Azalea Liveaboard, Maldives

Excellent diving and guidance

“Swimming with whale sharks and the nurse sharks that acted like puppies!”

Daniel B, United States United States
Read 11 more reviews

Highlights

  • Jacuzzi on the huge sundeck
  • Nitrox on board
  • Wi-Fi on board

The beautiful 38m Azalea yacht offers year-round diving to some of the Maldives' best dive and snorkel sites. Catering to a maximum of 16 guests, Azalea is tastefully decorated and offers comfort and luxury. The 9 cabins comprise 6 Superior, 2 Ocean View Jr, and 1 Ocean View-Master. All cabins offer modern fixtures, fittings, and luxurious amenities, with individually controlled AC, en-suite bathrooms, and storage space. The Jr. & Master suite offers Queen/king-sized beds with the finest Egyptian linen and stunning sea views. The Superior cabins offer twin beds, are located below deck, and offer amazing views below sea level to watch the underwater world go by. Guests will find plenty of space to relax on board. The large indoor dining area is on the main deck and leads to the al-fresco dining area. The upper deck is home to the large TV lounge and bar and goes through to the comfortable outdoor lounge area. Above this is the huge sun deck and Jacuzzi, a great place to relax and enjoy the stunning Maldivian views.

Underwater, the Maldives has plenty to offer, and the experienced, dedicated dive team will work hard to create a vacation to remember. Visiting some of the best dive areas in the Maldives, including Ari Atoll, Male Atoll, Filidhe, and Baa, guests can hope to meet manta rays, whale sharks, nurse sharks, octopus, scorpionfish, and much more.

A dive or snorkel holiday on the Azalea is one to remember. Don’t miss out and book your adventure today.


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Included: Environment Tax, Fuel Surcharge, Port Fees, Visas and Fees, Airport Transfer, Drinking Water, Tea & Coffee, Welcome Cocktails, Beach BBQ, Full-Board Meal Plan (All meals), Snacks, Diving Package, Fishing, Kayaks, Land Excursions, Snorkeling Guide, Stand Up Paddleboard, Beach Towels, Cabin Towels, Complimentary Toiletries, Deck Towels, WiFi internet.

Required Extras: 27.6% VAT.

Optional Extras: Gratuities, Hotel Transfer, Local Flights, Alcoholic Beverages, Soft drinks, Rental Gear, Glass Bottom Boat Excursion, Jet Ski, Naturalist Guide, Wakeboarding, Water Ski, Laundry / Pressing Services, Massage, Spa, Yoga.

Book now, pay later: You can easily place your booking online. We will then hold the spaces for you and you can confirm with a payment later.

* Extra fees are shown per person.

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Boat features

  • Laundry Service
  • Camera Station
  • Massage
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Audio & video entertainment
  • Library
  • Air Conditioned saloon
  • Aircon Cabins
  • Sun Deck
  • Indoor Saloon
  • Non-Diver (Snorkeler) Friendly
  • Warm Water Showers
  • Outdoor Dining
  • Camera room with table and charging point
  • Custom built for diving
  • Charging stations
  • En-Suite bathrooms
  • Free Internet
  • Non-Smoking Rooms
  • Outside Showers
  • Family Cabins
  • Seaview Cabins
  • Kayaks On-Board
  • Snorkeling Equipment
  • Separate Rinse for u/w Camera
  • Dedicated Local & International Crew
  • Naturalist Guide
  • Leisure Deck
  • Observation Deck
  • Bar
  • BBQ Area
  • Available for Charter
  • Jacuzzi / Hot Tub
  • Kayaks
  • Naturalist Guide
  • Stand Up Paddleboard
  • Water Ski
  • Fishing
  • Glass Bottom Boat Excursion
  • Wakeboarding
  • Jet Ski

Food & Drinks

  • Western Food
  • Local Food
  • Vegetarian Options
  • Buffet style
  • Beer available
  • Snacks All Day

If you have any specific dietary requirements whilst on-board your cruise, you can add this to your special requests on step 2 of the booking form. We advise limiting these requests to religious beliefs or food allergies.


Diving

  • Nitrox available
  • Tech diving
  • Rinse Hoses
  • Tenders for diving
  • Shaded Diving Area

The crew speaks English.


Gear Rental

There is diving gear available on this boat. Please provide your rental needs on the booking form. See below for further details on inclusions and pricing. Show prices.


Drawings & Vessel Layouts

Azalea Cruise Deck Plan floorplan

Boat Specifications

  • Year built 2015
  • Length 38m
  • Beam 8 meters
  • Top speed 13 Knots
  • Cruising speed 10 Knots
  • Engines 2 X caterpiller
  • Max guests 16
  • Number of cabins 09
  • Number of bathrooms 09
  • Tenders Yamaha
  • Water capacity 10000ltr
  • Fuel capacity 45000ltr
  • Freshwater maker 72000ltr

Boat Navigation and Safety

  • Radar
  • Depth Sounder
  • GPS
  • Radio VHF/DSC/SSB
  • E.P.I.R.B. Distress System
  • Emergency Rafts
  • Life Vests
  • Fire Alarm & Fire Extinguishers
  • Oxygen
  • First Aid Kits
  • Satellite & mobile phones
  • Bilge pump alarm
  • Search light
  • Engine room CCTV
  • Crew trained in first aid
  • Emergency flares

Azalea Reviews

  • 9.3 Superb
  1. Vessel
    9.1
  2. Crew
    8.9
  3. Food
    10.0
  4. Diving
    9.6
  5. Value
    8.9
  • 9.2 Superb
  • Daniel B
  • United States United States
Better than an African safari!

