This is my comprehensive EcoPro Seascape review, covering my experience on this new diving liveaboard in the Maldives. I completed a 10-day diving cruise, and here is my detailed breakdown of the boat, the diving organization, and the itinerary.

With its postcard-perfect atolls, warm turquoise lagoons, and some of the most exciting marine life in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives has been one of my favourite places to dive for years. I’ve now done more than 30 liveaboards worldwide, including six in the Maldives, so I’m always curious to see how each boat handles the essentials: comfort, organization, service, and the overall rhythm onboard.

If you’re comparing Maldives diving liveaboard reviews, this article will walk you through the practical details so you can decide if EcoPro Seascape is the right match for your trip. I’ll cover everything from flying into Malé and where to stay the night before, to the boarding process, the feel of the boat, and how the week is organized once you’re onboard.

 

Arriving on the EcoPro Seascape

Flying to Malé

Your EcoPro Seascape adventure begins with a flight into Malé Velana International Airport, the gateway to the Maldives. Malé is surprisingly easy to reach, with many international airlines flying in daily. For this trip, I flew Batik Air business class from Bali. It was a mixed experience overall, but it got me there comfortably.

If you’re considering Emirates, take a moment to read my review of the Emirates Business Class flight to the Maldives. Additionally, a new airline called Beond operates full business class planes to Male from Zurich, Milan, and Dubai. It’s a fantastic way to travel in style, and you can find my review of Beond Airlines here. It is an excellent airline for divers as they allow 40kg of luggage so that you can bring your dive gear with you.

Entering the Maldives

Arriving at Malé Velana International Airport felt noticeably easier this time, thanks to the new terminal. Passport control was quick, and within about 30 minutes, I already had my luggage in hand. Arrival formalities are straightforward, but don’t forget to complete the Maldives arrival form online before you land. You’ll need to show the QR code at immigration. Here is the link to the Maldives arrival form online

Tip: Alcohol is not allowed to be brought into the Maldives, so don’t buy any at duty-free.

Where should you stay before or after your EcoPro Seascape trip?

Before any diving liveaboard, I always like to arrive one day earlier — it gives me time to rest, adjust to the jet lag, and it also removes the stress of wondering whether my luggage (and dive gear) will arrive in time for boarding.

To be honest, Malé can feel chaotic and a bit polluted, and it’s not always convenient with luggage. Many small roads aren’t accessible by car, and on a past trip, I ended up walking about 150 meters with my suitcase at midnight — not ideal after travel.

If you’re arriving the day before boarding, I recommend staying in Hulhumalé instead. It’s around a 10-minute drive from the airport, and some hotels sit along a long beach on the east side. You won’t find true luxury resorts here, but you can find comfortable suites with a beautiful sea view and a large terrace right over the beach.

A taxi from the airport to Hulhumalé costs around 85 Maldivian rufiyaa (about USD 6). I stayed the Paralian hotel. It was clean, comfortable, and my 4th-floor suite had a fantastic ocean view.

There are also plenty of good beachfront restaurants within walking distance, plus small supermarkets if you want to stock up on snacks before heading out on EcoPro Seascape.

Boarding the EcoPro Seascape Liveaboard

The meeting point with the EcoPro Seascape team was set for 12:30 pm at the airport. Finding the cruise representative was a little tricky at first. Luckily, I’ve started liveaboards from the Maldives before, and I knew that guests often gather near the Burger King area, so we headed there and asked a few other passengers carrying dive gear which boat they were joining. After a few minutes, we found a small group also boarding EcoPro Seascape — and from that point, it was easy to locate the right representative.

Tip: EcoPro Seascape works with staff from the EmperorLiveaboards operation, so if you’re looking for the team, keep an eye out for Emperor Liveaboards signs or uniforms.

We boarded the tender around 1:30 pm, and the ride to EcoPro Seascape was short. The welcome onboard was exactly what you want after travel: a cool towel, a refreshing drink, and a relaxed lunch while the crew quietly handled the logistics in the background. Because the luggage had already been tagged at the airport, it was waiting in the cabin — smooth, efficient, and very stress-free.

After lunch, we had time to explore the boat and settle into the new rhythm of liveaboard life. The main briefing was held around 3:00 pm, covering safety and how the week would run. That timing worked well — it left the rest of the afternoon and evening free to unwind, meet the other guests, and enjoy the first sunset onboard.

It was one of the rare times I’ve had to do a proper fire safety drill with the crew on a liveaboard, and it immediately showed how seriously EcoPro Seascape takes onboard procedures. The drill happened right at the beginning of the trip, so everyone—guests and crew—started the week knowing exactly what to do, where to go, and how the emergency roles are organised. It’s also reassuring to know this isn’t just for show: the team emphasised that the same briefing and drill ensure staff are fully trained for real emergency scenarios. All crew members are trained in first aid, and there is a fixed night watch whose job is to patrol the entire boat every 20 minutes. That routine is monitored through QR-code checkpoints, meaning the patrol isn’t just “supposed” to happen—it’s tracked, verified, and consistent. For me, this kind of structured safety culture adds a quiet layer of comfort to the whole liveaboard experience, especially on a trip with long crossings and early dive starts.

Review of the Eco Pro Seascape Boat

Review of the Main Deck on EcoPro Seascape

The main deck on EcoPro Seascape quickly became the heart of the boat for me. It’s where days naturally start and end, whether that’s with an early tea before the first briefing or a quiet drink after the last dive.

The dining area is outdoor and at the back of the boat.

Stepping inside from the outdoor dining area, the space immediately feels open and calm. Warm wooden tones run throughout the deck, from the floors to the furniture, giving it a relaxed, yacht-like atmosphere rather than the feel of a functional dive boat. Large panoramic windows line the lounge, flooding the room with natural light during the day and offering uninterrupted sea views while we cruise between atolls. The lounge is air-conditioned.

The lounge itself is impressively spacious. Deep blue sofas invite you to sink in, and there’s plenty of room for everyone to spread out without ever feeling crowded. I especially appreciated the number of charging plugs thoughtfully placed around the lounge—perfect for cameras, phones, laptops, and dive computers.

There is also an area dedicated to cameras with plugs and antislip mats.

Just beside the lounge are 2 tea and coffee stations, which stay busy all day. Fresh coffee, tea, and hot water are always available, making it easy to warm up after a dive or settle in with a book. Speaking of books, the small onboard library is a lovely touch, but most of the books, especially the fish ID books, were in German.

Tip: for coffee aficionados, high quality premium coffees of all kinds are available for a small extra fee.

Practical details are well handled too. There’s a drinking water station where you can refill your reusable bottle as often as needed.

The bar sits at the back of the lounge, subtly separated but still social, and just behind it is a conveniently located public toilet.

There are also two cabins on the main deck, positioned away from the main social areas. From what I could see, they benefit from the same light, airy feel as the top deck cabins.

Review of the top deck on the Ecopro Seascape liveaboard

At the front of the top deck is a large, curved lounge area with deep navy cushions that wrap around the bow. It’s an incredibly comfortable setup, whether you’re stretching out with a book, chatting quietly with other guests, or simply watching the horizon as the boat moves between dive sites. The area doesn’t have shade and could get hot during the say so the best time to hang out there was for sunset.

Further back, the top deck opens into a more minimal, open space. It allows guests to use it however they like—stretching, quiet conversations, or simply enjoying the sense of space that’s sometimes missing on dive boats. The beanbags on the deck were popular. It is also the boat’s smoking area.

