The world‘s finest diving

Carpe Diem

The 115-foot (35-meter) MV Carpe Diem offers 7 and 10-night cruises concentrating on the Central Atolls but offers a wide variety of itineraries with excursions to the north & south, also.

A word from Dom : “Carpe Diem is sister ship to the Carpe Vita and Carpe Nova. Always a fine choice but I particularly appreciate the trips she operates to the southern atolls.” Dominick Macan

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On Board Carpe Diem

2 large upper deck DOUBLE cabins
1 with king bed … 1 with queen bed … & picture windows
2 main deck DOUBLE cabins
queen bed & picture windows
4 lower deck DOUBLE / TWIN cabins
1 large double & 1 twin bunk & portholes
2 lower deck TWIN cabins
2 twin beds & portholes

All with air conditioning & ensuite facilites. Upper & main deck cabins have a flat screen TV & DVD/MP3 player.

up to 3 dives per day all from the dive dhoni
11.5 & 13.5 liter alu tanks (DIN & INT valves)
15 liter alu tanks (at extra cost)
scuba gear rental (by advance request)
nitrox
water temperature: 78 – 82F, 25 – 28C … 3mm wetsuit recommended

accommodation & diving
meals, snacks, water, instant coffee, tea
compressed air, tanks, weights & weight belts
nitrox
airport transfers
tax 12%

international & domestic airfare
juices, soft drinks & alcoholic beverages
scuba rental gear (by advance request)
15 liter tanks & nitrox
environmental tax
fuel surcharge on certain trips

Comfortable And Relaxed

Carpe Diem has 3 decks plus a sundeck. On the very top is the 115 square-meter sun deck, which is partially covered & is used for both sunning and lounging. The upper deck hosts the main dining area & bar, a reading area & library, studio with internet & business center facilities, plus an alfresco dining alternative. You’ll also find find the 2 large suites here. Outside of the lounge area there is another sitting area in the shade with comfortable, cushioned chairs.

On the main deck you’ll find a fully equipped bar & lounge, which offers flat screen TV, DVD/MP3 player, in house sound system, sitting/dance area plus the activities deck and two large double cabins.

The 6 twin cabins are all on the.lower deck.

Diving is done from the dhoni, meaning plenty of extra room on board. Carpe Diem offers a variety of European & International Cuisine – including Maldivian, Thai & Indian specialties. The wine menu features wines from around the world.

Travel & Cruise Logistics

The Carpe Diem offers 7 and 10-night cruises. The cruises normally leave every Saturday but for 10-day cruises departure days may change.  Check in time is generally at 12.30 pm and you will be met at the airport by a representative of the liveaboard.  If you arrive early, you may wait at the airport or we can help you to make arrangements to use the facilities of the nearby airport hotel until check-in time for the boat.  Check out time will be latest by 8 am on the day of return.

Layout & Specs

Deck & cabin layout, the yacht specifications, equipment & safety features
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Specifications

Built : 2008
Port of Registration : Male’ / Republic of Maldives
Length (m) :35 meters
Beam (m) : 10 meters
Maximum Guests :20
No. of Cabins: 10 (1 Suite, 1 Deluxe, 2 High Standard, 4 Standard, 2 twin sharing Standard)
No. of Bathrooms:13
Air-Condition: In all enclosed areas of the boat and in all cabins
No.of Crew : 10 + 3 on the diving dhoni
Diving Dhoni : YES
Nitrox on Board: YES
HP Compressors :2 x MCH 16 Coltri Sub (530 L/min, 18CFM), Bauer M320
Nitrox Gen : Coltri Sub LP320, Nuvair Membrane
FA Oxygen on board :YES,10,500 Liters
Dive Gear Rental:YES, Scuba Pro
Diving School:YES,PADI
Extra Activities :Fishing, wave surfing

MACHINERY

Engine: Doosan Daewood Diesel Engine 650 Hp
Fuel Tank Capacity :7,000 litres
Generators :2 x Doosan Daewood Marine Soundproof, 50 Hz, 380V, 45KW
Electric Voltage : 220 / 50 Hz, 24 hrs / day
Fresh Water capacity 5,000 Litres
Water Maker : 16000 litres/day (2 x Osmotic Treatment Plants – Wasco Atlantic 400)

NAVIGATION

GPS,Sounder

COMMUNICATIONS

VHF Radio, Internet, GSM

SAFETY EQUIPMENT

Smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, life jackets, emergency alarm

Itineraries

Carpe Diem concentrates on Central Atolls trips with occasional trips to the Deep South and lots of itinerary variations which take in North Central & South Central atolls also.

The final itinerary is, of course, always dependent upon weather, sea conditions and where the best animal sightings are at any particular time of year

7-nights trips usually include 4 atolls …. 10 night trips usually include 6 atolls.  The itineraries are varied and complex (Central Atolls, Central & North Central, Central & South Central, Southern Atolls).  Check the schedule at the bottom of the page to know which atolls are included on specific dates.

