Dune Black Manta, 42 metres, launched 2024. Photo: Dune Black Manta / Dune Liveaboards.

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

Dune Black Manta Liveaboard, Maldives

Dune Black Manta is a 42-metre steel-hulled dive liveaboard launched in 2024, with 15 cabins for up to 28 guests, two dive boats so groups can split by site, a sundeck jacuzzi and a massage room. Dune prices all-inclusively, with Green Tax, service charge, transfers and Wi-Fi in the rate, from US$2,795 per person for a 7-night Central Atolls week this season (US$2,395 in the July to September low season). Below: every cabin and the deck layout, the seven routes, what the price covers, Dune’s booking terms and how we check availability for you.

Check dates on Black Manta See the itineraries

Why divers pick Black Manta

Three things set this boat apart from the Maldivian-built fleet. First, two dive boats: a 20-metre dhoni with compressors and nitrox for up to 30 divers, and an 8-metre speedboat for eight, so the cruise director can send a drift-hungry group to a channel and a gentler group to a thila at the same time. Second, the pricing: Dune’s rate includes Green Tax, service charge, transfers and Wi-Fi, the items most boats add on board, leaving only a fuel surcharge, set by the oil price on the day you board, to pay on board. Third, the hull: steel, 42 by 9 metres, launched in 2024, with twin 50 kW generators, an 850 hp Doosan engine and a steadier ride through the southern channels than a timber safari boat.

Dune is a French-run operator with 28 years in dive travel and boats in Indonesia and Egypt as well as the Maldives, which shows in the systems: table-service dinners from a chef with 15 years in five-star kitchens, two bars, a loyalty scheme, and Green Fins and Manta Trust labels for how they anchor and brief.

42 msteel hull, 9 m beam

2024launched, Dune Liveaboards

15cabins, 28 guests

2dive boats, 26 divers max

12crew, two bars

Yesjacuzzi and spa room

Top-down aerial view of Dune Black Manta liveaboard on deep blue water — The sundeck and jacuzzi from above. Photo: Dune Black Manta / Dune Liveaboards.

Dune Black Manta liveaboard cruising past a small palm island in the Maldives — Passing an uninhabited island on the central route. Photo: Dune Black Manta / Dune Liveaboards.

Jacuzzi on the sundeck of Dune Black Manta with sun loungers and a sunset behind — Sundeck jacuzzi at the end of the dive day. Photo: Dune Black Manta / Dune Liveaboards.

Cabins and deck layout

Fifteen cabins in four grades across three decks, all en suite with air conditioning and a flat-screen. Beds convert from double to twin in every grade except Premium and the two single-sale cabins, so couples and buddy pairs have the full choice.

Dune Black Manta cabins. 15 cabins, 28 guests; staff cabin 4 is not sold.
Category	Cabins	Deck	Size	Beds and notes
Standard	7: cabins 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8	Lower deck	15 to 20 m²	Convertible double or twin; cabin 3 is a fixed double sold as a single
Premium	2: cabins 9 and 10	Main deck	19 m²	Fixed double bed, large windows at water level, next to the restaurant
Superior	4: cabins 11, 12, 15, 16	Upper deck	17 m²	Sea view, convertible beds; cabin 16 sold as a single
Deluxe	2: cabins 13 and 14	Upper deck, forward	17 m²	Panoramic wrap-around windows, convertible beds

Cabin layout of Dune Black Manta showing lower, main and upper decks with cabin numbers 1 to 16 — Lower, main and upper decks. Layout: Dune Liveaboards.

Deluxe cabin 14 on the upper deck of Dune Black Manta with panoramic forward windows — Deluxe cabin 13 or 14, upper deck, panoramic windows. Photo: Dune Black Manta / Dune Liveaboards.

Premium cabin 10 on the main deck of Dune Black Manta with a double bed and large sea-view windows — Premium cabin 9 or 10, main deck, 19 square metres. Photo: Dune Black Manta / Dune Liveaboards.

Superior cabin 12 on the upper deck of Dune Black Manta with a convertible double bed and sea view — Superior cabin, upper deck, 17 square metres. Photo: Dune Black Manta / Dune Liveaboards.