What I really appreciated about the top deck is how peaceful it feels. Even when the boat is full, this area never feels busy or noisy. It’s a place to slow down, breathe, and remember that a liveaboard trip isn’t only about what you see underwater, but also about these quiet moments in between, surrounded by nothing but the Indian Ocean.

Review of the Sundeck on the Ecopro Seascape liveaboard

The sundeck on EcoPro Seascape is a true highlight and one of the most generous spaces on the boat. Located at the very top, it feels open and airy.

The deck is large and well laid out, with sixteen comfortable sunbeds, so there is always space for everyone. Even when the boat is full, I never once felt the need to “claim” a spot early. You can come up after a dive, towel still damp, and easily find a free lounger to stretch out and relax.

One of the best features is the shade. A large part of the sundeck is covered, which, under the strong Maldivian sun, is a real blessing. I often chose the shaded loungers for reading or dozing off during surface intervals, while others preferred full sun for drying wetsuits or topping up their tan.

At the front of the sundeck is the jacuzzi, perfectly positioned with uninterrupted ocean views. The water is warm, not just lukewarm, and it became a favourite spot at the end of the day. Sitting there after the last dive, muscles relaxing, watching the horizon while the sun came down, felt wonderfully indulgent.

Review of the Cabins on the EcoPro Seascape Liveaboard

EcoPro Seascape offers 3 types of cabins, spread across different decks. Regardless of location, all cabins share a similar size, layout, and overall design. There are seven standard cabins located on the lower deck, two cabins on the main deck behind the restaurant, and four cabins on the top deck. I stayed in one of the standard cabins on the lower deck, and it was far more spacious than I expected for a liveaboard.

Review of the standard cabin

The cabin layout is simple and functional, but done well. The room features two single beds that can be pushed together, making it suitable for both solo travelers and couples. I found the beds genuinely comfortable, with proper duvets rather than thin blankets.

Natural light comes from three porthole windows, which give a small but pleasant view of the Maldives. The windows don’t open, but they do prevent the cabin from feeling closed-in, something that can easily happen on lower-deck cabins. By liveaboard standards, the cabin feels large, with enough floor space to move around comfortably and a small desk area that’s useful for cameras, laptops, or dive logs.

Storage is the one area where space feels a bit tight. Closet space is surprisingly limited. Staying alone, I had no issue at all, but if you’re sharing the cabin, you’ll need to be organised, especially with dive gear, clothes, and luggage all competing for space.

One detail I really liked was the lighting. There are close to ten different lighting options, allowing you to adjust brightness and atmosphere depending on the time of day. You can create anything from bright, practical light to a much softer, more relaxed mood in the evening.

The air-conditioning is strong and individually controlled, which is essential in the Maldives. There’s also a fan in the cabin, although I never felt the need to use it.

There is a safety box in the cabin

One thing that really stood out to me was the soundproofing. It’s genuinely good. I never heard the people staying in the cabins around me, which is not something I can say about many liveaboards. The cabins remain quiet and private once the door is closed.

The cabins are also very practical. There are plenty of hooks and towel hangers, which makes a big difference when you’re dealing with wetsuits, swimsuits, and dive gear that never really dries in one go.

Power outlets are another small but important detail done right. The plugs are 220V and some of them are designed to accept European, UK, and US plug shapes without needing an adapter, which is surprisingly rare and very convenient.

Lower-deck cabins on liveaboards often come with downsides like humidity or a musty smell. That’s absolutely not the case on EcoPro Seascape. The boat is new, well-ventilated, and the cabins feel fresh and dry throughout the trip. There was no trace of mould or dampness, even after days of diving.

Tip: There is no storage space under the beds, so hard suitcases can be awkward. Consider bringing a soft, foldable bag instead, which is much easier to store once unpacked.

Each cabin comes with two reusable water bottles, which you can refill at the drinking water station on board. It’s convenient and helps reduce plastic waste, while ensuring you stay well hydrated throughout the trip.

Overall, the cabins feel modern, comfortable, and designed by people who clearly understand what divers actually need during a liveaboard trip.

Review of The Bathroom on the EcoPro Seascape lievaboard

If you’ve spent time on liveaboards before, you’re probably used to tiny bathrooms. That’s not the case on EcoPro Seascape. The bathrooms here are spacious and comfortable.

The shower is large by liveaboard standards, with enough room to move without constantly knocking elbows. Hot water is reliable and consistent. After long dives and salty days, being able to rinse off properly with steady hot water feels like a small luxury.

The sink area is practical and well designed, with a generous cupboard underneath for toiletries and personal items.

Eco-friendly soap and shampoo are provided, which is a nice touch and in line with the boat’s overall sustainability approach.

Tip: There is no conditioner provided, and with constant exposure to saltwater, your hair will need extra care. Bringing your own conditioner is strongly recommended. There is also no hairdryer in the cabin, so if you rely on one, make sure to bring your own.

Towels are taken care of too. Bathroom and outdoor towels are provided and changed every two to three days

Tip: The toilet is a marine toilet, so toilet paper should not be flushed. There’s a bin provided, and following this rule avoids problems for everyone on board.

What Cabin to Choose on EcoPro Seascape?

Choosing the right cabin on EcoPro Seascape really depends on how much time you expect to spend in your room and how sensitive you are to movement and noise.

If you enjoy spending time in your cabin during the day and value natural light and a view, the cabins on the top deck or the main deck are the best choice. They have large panoramic windows and they feel brighter and more connected to the outside.

The downside is that these cabins are slightly more expensive, and on the top deck in particular, you will feel the movement of the boat more. When the sea picks up, the rolling is noticeably stronger higher up.

Tip: If you get seasick easily, I strongly recommend choosing a cabin on the lower deck, ideally toward the centre of the boat. This is where movement is least noticeable, and it makes a real difference on rougher crossings.

One last practical point worth considering is internet access. If you need to stay connected while on board, choosing a top deck cabin can make a noticeable difference. The 4G signal is simply better the higher you are on the boat, and reception tends to be more stable in the top deck cabins compared to those below. It’s not a guarantee of fast internet, but if connectivity matters to you, height definitely helps.

Among the standard lower-deck cabins, location matters. I recommend choosing a cabin on the right side of the boat. The dhoni tender usually docks on the left side, which can partially block the view from the left-side cabins and add some extra activity.

I stayed in cabin number 10, which is close to both the stairs and the engine room. I could hear some background noise from the engine, the water pump, and people moving up and down the stairs. The noise level was moderate and didn’t prevent me from sleeping well, but if you’re a light sleeper, I would suggest requesting cabin 8 or cabin 9 instead, which are better positioned and likely quieter.

For those interested in solo travel Maldives diving liveaboard options, EcoPro Seascape really stands out. The boat offers two dedicated cabins for solo travellers, which is an excellent option. It allows you to have your own cabin without paying the full single supplement that most liveaboards charge.

Tip: The solo cabins are extremely popular, so if you’re travelling alone, it’s important to book early to secure one.

Review of the Dive Organisation on EcoPro Seascape

The EcoPro seascape is owned by a diver, and it shows. The boat is designed, organised, and staffed to provide the best experience underwater. The Ecopro Seascape Maldives diving operation is well-organized and nicely varied. Even though the boat feels very comfortable — almost like a floating hotel — the diving side is taken seriously, with a clear routine and a strong focus on finding the best conditions. Our itinerary was a 10-day trip allowing us to go a bit further south in the central atolls, mixing classic “must-do” sites with a few more unique spots.

Diving schedule

Most days follow a classic Maldivian rhythm of three dives a day. Dive times were usually 6:30 am, 10:30 am, and 3 pm. But what stood out to me is how fluid this structure remains. If the current turns earlier than expected or the navigation time required, the plan changes. If visibility improves later in the day, the dive is delayed. The goal is always the same: to put divers in the water at the moment when the site is most alive.

If you’ve dived from Maldivian liveaboards, you quickly learn that good diving isn’t just about the sites—it’s about timing, flexibility, and how well the entire operation adapts to the ocean. EcoPro Seascape is a boat that revolves around diving, and that philosophy is obvious from day one, with dive an meals times changing day to day to accommodate the diving.

This is truly a Maldives liveaboard for experienced divers, as this kind of operation makes all the difference. EcoPro Seascape doesn’t just take you diving in the Maldives—it reads the Maldives and responds accordingly.

It is worth noting that beyond 1 night manta ray dive, night dives are not offered on this boat.

Dive time is 60 minutes, but our guide wasn’t too strict about it, and on a really good dive, he allowed us to dive a bit longer if it was worth it. One of the shallow dives with Mantas went on for over 80 minutes. The rule was that we would start the ascent and safety stop at 50 bars.

Surface intervals are smooth and well-timed. Gear stays on the dhoni, tanks are changed efficiently, and divers are never rushed back into the water. The separation between the main boat and the dhoni works perfectly here, keeping dive operations organised and relaxed..

 

Dive briefing

Briefings are never rushed or generic. Instead, the dive team clearly explains what the current is expected to do, and how that will affect positioning, entry, and exit. As a diver, that builds confidence. You’re not just being told where to jump in—you understand the logic behind every decision.

Channel dives are handled particularly well. Entry points are precise, often starting slightly away from the channel to allow divers to drift naturally into position. Reef hooks are used when appropriate, and the team is very clear about when to hook in, where to position yourself, and when to unhook and drift.

Briefings are detailed but practical. Depth ranges, topography, expected marine life, and current direction are clearly explained, often with simple sketches. This makes a big difference, especially on complex sites with pinnacles, ridges, or multiple drop-offs.

Diving rules in the Maldives

In the Maldives, diving is tightly regulated by the Ministry of Tourism, and most liveaboards (including EcoPro Seascape) enforce these rules quite strictly: all dives must stay within recreational no-decompression limits, and the maximum depth is 30 meters for Advanced Open Water (or equivalent) and above. Open Water divers are restricted to shallower depths unless they have additional deep training. Gloves are not allowed (it’s a reef-protection rule), but reef hooks are permitted and even strongly recommended for channel dives. Solo diving, technical diving, and any dive that exceeds 30 meters or requires decompression stops are prohibited, and divers are expected to carry proper safety gear like a dive computer and a DSMB with reel/spool.

Diving from a dhoni

Like most Maldives liveaboards, all diving was done from a large dhoni that followed EcoPro Seascape. It was well equipped, and most dive sites were reached with a short 10–15 minute ride. It’s large, stable, and comfortable, and even with a group of 21 divers on board, it never once felt crowded or chaotic.

Space is clearly one of its strengths. Entries and exits are smooth, helped by the dhoni’s stability in the water, which makes a real difference when conditions are less than calm. The ladder to come back u on the boat is comfortable and easy to use.

Organisation is another strong point. The layout is clearly thought through for divers, with separate rinsing tanks for masks, wetsuits, and camera equipment. This keeps things clean, practical, and safe—especially important for photographers who want to protect their gear. Everything has its place, and that efficiency carries through the entire diving operation.

Nitrox and equipment

If you don’t have your own dive gear, you can rent equipment onboard EcoPro Seascape. Personally, I always recommend bringing your own whenever possible — it’s simply more comfortable diving with gear you already know, and if you do a few trips a year, the investment pays for itself quickly.

On this trip, I rented fins and a BCD from EcoPro Seascape to reduce luggage volume as I was on a longer trip. The fins were excellent, but they were used without booties, so make sure you bring dive socks for comfort and to avoid blisters. The BCD was in perfect condition, but it didn’t have integrated weights.

Water temperature is around 28 and 29 degrees, so most divers are comfortable with a 3 mm wetsuit when diving in the Maldives

Tip: A 3mm wetsuit or a rash guard is enough for most people. You might feel tempted to dive without anything, but I recommend at least a rash guard to protect against jellyfish and stinging plankton, epscially on the night dive.

Nitrox is available onboard, and during my trip, it was included for most guests because EcoPro Seascape was running a free Nitrox promotion. The divemasters would check our Nitrox before each dive and fill it in the logbook for us. It was consistently between 29 and 32 degrees.

Tip: Bring your own dive computer and reef hook. And if you ever surface away from the group, inflate your SMB immediately — there’s a lot of boat traffic in the Maldives.

Is Nitrox Worth It on a Maldives Liveaboard?

You might be wondering, “Is maldives liveaboard nitrox worth it?” In short: Yes.

Many Maldives dives keep you around 20–25 meters on channels and pinnacles, where Nitrox extends your no-decompression time. It also reduces nitrogen loading over a week of repetitive diving, which can leave you feeling less tired. And it gives you a bigger safety buffer when currents make it harder to stay shallow the whole dive.

If you are not yet certified for Nitrox, you can do it on board Ecopro Seascape. The additional cost is 150 Euros.

Diving groups and guides

During our trip, there were 20 divers and 3 dive instructors. Groups of 6 to 7 divers were created based on experience. Everyone on the boat was advanced open water at a minimum. The Maldives has many channel dives where the current can be strong, so it is better for experienced divers. When the Ecopro Seascape diving boat is at full capacity, it can take 28 divers in 4 groups of 7 divers each.

My dive guide, Shakko, is one of the most experienced dive guides in the Maldives—and you feel it from the very first dive. At this level, guiding becomes less about “following a plan” and more about reading the ocean in real time. Shakko has that rare instinct: he understands exactly how a site will behave depending on the tide, the current strength, and even the mood of the day. He knows where the action usually starts, where it moves, and when it’s worth waiting patiently versus when it’s better to change position quickly.

What impressed me most is how effortless it all felt. There was no frantic finning or chasing. He would time the entry perfectly, keep the group calm, and guide us into the right spot with minimal effort—often arriving just minutes before something spectacular happened. It’s the kind of guiding that makes you feel like you’re watching a documentary unfold around you, except you’re inside the scene.

And the results spoke for themselves. Thanks to Shakko, I saw things I had never seen in the Maldives before—most memorably a hammerhead shark, and later a leopard shark cruising past with that slow, confident movement that makes you forget to breathe for a second. Those are not everyday sightings in the central atolls, and it felt like a real privilege to witness them on this trip.

But the highlight was one dive that I’ll remember for a long time: the sharkiest dive I have ever done in the Maldives. We dropped in and hooked along a ridge. Almost immediately, the blue filled with life. Sharks—everywhere. Not just a few curious individuals, but a full scene of constant movement, like a living current. At one point, I genuinely stopped counting because it was too much to take in all at once: well over 100 sharks in the water, with around 20 eagle rays gliding through the background like something from a dream. It was intense, wild, and strangely peaceful at the same time.

That’s the difference a truly exceptional guide can make. The Maldives is already spectacular, but with someone like Shakko, you don’t just “do the dive sites.” You experience them at their best—at the right moment, in the right place, with the least effort, and the maximum magic.

Getting back on the main boat

Moving from the dhoni back to the main boat was also relatively easy because both sat at the same height. The crew was always there with a steady hand, making the step across feel safe, simple, and stress-free — even when the water was a bit choppy.

After every dive, we were welcomed back on the main boat with a drink. On sunny days, it was usually a fresh juice — light, cold, and exactly what you crave after being in warm salt water. But when the weather turned, and we came back from rainy, windier dives, the crew switched instantly to something comforting: hot tea or even hot chocolate. It sounds like a small detail, but it really shows the level of thoughtfulness onboard — they weren’t just following a routine, they were paying attention to how we felt.

Every morning, a warm, clean towel was already waiting for us on the dhoni — a simple but surprisingly luxurious touch that made the early starts feel much more comfortable.

 

The Food on EcoPro Seascape Liveaboard

Food on a dive liveaboard needs to do one thing well: fuel long days underwater without becoming heavy or repetitive. EcoPro Seascape gets this balance right. The cuisine isn’t trying to be Michelin-starred, but it is plentiful, fresh, tasty, and very well adapted to a dive-focused schedule.

Meals are served three times a day, carefully timed around diving. Breakfast is served after the first dive, lunch after the second dive, and dinner around 7 p.m., once everyone is rinsed, logged, and relaxed. Everything is buffet-style, which works well on a boat where appetites vary wildly after strong current dives.

For early risers, toast and cereal are available before the first dive, which I appreciated on mornings with early starts. Breakfast proper is generous and varied. There’s toast, oats, fruit, and a mix of Maldivian and Western options. Eggs are cooked on demand, and several items change daily. Over the week, we had avocado toast, baked beans, pancakes, and other rotating warm dishes.

Lunch and dinner follow a similar structure: usually two salads and four to five hot dishes. The variety is impressive for a liveaboard kitchen. Dishes ranged from beef tenderloin and fresh tuna to lasagna, tacos, rice curries, and Asian noodle dishes. Flavours are familiar and comforting rather than experimental, which works well when you’re diving three times a day.

What stood out to me was how well the crew handled food preferences. They clearly pay attention to who is on board. On lasagna day, for example, they prepared three different versions to accommodate different dietary needs and preferences. That kind of effort makes a real difference on longer trips.

Lunch and dinner are always followed by dessert. Ice cream appears often—always welcome in the tropical heat—but we also had apple crumble and cakes, which felt like proper treats after long dive days.

Drinks are straightforward and fairly priced by Maldivian standards. Tea, coffee, and drinking water are available all day at no charge. Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages are extra, but reasonably so: soft drinks cost around USD 4, beer USD 5, and bottles of wine range from USD 30 to USD 45.

Overall, the food on EcoPro Seascape does exactly what it should. It’s satisfying, varied, and thoughtfully prepared, keeping divers well fed, happy, and ready for the next dive.

Sustainable Luxury: Eco-friendly Diving in the Maldives

Sustainability on EcoPro Seascape isn’t presented as a marketing slogan — it shows up in practical, everyday choices that quietly reduce waste without making guests feel restricted. The most visible example is the refill system: each cabin comes with reusable water bottles, and there’s a drinking-water station on board so you can top up anytime instead of going through endless single-use plastic bottles. On the dhoni, water is also available for refills, which makes it easy to keep the habit going between dives.

Toiletries are another small but meaningful detail: eco-friendly soap and shampoo are provided in the bathrooms, and towels are changed every two to three days rather than automatically every day, which reduces laundry, water, and energy use over a 10-day trip. I also appreciated that the crew encouraged simple diver habits that protect the reef: no gloves (so you’re less tempted to touch), clear briefings on buoyancy and positioning on coral-rich sites, and a general culture of “look, don’t handle.”

The moment that made sustainability feel most real, though, was our beach clean-up on Fahala Island. Picking up plastic in a place that looks like paradise is confronting — and it reinforced why these small onboard choices matter, even if they can’t solve the bigger problem alone. This approach aligns perfectly with the “EcoPro” branding, proving that you can have a luxury experience while respecting the environment.

 

Internet and staying connected in the Maldives

EcoPro Seascape doesn’t have onboard Wi-Fi, but in real life it didn’t feel like a problem — because the mobile signal in the Maldives is very good in most areas on this itinerary. Over our 10 days, the longest stretch I experienced without any signal was around 4–5 hours, usually during longer crossings from one atoll to another. The rest of the time, I could stay in touch, check messages and emails, and use data when needed without much stress.

If you need to remain reachable, the solution is simple: either activate an international roaming plan before you fly (convenient, but sometimes pricey), or buy a Maldivian SIM card with a data package at the airport.

Tip: get a local SIM card at the Male airport after landing. In the arrivals area at Velana International Airport terminal (Malé), you’ll see official telecom shops (Dhiraagu and Ooredoo). Go there, buy a tourist SIM/eSIM package, and set it up on the spot while you have stable service and staff who can help.

Once you have that, you can use your phone normally and even hotspot to a laptop when you need it. Speeds can vary depending on location and time of day, but for everyday communication, it worked well.

Tip: signal strength changes a lot depending on where you are on the boat. The higher you go, the better the reception tends to be — and it’s almost always better outdoors than inside. Many times, I had little or no signal in my cabin, but I could walk up to the top deck and immediately regain a usable connection. So if your phone suddenly shows “no service,” don’t assume you’re completely offline — just move up a level, step outside, and try again.

Maldives 10 Day Diving Itinerary: Overview of the Central Atolls

If you are looking for a comprehensive Maldives 10 day diving itinerary, the route taken by EcoPro Seascape is an excellent choice. It blends the best of the Central Atolls into one flowing trip, mixing high-energy kandu channel dives, fish-packed thilas, and pelagic “blue water” opportunities — all the ingredients most divers come to the Maldives for. In the Central Atolls Maldives dive sites review below, you’ll see how the itinerary moves through classic names and lesser-visited corners, creating a great balance between iconic highlights and quieter surprises. One of the biggest advantages of a 10-day cruise versus the traditional 7-day schedule is simple: range and timing. With extra days, the boat can push further and spend more time in areas where there are fewer divers and less pressure on the reefs. And because you’re not locked into the standard Saturday-to-Saturday rhythm, you often arrive at famous sites on “off” days, when the crowds are elsewhere. The best example from our trip: we dived Kudarah Thila — one of the most popular dive sites in the Maldives — and we were the only boat on the site. That kind of moment is rare, and it completely changes the experience: more calm, more wildlife confidence, and a much more intimate feeling underwater.

 

Day 1 – Arrival and settling in

Day one is all about arriving, exhaling, and letting the liveaboard rhythm begin. We reached EcoPro Seascape in the early afternoon. After a relaxed welcome lunch onboard and the main briefing, there was plenty of time to unpack, explore the boat, and get familiar with the layout — cabins, lounge areas, camera station, sundecks, and all the little corners that quickly become your “home” for the next 10 days. The mood was calm and unhurried, which I really appreciated after travel. As the light softened, we gathered on deck for our first sunset at sea — that golden, quiet moment when the ocean suddenly feels endless. It was also the perfect time to meet the other guests, swap dive stories, and get a sense of the group before the diving schedule properly kicked in the next day

 

Day 2 – Lankan (Lanka) Manta Point, a wreck dive, and Alimatha’s nurse shark site

Just ten minutes from Malé, Lankan Manta Point was the ideal way to ease into the week. This was our check dive on air, and within minutes, it reminded me why the Maldives is such a reliable place to start a liveaboard: warm water, simple navigation, and life everywhere you look. The top reef begins as an easy slope around 10–15 meters — perfect for dialing in buoyancy, adjusting weights, and getting comfortable in your gear. Below that, the reef softens into a sandy bottom around 20 meters with a few cleaning-station areas, and then the edge suddenly drops away into a dramatic blue wall that disappears down to around 60 meters.

Even staying shallow, the dive felt busy in the best way. Two blacktip reef sharks cruised the reef edge as if they owned it (they do), completely unbothered by our bubbles. A turtle rested on the coral like it had all the time in the world, lifting its head just long enough to acknowledge us before drifting off again. We also found two octopuses tucked into the reef, shifting colors and textures so quickly it felt like watching magic. One of my favorite moments came from a huge, playful school of yellow snappers: they moved as one living cloud, swirling around us and then parting cleanly as we glided through the middle. It turned a simple check dive into something genuinely immersive. Not everything was peaceful though — one territorial parrotfish decided I was too close and repeatedly charged, which was both hilarious and a good reminder that this reef isn’t a theme park.

Despite the name, we didn’t see mantas on this dive — it simply wasn’t the season. But Lankan still delivered exactly what it needed to: a confidence-building first dive with plenty of action, and the perfect tone-setter for the days ahead.

Our second dive of the day was a wreck, which added a completely different atmosphere. Wreck dives in the Maldives often feel like quiet interludes between the channel action — you slow down, look closer, and let the details come to you. This one was a great contrast after the open-reef flow of Lankan: more structure, more places for fish to hide, and a more relaxed pace as we explored the lines and openings.

The third dive was a late-afternoon dive near Alimatha — the famous area known for nurse sharks. The site is shallow and surprisingly scenic. The top reef sits at just 1 to 3 meters, and on the eastern side, there’s a small pinnacle around 5 to 7 meters. Between the main reef and that little pinnacle is where the nurse sharks tend to gather and “hang out,” resting in the current over a gentle sandy slope. Depth stays easy, with a maximum around 14 to 16 meters, which makes it a perfect late-day dive and a comfortable one even if you’re feeling travel fatigue.

It’s worth knowing why the sharks aggregate here: nearby guesthouses and hotels feed them, so the area has become a regular meeting point. In the evenings, some nurse sharks even cruise behind the boat and linger in the shallows, which is always exciting to watch from the deck. And if you’re the kind of diver who likes small things too, there’s also macro life on the little coral bommies scattered across the sand — the sort of dive where you can have sharks in the blue and tiny surprises at your fingertips.

Day 3 – Miyaru Kandu, the shark channel, and a sunset on a sandbank

Miyaru Kandu is one of those dives that instantly feels “serious” — in the best possible way. The moment we dropped in, you could feel the energy of the channel: current, movement, and that sense that something big is about to appear out of the blue. The top reef sits shallow at around 8 meters, which gives you a comfortable place to gather, check your gear, and read the water before committing to the channel itself. From there, the reef slopes down into the kandu, where the depth reaches around 30 meters.

We had a strong incoming current — exactly what you want at Miyaru. Visibility was wide open, the water looked clean and alive, and within minutes, it was obvious the predators were active. As soon as we reached the channel edge, sharks started appearing… and then more… and then suddenly the blue was full of them. Grey reef sharks held their position against the current with that effortless, confident glide that always fascinates me. I stopped counting after fifty, but they kept coming: some cruising close to the drop-off, others moving in from open water, their silhouettes stacked in layers as far as my eyes could follow.

Above us, the whole scene was in constant motion. Schools of fusiliers streamed past in thick rivers of silver, and trevallies followed with sharp bursts of speed, hunting with purpose. Dogtooth tuna cut through the water like missiles — fast, muscular, and clearly on a mission. It wasn’t just a “shark dive.” It was a full predator show, with everything interacting: current pushing life through the channel, and hunters positioned perfectly to take advantage of it.

Our next dive was Fushi Kandu, and it was just as good with even more sharks. I think there must have been over 100 sharks on that dive. Can you count how many sharks are in a single picture below?

Beyond the channel, the drop-off falls away dramatically to around 50 meters, but we stayed higher, letting the current do the work and focusing on watching rather than chasing. That’s the magic of a great kandu dive: you hover, you hook in if needed, and you let the ocean come to you. Beyond the sharks, we also spotted a few eagle rays!

Towards the end of the dive, the intensity softened, and we drifted gently back into the channel. The pace slowed — and that’s when the smaller surprises appeared. Tucked into the reef, we found an octopus, calmly changing color as it watched us pass, as if it couldn’t decide whether to disappear or show off. And then, like a quiet final scene after all that adrenaline, a marble ray glided in — smooth, unhurried, and completely elegant.

If you are looking for the best Maldives liveaboard for sharks, itineraries that include Miyaru Kandu should be on your list. It delivered exactly what its reputation promises: strong current, good visibility, and an almost ridiculous concentration of sharks — balanced by those small, unexpected encounters that make a dive feel complete.

And the day didn’t end there. After the dive, we anchored near a sandy little atoll just in time for sunset. The crew set up a simple beach-style bar, brought out music, and suddenly it felt like we’d stepped into a different version of the Maldives — the quiet, golden one. Wet hair, salty skin, a drink in hand, and that soft light over the lagoon. It was the perfect way to come down from the intensity of the channel and just enjoy being out there.

Day 4 – Fotteyo Kandu, Gaahraa Kandu, Muli Corner, and a dolphin sunset cruise back to EcoPro Seascape

The Fotteyo Kandu dive was magic from the very first minute. We began out in the blue, hanging there for a good twenty minutes — that familiar mix of hope and patience, eyes fixed on the open water, waiting for a shape to appear. And then it happened. A hammerhead. It came out of nowhere, gliding past just long enough for that unmistakable silhouette to register, and then it vanished back into the deep as if it had never been there. It didn’t last long, but it didn’t need to. It was my first hammerhead in the Maldives, and it instantly became one of those moments that stay with you forever.

After that adrenaline spike, the dive shifted into something completely different: scenic, textured, and full of discovery. Fotteyo Kandu sits on the eastern side of the Maldives, and it has its own personality compared to the classic central shark channels. The depth is generally more forgiving — around 15 meters for much of the dive — but the structure is rich and dramatic.

The soft coral here was beautiful — healthy, colorful, and dense, draping the reef in a way that felt almost three-dimensional. At around 26 meters, we swam through a proper cave. Inside, tucked safely away, were two baby whitetip reef sharks, stacked together and completely still, using the cave as a quiet daytime shelter. It was such a tender little scene — the perfect contrast to the earlier hammerhead moment in the blue.

As we continued along the outer reef, a large school of batfish joined us and stayed for most of the dive, moving slowly alongside like an escort. And near the entrance of the channel, the landscape became more dramatic again: heavier overhangs, a more defined corner, and a pinnacle marking the start of the kandu.

Gaahraa Kandu dive site was a completely different kind of intensity — less “mystery” and more “wow, look at the numbers.” From the moment we dropped in, you could feel how alive this channel is. The reef starts shallow, around 3 to 7 meters. But as the channel opens, the structure reveals itself: two large pinnacles on the northern corner rise from around 25 meters up to about 18 meters, and they work like magnets — pulling in current, fish, and predators into a compact, high-energy arena. The ridge itself bottoms out around 33 meters, and deeper into the atoll, the channel falls away even further.

One side forms a dramatic wall decorated with sea fans, soft growth, and multiple overhangs. It’s visually striking, but it’s also functional: it creates shelter where fish stack up against the current. Schools of red snappers filled the water column, constantly shifting as they reacted to passing predators. Trevallies were everywhere — fast, muscular, and clearly in hunting mode.

And then… the sharks. Grey reef sharks in every direction. At moments it felt impossible to focus on a single one, because more kept appearing from the blue. There were times when it genuinely looked like over a hundred sharks were cruising and stacking along the channel edge. And as if that wasn’t enough, more than twenty-five eagle rays moved through in a loose formation, gliding past us, looping back again, their wings catching the light as they turned.

Muli Corner dive site might be shallower, but it’s not a “gentle” dive. Most of the action sits around 15 meters, and it’s a perfect example of why Maldives diving isn’t about depth — it’s about current and fish density. The dive begins over a gently sloping sandy area starting around 5 meters, and in places the slope continues deep (down toward 40 meters). Along the outer reef, sand gives way to a wall broken up by coral bommies — natural gathering points where fish collect and predators patrol. Around 25 meters, overhangs decorated with soft corals add color and shelter.

This site is known for big life: sharks and rays patrolling, trevallies and tuna circling the bommies, and the occasional slow, confident Napoleon wrasse passing through like it owns the place. Bull sharks can appear here, and mantas sometimes show up when the current is outgoing — though we didn’t see any mantas on this particular dive.

What made our dive memorable was how the ocean changed the plan. The current shifted early on, and for most of the dive we were swimming along a darker ( and boring?)section of wall, waiting for the “channel moment” to reveal itself. And when it did, the contrast was immediate. Suddenly, the blue opened up: eagle rays gliding, sharks cruising in numbers, trevallies charging through the water, and thousands of snappers packed into the channel in dense, shimmering formations.

We only had about five minutes in the prime spot before we needed to ascend as we were running out of air — but even that short window was enough to show how alive Muli Corner can be.

As if Day 4 hadn’t already delivered enough, the return to EcoPro Seascape turned into a dolphin-watching sunset cruise. Dolphins surfaced alongside the dhoni, weaving in and out of the bow wave while the sky turned gold. Everyone went quiet in that happy, exhausted way you get after a big day underwater — just watching, smiling, and letting the moment land. It was honestly the perfect ending to the perfect day.

Day 5 – Muli Corner again, mantas at Kurali, and a beach day with a deeper message

Muli Corner – a second attempt
We started Day 5 by returning to Muli Corner for the first morning dive. It’s one of those sites you want to repeat when you know it has potential — because when the current lines up, it can be electric. But once again, the current wasn’t really in our favor. The ocean didn’t give us that perfect “channel moment,” and the dive unfolded in a more muted way than the day before. Still, it was worth trying: even on a quieter day, Muli Corner has that sense of open space, and you can feel how alive it could be when conditions shift.

Kurali Manta Point – Meemu Atoll
Kurali Manta Point sits at the southern tip of Meemu Atoll, and it ended up being the emotional heart of the day. The dive is shallow and gentle, but it has a special atmosphere — the kind of place where everything slows down, and you stop thinking about “action” and simply start watching.

The top reef here is extremely shallow, around 1 to 5 meters, and on the eastern side of the channel, you’ll find the manta cleaning stations. They sit right on top of coral heads, which makes the whole experience feel intimate. You’re not deep, looking up into the blue. You’re eye level, close enough to see the details: the subtle turns, the slight pauses, the way the mantas “present” themselves as the cleaner wrasse do their work.

It didn’t take long before the mantas arrived. Three of them, sweeping in one after another, circling patiently, then looping back again. They stayed long enough for it to feel like a real encounter rather than a quick pass. They hovered, turned, glided overhead, and came back again — calm, graceful, and almost meditative. It was one of those dives where time stretches. You forget to check anything except where the next manta will appear.

Fahala Island – beach time and a clean-up
After the dive, we headed to Fahala Island for a break on land.

The island is visually stunning, with a beach that stretches for around seven kilometres — powdery white sand meeting unreal turquoise water. At first glance, it looks untouched, like the Maldives in its purest form.

But as soon as you start walking, you see the reality. We spent time doing a beach clean-up, and it was genuinely needed. Plastic debris had washed up in worrying quantities, and the contrast between the beauty of the island and the pollution on the sand was hard to ignore. It’s one thing to read about plastic pollution; it’s another to pick it up with your own hands in a place that looks like paradise. Moments like this make the problem feel immediate — and they also make you wish, very deeply, for a systematic solution, not just small clean-ups done by visitors.

The Ecopro Seascape has a few paddleboards and kayaks that could be enjoyed by the beach.

As the day softened into evening, the mood lifted again. The sunset was spectacular, washing the sky in warm colors, and the beach bar came alive with cocktails, laughter, and that relaxed, slightly celebratory energy you get when everyone has had a good dive and a good day. A bonfire added to the feeling — simple, human, and joyful.

 

Back onboard EcoPro Seascape, just when the day already felt complete, dolphins appeared at the stern, feeding in the boat’s lights. We slipped into the water and swam with them, watching their sleek shapes dart past in the dark — fast, curious, and completely at home.A nurse shark also made an appearance.

Day 5 had everything: a second attempt at a famous site, a manta dive that felt almost spiritual, a moment of reflection on the beach, and then pure joy to end it. This is Maldives magic at its most complete form.

Day 6 – Dhifushi Kandu, a second try at Kurali, and a rainy-day ocean gift

Dhifushi Kandu – a calm, watch-and-wait channel dive
Dhifushi Kandu was an “okay” dive in the best sense of the word — not one that overwhelms you, but one that still gives you a few moments you’re glad you showed up for. It’s a shallow channel between two islands, with the main drop-off sitting around 20 meters. After the intensity of some of the earlier kandus, this one felt easier and more relaxed, both in depth and in mood.

The topography is fairly straightforward, but there’s a large hole inside the channel that adds a bit of character and breaks up the profile. On the western side, a shark cleaning station can attract passing predators, especially when the current is running. We had a medium current — enough to bring life in, but not aggressive — so we hooked in along the ridge and settled into that Maldives channel routine: stay still, let the ocean come to you.

Visibility wasn’t great on this dive, which muted the sense of scale, but the marine life still showed up. The highlight for me was an eagle ray that passed very close, gliding through the hazy water with slow, deliberate movements. It felt intimate and personal, the kind of encounter that stays with you more than distant silhouettes in perfect visibility.

Towards the back of the channel, we found a large school of juvenile barracuda — around a hundred of them — gathered tightly together. They moved in synchronized waves, constantly shifting formation, twisting and folding into themselves like a living pattern. It was unexpectedly mesmerizing and held my attention far longer than I expected.

Dhifushi Kandu may not be a “headline” dive, but it delivered a calm, unhurried watch-and-wait experience, with just enough life and movement to make it genuinely enjoyable.

Later, we returned to Kurali Manta Point to try our luck again at the manta cleaning stations. Conditions, at least on paper, looked promising. The current was outgoing, which is often ideal for mantas to come in and hover. But the ocean had other plans.

Rain fell steadily, and visibility dropped significantly. The cleaning stations stayed quiet, and even though we positioned ourselves carefully and waited patiently, no mantas arrived. It was a classic Maldives lesson: pelagic encounters are never guaranteed, even when everything “should” line up.

Still, the dive wasn’t empty. A marble ray appeared in the murk, emerging softly from the blue before disappearing again. And during the safety stop, something completely unexpected happened: a massive school of parrotfish — well over a hundred — gathered below us in tight formation. Seeing that many parrotfish moving together like a single unit is unusual, and it turned a subdued dive into something strangely beautiful.

After surfacing, the rest of the day was grey and rainy. And then, just when it felt like the day would quietly fade out, the Maldives delivered one last gift. Two dolphins appeared at the back of the boat, actively feeding, and a mobula ray sliced through the water nearby with effortless grace. Masks on, we slipped back into the sea and snorkeled with them, watching their movements up close in the muted light.

It was the perfect ending to a rainy day — proof that even when the dive doesn’t go to plan, the Maldives often keeps a surprise for you until the very last moment.

 

Day 7 – Ari Atoll: Jumping Jacks, then Kudarah Thila (twice)

Day 7 started with an early-morning crossing as EcoPro Seascape repositioned toward Ari Atoll. The sea was strong so we could feel the energy shift when the boat moves during the crossing.

Jumping Jacks dive site is a channel on the eastern side of Ari Atoll, known for its structure. On paper, it’s a great site: a ridge around 19 meters, a clear edge at about 25 meters, and then a gentle slope down onto a sandy bottom. The signature feature is the channel mouth, where several pillars rise from the sand, some reaching up to around 8 meters. When current and visibility cooperate, it can be a very striking landscape — and the kind of place where you’d hope for whitetips, grey reef sharks, dogtooth tuna, jacks, and barracudas moving through the blue.

Unfortunately, this was one of those dives where timing makes all the difference. We entered on an outgoing tide, but around five minutes into the dive the tide shifted. Instead of drifting toward the mouth and those pillars, we got pushed back and ended up “stuck” deeper inside the channel. The scenery there felt flatter than expected — sand, scattered coral bommies, and sections of coral that looked quite damaged in places. Apart from a leaf fish our guide managed to spot (which, to be fair, was a great find), the dive felt quieter than it should have been.

The best moments came right at the end, during the safety stop. Higher up on the reef, the ocean finally started to feel alive again: two eagle rays passed through with that calm, effortless glide, followed by a turtle cruising by at its own pace. An octopus appeared near the reef as well, quietly changing color as it moved across the coral. It wasn’t a spectacular Jumping Jacks day — but it was an honest reminder that in the Maldives, the same site can be world-class or “just okay” depending entirely on the water’s mood.

After Jumping Jacks, we moved to Kudarah Thila dive site — and it completely rescued the day. In fact, it was so good we ended up doing it twice. This dive site is one of the most famous in the Maldives, and it is easy to see why. We were lucky to be the only boat on the dive site.

Kudarah Thila is a compact pinnacle in South Ari, sitting in front of a channel, and it offers that perfect Maldives balance: dramatic reef scenery up close, with the possibility of action out in the blue. The shallowest point is around 8 meters and it drops to about 30 meters. Even though it’s not a huge site, it feels packed — with healthy hard corals, big sea fans, and vibrant soft corals that immediately pull your attention to the reef, not just the open water.

Around 16 meters, two massive overhangs give the dive its personality. They create shadows and depth, and there’s a swim-through that adds a fun, exploratory element. Under the overhangs, the colors feel richer and the fish life concentrates — it’s one of those places where you can pause and just watch the reef “work.”

And then there are the snappers. Kudarah is famous for fish density and it really delivers: schools of yellow and blue snappers wrapped around the thila so thickly they filled my entire field of view. Swimming through them feels cinematic — they part smoothly, then close behind you like a curtain. Above the reef, millions of anthias flickered in pink and orange, turning the whole scene into movement and color.

Out in the blue, the action kept pulling my eyes away: a few sharks cruising past, trevallies charging through the schools in hunting mode, and that constant sense that something could arrive at any moment. But the real beauty of Kudarah Thila is that you don’t have to chase the blue. The reef itself is stunning enough that staying close and slowing down is rewarding in its own right.

Kudarah Thila felt like the Maldives at its best — dense, colorful, alive — and doing it twice didn’t feel repetitive at all. It just felt like a gift.

Day 8 – Rangali Madivaru, a whale shark search, Moofushi Manta Point, and an attempted manta night dive

Rangali Madivaru is a channel on the outer reef. The top reef begins around 8 meters and slopes gently down to about 15 meters, while the western side drops off more dramatically, giving the dive a nice mix of shallow reef time and wall scenery. What makes this site special in theory is that the whole area functions like a cleaning zone. You see cleaner wrasse everywhere — especially near the mouth of the channel, but also scattered across the top reef — so it has all the ingredients for mantas to come in and hover.

We didn’t see any mantas on this dive, and the experience felt bittersweet. Not because the site isn’t beautiful — it is — but because the top reef was heartbreakingly destroyed. Hundreds of corals were bleached, broken, or dead, and swimming over it felt like reading a bad news headline in slow motion.

And yet, the wall itself was stunning. The overhangs were covered in sponges, soft corals, and tunicates, creating those surreal shapes and colors that make you slow down and stare. It’s also a very good macro dive if you pay attention: I saw more nudibranchs and small crabs here than I expected, so it’s worth taking your time along the wall instead of only scanning the blue.

A small, charming moment saved the mood: a porcupinefish followed me for part of the dive, keeping close like a curious little companion. And right at the end, during the safety stop, we had a turtle cruise past — calm, unbothered, and perfectly timed.

Later, we did a whale shark search dive in South Ari Atoll. This area is famous for whale sharks, and many of the individuals seen here are younger males, usually around 4 to 6 meters long. They come to this region to feed, and when you get the timing right, the experience can be unforgettable.

There are also strict rules in the Maldives to protect whale sharks and keep encounters controlled. The maximum number of divers allowed around a whale shark is 70. You’re not allowed to block the animal’s path or swim in front of it, and you should keep at least 3 meters away from its body (more is better for everyone). Flash photography is not allowed, and the entire point is to let the whale shark keep moving naturally without feeling surrounded or chased.

On our dive, we didn’t see any whale sharks — which happens, even in South Ari. But the dive wasn’t empty at all. It was one of those fishy, satisfying Maldives dives where the reef seems to pulse with movement: three separate schools of barracuda (around 200 each), schooling sweetlips, fusiliers in massive numbers, and those yellow snappers again — always ready to turn a dive into a show. We also saw a few Napoleons cruising by, and sharks patrolling the edges, adding that constant sense of “something could happen.”

Moofushi Manta Point sits in the central part of Ari Atoll, in a sandy area shaped by a channel. The main cleaning station here is big and deep enough to feel dramatic, stretching roughly from 12 down to around 25 meters. During the northeast monsoon, this is typically the time when mantas are most likely to show up, and we arrived hopeful.

The approach wasn’t especially pretty: the outer reef felt darker, with sections of broken coral, and visibility was poor. For a moment, it felt like it might be another “bittersweet” day. But then we reached the cleaning station — and everything changed.

Suddenly, it turned into one of those dives where you don’t know where to look. Three mantas kept “flying” past again and again for most of the dive, looping through the station with that effortless grace that makes you forget everything else. Around them, schools of yellow snappers and raccoon butterflyfish packed the scene. Then, as if the ocean wanted to make it even harder to focus, a leopard shark swam by. And the sandy area below looked like a parking lot for sleeping sharks — bodies resting on the bottom, calm and still, adding to the surreal feeling of the whole moment.

