Maldives Legend, one of the Maldives' leading liveaboard operators, has won two awards at the inaugural ADEX Blue Legacy Awards 2026 — taking home Dive Travel Company / Agent of the Year and Liveaboard of the Year at the ceremony held during Asia Dive Expo (ADEX) in Singapore on 11 April 2026.
The ADEX Blue Legacy Awards, launched this year as part of the 32nd edition of Asia's longest-running and largest dive expo, recognise outstanding individuals and organisations across diving, ocean tourism, marine conservation, and the arts. The awards drew nominations from across Asia and beyond, with public voting running from January through February 2026.
This recognition belongs to our entire team — the crew, the dive guides, and every guest who has trusted us with their experience in the Maldives.
Double recognition in Ocean Tourism
Maldives Legend was recognised in two categories under the Ocean Tourism pillar. The Liveaboard of the Year award acknowledges the operator's fleet and the quality of its diving itineraries across the Maldives, while the Dive Travel Company / Agent of the Year award reflects its role in bringing divers to the destination and curating end-to-end trip experiences.
The company operates a fleet of five vessels — Legend X, Legend Zen, Legend Odyssey, Legend Sea Pleasure, and the upcoming flagship Legend Y, a 45-metre yacht launching in September 2026. Its itineraries cover four main dive routes across the Maldives, including the Best of Maldives, Deep South, Hanifaru and North Ari, and The Great North circuits.
A growing track record
The wins at ADEX add to a growing list of recognitions for Maldives Legend. The operator was named Liveaboard / Yacht Operator of the Year at the National Boating Awards in 2022 and has won the Leading Floating Luxury Cruise / Safari award at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) in both 2023 and 2024.
Managed by Maldives Holiday Collections (MHC) Pvt Ltd, the group has expanded steadily over the past decade, with subsidiaries spanning resort management, tours, and marine operations. Group Chairman Ahmed Shaushaan Shafeeq and Group CEO Hifnaz Jiffrey have overseen the fleet's growth from a single vessel to five, with a sixth on the way.
What it means for divers
For travellers considering a liveaboard diving trip in the Maldives, the ADEX recognition offers an independent data point. The awards were decided through a combination of industry nominations and public voting, making them a reflection of both peer and guest sentiment.
Maldives Legend's four itineraries range from the popular central atolls to the less-visited deep south, with trip durations of eight days and seven nights. Onboard amenities across the fleet include spa facilities, free-diving programmes, and dedicated photography stations.
For more information about Maldives Legend and its fleet, visit maldiveslegend.com.