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE

Central Atolls

  • North Ari Atoll: find caves & overhangs here are home to home to a variety of fish … from dog-toothed tuna, napoleons, trevallies and barracuda to parrotfish, butterflyfish, blue face angelfish, batfish and lionfish. You’ll encounter grey reef sharks and white-tip sharks … while on the top of the reef, countless fusiliers dart around and those lovely, ever-present-in-the-Maldives blue-stripped snappers move in waves. Lovely soft corals and gorgonian fans add color … and there’s a nice little wreck …. a fishing trawler with coral growth and loads of fish and critters to add interest.
  • South Ari Atoll: popular for its population of whale sharks. In season you’re likely to have the opportunity to snorkel with one or more. But, whale sharks aren’t all there is. You’ll find caves and overhangs, more sharks … plus fusiliers, angelfish, tuna & jacks, large seafans, soft corals and an abundance of other marine life.
  • North Male Atoll: one of the finest sites in the Maldives for sighting those majestic mantas. A cleaning station here can be very busy between May and December, with cleaner wrasse anxious to get to work on their oversized friends as they sail in. It’s a bit like a busy barber shop!
  • South Male Atoll: a challenging thila dive here offers some lovely corals and schools of pelagic fish … plus eagle rays and sharks. Another small wreck features some good macro options.

North Central Atolls (includes Baa and Hanifaru Bay)

  • Lhaviyani Atoll: A favorite dive for many divers looking for an adrenalin rush, the Kuredu Express at his atoll is almost always like downhill racing … and sometimes too wild to dive at all. The currents bring in nutrients and smaller fish for the big guys, who also seem to like the ride. Large groups of grey reef sharks are common … as are giant napoleon wrasses, a giant grouper, big stingrays, turtles, eels, trevally, eagle rays and sometimes a group of mobulas.Raa Atoll: some good diving for advanced divers in fast currents … with the usual Maldives cast of characters: stingrays, eagle rays, groupers, snappers, jacks and sharks. Hard and soft corals make a splash here and there, attracting colorful reef fish and offering the macro photographer nice opportunities to snap some critters. The icing on the cake is a manta cleaning station.

    Baa Atoll: known even to non-divers, Hanifaru Bay is a UNESCO reserve designed to protect the exceptional marine life that congregates within its remarkable shores. The funnel-like bay and reef have a tidal, current action that traps plankton and other nutrients at certain times. Mantas, whale sharks and other animals arrive for a feeding frenzy unlike any other we know of. At times there can be more than 100 mantas taking part in this huge feast. In the neighborhood are other dives where you’ll find hard & soft corals and a sampling of the other Maldives characters: the turtles, the snappers, the sting rays, the sharks … and even a critter or two.

South Central Atolls

  • Vaavu (Felidhe): there’s a popular channel dive here with nurse sharks as well as black tip and white tip reef sharks. A possible night dive at a jetty offers up loads of nurse sharks & sting rays. Another dive, loved by photographers in particular, is alive with soft corals in lovely hues and includes a nice variety of reef fish.Rasdhoo Atoll: a popular reef dive which is usually also very sharky if you’re there early in the day … although the hammerheads tend to be around most of the time. Big schools of pelagic fish are commons as well as the ever-present snappers, fusiliers & batfish.

    Meemu: channels with currents bring excitement with good drift diving amongst lots of fish with some lovely, lush coral backdrop. A shallow manta cleaning station is one of the most popular dives here. In addition to mantas, you can expect all the Maldives characters, the jacks, Napoleons, groupers, snappers eagle rays, morays and reef sharks.

    Thaa Atoll: known for both mantas and eagle rays and plenty of pelagic fish, there’s also a nice channel dive which often includes a few sharks, including occasionally some silvertips.

Southern Atolls (if your cruise starts at Male and ends at Gan – or vice versa – it will include some of the south central atolls)

  • Foammulah: if you’re looking for sharky dives, you need look no further. Tiger sharks, thresher sharks, hammerheads and silky sharks can be found in this region … plus oceanic mantas. The currents can be wild, so, it’s strictly for advanced divers. If you’re in that category, this is thrilling stuff! There’s also a beautiful wall dive with more of the same characters and schools of pelagic fish.

    Huvadhoo:
     (Gaaf Alif and Gaaf Dhaal) in this region, you’ll find multiple superb shark dive sites, again for advanced divers, where you’ll almost certainly spot grey reef sharks, white tips, silvertips, leopard sharks, hammerheads and the occasional silky shark. Never a dull moment !

    Addu Atoll:
     this atoll offers a wonderful shark dive. Grey reef sharks and white tip reef sharks hang out on a sandy plateau and other species are often spotted in the blue. In addition to the sharks, you’ve got a manta cleaning station and a very popular wreck dive, the British Loyalty, an oil tanker was torpedoed in 1944 by a German U-boat. The body of the ship is covered with table coral, soft corals, gorgonians and black corals.

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