MantaraDive
Azure Horizon — Maldives

MALDIVES · LIVEABOARD

Azure Horizon

Azure Horizon is a classic 36-meter wooden dhoni-style liveaboard that balances authentic Maldivian character with modern dive operations. W…

Length
36 m
Max guests
20
Year built
2014
Cabins
10

The boat

A closer look

Photographs from recent charters — cabins, dive deck, and the spaces between dives.

Why this boat

Elena Martinez

Maldives Specialist

Elena has been on board. Ask about conditions, crew, or which cabin to pick — a reply comes within the hour.

Azure Horizon is a classic 36-meter wooden dhoni-style liveaboard that balances authentic Maldivian character with modern dive operations. With 10 cabins hosting up to 20 guests, and a separate dive dhoni that carries all the tanks and gear, the main vessel stays calm and spacious while divers transit to sites in the dedicated dive boat — a traditional Maldivian setup that most operators have abandoned but that continues to make for a quieter and more social guest experience.

Azure runs seven- and ten-night classic central-atoll itineraries covering North and South Male, Ari, Vaavu, and Meemu, with an emphasis on reliable pelagic encounters at well-known channels including Kandooma Thila, Miyaru Kandu, and the night feeding at Alimatha. The on-board photo pro runs a free nightly critique for guests who want to improve their underwater shots, and the boat was refit in 2023 with new cabins, upgraded batteries, and a modern watermaker.

Best for

  • Dedicated dive dhoni (quieter main boat)
  • Free nightly photo critique
  • Classic central-atolls route

Sailings

Upcoming trips

Departures for the next twelve months. Ask us for charter pricing or private dates.

7 nightsAvailable

May 3 – May 10, 2026

  • North & South Male
  • Ari Atoll
  • Alimatha night dive

From

$2,400/ person

7 nightsFilling fast

May 21 – May 28, 2026

  • Central atolls
  • Vaavu channels

From

$2,400/ person

10 nightsAvailable

Jun 18 – Jun 28, 2026

  • Best of Maldives
  • Meemu
  • Laamu

From

$2,400/ person

7 nightsAvailable

Jul 23 – Jul 30, 2026

  • Ari Atoll
  • Whale shark hunt

From

$2,400/ person

Accommodations

Cabins & rates

Rates shown are per person, twin-share, for the standard itinerary. Private cabin and single-occupancy pricing available on request.

Standard Twin

Sleeps 2 · 4 cabins on board

Lower-deck twin cabin with two single beds (convertible to a queen), porthole window, en-suite bathroom with rainfall shower, and individually controlled air conditioning.

From

$2,400/ person

Superior Ocean View

Sleeps 2 · 4 cabins on board

Main-deck cabin with queen bed, large picture window facing the sea, reading nook, en-suite marble bathroom, and a private safe.

From

$3,000/ person

Upper-Deck Suite

Sleeps 2 · 2 cabins on board

Top-deck suite with king bed, panoramic wraparound windows, private lounge area, oversized rain shower, mini-bar, and private balcony access on most departures.

From

$3,720/ person

Our specialists can help you choose.

Single supplements, triple-share, and private charter quotes — just ask.

On the water

Typical itineraries

A few of the routes this boat runs. Specific sites depend on the departure window and current conditions.

  1. Route 01

    7-night sailing

    May 3 – May 10, 2026

    • North & South Male
    • Ari Atoll
    • Alimatha night dive
  2. Route 02

    7-night sailing

    May 21 – May 28, 2026

    • Central atolls
    • Vaavu channels
  3. Route 03

    10-night sailing

    Jun 18 – Jun 28, 2026

    • Best of Maldives
    • Meemu
    • Laamu

Routes adapt to weather and sea conditions. Final dive sites are decided on the morning of each dive by the cruise director.

Before you book

Frequently asked

Is the boat safe, and what are your certifications?

The Azure Horizon is operated by Azure Liveaboards and is fully certified under PADI, SSI standards. We carry satellite communication, a defibrillator, emergency oxygen on every tender, and a dedicated chase boat. All cruise directors are Divemaster or Instructor-level and hold current EFR and DAN oxygen provider certifications.

When is the best season to visit?

For the Maldives, the prime diving months are November to April. We schedule itineraries to match peak marine-life activity during that window. Travel outside peak season is still rewarding but expect more variable conditions.

How difficult is the diving?

Diving is rated intermediate. Expect some drift dives, depths to 30 m, and strong surface currents at a few sites. Divers should be comfortable with negative entries and maintaining buoyancy in moving water.

What's included, and what's not?

Included: all meals and soft drinks, shared cabin accommodation, up to 4 guided dives per day (3 on travel days), weights, tanks, airport transfers on charter days, and marine park fees where applicable. Not included: flights to the departure port, alcoholic beverages, crew gratuity (standard 10% of the trip cost), dive insurance, and any Nitrox surcharge where relevant.

Tell me about the cabins.

Ten cabins across two decks, all refit in 2023 with new mattresses, LED lighting, and en-suite bathrooms. All cabins have individually controlled air conditioning, en-suite bathrooms with hot-water showers, 110/220V outlets, and crisp hotel-grade linens changed mid-trip. Ocean-view cabins feature a picture window; lower-deck cabins feature a porthole.

What about food and dietary requirements?

Our Maldivian head chef serves rotating menus of Maldivian, Indian, and international dishes. We accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal, and most food allergies with advance notice — please tell us at booking so we can provision correctly. Breakfast is buffet-style, lunch and dinner are served family-style, and there is always a hot drink and fresh fruit bowl between dives.

Is dive gear provided?

Tanks and weights are included. A full rental set (regulator, BCD, wetsuit, computer, fins, mask) is available at $30 per day, or any individual item on request.

Do you offer Nitrox?

Nitrox (up to 32%) is available for a flat $150 per trip surcharge. If you are not yet certified, the on-board instructor can run a 1-day Nitrox specialty course during the trip.

What experience level do I need?

Our recommended minimum is Open Water with 20+ logged dives. Less-experienced divers can often join, but may sit out one or two of the more advanced sites at the cruise director's discretion — this is a safety call, not a service downgrade.

Who typically joins these trips?

A friendly mix of dive-club groups from Europe and couples on their first Maldives liveaboard. Our average group is 14–18 divers from 5–8 nationalities. Solo travelers are common and can opt for a shared cabin at no single supplement on most departures. The minimum age on board is 14.

Next step

Ready to make it yours?

Tell us your dates and we’ll put together the full quote — cabins, flights, transfers, and any extras.

  • Free cancellation up to 60 days
  • Best price matched
  • Dedicated specialist support

From

$2,400/ person