Dune Theia from above, on the way to the next anchorage. Photo: Dune Theia / Dune Liveaboards.

Maldives liveaboard · Vessel guide · Updated 8 November 2026 · By Abdulla Maseeh

Dune Theia Liveaboard, Maldives

Dune Theia is a 32-metre dive liveaboard with 10 en-suite cabins for 20 guests, a dive dhoni that carries the tanks and compressors, and three dive guides. Dune prices all-inclusively, with Green Tax, service charge, nitrox and transfers in the rate, from US$2,695 per person for a 7-night Central Atolls week, and has already published its departures to December 2027. Below: the cabin plan, every published date with its price, the routes, surf and snorkel trips, and how we check cabins for you.

Check dates on Theia See the 2027 schedule

Theia at a glance

32 mdive liveaboard, three decks

10cabins, 20 guests

3dive guides, about 1 per 6 divers

11crew, two chefs

16 / 24dives on 7 / 10 nights

Freenitrox for certified divers

Pick Theia if

You want a smaller boat where 20 guests share one dhoni and three guides, all-inclusive pricing so the only surprises on the last night are the bar and any rental kit, and the security of dates and prices already published into late 2027. The upper-deck seaview suites are the best rooms at this price level, and the boat runs dedicated snorkelling cruises and July to September surf safaris that most dive boats do not offer.

Look elsewhere if

You want a jacuzzi or a spa room; for those, Dune Black Manta is the bigger sister on the same routes for a little more. Divers with fewer than 30 logged dives should plan to take the Advanced course on board, and the Deep South and Central and South trips ask for 50 dives. Wi-Fi is free but limited to messages and email.

Dune Theia liveaboard and its dive dhoni at anchor off a Maldives reef, aerial view — Theia at anchor on the edge of an atoll lagoon. Photo: Dune Theia / Dune Liveaboards.

Sun loungers with red towels on the sundeck of Dune Theia under a radar arch — Loungers on the top deck. Photo: Dune Theia / Dune Liveaboards.

Air-conditioned indoor saloon on Dune Theia with wood panelling, coffee station and windows — The air-conditioned saloon and coffee station. Photo: Dune Theia / Dune Liveaboards.

Cabins and deck plan

Ten cabins across three decks, all air-conditioned with a private bathroom, towels changed daily and international sockets that take any plug. Five Standard cabins share the lower deck, the single Deluxe cabin sits on the main deck beside the dining area, and the upper deck holds three Premium cabins, two of them seaview suites, plus the Superior cabin 9.

Dune Theia cabins. 10 cabins, 20 guests, all en suite with air conditioning.
Category	Cabins	Deck	Beds	Good to know
Standard	5: cabins 1 to 5	Lower deck	Double bed plus a single; cabin 3 sits in the bow with an angled double	Value pick for couples and buddy pairs
Deluxe	1: cabin 6	Main deck	Convertible double or twin	Next to the dining area, no stairs to meals
Premium	3: cabins 7, 8 and 10	Upper deck	Convertible double or twin; 7 and 8 are seaview suites	Largest windows on board
Superior	1: cabin 9	Upper deck	Double bed plus a single	Upper-deck position at a lower rate

Dune Theia cabin and deck plan showing lower deck cabins 1 to 5, main deck cabin 6 and upper deck cabins 7 to 10 — Deck plan. Plan: Dune Theia / Dune Liveaboards.

Premium seaview suite 8 on Dune Theia with twin beds, large windows and a desk — Seaview suite 8, upper deck: the largest windows on board. Photo: Dune Theia / Dune Liveaboards.

Premium cabin 10 on Dune Theia with two single beds that convert to a double and wood panelling — Premium cabin 10, upper deck, sea view, convertible beds. Photo: Dune Theia / Dune Liveaboards.

Standard cabin 2 on Dune Theia lower deck with a double bed and a single bed under wood panelling — Standard cabin 2, lower deck: a double plus a single. Photo: Dune Theia / Dune Liveaboards.

