Atoll Explorer, Maldives > Reviews > Fantastic Atol Explorer

Author's product rating:   

Value for Money	Excellent
Shopping	Poor
Nightlife	Good
Ease of getting around	Excellent
Family Friendly	Good

Advantages:	Diving, Snorkelling, scenery, Food, cabins everything .
Disadvantages:	not long enough !  !

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

We have just returned from an amazing holiday that was a week on the Atoll Explorer and a week on Biyadhoo. (12/8/07to 27/8/07) The previous review is very true today.

We booked through Voyages Jules Verne on their internet site.The whole holiday cost £3,390 for the two of us.

We were transfered by speedboat to the Atoll Explorer and were welcomed with a cocktail and a brief outline of the boat and itinery for the North Ari Atoll trip. The boat is perfect for both serious divers and those who snorkel or just want a relaxing holiday in the most photographic locations. It is a liveaboard dive boat.

We had booked a B cabin and had cabin 19a which had a small balcony with two chairs. Though small it was perfect with a great picture window like patio doors with air conditioning as well.
The staff from the Captain down to the galley boy were always smiling and nothing was to much trouble.

Kumal our waiter was a real treasure always there when you needed him and Patric the Chef produced fantastic food on the boat and on the island for both the amazing BBQ and the all day picnic.

The dive team were very good and Jackie was so good when I did the explore scuba course. She gave me such confidence and security as well as introducing me to a whole new world. With her I saw a turtle, shark, eel, so many fish that it was like being in a fish tank. I will always be gratefull to her for my introduction to diving. When we went on to Biyadhoo I went on to do the Scuba Certificate
as a result of her patient teaching.

Islands visited

While on the ship we went to Kurumba a bit artificial for us.

The next day we sailed toLaguna a lovely Island with a mix of natural and artificial areas. We saw very beautiful with sting rays in the shallows as well as other fish and also Herons walking around.

The next day we sailed to Kuramanthi a very beautifull island with the accomodation being in the island, so leaving the beaches natural with trees growing down to the sand and fab snorkelling. We returned later that evening and we saw large sting ray being fed, quite an experience.

Then in the afternoon to Rashdhoo a local fishing village to shop and in the evening a night fishing trip. We did not catch any but several passengers did using the hand lines. The fish that were caught were on the BBQ the next evening and were delicious.

Then a wonderful deserted island Madivaru. It was a desert Island and was so beautifull surrounded by turquoise sea and covered in silver sand and plants. You could wade across to another island close by.Here we had sunshades and drinks provided by the boat. What a fantastic place so the camera went into overdrive!!

In the evening we went to Ukulhas a fishing village where they build fishing boats in the most Heath Robinson conditions it was facinating. A chance to see the maldivian people working and living in their own home Island.

Then an incredible day on another deserted island of Alikoi Rah with a return to the ship for lunch and back to the island for the afternoon. It was a real Robinson Crusoe style place with so much beauty surrounded by clear a turquoise lagoon.

That evening we had a fantastic BBQ on Dhiggiri. it was on the beach under the stars with the sound of the waves, a true highlight of the trip. All served by the crew with wine and other drinks as well. With music and dancing on the beach. It was such a romantic setting that one partner proposed to his girlfriend there

Then the following day was spent on the island with a picnic under cover of the sun and fantastic snorkelling and scenery, quite Robinson Crusoe. Needless to say both underwater and land cameras went into overdrive again!!!!!!!!!!

Then back to Kurumba. We stayed on board to pack, have cocktails on deck and use the Jacussi.

Then went on the trip to Male in the afternoon, where we saw the Mosque, fishing market, vegetable market other places of interest and shops. We had a guide arranged by the boat so we really enjoyed seeing this very busy town.

Then to end our cruise there was live music, cocktails and dancing on the top deck.

The boat's crew are very friendly and takes you to amazing places.
Then we disembarked and were waved off by the Captain and his crew. We were sad to leave.

We transferred by speedboat to Biyadhoo for a fantastic week on a very natural island which had a fantastic house reef and a great dive centre. It was here that I went on to do my Padi Scuba certificate under the superb instruction from mari.