Standard cabin 1 on the lower deck of Dune Black Manta set as twin beds — Standard cabin, lower deck, 15 to 20 square metres. Photo: Dune Black Manta / Dune Liveaboards.

Reading the plan: lower deck has standard cabins 1 to 8 either side of a central corridor (4 is the staff cabin), the engine room aft; main deck has premium cabins 9 and 10 forward, then the kitchen, restaurant and lounge; upper deck has deluxe 13 and 14 at the front, superior 11, 12, 15 and 16 behind, and the sundeck with jacuzzi aft.

Seven routes

Dune publishes day-by-day routes rather than fixed site lists; the captain adapts to weather and what the guides have seen that week. These are the seven patterns in Dune’s 2026 pack, with the ports that matter for your flights.

Dune Black Manta itineraries for 2026/27. From-prices are Dune’s published 2026 rates per person in a Standard cabin, all-inclusive except the on-board fuel surcharge; HolidayVibe quotes may be lower. 2027 rates on request.
Itinerary	Length and ports	Season	Atolls and highlights	Published from
Central Atolls	7 or 10 nights, Malé to Malé	Most of the year	North Malé, South Malé, Vaavu, Faafu, South and North Ari, Rasdhoo. Whale sharks at Maamigili, manta night dive in North Ari, Vaavu nurse-shark night dive. 16 dives on 7 nights, 24 on 10.	from US$2,395 (Jul to Sep), US$2,795 (Oct to Dec)
North Atolls, Manta Madness	10 nights, Malé to Malé	August to November	North Malé manta points, Rasdhoo, then Baa Atoll in manta season. Hanifaru Bay itself is snorkel-only. 24 dives.	from US$2,795
Full on South, All about Sharks	7 nights, Kooddoo to Gan or Gan to Kooddoo	January to April	North and South Gaafu channels, Fuvahmulah tiger and thresher sharks, Addu. Domestic flights at both ends.	from US$3,195
Deep South, 7 nights	Malé to Kooddoo or Kooddoo to Malé	January to April	Vaavu, Meemu, Thaa, Laamu and Gaafu Alifu channels, with one domestic flight at the Kooddoo end.	Ask us
Deep South, 10 nights	Malé to Gan or Gan to Malé	January to April	The long version with Huvadhoo and Fuvahmulah, ending or starting at Gan in Addu. 24 dives.	from US$3,985
Central South	10 nights, Malé to Malé	February to May	Central atolls plus Meemu and Thaa, back to Malé without a domestic flight.	from US$3,000
South Atolls	14 nights, Malé to Malé	February to April	The full southern loop in one go, for divers who want everything south of Vaavu without flying.	Ask us

Central Atolls, 10 nights is the route to take if it is your first Maldives liveaboard or you want mantas and whale sharks in one trip: day two on North Malé’s long reefs, day three South Malé’s channels and the Vaavu nurse-shark night dive, Faafu’s walls, then three days in Ari for Maamigili’s whale sharks, the North Ari cleaning stations and a manta night dive, Rasdhoo’s hammerhead wall on day nine, and back to Malé for an 8 am check-out. The 7-night version drops Faafu and Rasdhoo. Check-in is 3 pm at the airport; early check-in at 10 am costs about US$50 per person.

Deep South is the shark trip: Meemu’s hammerhead channels, Laamu’s drifts, the Gaafu atolls for threshers and bull sharks, and Fuvahmulah for tigers, flying out of Kooddoo (7 nights) or Gan (10 nights). Read our Fuvahmulah shark diving guide and Fuvahmulah liveaboard guide before you book it.

Manta ray gliding overhead in blue water on a Maldives dive — Manta at a North Ari cleaning station. Photo: Dune Black Manta / Dune Liveaboards.

School of grey reef sharks over a reef in the Maldives — Grey reef sharks in a channel. Photo: Dune Black Manta / Dune Liveaboards.

White diving dhoni of Dune Black Manta under way on blue water, Maldives — The 20-metre dive dhoni. Photo: Dune Black Manta / Dune Liveaboards.