It was chaotic in the best way: mantas, sharks, schooling fish, and low visibility everywhere else — yet somehow, right in the cleaning station, everything aligned.

Manta night dive – the plan that didn’t work out
EcoPro Seascape sometimes offers manta night dives in Fesdhoo Lagoon, where mantas can come to feed in the lights behind the boat. When it works, it’s an extraordinary experience — surreal and almost otherworldly, watching mantas loop through the light beams at night.

On our trip, unfortunately, it didn’t really happen. There were only two mantas in the area, and more than ten boats, and the mantas didn’t stay behind our boat long enough to make a proper night dive possible. No mantas in the lights = no night dive. It was a little disappointing, but it’s also the reality of these encounters: you can plan it, anchor in the right place, set up the lights… and still, the animals choose where they want to be.

 

Day 9 – Maalhos Thila, Fish Head, and a final day full of reef magic

By Day 9, you start to feel that bittersweet shift: your body is fully in the liveaboard rhythm, you know your group, you know the routine… and suddenly you realize the trip is almost over. Luckily, North Ari delivered the kind of diving that makes you want to freeze time.

Maalhos Thila dive site sits on the western side of North Ari Atoll. It’s a pinnacle inside a channel, and it has that classic “Maldives thila” shape: a shallow top starting around 10 meters, then a gentle descent with a few drop-offs around 18 meters that create natural ledges and pockets of life.

Almost immediately, the dive announced itself. As we were descending, three huge grey reef sharks cruised past — close enough to feel their presence, but calm and controlled, like they were simply checking who had arrived in their territory. That first moment set the tone beautifully.

The real highlight of Maalhos Thila is the southern reef. This is where the site becomes dramatic and almost theatrical: overhang after overhang, creating shadowy ceilings and little “rooms” you can swim past and peer into. Inside those overhangs, the soft corals were unbelievable — a pale, light blue that looked almost luminous, like someone had turned the saturation up underwater. It’s honestly hard to describe how beautiful they were, because they don’t just “decorate” the reef — they transform it. At the bottom edges of the overhangs, sea fans added another layer of texture, and the macro life here is worth slowing down for. If you like small creatures, this is a place where it pays to stop, look under ledges, and really scan.

Deeper down, two smaller pinnacles around 30 meters were absolutely stunning, with rock formations and overhangs that felt sculpted. Schools of fusiliers circled constantly, adding movement and that sense of swirling energy you get when the reef is truly alive.

And then — as if the dive needed a final signature — two mantas appeared right near the end. They didn’t stay for long, but they came close enough to make it feel real and complete. Sharks, soft coral, structure, macro… and mantas to finish. It was one of those “how is this even one dive?” kind of moments.

A serious safety reminder during the safety stop
During our safety stop, something happened that really shocked me. A boat from Eclipse ran straight over our SMB and actually dragged it. Fortunately, we were still down at around 5 meters, but it was a sharp reminder of how important surface awareness is in the Maldives — and how careless some boat traffic can be.

Tip: Always deploy your SMB properly, keep the line controlled, and stay alert during ascents and safety stops. Even when you’re doing everything right, not every boat above you is paying attention.

Later, we finished with Fish Head dive site — one of the iconic dives of Ari Atoll. It’s a small pinnacle with a top around 8 meters, and the structure steps down with smaller, deeper sections around 28 meters. On the western side, there’s a “balcony” at around 14 meters, which is a great place to settle, watch the blue, and let the action come to you.

This dive was a fantastic final chapter. A few big grey reef sharks and trevallies were hunting in the distance, giving the whole dive that lively, predator-energy feeling. But what surprised me most was a turtle that was incredibly curious — it came close and seemed to check out every diver in our group, one by one, as if it was doing its own little inspection.

And then came the highlight: two octopuses mating right on the top reef. It’s not something you see every day, and it felt like such an intimate, rare moment — the kind of encounter that doesn’t need adrenaline to feel special. It was the perfect way to end the trip: not with a huge “big animal” moment, but with something quiet, natural, and unforgettable.

I had to stop diving a little earlier because I had an early flight home for Christmas. But the rest of the group still managed to squeeze in two more dives: one at Rasdhoo (a classic Ari Atoll site with great potential for action), and a final, easy dive on the Hulhumalé house reef. It’s sometimes simply called the Hulhumalé house reef, but don’t let the casual name fool you — this area can deliver genuinely fantastic diving. On the right day, you can see hundreds of stingrays gathered on the sand, plus sharks cruising through (including tiger sharks), and even guitar sharks. It’s one of those rare “last-day” dives that still feels exciting, so if your schedule allows it, try not to miss that final dive.

My last night was spent onboard with another nice Maldivian sunset.

 

Huge thanks to Chris from Chris Underwater ( www.chrisunderwater.com ) for the diving pictures. He makes great underwater videos that you can watch on his website.

In conclusion of my ecopro seascape liveaboard review

After 10 days aboard EcoPro Seascape, I stepped off the boat feeling exactly how I want to feel after a Maldives liveaboard trip: happily exhausted, well fed, and still slightly stunned by what I’d seen underwater. EcoPro Seascape is one of the newest boats in the Maldives, and it genuinely feels like it was designed by people who understand divers. It’s spacious, comfortable, and calm — the kind of boat where you can disappear into a quiet corner between dives, but also easily connect with the group over dinner or at sunset.

What impressed me most is how strongly the entire trip revolves around diving. The schedule is not treated as something rigid; it’s adjusted constantly to match currents, visibility, crossings, and the reality of Maldivian conditions. When the timing is right, the Maldives becomes extraordinary — and on this itinerary we had multiple days that felt unreal: shark channels filled with grey reefs stacked into the blue, eagle rays sweeping past in groups, mantas looping through cleaning stations, and those rare personal highlights I won’t forget, like my first hammerhead in the Maldives and the “sharkiest” dive I’ve ever done here.

Not every dive was perfect — and I appreciate that this review doesn’t pretend otherwise. Currents shifted, visibility dropped, and a few sites felt flat. But even then, EcoPro Seascape delivered the best version of what was possible, and the crew’s small touches made a big difference: fresh towels on the dhoni, a drink waiting after every dive, and that instinctive thoughtfulness that makes you feel cared for without fuss.

If you’re looking for a modern, well-run Maldives liveaboard where the diving comes first — but comfort is never sacrificed — EcoPro Seascape is an easy recommendation. I left with a deeper love for the Maldives, a stronger respect for how fragile these reefs can be, and that quiet certainty that I’ll be back.

To book the EcoPro Seascape, check their website here

More Maldives Diving Resources

If you enjoyed this ecopro seascape liveaboard review and want to explore more options, check out my other detailed guides:

• For another luxury option, read my White Pearl Liveaboard Review.
• Compare this to the Blueforce One Liveaboard Review.
• See how it stacks up against the Duke of York Liveaboard.
• Interested in a spa and dive combo? Check out my ScubaSpa Ying Review.
• Still deciding between land and sea? Read my guide on Diving the Maldives: Liveaboard or Resort?.
• Looking for a resort extension? The Maafushivaru Resort is a perfect post-dive luxury escape.

Have you dived the Central Atolls? Or are you deciding between EcoPro and another boat? Drop a comment below and I’ll help you choose!

Diving images by Chris Underwater, www.chrisunderwater.com