MV Sachika Liveaboard Review

Top Class Cruising operate the wonderful MV Sachika. A luxury liveaboard vessel cruising the Maldivian waters and taking some of the best diving on offer in style and luxury.

Ask almost any recreational diver to name his or her favoured destinations and it’s not long until the Maldives crops up in conversation. A group of hundreds of individual islands and atolls in the Indian Ocean, the warm blue waters are home to some stunning aquatic life and – on land – postcard perfect panoramas. Schooling reef fish such as sweetlips and snapper circulate the coral outcrops providing colour. Giant moray eels, turtles, and different variety shrimps make the coral bommies their homes. If you’re hoping for an encounter with larger pelagic animals such as sharks, manta or eagle ray or, sometimes, a giant of the ocean such as the Whale Shark – the Maldives’ reefs may on occasion provide that too! You’re sure to have a memorable dive experience and a great holiday.

Built in 2007 this wooden-hulled boat is specifically designed for the task of being an ultimate diving safari vessel. Sachika is a spacious 33m long and 10m in beam. She is identical is size to her competitor MV Conte Max. Powered by a powerful Yanmar motor she cruises effortlessly at 11knots and has the expected safety and emergency equipment.

You can check the availability and prices for this Boat here.

Cabins and Boat Layout

Sachika accommodates 22 guest over her 33m. There are 3 cabin options:

• Standard Cabin – in double or twin configuration and located on the accommodation deck. It features independent air-conditioning, mini-bar, ensuite bathroom with shower and portholes providing natural light.
• Junior Suite – also located on the accommodation deck, this option also has all the great facilities of the standard cabin. It has a king-sized double bed and single bed. The bathroom has shower and bath tub. And, as with the standard cabin, there’s ample light through the vessel’s portholes.
• Suite – for those wanting more luxury in addition, this cabin is located on the upper deck. It also has a large king-sized double bed, TV/DVD/CD player for media and large panoramic windows for lots of natural light and great views of the ocean.

Working your way around the boat you’ll discover that Sachika has every amenity and facility you might wish for. There’s an indoor air-conditioned restaurant on the main deck. The restaurant serves a delicious array of western and local foods in a buffet style. Tea, coffee and water are also complimentary throughout your stay and Sachika has a ‘coffee corner’ where you might relax with a book or check your photos.

Suite

The salon/restaurant area also has media facilties – a 40 inch TV/DVD/CD media centre and 3 independent hi-fi systems are on each individual deck of the vessel. Wi-fi is available on request – location dependent.

Restaurant/Dining area

Or relax on the prow on the main deck in the lounge area.

Lounge Area

There’s a panoramic bar on the Captain’s Deck and a roomy sundeck with loungers and a 5-seater hot-tub. Still stuck for something to do between dives? There are board games and Maldivian fishing equipment. Or have a massage in the private, air-conditioned, massage room.

Diving onboard Sachika

Diving takes place from a dedicated diving Dhoni – 19m long and powered by a 280hp motor. The dhoni tracks the main vessel’s movements and ensures you’re dropped in the optimum location for the best diving. For additional logistical support there’s also a 5m dinghy with a 50hp engine.

Dhoni

Nitrox is available to extend your bottom time – providing valuable time and shorter surface intervals on repetitive dives for those qualified.

Diving facilties are excellent on the Dhoni where there are compressors, DIN adaptors, 15L tanks for those with higher gas consumption, safety sausages (DSMBs) for safety on the drift dives and further training can be purchased on board to improve your skills.

Itineraries

There are a choice of itineraries; north, south and ‘best of’ being options depending on season and conditions

Expect to pay around approximately EUR1,574 for a typical 8 day/7 night trip. This equates to EUR197/day, making Sachika competitive. Please note that this does not include some extras such as port/marine park fees, crew tips, alcoholic drinks and equipment rental. Please contact us for further details.