Maldives (Dive Sites)

I recently did a dive trip to the Maldives, not a destination I would have planned on as I've always thought of it as a honeymoon destination. I travelled on a liveaboard boat, doing a circuit of dive sites around North and South Male atolls and Ari Atoll. Water temperature was mostly 28-30C, with mostly visibility of 15-25m. The weather was generally very warm, and fairly humid. Some of the dives were phenomenal. The highlight was the dive at Manta Point (though it's best to point out that there isn't just one but several manta points around the Maldives, partly according to season). We had ... more

Firstly, to update this op in response to a question I got in regard to why Lionfish are dangerous... Basically, Lionfish are tiny, extraordinary fish that are particularly decorative in a very individual way i.e there's no two the same as far as I could tell. They are immediately identified by their long, fanlike pectoral fins (which are poisonous), branched dorsal fin and brightly striped body and it is this eye-catching coloration that warns potential enemies that its grooved spines are equipped with a potent venom which can have fatal (or at least extreme) consequences to humans / divers ... more

The most fantastic and exhilirating experiences I have ever encountered. Sharks, mantas, dolphins, stingrays, every fish under the sun- beautiful coral reefs.... I stayed at the Kuredu Island in the Lhaviyani Atoll. A large island with excellant choice of restaurants, rooms and evening entertainment(very rare in the maldives). The dive centre is:Kuredu ProDivers ***** They are certified under PADI- which is one of the leading Diving associations in the world. There are PADI centres literally everywhere(e.g. i did my PADI diving certificate in Thailand- but with it you are allowed to dive ... more

The House Reef is only a few feet from the beach so shore diving is great if you are not to happy with Boat dives. Saying that all the boat dives we went on were no more than 40 minutes away from the Island. Five Star PADI IDC Diving School - "Jurgen Schaegger's Diving World", was excellent, first class branded equipment for hire. 10-dive package was about $420,with all equipment. You have to pay $10 extra for a boat dive, but that included the staff carrying your tanks onto the boat, so no heavy lugging involved. The best thing about diving in the Maldives is that the dives are never ... more

Took a two week break on Meeru and took the 10 dive package. It was our first dive since passing the open water diver qual.. Each dive was a new experience and we couldn't have asked for a better intro. The islands are in the middle of the indian ocean and when the boat stops over the dive site you can't see land in any direction. It was pleasing to find out that when you reappeared at the waters service the boat spotters had you in their sites within seconds and were on there way to pick you up before you had spotted them. The diving itself was second to none. The water clear, the fish ... more