Swimming with whale sharks and the nurse sharks that acted like puppies!

Recommended for
Dives, crew, and service
  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Elisabeth L
  • United States United States
Unbelievable all around experience!

The dive sites were not overcrowded and planned out incredibly well, even though that meant very early diving a couple days. The boat was wonderful and we could not have asked for a better experience. We also enjoyed the owner and manager on our cruise as well and they went out of their way to make sure this was a great live-aboard. Thank you Azalea!

Recommended for
Diving, Staff, Diving
  • 8.4 Very good
  • Adam P
  • United States United States
First class cruise/dive experience from attentive staff.

I have been diving since 2000 and seeing my first whale shark was special. The manta rays didn’t disappoint. The diverse sea life was amazing. The country is one tropical island after another and it has a special tropical beauty. I kept thinking I would see the crew of the SS Minow come wandering out on the shore of these islands. The communication was pretty good considering there was a nine hour difference. The Azalea was accommodating as to where they would pick you up if you flew in the day before, as I did. I do think the price is a little high for what is offered. The Nitrox should be included as well as soft drinks. Additionally, there should be at least four dives a day offered. I couldn’t tell you how the night diving was because we only did one early evening dive. Finally, as for safety, we only had six total dive guests. There was not really any concern that a guest would not be accounted for. However, a better dive practice is to require each diver to be accounted for by requiring them to announce themselves as present before starting the dive tender and returning to the ship. The Azalea’s pictures look gorgeous. However, as with any ship at sea, maintenance is always something that is a challenge in a saltwater environment. Nothing major to report. The wood deck could use some attention. The hot water was not consistent in my cabin. However, the water for my shower was not cold and therefore it was manageable. As I said, for the price, I would have expected there to be no issues with the hot water. I still think the trip was great. There was a diver on board who had booked her second trip on this boat within the same year. This speaks volumes as to their level of satisfaction as she was already talking about doing a third trip with the Azalea before we had even departed. This was my fifth liveaboard that I have been on. Overall, it was a great experience and any negative issues are just “First World” problems.

Recommended for
The three best things about this trip was the service from the staff, the tasty meals and spacious diving tender.
  • 10 Exceptional
  • David L
  • United States United States
Most amazing dive experience of my life...

I booked this trip via liveaboard.com and had only moderate expectations. This high-end Azalea liveaboard cruise has exceeded every expectation that I ever had! Everything from the operator and crew having such attention to detail made my dive vacation the best I have ever had. It was truly luxurious and everything the dive guides said we would see in the briefings, we saw, and more!!! They were so knowledgeable in taking us from site to site. The food was prepared fresh daily and was absolutely delicious. This being one of the more expensive liveaboards, it attracted a high quality group of divers which will be life-long friends to me. This experience was like no other and I will be repeating it, bringing some of my South Florida friends with me.

Recommended for
1. Quality: The accommodations, crew, dining, and guides were over the top. 2. Attention to detail: Everything was taken care of for the passengers. 3. Relationships: The group was amazing.
  • 9.2 Superb
  • Mike P
  • United States United States
Azalea one of the nicest liveaboards in the Maldives

Manta diving on several dives Shrimp dinner. Seriously, best shrimp i ever had. Hot showers in our room Best crew we have been with, super helpful, over the top Wednesday Island dinner, killer food and company Some decent resort wrecks

Recommended for
The crew and the boat were amazing. The dive platform boat was incredible too
  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Nathalie G
  • Canada Canada
Best diving experience on a luxurious yacht

It's hard to pick one because the whole trip was mind-blowing amazing.

Recommended for
The yacht, the dives sites and master, the attentive service
  • 8.4 Very good
  • Alfred J
  • Austria Austria
was a nice trip - recommendable

Whaleshark at night

Recommended for
diveguide, service, good price for drinks
  • 10 Exceptional
  • Xiangyu K
  • China China
It was awesome!!!

This was my first liveaboard and I am sure it will be the best! Everything on the boat is very clean, many free public space for leisure times. Different tasty fruit drink served after each dive. High quality services delivered by professional crews. Food and the table set up are also awesome! In general, it was a fantastic experience with Azalea! I will definitely be on this boat again!

Recommended for
Boat condition, crew service including food, diving plan
  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • luc M
  • France France
Very good dive experience

Azalea is a nice boat : better to choose the ocean junior suites since the superior suites has no window ( or two small ones close to the ceiling ) Very good dives and food in general The only negative point is that we stay for one day and half near the not nice area of Male airport at the beginning of the trip and another one day at the end Despite our request to stay longer in the best spots the captain is stubborn and went back to Male the day before

Recommended for
Very attentioned and kind crew in all positions
  • 10 Exceptional
  • Carl E
  • Canada Canada
Truly a treat - no other liveaboard in the maldives compares

The Azalea does things differently, they do their best to get you to popular dive sites when others are leaving so you can enjoy uninterrupted, uncrowded, and unspoiled dives. The food was nothing short of fantastic always more than enough to go around and the chefs will gladly whip up a snack if you ever get hungry. As for the boat; you cannot find another yacht in the Maldives offering the same comfort and quality finishings. Multiple outdoor lounge areas, watersports activities, and relaxing indoor furnishing offer more than enough personal space and activities that everyone can enjoy! I will most definitely find my way back onto the Azalea for another trip. Thank you to all the crew for making it such a memorable experience!

Recommended for
diving, food, comfort of boat