Soleil 2, Maldives

Excellent boat comfort

“Thank you Shahid, Raaif, Elle, and all the staff onboard. We read most of the good reviews before this trip but yet the experience…”

Hu T, China China
Read 108 more reviews

Highlights

  • Nitrox on board
  • Hot tub on board

The Soleil 2 is a liveaboard in the Maldives that accommodates 28 guests in 14 air-conditioned cabins with en-suite bathrooms with hot showers. There is an air-conditioned indoor dining area, and on the top deck, the is open-air covered seating for guests who want to dine under the stars. There are air-conditioned saloons and a large sun deck for relaxing in between dives or enjoying the sunset views. The diving takes place from a Dhoni equipped with compressors and dive gear storage to maximize the space on board and keep the liveaboard as quiet as possible.

The Soleil 2 sails through Central, Northern, and Southern Atolls. In the Northern atolls, mantas and whale sharks come to feed on the plankton in Hanifaru Bay. The Northern and Southern atolls are more popular among experienced divers. While diving the deep South route, guests can go on a night dive with whale sharks, manta rays, and nurse sharks. Divers can encounter something special on every dive, from turtles to Napoleon wrasse and reef sharks.

Book your trip aboard the Soleil 2 today!

FLEXIBLE BOOKING TERMS - Learn more about what this means

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Included: VAT, Environment Tax, Fuel Surcharge, Port Fees, Airport Transfer, Drinking Water, Tea & Coffee, Welcome Cocktails, Full-Board Meal Plan (All meals), Snacks, Diving Package, Fishing, Land Excursions, Snorkeling Guide, Beach Towels, Cabin Towels, Complimentary Toiletries, Deck Towels, Laundry / Pressing Services.

Required Extras: Gratuities (15 USD per day).

Optional Extras: Hotel Transfer, Local Flights, Alcoholic Beverages, Soft drinks, Beach BBQ (5-10 USD per activity), Extra Dives, Nitrox, Nitrox Course, Private Dive Guide, Rental Gear, Scuba Diving Courses, Snorkel Gear, 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
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Audio & video entertainment
  • Library
  • TV in cabins
  • 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
  • Non-Smoking Rooms
  • Outside Showers
  • Family Cabins
  • Seaview Cabins
  • Rooms with Balcony
  • Kayaks On-Board
  • Snorkeling Equipment
  • Separate Rinse for u/w Camera
  • Dedicated Local & International Crew
  • Nearly 1:1 Crew-to-Guest Ratio
  • Leisure Deck
  • Observation Deck
  • Bar
  • BBQ Area
  • Spa
  • Jacuzzi / Hot Tub
  • Fishing

Food & Drinks

  • Western Food
  • Local Food
  • Vegetarian Options
  • Buffet style
  • Beer available
  • Snacks All Day
  • Vegan Options
  • Fine Wines Selection
  • Fine Cuisine
  • Beach BBQ
  • Full-board Option

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

  • DIN Adaptors
  • Nitrox available
  • Rinse Hoses
  • Dive deck
  • Tenders for diving
  • Shaded Diving Area

The crew speaks English, Japanese, and Italian.


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

#deckplan floorplan

Boat Specifications

  • Year built November 2015
  • Length 40.500m
  • Beam 12m
  • Cruising speed 12 knots
  • Engines 1 Daiwoo 600hp
  • Max guests 30
  • Number of cabins 15
  • Number of bathrooms 15
  • Tenders 1 Diving Dhoni
  • Fuel capacity 8 tons
  • Freshwater maker 8 tons

Boat Navigation and Safety

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

Soleil 2 Reviews

  • 9.3 Superb
  1. Vessel
    9.4
  2. Crew
    8.7
  3. Food
    9.7
  4. Diving
    9.2
  5. Value
    9.3
  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Hu T
  • China China
A week we will never forget

Thank you Shahid, Raaif, Elle, and all the staff onboard. We read most of the good reviews before this trip but yet the experience we had this week is way beyond our expectation. We saw all kinds of marine life: whale shark(Thanks to Shahid who made it possible), wonderful night manta, whitetip/grey reef/blacktip/nurse shark, sting/mobula ray. The itinerary is not fixed, meaning that their team is always looking for the best diving sites (taking current, visibility, crowdness into concern), and made our trip full of surprises. Shahid never gives it up searching for the whale shark. Luckily after 4 dive attempts, we had our first opportunity ever to swim with it, which touched all of us. The private balcony is so amazing where after diving we could dry both our clothes and ourselves. With the sun bath and the breeze, we got relaxed and felt inner peace. We will come back very soon.

Recommended for
Best guide. Flexible itinerary. Good service.
  • 10 Exceptional
  • Shiyu H
  • China China
Once in a life time experience

I had once in a life time experience. I love that Soleil 2 is locally owned and operated by a group of people who are passionate about diving, professional, caring and fun. The crew worked so hard to make sure we had a great experience and create such an amazing community. Our group bounded during the trip. I saw so many animals during the trip - lots of grey reef sharks, nurse sharks, white tip sharks, manta rays, turtles, a whale shark, and so many other beautiful creatures. The team was thoughtful for planning our dives so that we could see different things while feeling comfortable given our diving levels / experiences. The dive masters were all very attentive and helpful, especially for some of us who had ear problems going down or struggled with currents. The owner of the boat came with us during trip and was my dive master, and he was determined to find us different animals to see but made sure we respected them. I did my AOW during the trip, and learned so much from the instructors. Additional, the chefs are AMAZING! I was very excited about each delicious meal after diving. The crew kept the boat very clean and are all super friendly. Thank you for such an incredible, fun experience. I will definitely come back for different routes with them in the future!

