MV Carpe Novo dive boat review
Step aboard Carpe Novo
MALDIVES LIVEABOARD GUIDE
Carpe Novo: Dedicated single cabins and room for photographers
22 guests · 12 cabins
Carpe Novo is particularly worth comparing if you want a dedicated single cabin or a separate camera room. The 43 m yacht has 12 cabins for 22 guests.
Check dates & cabin availability →
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Carpe Novo: vessel profile
Built in the Maldives in 2016, Carpe Novo carries 22 guests in 12 cabins. The yacht measures 43 m by 11 m. Two dedicated single suites and a separate camera room are its clearest practical differences from many competing boats.
Which cabin should you book?
| Deck | Cabin choice | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Lower deck | 6 Standard | 4 queen + single; 2 twin cabins. Portholes. |
| Main deck | 2 Single Suites | Queen bed, windows; sold for one guest. |
| Upper deck | 4 Junior Suites | King beds; two suites can be split into twins. |
Cabins have air-conditioning and private bathrooms. Specify whether you need separate beds, a double, a view or sole occupancy; a category name alone does not settle those details.
Life aboard Carpe Novo
The main deck features a cozy indoor lounge, wired to the central entertainment system. The alfresco dining area of the upper deck combines meals with views over the atolls. The top deck provides ample space to enjoy the sun and admire the Maldives; it is partially shaded if you want to read and feel the breeze.
Let the operator know about dietary needs before booking. Ask which drinks and internet package are included; connectivity at sea should not be treated as a reliable work connection.
Travelling with a non-diver on Carpe Novo?
Yes, Carpe Novo accepts non-divers. The operator publishes a 10% non-diver discount, arranged directly and not combinable with its other discounts. Request the final per-person quote for the actual cabin, occupancy and seven- or ten-night departure; confirm the eligible fare components rather than reducing flights, taxes and every extra by 10% yourself.
The package includes a beach BBQ only when weather and government permission allow. Confirm snorkeling guidance, equipment and other island outings for your departure, including any additional charges. Tailor-made snorkeling, surfing and fishing charters are separate programmes, not guaranteed additions to a scheduled diving week.
Diving, routes and experience
Diving takes place from a separate dhoni, with a camera room on the mother ship. The operator now describes three dives per day as standard across Carpe Novo, Carpe Diem and Carpe Vita, subject to the trip programme and conditions. Do not rely on the expired 2019 free-Nitrox promotion still present on its website.
Check the itinerary attached to your departure. Malé–Malé routes avoid the domestic-flight logistics of many southern trips. Currents can change the site order and wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. See the Maldives diving guide for seasons and atolls.
Get the minimum logged dives, certification, required equipment and no-fly interval in writing from the operator. A statement that a boat welcomes beginners does not mean every route or dive is suitable for them.
Carpe Novo: itinerary map
Carpe Diem describes typical central routes through North Malé, Rasdhoo, Ari and South Malé. Some departures extend to Vaavu or Meemu; those additions are not drawn as guaranteed stops. The dashed loop is illustrative; it does not guarantee the sailing order, each dive site or a fixed boarding berth.
Carpe Novo itinerary map
Select the documented route example below. Zoom to inspect the islands and reefs, and select a numbered stop for its name. The actual sailing programme must be confirmed with the operator.
Lines show indicative connections between regions, not navigation tracks. Arrows show the example direction; departures can run in reverse, and stops vary with weather, currents and the chosen cruise.
Routes at a glance
- Central Atolls: Malé / North Malé → Rasdhoo → Maaya Thila / North Ari → South Ari / Maamigili → South Malé area → Malé / North Malé. Indicative regional connections from the route described on this page. Confirm the actual departure, direction and stops; this is not a navigation track.
Confirm ports, transfers and any domestic flights before booking.
Geographic references and route sources
Regional markers use the references below. See the boat-specific itinerary sources accompanying this map; no extra route is implied by the destination guide.
Malé / North Malé · Rasdhoo · Maaya Thila / North Ari · South Ari / Maamigili · South Malé area ·
Route areas: Malé / North Malé → Rasdhoo → North Ari → South Ari → South Malé → Malé, with changes for conditions. Atoll positions are approximate reference points.
Regional dive context: Maaya Thila is a pinnacle in North Ari. Alimatha is associated with nurse-shark night dives in Vaavu. These sites provide regional context, not confirmed stops on every Carpe Novo trip.
Route source: operator itinerary. Coordinates: Mapcarta/OpenStreetMap for Rasdhoo, Maaya Thila, South Ari and Alimatha; GeoNames Malé. Planning illustration, not a navigation chart.
Watch: Carpe Novo — operator boat tour
Boat film linked by Carpe Diem Maldives. Check the current cabin plan and inclusions when booking; facilities may change after filming. Video source · Watch on YouTube.