White en-suite bathroom on Dune Theia with twin basins, toilet and shower — Every cabin has its own bathroom. Photo: Dune Theia / Dune Liveaboards.

Solo travellers are guaranteed a same-gender share in a twin cabin, so there is no single supplement unless you want a cabin to yourself (75 percent extra).

Departures and places left

Every Theia departure Dune has published, to late 2028, with the places left out of 20 and today’s public price per person in a Standard cabin, read from Dune’s own schedule every day. Where Dune runs a discount, the price shown is the discounted one. Dune has not listed public dive departures for mid-May to September; surf safaris and private charters can run then, so ask us about those dates.

Dune Theia departures from Dune's public schedule, refreshed daily. Price per person in a Standard cabin after any discount; Dune's rate includes Green Tax, GST and service charge, with a fuel surcharge on board. Places are free berths out of 20.
Departs	Nights	Route	Cabins	Retail from
17 Nov 2026	10	Central & South, A Taste of The South	Full	US$3,495
28 Nov 2026	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	4 left	US$2,291 (15% Off)
5 Dec 2026	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	7 places	US$2,291 (15% Off)
26 Dec 2026	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	Full	US$2,156 (20% Off)
2 Jan 2027	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	1 left	US$2,695
16 Jan 2027	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	Full	US$2,965
23 Jan 2027	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	Full	US$2,965
30 Jan 2027	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	1 left	US$2,965
6 Feb 2027	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	Full	US$2,965
13 Feb 2027	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	1 left	US$2,965
20 Feb 2027	10	Deep South, All The Way to The Equator 10N (Male - Gan)	Full	US$3,995
3 Mar 2027	10	Deep South, All The Way to The Equator 10N (Gan - Male)	Full	US$3,995
13 Mar 2027	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	Full	US$2,965
20 Mar 2027	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	Full	US$2,965
27 Mar 2027	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	2 left	US$2,965
3 Apr 2027	10	Central & South, A Taste of The South	Full	US$3,795
13 Apr 2027	10	Central & South, A Taste of The South	Full	US$3,795
30 Oct 2027	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 20 places	US$2,695
6 Nov 2027	10	Central & South, A Taste of The South	All 20 places	US$3,995
17 Nov 2027	10	Central & South, A Taste of The South	Full	US$3,995
27 Nov 2027	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 20 places	US$2,695
4 Dec 2027	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 20 places	US$2,695
11 Dec 2027	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 20 places	US$2,695
29 Dec 2027	10	Central & South, A Taste of The South	All 20 places	US$3,795
8 Jan 2028	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 20 places	US$3,090
15 Jan 2028	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 20 places	US$3,090
22 Jan 2028	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	Full	US$3,090
29 Jan 2028	10	Deep South, All The Way to The Equator 10N (Male - Gan)	All 20 places	US$4,290
22 Feb 2028	10	Deep South, All The Way to The Equator 10N (Gan - Male)	9 places	US$4,390
4 Mar 2028	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	18 places	US$3,190
11 Mar 2028	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	Full	US$3,190
18 Mar 2028	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 20 places	US$3,190
25 Mar 2028	10	Central & South, A Taste of The South	All 20 places	US$4,190
5 Apr 2028	10	Central & South, A Taste of The South	All 20 places	US$4,090
15 Apr 2028	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 20 places	US$3,090
30 Sep 2028	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 20 places	US$2,595
7 Oct 2028	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 20 places	US$2,790
14 Oct 2028	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 20 places	US$2,790
21 Oct 2028	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 20 places	US$2,790
4 Nov 2028	10	Central & South, A Taste of The South	Full	US$3,990
15 Nov 2028	10	Central & South, A Taste of The South	All 20 places	US$3,990

Retail from-prices are per person for the lowest cabin on that departure, published by the operator. Availability changes daily; we reconfirm before taking a deposit. Last checked 12 Nov 2026.