Diving from two boats

Dhoni20 m, seats 30 divers plus crew, compressors and nitrox on board, bathroom and sundeck

Speedboat8 m, equipped for 8 divers, for a second site or a fast run to the channel

Dives16 on 7 nights, 24 on 10 nights, including night dives

SafetyOxygen on mothership and dhoni, AED, satellite phone, engine-room foam system

The dhoni carries everything, so kit is set up once and stays on the dive boat all week. Briefings are in the lounge on the flat-screen. Dune asks for a check dive on day one and recommends a scuba review for anyone who has not dived in a year; both can be done on board. A dive computer rents for US$10 a day and a private guide for US$150 a day if you want one.

Dive deck of the Dune Black Manta dhoni with kit set up on benches either side — Kit stays on the dhoni all week. Photo: Dune Black Manta / Dune Liveaboards.

Open-sided restaurant on Dune Black Manta with long tables, blue bench seating and sea views — The restaurant on the main deck. Photo: Dune Black Manta / Dune Liveaboards.

Indoor lounge on Dune Black Manta with navy sofas, orange cushions and big windows — Indoor lounge and briefing area. Photo: Dune Black Manta / Dune Liveaboards.

Between dives

This is the boat for people who like the surface interval as much as the dive. Table-service dinners rather than a buffet queue, two bars with proper bartenders, a massage room on the high deck, the jacuzzi aft on the sundeck, kayaks and paddleboards in the water at every anchorage, and free Wi-Fi for messages and email where the signal reaches.

Massage room on the high deck of Dune Black Manta with a treatment bed and sea view — Massage room on the high deck. Photo: Dune Black Manta / Dune Liveaboards.

Guest on a stand-up paddleboard on flat calm water near Dune Black Manta — Paddleboards and kayaks for surface intervals. Photo: Dune Black Manta / Dune Liveaboards.

Blue and white hexagon-tiled en-suite bathroom with porthole on Dune Black Manta — Every cabin has its own bathroom. Photo: Dune Black Manta / Dune Liveaboards.

Prices, terms and how to book

In Dune’s rate

Cabin, full board with table-service dinners, 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 and speedboat; nitrox free for certified divers; one guide per six divers
Green Tax, GST, service charge and all local taxes
Airport transfers on cruise dates, Wi-Fi for messages, kayaks and paddleboards

Paid separately

Fuel surcharge when Brent crude is above US$70: US$20 to US$40 per person per night, paid on board
Flights, dive and travel insurance (mandatory; DAN cover sold on board from US$30), visas
Rental equipment (US$10 a piece or US$20 a full set per day), 15-litre tanks, courses, private guide
Alcohol and espresso, spa treatments, 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, 22 plus 6, up to a 30-berth full charter. Dune may add a surcharge for fuel or exchange-rate changes with 15 days’ notice, never inside 30 days of departure, with a free cancellation if it exceeds 8 percent.

