ScubaSpa Yang
Winner of the South Asian Leading Liveaboard Awards 2016 – 2018 and 5-Star PADI dive resort, ScubaSpa Yang is one of my favourite liveaboards of all time.
Despite being only mid-price, this feels like an extremely luxurious liveaboard – having it’s own onboard spa, jacuzzi, gym and bar as well as providing extra activities such as yoga, watersports and beach bbqs.Â
She explores the Central and/or Southern Regions of the Maldives.
Great for:Â Central Routes, Southern Routes, Yoga, Spa, Gym, Beginners, Extra Activities, Value for Money
Trip Lengths: 8 days, 7 nights.Â
Max Guest Capacity: 40
Operates: All Year.Â
- “Best of Maldives”: Explores the Central Region; known for whale sharks, hammerheads and manta rays! Guests only require open water cert – no logged dives needed. 8 days, 7 nights.
- “Deep South” (Infrequent): Explores the South Region, which is more off the beaten track! Lots of reef shark action and mantas. Guests require open water cert and 50+ logged dives. 8 days, 7 nights.Â
Besides the fact that Scubaspa Yang visits some of the best dive sites within the Maldives, another reason it’s so satisfying to dive with this liveaboard is the staff.
They have a truly impressive knowledge of the local marine life and are extremely friendly, enthusiastic and competent at keeping everyone safe during dives.
Extra Activities include daily yoga classes, starlit beach bbq’s, movie nights, snorkelling, kayaking and stand up paddle-boarding.
Onboard amenities include the jacuzzi, gym, two huge sundecks with loungers, the spa, bar, yoga zone, free WiFi and an observation deck.
There is an awesome range of cuisine to be enjoyed, with dinner themes such as mexican, italian or asian.
The beautifully furbished cabins all feature double / twin options, ensuite bathrooms and aircon.
Now, if I was forced to find one imperfection with ScubaSpa Yang it would be that none of it’s cabins feature private balconies (for cabins w. private balconies check out Adora).
However, in every other way, these cabins are a pleasure to stay in and they all offer excellent views. The insane list of amenities and extra activities that ScubaSpa Yang has, easily make up for it’s lack of private balconies.
As for the dive trips themselves, the “Best of Maldives” is a great way to explore the popular central atolls, including for those with less diving experience. Expect lots of shark and ray action!
The “Deep South” trip is an awesome chance for off the beaten track dive sites, but doesn’t run that often. You can find other liveaboards that explore the southern region in the “routes & regions” section of our main Maldives liveaboards page.
The most surprising thing about Scubaspa Yang is that despite the luxury feel; she is very affordable – this is only a mid-priced Maldives liveaboard! (See Budget Maldives liveaboards for the cheapest options).
In my opinion, if you’re looking to explore the central atolls and you want to have an affordable, well rounded trip with plenty of extra experiences, Scubaspa Yang is the best Maldives liveaboard you could possibly go for.
Guest Reviews:
- Laundry service
- Kayaks on board
- Separate rinse for U/W cameras
- Dedicated local and international crew
- Nearly 1:1 crew/guest ratio
- Observation deck
- Warm water showers
- Outside showers
- Charging stations
- Sun decks
- Audio and Video entertainment
Carolyn U from Canada said:
“The wildlife was the ultimate highlight of this trip. There was so much life on these reefs! There were dives for different skill levels, and I was definitely happy that I took the nitrox course so that I got that longer bottom time to hang with the sharks at their cleaning stations.
The staff were all wonderful: the dive guides were experienced and helpful, the chefs and servers were skilled in their crafts, the bartender was friendly and available, the behind-the-scenes guys were just that—returning to a perfectly refreshed room daily.
I enjoyed the spa treatment I received as well. Totally fantastic experience! I can’t wait to go back! Thanks a heap to the scubaspa team”!!