Ask about a date What the price covers

Routes

Most of the year Theia runs the Central Atolls week from Malé; in February and March she heads south for the shark channels, and around those she runs 10-night trips that taste the south without a domestic flight.

Dune Theia routes. Routes are examples and change with weather and conditions.
Route	Length and ports	Season	What you see	Published from
Central Atolls	7 nights, Malé to Malé	October to May	North and South Malé, Vaavu and Ari: manta cleaning stations, Maamigili whale sharks, the Vaavu nurse-shark night dive. 16 dives.	US$2,695
Central and South Atolls, A Taste of the South	10 nights, Malé to Malé	November, April	The central loop plus Vaavu and Meemu channels for hammerheads and grey reef sharks, without a domestic flight. 24 dives; 50 logged dives asked.	US$3,495 to US$3,995
Deep South	10 nights, ports confirmed at booking	February to March	Vaavu, Meemu and the southern channels to Fuvahmulah for tiger and thresher sharks. Some departures end or start at Gan or Kooddoo with a domestic flight. 24 dives; 50 logged dives asked.	US$3,995
North Atolls, Manta Madness	10 nights, Malé to Malé	August to November	North Malé, Baa and Raa in manta season. Hanifaru Bay is snorkel-only by law. On charter or request.	Ask us
South Atolls	14 nights, Malé to Malé	January to April	The full southern loop to Fuvahmulah and back without flying. On charter or request.	Ask us
Snorkelling in the Central Atolls	7 nights, Hulhumalé to Hulhumalé	September to May	Shallow reefs, mantas and whale sharks for non-divers and families; children from 8.	Ask us
Surf safari, Central Atolls	7 nights, Malé to Malé	July to September	Meemu, Thaa and Laamu breaks: Muli, Veyvah, Mikado, Finnimans and Yin Yangs.	Ask us

Central Atolls, 7 nights is the first-timer’s trip: check dive and long reefs in North Malé, South Malé’s channels, Vaavu’s walls and the famous nurse-shark night dive, then South Ari for Maamigili’s whale sharks and the manta cleaning stations, back to Hulhumalé for an 8 am check-out. Boarding is at 3 pm at the airport; early check-in from 10 am costs US$48 per person.

Deep South is for experienced divers: strong-current channels in Vaavu and Meemu, then Fuvahmulah for tiger sharks. Read our Fuvahmulah shark diving guide before you book, and the Fuvahmulah liveaboard guide for how the southern routes fit together.

Whale shark swimming in open blue water in the Maldives — Whale sharks on the South Ari route. Photo: Dune Theia / Dune Liveaboards.

Spotted eagle ray gliding over sand in the Maldives seen from above — Eagle rays in the channels. Photo: Dune Theia / Dune Liveaboards.

Tawny nurse shark resting under a coral overhang in the Maldives — Nurse sharks, Vaavu night dive country. Photo: Dune Theia / Dune Liveaboards.

Diving from the dhoni

DhoniCarries the compressors, tanks and all kit; you dive from it and come back to a dry mothership

Tanks12-litre aluminium, air or nitrox, DIN and yoke free; 15-litre at US$7 a day

GuidesThree, about one per six divers; English, French and other languages

Typical dayUp to three day dives, with at least one night dive on every cruise

Day one is a check dive, a life-jacket drill and an emergency drill. The guides help you set weights and mark your gear, then it stays on the dhoni all week. Bring or rent a dive computer (US$10 a day) and a surface marker buoy; reef hooks are on board. Water sits around 28°C all year, so a 1 mm or 3 mm suit is enough; Dune’s rental suits are 1 mm Scubapro. Rebreather divers can be taken on request, but Dune does not supply oxygen for them.

Snorkel cruises and surf safaris

Snorkelling, September to May

Dune’s 7-night snorkelling cruise follows the Central Atolls dive route at the surface: shallow coral gardens in North Malé, Vaavu’s calm lagoons and South Ari’s manta and whale-shark sites, with local-island visits and a sandbank afternoon. It suits non-divers travelling with divers, families with children from 8, and anyone who wants a liveaboard without certification. See our Maldives snorkelling guide for the wider picture, or compare every snorkel-friendly boat on our snorkelling liveaboard page.