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

Ask for dates and a quote Compare all boats

Departures and availability

Dune Black Manta departures, checked against the operator sheet on 12 Nov 2026.
Departs	Nights	Route	Cabins	Retail from
14 Nov 2026	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	1 left	US$2,236 (20% Off)
21 Nov 2026	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	Full	US$2,795
28 Nov 2026	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	1 left	US$2,376 (15% Off)
5 Dec 2026	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	3 left	US$2,795
12 Dec 2026	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	3 left	US$2,376 (15% Off)
19 Dec 2026	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	Full	US$2,236 (20% Off)
26 Dec 2026	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	Full	US$2,795
2 Jan 2027	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	Full	US$3,835
9 Jan 2027	10	Deep South, All The Way to The Equator 10N (Male - Gan)	Full	US$4,295
20 Jan 2027	7	Full On South, All About Sharks	Full	US$3,835
28 Jan 2027	7	Full On South, All About Sharks	2 left	US$3,835
6 Feb 2027	10	Deep South, All The Way to The Equator 10N (Gan - Male)	Full	US$4,295
20 Feb 2027	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	Full	US$3,835
28 Feb 2027	10	Deep South, All The Way to The Equator 10N (Male - Gan)	Full	US$4,295
11 Mar 2027	7	Full On South, All About Sharks	Full	US$3,835
20 Mar 2027	7	Full On South, All About Sharks	1 left	US$3,835
28 Mar 2027	10	Deep South, All The Way to The Equator 10N (Gan - Male)	Full	US$4,295
10 Apr 2027	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	Full	US$3,835
17 Apr 2027	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	1 left	US$3,835
24 Apr 2027	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	5 places	US$2,995
1 May 2027	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	4 left	US$2,595
8 May 2027	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	26 places	US$2,595
15 May 2027	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	15 places	US$2,595
22 May 2027	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	Full	US$2,595
29 May 2027	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	16 places	US$2,595
5 Jul 2027	9	Surf Trip	Full	US$1,700
17 Jul 2027	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	25 places	US$2,595
24 Jul 2027	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	27 places	US$2,595
31 Jul 2027	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	25 places	US$2,595
12 Aug 2027	10	North Atolls Discovery Manta Madness	Full	US$3,595
28 Aug 2027	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	Full	US$2,595
4 Sep 2027	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	25 places	US$2,595
11 Sep 2027	10	North Atolls Discovery Manta Madness	13 places	US$3,595
9 Oct 2027	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	26 places	US$2,516 (10% Off)
16 Oct 2027	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 28 places	US$2,516 (10% Off)
23 Oct 2027	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 28 places	US$2,516 (10% Off)
30 Oct 2027	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 28 places	US$2,696 (10% Off)
6 Nov 2027	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 28 places	US$2,995
13 Nov 2027	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 28 places	US$2,995
20 Nov 2027	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 28 places	US$2,995
27 Nov 2027	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 28 places	US$2,995
4 Dec 2027	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	24 places	US$2,995
11 Dec 2027	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 28 places	US$2,995
18 Dec 2027	10	Central & South, A Taste of The South	All 28 places	US$3,995
29 Dec 2027	10	Central & South, A Taste of The South	All 28 places	US$3,995
8 Jan 2028	10	Deep South, All The Way to The Equator 10N (Male - Gan)	Full	US$4,790
18 Jan 2028	7	Full On South, All About Sharks	14 places	US$3,690
25 Jan 2028	7	Full On South, All About Sharks	All 28 places	US$3,690
1 Feb 2028	10	Deep South, All The Way to The Equator 10N (Gan - Male)	26 places	US$4,890
12 Feb 2028	10	Central & South, A Taste of The South	16 places	US$4,690
22 Feb 2028	10	Deep South, All The Way to The Equator 10N (Male - Gan)	14 places	US$4,890
4 Mar 2028	7	Full On South, All About Sharks	All 28 places	US$3,790
11 Mar 2028	7	Full On South, All About Sharks	All 28 places	US$3,790
18 Mar 2028	10	Deep South, All The Way to The Equator 10N (Gan - Male)	18 places	US$4,890
29 Mar 2028	10	Central & South, A Taste of The South	All 28 places	US$4,690
8 Apr 2028	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 28 places	US$3,590
15 Apr 2028	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 28 places	US$3,590
22 Apr 2028	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 28 places	US$3,590
29 Apr 2028	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 28 places	US$3,590
6 May 2028	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 28 places	US$3,190
13 May 2028	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 28 places	US$3,190
20 May 2028	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 28 places	US$3,190
27 May 2028	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 28 places	US$3,190
8 Jul 2028	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 28 places	US$2,990
15 Jul 2028	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 28 places	US$2,990
22 Jul 2028	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 28 places	US$2,990
2 Aug 2028	10	North Atolls Discovery Manta Madness	All 28 places	US$3,990
16 Aug 2028	10	Other	Full	US$2,795
26 Aug 2028	10	North Atolls Discovery Manta Madness	All 28 places	US$3,990
9 Sep 2028	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 28 places	US$3,090
16 Sep 2028	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 28 places	US$3,090
23 Sep 2028	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 28 places	US$3,090
30 Sep 2028	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 28 places	US$3,190
7 Oct 2028	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 28 places	US$3,190
14 Oct 2028	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 28 places	US$3,190
21 Oct 2028	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 28 places	US$3,190
28 Oct 2028	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 28 places	US$3,190
4 Nov 2028	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 28 places	US$3,290
11 Nov 2028	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 28 places	US$3,290
18 Nov 2028	7	Central Atolls, The Best of Maldives	All 28 places	US$3,290

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.

