds with porthole. A Deck: situated on the middle deck of the ship, with a double bed or twin beds deck window and door opening onto an outside walkway. Bridge Deck: situated at the very top of the ship next to the Sun Deck, with a double bed or twin beds, deck window and door opening onto an outside walkway. Each cabin has: Minibar Safe En suite facilities with shower Air conditioning Hairdryer Beach towels Daily cabin service

Dates & Prices

Departure Return Nights Price from Other Info Regional flights
8 Dec 2024 23 Dec 2024 14 £4499.00 Please call for regional flights
22 Dec 2024 6 Jan 2025 14 £5799.00 Please call for regional flights
5 Jan 2025 20 Jan 2025 14 £4699.00 Please call for regional flights
19 Jan 2025 3 Feb 2025 14 £4699.00 Full Please call for regional flights
2 Feb 2025 17 Feb 2025 14 £4699.00 Full Please call for regional flights
16 Feb 2025 3 Mar 2025 14 £4699.00 Please call for regional flights
2 Mar 2025 17 Mar 2025 14 £4699.00 Please call for regional flights
16 Mar 2025 31 Mar 2025 14 £4699.00 Please call for regional flights
30 Mar 2025 14 Apr 2025 14 £4699.00 Please call for regional flights
13 Apr 2025 28 Apr 2025 14 £4699.00 Please call for regional flights

Frequently asked questions

Important Information
  • Itineraries are subject to change depending on weather conditions, island availability and at the discretion of the Captain.
  • If an island is unavailable for any reason, Yasawa Princess will provide an alternative with similar activities.
  • BBQs will be arranged on the islands depending on the weather, events will be moved to the boat, along with music if weather is not suitable.
  • Itineraries will be briefed at dinner time for the following day.
  • Chargeable excursions will be billed to your cabin and settled at the time of check-out.
  • There is no Solos group or Tour Leader - You will be joining the Yasawa Princess and crew and we cannot guarantee that all guests will be solo.
  • Please note that this cruise is not suitable for people with limited mobility.
  • Please note that the Yasawa Princess will require a minimum occupancy to operate and may cancel a sailing if numbers are not met.
Passport & Visas
You need to have at least 6 months validity remaining on your passport. The Maldives provides a 30-day free visa on arrival for all visitors regardless of the nationality of visitors. The 30-day free visa is just one aspect of keeping the Maldives hospitable and open to visitors from different parts of the world. 
 
Please refer to the FCDO website for further information https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/maldives
Activities
This is an all-inclusive program with daily excursions letting you experience the culture of local islands and resorts. Night fishing excursions and delicious evening beach barbecues are also included in the programme. Apart from swimming, snorkelling and sunbathing, at an extra charge, you can add diving and game fishing to your leisure cruise list. For the more adventurous guests, they offer a number of exciting experiences, from introductory dives, tp night snorkelling, to Whale Shark & Manta Snorkelling excursions, or challenge yourself on a Game Fishing experience. Let your mind wander free as you dive into the ocean, snorkel, and be part of the wonderful experiences that happen only in the Maldives.
WIFI
There is WiFi however, it can be intermittent and it is chargeable
Voltage
Double 3 pin 220/240-volt British socket in bathroom/ 110-volt American flat pin in bedroom.
Currency
US Dollars are widely accepted and please note that the local Rufiyaa currency can only be exchanged once in the Maldives. Credit cards are widely accepted.
Tipping
Small denominations of US$'s ones & fives for tips. Bills for diving, extra trips, drinks paid at the end of the trip by credit card. Take more than one or extra US$'s as CC's may not work on board because of connection.

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