Surf, July to September

In the southwest swell season Theia turns into a surf boat for 7 nights from Malé to the Meemu, Thaa and Laamu breaks: Muli’s fast right, Veyvah’s long left, Mikado and Finnimans in Thaa, and Yin Yangs in Laamu, with Mada’s as the softer option on big days. Few surf charters reach these atolls, so line-ups are thin. Our surf charter guide compares boat trips with resort surfing.

Life on board

Meals mix Maldivian and international dishes with vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free options, snacks between dives and a Maldivian buffet on the last night. When the route allows, the crew cooks a barbecue on a desert island. The air-conditioned saloon has a flat-screen and sound system, the sundeck has loungers and a shaded bar, and kayaks and paddleboards come out at anchor. Beer is US$4, wine US$5 a glass, and smoking is allowed only at the stern.

Dune Theia guests gathered on a white sand beach in front of palm trees at dusk — The island BBQ evening, weather permitting. Photo: Dune Theia / Dune Liveaboards.

Guests toasting with juice on the cushioned sofas of Dune Theia’s lounge — Evening in the lounge. Photo: Dune Theia / Dune Liveaboards.

Sun loungers on the forward deck of Dune Theia facing a small Maldives island — Forward deck, anchored off an island. Photo: Dune Theia / Dune Liveaboards.

What the price covers, and the terms

In Dune’s rate

Cabin, full board, snacks between dives, water, soft drinks, tea and coffee; island BBQ and a Maldivian buffet on the last night
All scheduled dives (16 on 7 nights, 24 on 10), 12-litre tanks, weights, the dhoni, nitrox for certified divers, three guides
Green Tax, GST, service charge and all local taxes
Airport transfers on cruise dates, Wi-Fi for messages, kayaks and paddleboards, daily housekeeping

Paid separately

Fuel surcharge when Brent crude is above US$70: US$20 to US$40 per person per night, paid on board
Flights, visas, dive and travel insurance (mandatory; DAN cover sold on board from US$30)
Rental equipment (US$10 a piece or US$20 a full set per day), dive computer, 15-litre tanks, courses, private guide (US$150 a day)
Alcohol and espresso, laundry, early check-in, crew tips (Dune suggests US$15 per person per day)

Terms. Deposit 10 percent within 14 days of booking; groups of six or more pay a further 20 percent at 180 days; balance 60 days before departure. Cancel more than 60 days out and you lose the deposit; inside 60 days, the full amount. Book a year ahead for 10 percent off. Groups: 6 paying plus 1 free, 15 plus 3, and the whole boat at 17 paying plus 3. Courses on board: Discover Scuba US$100, Open Water US$400, Advanced US$300, Nitrox US$190.

To compare Theia with other boats on total cost, use our liveaboard price calculator. Prices and inclusions on this page are from Dune’s 2026/27 public price list, inclusion sheet and 2026 terms, as a guide; we confirm the figure for your dates in writing before you pay anything.

Theia against its Dune sister and a same-length Maldivian boat.
	Dune Theia	Dune Black Manta	Princess Haseena
Length	32 m	42 m	32 m
Cabins / guests	10 / 20	15 / 28	12 / 26
Dive boats	Dhoni + speedboat	Dhoni 20 m + speedboat 8 m	Dhoni 15 m + dinghy
Jacuzzi / spa	No / no	Yes / massage room	No / no
Pricing	All-inclusive, fuel surcharge on board	All-inclusive, fuel surcharge on board	Rate + service fee + Green Tax on board
7 nights published from	US$2,695	US$2,795	See page
2027 dates published	Yes, to December 2027	On request	Yes, live on our site

Dune Theia: questions we get asked

How much does Dune Theia cost?