Recommended for
Amazing diving and saw so many sharks and other cool sea animals; the people and crew made the trip so much more fun, especially very professional and helpful dive masters; Amazing food!!
  • 6.8 Review score
  • Monique K
  • Netherlands Netherlands
Great diving for mantas and sharks

Seeing whale sharks close up and diving with mantas

Recommended for
The other divers from all over the world, they were a great bunch of people. The dive guides were very good and the ocean was calm!
  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • YOUN SAM K
  • South Korea South Korea
Fantastic Travel of Liveaboard experience

2번째 Soleil 2 리브어보드 여행이었습니다. 미리 예약하지 못해 발코니 캐빈을 예약 못해서 너무 아쉬웠지만, Soleil 2의 모든 다이빙과 6박7일간의 일정은 매우 훌륭하다고 생각됩니다. 한국인들에게 음식또한 거부감 있지 않게 잘 나왔고, 꽉찬 다이빙 스케쥴과 여러 일정들이 너무 좋았습니다. 매우 추천드리고 싶은 몰디브 리브어보드와 Soleil 2 입니다.

Recommended for
Crew Service, Food Quality, Boat Comfort
  • 9.2 Superb
  • Cornelis E
  • Netherlands Netherlands
Amazing diving and crew!

Hammerheads, tigers, spinners, walls of sharks, night whale sharks, mantas and dolphins. All the big stuff on amazing coral reefs filled with tons of fish life

Recommended for
Diving, diving, crew!!
  • 10 Exceptional
  • Pieternel V
  • Netherlands Netherlands
Incredible

It’s hard to describe highlights of this trip because it was all really good. The crew was professional and friendly. The boat was great, it had so many places to hang out that you could choose to be social or just spend time alone. The best part was of course the diving. The dive sites were amazing. Without questioning some of the best dives I’ve ever done. The dive masters were great. And last but not least, the food! There were so many options to choose from, every meal was so good.

Recommended for
The dive sites were amazing, the boat was luxurious with enough places to hang out, the crew was great!
  • 9.2 Superb
  • Elaine K
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom
The best liveaboard experience, with awesome diving and so well organised!

Soooo many to explain, the dive at the Manta feeding station, seeing all these majestic animals up close, the tiger shark swooping in and taking the tuna head put down to attract them, the night dive, seeing close up the nurse sharks feeding, the turtles around the reefs and finally the final dive at the Fish Factory which I snorkelled and was blown away by the number of rays and morays all in one shallow spot!! The island BBQ was also an experience which was made special by the crew and Birthdays were recognised. I will be returning!

Recommended for
Variety of dives with excellent local knowledge, the organisation of the trip, the food!!
  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Ozgur P
  • Turkey Turkey
Fantastic Diving Experience

I had an amazing week on Soleil 2 in December 2022, exploring dive sites in Central Maldives. The crew were very friendly and professional. They picked good dive sites and did a good job with guiding. They grouped divers based on experience level, which is something I really appreciated. We saw lots of sharks (almost every dive!), manta rays, eagle rays, turtles, and all sorts of fish and reef life. The boat is good condition. I had cabin #8 for myself and it was massive; probably the biggest cabin I’ve ever had on a liveaboard. There is a mini market onboard where you can find all sorts of things, even SD cards! And all for a reasonable price. The crew organized a barbecue night on a tiny tropical island, which happened to coincide with my birthday. They were kind enough to prepare a cake for me and arrange a mini celebration. It was very nice of them. All in all, I had a fantastic week on Soleil 2, and I’m hoping to dive with them again in the future.

Recommended for
crew, divi sites, rooms
  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Peter B
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom
Great crew, spacious cabins, Maldivian hospitality and diving reliable as ever

Trip got off to a good start with the very punctual airport pick-up in the exact location specified - previous experience with other boats has been of a more mañana approach. Next to impress was the very spacious cabin, soon followed by the excellent catering delivered by ever-smiling staff on board. This was maintained the entire week, and there was always a good variety of dishes on offer. To the diving, the dhoni too was large and stable with an excellent and attentive crew. The 7-day classic itinerary ex-Male is unavoidably plagued by a large number of boats following similar routings but crowded dive sites were avoided with relative success. Dive guides were capable and enthusiastic, although criteria for assigning clients to dive groups was opaque and rotation between groups would have been welcome. A little surprising to spend 3 nights moored just outside Hulhumale harbor, though first and last nights are not uncommon. The "extra" night was to facilitate morning dive(s) in the murky waters next to the Hulhumale harbor wall where baiting attracted tiger sharks. On the one hand that was a unique experience, on the other entirely artificial and ethically questionable. Good or bad? decide for yourself. Overall, would I rebook with Soleil-2? ... YES, and next week if I could.

Recommended for
Best three things were a comfortable platform for some rest & relaxation: great catering; and diving with tiger sharks up close.
  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Cheng L
  • Singapore Singapore
Great trip

Tiger sharks Bbq on the beach Sharks and rays

Recommended for
Clean environment, friendly staff, great diving experience