Budget, inclusions and extras
Observed 6 October 2026: 22–29 November 2026, 7 nights, Malé–Malé, Standard shared cabin GBP 2,196. The initial listing displayed EUR but the cabin quote switched to GBP: we retain the quoted currency and do not compare it numerically with EUR fares. Suite and dedicated single categories were full on that departure.
| Budget line | Before paying |
|---|---|
| Cruise | Match dates, nights, cabin, currency and occupancy. |
| Mandatory extras | Ask for taxes, fuel/service charges, park fees and compulsory transfers as a written total. |
| Diving extras | Check Nitrox, rentals, larger tanks, courses and private guiding. |
| Travel | Add international flights, any domestic flights, hotels, insurance and optional spending. |
A dedicated Single Suite is different from sole use of a twin cabin. The observed departure quoted 60% for private occupancy, while its Single Suites were full.
Is this the right boat for you?
Carpe Novo is especially worth considering for a solo traveller seeking a dedicated cabin or a photographer needing a preparation room. Its two Single Suites can sell out before the shared cabins.
What guests say about Carpe Novo
These checked accounts are positive about service and food. They are a small selection, not proof that every departure or cabin performs equally well.
- CHUNYEN C, 21 May 2026: praised the diving service and meals.
- Albert B, 18 July 2026: highlighted comfortable cabins, guides and restaurant food.
- Steffi W, 21 September 2025: described a satisfying repeat trip, especially the guiding and meals.
Paraphrased from dated LiveAboard.com guest reviews, checked 6 October 2026. These partner accounts are separate from Divezone’s reader ratings below.
Carpe Novo: detailed booking FAQ
When was Carpe Novo built?
It entered service in 2016. It measures 43 m in length and 11 m in beam.
Are the Single Suites really for one person?
Yes. Eagle Ray and Manta Ray are main-deck single suites with queen beds, rather than two berths sold separately. Check their availability for your dates.
Which Junior Suites can become twins?
The operator identifies Whale Shark and Tiger Shark as convertible. Hammerhead and Thresher Shark have king beds; request the named cabin if separate beds matter.
Which Standard cabins have twin beds?
Frog Fish and Octopus have two singles. The other four Standard cabins have a queen bed plus a single. All six are below the main deck with portholes.
Where can I prepare underwater cameras?
There is a dedicated camera room on the main vessel. Diving equipment and departures are handled on the separate dhoni.
Are four dives a day standard?
The current operator description says three daily dives as standard across its fleet, subject to the programme. Obtain the actual total for arrival and departure days.
Is Nitrox always free?
Do not rely on the expired 2019 promotion on the operator website. Ask for the current Nitrox allowance or charge on your specific departure.
Do single-suite and sole-occupancy prices mean the same thing?
No. A dedicated Single Suite has its own rate; sole occupancy of a two-person cabin can use a supplement. Compare the final written totals in one currency.
Find your Carpe Novo departure
Compare the cabin and final quote for the dates you can travel.
Have you dived with Carpe Novo?
Share your travel date, cabin, diving experience and any practical advice for the next guest. Existing reader reviews remain below.
Editorial check: 6 October 2026. This is a researched update, not a new onboard inspection. Useful original descriptions have been retained and outdated prices and specifications corrected. Sources: operator boat information, departure and cabin listings.
Where does this liveaboard dive boat go?
Check out the fabulous places where this dive boat travels to.
Note: some destinations may not be listed below, please enquire for more details.
destination of the monthMaldives
Drift dives, reef sharks, manta rays and whale sharks: choose the right atoll, season and diving style for your Maldives adventure.
- If you have been diving on board this liveaboard dive boat in Maldives, please share your review and let us know what you thought. Please post your comments in the review section below, by doing so you will help fellow divers to plan their next diving trip
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Hi! I would be very interested by going on this boat! Did anyone go ? This seems to be just a general outline of the boat but I would like personal experience advice…
I’ve done a dive cruise in cuba last year and that was amazing! Never been to the maldives but I am planning to go over the winter!
Thanks to anyone that can help!
We were on Carpe Novo last week, best thing about this boat is the dive guides, very professional and friendly.. other than that, boat is disappointing and food is average, Service was not impressive compared to other boats and our money was stolen from the safe (as the master key is accessible by everyone) and no one handled it professionally or refunded our stolen money
Hi! Thank you for reading Divezone and taking the time to write your review here. I’m sorry to hear about your average experience with this liveaboard. That said, I’m truly happy to see that at the very least you had a great and safe experience with the dive guides and I do hope the dives were great!
Obviously, I wish you all the best on the next liveaboard venture you will embark on, and safe bubbles, always!