Dune’s 2026 list runs Black Manta on the Central Atolls week most of the year, the Deep South and Full on South routes in January and February, Central South in February and May, and the North Atolls manta route in July. 2027 dates are not public yet. Their schedule lives in their own booking system rather than a public sheet, so we check cabin availability by email for your dates, usually the same day, and show it here when they share a feed.

Three 2024-era options compared. Same routes, different pricing models.
	Dune Black Manta	Princess Maani	Princess Haseena
Built	2024, steel	2024	2016, refit 2026
Length	42 m	42 m	32 m
Cabins / guests	15 / 28	14 / 28	12 / 26
Dive boats	Dhoni 20 m + speedboat 8 m	Dhoni 19 m + dinghy	Dhoni 15 m + dinghy
Jacuzzi / spa	Yes / massage room	Two / no	No / no
Pricing	All-inclusive, fuel surcharge on board	Rate + service fee + Green Tax on board	Rate + service fee + Green Tax on board
Live availability on our site	On request	Yes, daily	Yes, daily

Dune Black Manta: questions we get asked

How much does Dune Black Manta cost?

Dune’s published 2026 rates for a 7-night Central Atolls cruise run from US$2,395 per person in the July to September low season to US$2,995 in peak weeks, with US$2,795 for the October to December departures. Ten nights is US$2,795 on the North Atolls manta route, US$3,000 to US$3,995 on Central South and US$3,985 on the 10-night Deep South. Rates include Green Tax, GST, service charge and airport transfers; a fuel surcharge may be added on board. We quote the exact figure for your dates and cabin, often below the published rate.

Are there discounts or supplements?

From Dune’s 2026 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 unless you take a single-sale cabin, and sea-view cabins start at US$38 per person per night extra.

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, US$20 per person per night from US$70 to US$99, US$30 from US$100 to US$129 and US$40 above that. Only one level applies, it is confirmed on the day you board and paid on board, and Dune may waive it when oil is at or below US$70.

What is included that other boats charge extra for?

Green Tax, service charge, airport transfers, Wi-Fi, kayaks and paddleboards and table-service dinners are in the rate. Nitrox is available on the dhoni. Not included: dive and travel insurance (mandatory), rental gear, courses, spa treatments, laundry, the bar, and the fuel surcharge paid on board.

How many divers are on board?

The boat sleeps 30 but Dune caps diving at 26 and splits them across a 20-metre dhoni and an 8-metre speedboat, so two groups can dive two different sites at once, matched to experience and current.

Which cabin should I choose?

Deluxe 13 and 14 for the wrap-around forward windows, Premium 9 and 10 for a fixed double bed and the shortest walk to dinner, Superior for a sea view at a lower rate, Standard on the lower deck for value. Cabins 3 and 16 are sold as singles.

Is there a jacuzzi and a spa?

Yes: a jacuzzi and loungers on the sundeck, and a dedicated massage room on the high deck with a treatment list priced separately.

What experience do I need for the Deep South?

Advanced Open Water with recent drift experience, and a check dive on day one. Fuvahmulah’s tiger shark dives and the Huvadhoo channels are strong-current sites; the Central Atolls route suits any certified diver.

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. Bookings made a year ahead get 10 percent off. Groups: 6 paying plus 1 free, 15 plus 3, 22 plus 6.

Do you have live availability for Dune Black Manta?

Not yet. Dune publishes its schedule through its own booking app rather than a public sheet, so we check cabin availability with them by email for your dates, usually the same day.

Why book Dune Black Manta 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 2026 media kit, cabin layout and terms; itineraries from Dune’s published day-by-day routes; from-prices from Dune’s published 2026 rates. Photos: Dune Black Manta / Dune Liveaboards.