Best Budget Maldives Liveaboard: Amba
With excellent cabins and common areas plus an eco-friendly approach; Amba is the cheapest Maldives liveaboard out there yet offers awesome value for money (plus Free Nitrox!).
The fact that this liveaboard is renovated every year is obvious as it feels very fresh and contemporary.
There’s several diving itineraries to choose from ranging from 7 – 11 nights around either the Central and / or North Regions of the Maldives. Special “Beginners Tours” are also sometimes available.
Despite being so cheap, Amba has excellent cabins – the 2 luxury cabins even have their own private ocean view terraces!
Great for: Cheap, Value for Money, Beginners, Longer Trips.
Trip Lengths: 7 – 11 Nights.
Max Guests: 20
Price: $ (Cheap)
All trips with Amba include 2 – 3 dives a day (usually 3) plus 1 or 2 night dives. The friendly dive guides are very experienced when it comes to choosing the best dive sites to visit depending on the times of year and day to make sure you have the best dives. At the start of each trip, eco-friendly reusable bottles are gifted to each guest.
Some of Amba’s trips explore the Central Maldives over 7 – 10 nights: this is the most famous Maldives region for diving and a great place to see many different shark species as well as manta rays and dolphins amidst an incredible underwater landscape comprised of numerous pinnacles and reefs coated in coral plus channels with hundreds of grey reef sharks.
Other trips are 11 nights and combine some Central Maldives exploration with the North Region, which is more off-the-beaten-track. In general divers can expect to see similar things at the North Maldives – sharks, rays, dolphins and corals – however at the North, divers have a chance of seeing hundreds of manta rays around Hanifaru Bay.
There’s not much in the way of extra activities with Amba – whereas more expensive liveaboards have things like beach barbaques, watersports and wellness activities; Amba trips are very much designed just for scuba diving.
For common areas, there is a huge partially shaded sundeck on the top of the yacht, a partially shaded shadow deck and are also a couple of quieter, smaller sun lounging areas.
Inside is the indoor saloon with an air-conditioned multimedia area with TV, DVD, HiFi, board games and a library. This is attached to the indoor dining area where guests can enjoy Maldivian, Thai and Western Cuisine whilst helping themselves to wines, beers and cocktails at the traditional bar.
There are 10 cabins in total. The best of these are the 2 luxury cabins; they have their own private terraces with ocean views and heaps of space. There are also a variety of other cabin types with double, twin or king bed options. All cabins have ensuite bathrooms, aircon and fans.
Also, the 2 luxury cabins feature private terraces! There are 7 standard cabins also. All cabins have the option for a double or two single beds plus AC, windows and ensuite bathrooms.
Guest Feedback:
Written by:
