Carpe Novo

The latest addition to the Carpe Diem family of liveaboards, and slightly bigger than her two sister ships, the Carpe Novo is taking scuba diving in the Maldives to new levels. Launched in March 2016, with a capacity for up to 22 divers in 12 cabins the Carpe Novo liveaboard operates 7 and 10-night diving trips in the Maldives, with the occasional longer trips of 11 and 14 nights.

Facilities

Carpe Novo’s main air-conditioned briefing area and lounge are located on the main deck, with a coffee/tea table offering you coffee, tea and drinking water 24 hours a day. It also has a wide flat-screen TV and media player. Also located on the main deck is a shaded seating area, the galley, dive equipment room, and camera room with a well-lit camera table.

On the upper deck is an open-air dining area, bar and the bridge, and above that is the sun deck, where you will find plenty of sunbeds and a shaded seating – the perfect place from which to enjoy your sunset drinks.

Transfers

All guests are met on arrival in Male Airport at 12.30pm and transferred to the vessel and transferred back to the airport early in the morning of disembarkation.

Staying Connected

The Carpe Novo liveaboard provides a medium speed WiFi that works from the local 3G base stations, with connection speed depending on the location of the boat. There’s a fee of US$15/20(+GST)pp for the 7/10 night trips respectively.

You should know…

Diving in the Maldives often involves drift dives from the open sea into the shelter of the lagoon of the atoll. Depending on the state of the tide, this can be anything from a gentle drift to something akin to an express train ride. Therefore, the Carpe Novo requires a minimum of Advanced Open Water Diving (AOWD) certification to be able to join all the dives offered during a trip. OW Divers are welcome but will be asked to do their AOWD certification during the trip as otherwise they would be limited to 18m and hence just a few dives. The dive instructor may ask divers to sit out certain dives if he thinks divers are not experienced enough for a particular dive. On special South routings with lots of currents, divers do require a minimum of 100 logged dives and experience with currents.

We think…

Carpe Novo is another great addition to the Carpe Diem liveaboards family and like her sister ships Carpe Vita and Carpe Diem, provides excellent scuba diving in the Maldives.

The Carpe Novo liveaboard has a variety of 7 and 10-night itineraries. In the event it is not leaving from Malé, the boat will connect with an internal flight from Dharavandhoo (northern itinerary), or Laamu (southern itinerary), or Maamigili.

Accommodation

Carpe Novo has 12 comfortable cabins of different standards spread over three decks. All cabins have individually controlled AC, TV screens with HD media players connected to the central media system, safety deposit boxes and their own private bathrooms. The electricity voltage onboard is of 220V and the plugs are of multinational type.

The Junior Suites located on the upper deck have king-size beds, a desk, chair, dresser, two hanging closets, windows throughout the side of the cabin, and a bathroom with a spacious shower. Two suites have fixed king beds, two have twin beds that can be configured as a king.

The Single Suites located on the main deck have a queen size bed, desk, chair, hanging closet, large windows, private en suite bathroom and shower and allow just one guest per cabin.

Standard Cabins located on the lower deck has a desk, private en suite bathrooms with showers and have portholes. There are four queen bed cabins and two twins.

Dive operation

The diving takes place on the spacious dive Dhoni, which is equipped with a toilet, two warm deck showers, first aid equipment and oxygen. All dive equipment is stored on the Dhoni.

So that guests are not disturbed by the compressors when the tanks are being filled, the dive Dhoni moves away and downwind from the mother ship.

The Dhoni is crewed by a team of three divers, led by an experienced PADI Instructor. Three dives per day are offered on dive dives with a night dive on offer once a week. 11.5L and 13.5L aluminum tanks are available; 15L steel tanks can be hired at an extra charge (limited availability; advanced notice must be provided). Nitrox is available and Scubapro rental gear is available for hire – additional charges apply.

Various PADI dive courses are also available including Nitrox.

Dive area

On the 7 night trips, the Carpe Novo usually visits dive sites in the South & North Male Atolls and Ari Atoll. The 10-night trips visit those also and additional dive sites in Vaavu, Meemu, Thaa, Laamu and Huvadhoo Atolls. Some 10-night cruises may also dive Lhaviyani, Raa, Baa and Rashdoo Atolls.

Best time to dive

Diving in the Maldives is suitable all year round. Occurring from December to May is the Northeast Monsoon which provides calm seas and clear water in the east. These conditions are not the same in the west at this time. During this period the air temperature is generally around 29° and the water temperature is 26-29°. From June to November is the Southwest Monsoon where the water is clear towards the western atolls but the seas are rougher at this time and it as also generally a wetter time. The expected air temperature is 26° and water temperature is from 26-29° at this time.

Trip dates & Availability

Carpe Novo Male Extras Payable Locally