Dune’s published rate for a 7-night Central Atolls cruise is US$2,695 per person for the 2026/27 season (US$2,595 on some early-2026 weeks). Ten nights is US$3,495 to US$3,995 on the Central and South route and US$3,995 on the Deep South. Rates include Green Tax, GST, service charge, nitrox and airport transfers; a fuel surcharge may be added on board. We quote the exact figure for your dates, often below the published rate.

Has Dune published 2027 dates for Theia?

Yes. The 2026/27 public price list runs to 11 December 2027, with Central Atolls weeks from January to early May and October to December, two Deep South departures in February and March 2027, and four 10-night Central and South trips. The full list is in the schedule table on this page. Cabin availability is checked with Dune for your dates.

How many guests and divers are on board?

Ten cabins for 20 guests. Diving runs from a dive dhoni, with a speedboat for a second group, and three guides, so groups are about six divers per guide.

What experience do I need?

Dune asks for Advanced Open Water with at least 30 logged dives for the Central and North routes and 50 for the Central and South and Deep South trips. Open Water divers can take the Advanced course on board (US$300). A dive computer and a surface marker buoy are compulsory, and divers over 45 need a signed medical statement.

Which cabin should I choose?

Premium 7 or 8, the seaview suites on the upper deck, for the biggest windows; Deluxe 6 on the main deck if you want to be next to the dining area; a Standard cabin on the lower deck for the best price. Sea-view cabins carry a supplement from US$38 per person per night.

Are there discounts or supplements?

From Dune’s public price list: non-divers 10 percent off, repeat Dune guests 10 percent off, children aged 8 to 11 30 percent off, and 10 percent off for bookings made a year ahead. A cabin on your own costs a 75 percent supplement. Groups get free places: 6 paying plus 1, 15 plus 3, and 17 plus 3 for the whole boat.

What is the fuel surcharge?

Since 1 September 2026 Dune links it to the 30-day average Brent crude price up to the day you board: nothing below US$70 a barrel, then US$20, US$30 or US$40 per person per night as the price rises. Only one level applies and it is paid on board; Dune may waive it when oil is at or below US$70.

Does Theia run surf trips?

Yes. Dune publishes 7-night surf safaris on Theia from July to September, in the southwest swell season, covering Meemu, Thaa and Laamu breaks such as Muli, Mikado and Yin Yangs. Ask us for dates, or read our surf charter guide.

Can non-divers and children come?

Yes. Non-divers pay 10 percent less, children from 8 years old are welcome with an adult, and Dune runs dedicated 7-night snorkelling cruises in the Central Atolls.

How does booking and payment work?

Dune takes a 10 percent deposit within 14 days of booking, 20 percent more at 180 days for groups of six or more, and the balance 60 days before departure. Cancellation more than 60 days out costs the deposit; inside 60 days it is 100 percent. On-board extras are settled on the last evening in US dollars, euros or by card.

Why book Dune Theia with HolidayVibe

Trusted brandHolidayVibe is a trusted brand in the Maldives travel industry, licensed by the Ministry of Tourism (MOT.O1.RS.TA.25.RD9933) and based in Malé.
We know the boatsWe work directly with the operators, hold their cabin-by-cabin availability and have walked the decks. No call centre in another time zone.
Full-cost quotesEvery quote lists the cruise, service fee, Green Tax, park fees, nitrox, gear and transfers, so the price you see is the price you pay.
Often better value than booking sitesOperators give local agents their best rates. We pass that on and still answer on WhatsApp within the hour.
Fishing, surf and dive on one deskNeed a fishing charter before the dive week, or a resort night after? One team books all of it.

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Keep planning

Written by Abdulla Maseeh, HolidayVibe Maldives, Malé. Vessel facts from Dune’s Theia welcome booklet, cabin and deck layout and FAQ; dates and prices from Dune’s 2026/27 public price list; routes from Dune’s published itineraries; terms from Dune’s 2026 conditions. Photos and plan: Dune Theia / Dune Liveaboards.