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, ... Read review
A review by cathy_m80 on Maldives (Dive Sites) April 27th, 2009
Author's product rating:
Prices
Good
Is it worth visiting?
Excellent
Transport links
Good
Family Friendly
Average
Advantages:
Warm water, clear, lots of life
Disadvantages:
Some dives not that exciting
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
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 20+ mantas swooping in just over our heads, hovering and observing us as we observed them! Our second dive there wasn't as good but still around 10 mantas checking us out over the cleaning station.
There were several other drift dives that were good, seeing eagle rays and the odd white-tip or grey reef shark. Some of the pinnacle dives were very pretty, especially on top where we often saw anemonefish, turtles and moray eels.
However, there were a few more "average" dives than I expected. Sometimes the visibility was quite low, and we were hit by a couple of thermoclines which made it quite chilly. I'd have hoped to see more sharks, but that's partly seasonal (I was there in March). Our group saw one whale shark on a dedicated snorkelling trip - but with several other boats around and lots of people in the water at the time, so all very crowded. Mostly the dive sites were relatively quiet, but ometimes there was a feeling that we either weren't seeing the best sites or they weren't all that great...
I did the trip as a liveaboard as I said; I won't mention the name as I'm not reviewing the boat or company but there were some concerns about how the boat was being run; it was a great boat in terms of size and layout but the organisation surounding some of the dives could have been much better.
We only did one night dive which was a bit of a disappointment for me; I think this is partly related to the strong currents around the Maldives and the unsuitability of certain sites for night dives, but it would have been nice to have more options for this.
As for what we saw - plenty of mantas on those 2 dives; several white-tip reef sharks, a group of 7-8 eagle rays, the odd grey reef shark in the distance. It was better for macro - lots of anemonefish on very colourful anemones; moray eels all over the place, swarms of small blue triggerfish! There were quite a few turtles over the course of the week, and plenty of colourful reef fish.
Overall, it's a dive destination with lots of options. While not a budget destination, it was not as expensive as I thought it might be (£1495 for a week inluding all meals and diving). I feel the week could have been better run and given us more opportunites to see what's available there; but I'm glad I went and I'd recommend it to anyone thinking about it, purely for the mantas! And to reassure people, it's not just a honeymoon destination - there were a few couples, but also some groups and single people.
Advantages: The Worlds best dive location...FACT! Disadvantages: Only disadvantage is I don't live there!
...where they live in The Maldives (and some other places). Wonderful wonderful creatures.
ANYWAY! Having been all over the world, by far the most beautiful and astonishing place I have ever been is The Maldives. I smile just thinking about the place.
Even flying over the 1,200 tiny islands (of which about 200 are resort isalnds) is completely breathtaking and you feel like you are on somewhere other than planet Earth.
Having flown Emirates via Dubai, ... ...and travel all over The Maldives to all the top sites.
# Safety / Standard of Equipment. Excellent at Kani, I can't speak for anywhere else.
# Crew. Brilliant. Professional, safety conscious and know their stuff be it a type of fish or advice on technique.
I could go on and on and on about The Maldives and Kani, it is one of my fondest memories.
I've only had one better holiday and that was because of who I was with (i.e I had a better holiday ...
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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 ... ...did my PADI diving certificate in Thailand- but with it you are allowed to dive anywhere in the world.)
You need to have a certificate to dive, if not you are always able to test the waters ;-) to see if diving is for you- some may find it difficult-especially if you are frightened of enclosed spaces.
If you decide to do a certificate, bear in mind that your holiday may not be long enough. It may take 5 days for the completion of the certificate ...
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Advantages: The dive sites are never overcrowded Disadvantages: none
...thing about diving in the Maldives is that the dives are never overcrowded; there were no more than 10 people on any boat dive.
The sea is crystal clear and the Marine life is fantastic, every dive is a new experience. You have to dive with a computer in the Maldives, but personally I would not dive without one anyway. There is a depth limit of 30metres but most of the dives are a max of 20 metres or less.
Great place for novice divers to gain ...
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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 ... ...before you had spotted them.
The diving itself was second to none. The water clear, the fish abundent. Even came across turtles, rays and Sharks on our dives. On one of the dives, we just sat on top of an atoll as the other divers swam around it. The fish came to us and we had so much time to get so good, close contact with them.
Personally, I can't wait to go back, which is planned for 2002 ...
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Advantages: Medium Size, Pool, Good Staff, Trips, Beach Disadvantages: Sea Wall, Rough Sand, Green/Green Decor
...on the sand bank but you have to pay for these. There is a board in the main reception you put your name down on and just turn up.
There maybe more on offer now as the Front of house manager was asking how could he improve the trips and evening entertainment as take up was not that good
-Diving
There is a very good dive centre on Lily Beach run by Ocean Pro who have loads of sites around the maldives Veligandu, velavaru, Merrufenfushi, Helengeli, Coco Palm and Lily Beach
Although I didnt dive as I only passed my Padi OW and AOW in the june 2005.
There were a team of divers from S.W.A.T out there possibly looking at the aftermath of the Tsunami. As always in the maldives, Nitrox is in at this resort.
I can not comment on the divesites as I did not dive but from reading book the South Ari Atoll is one of the best
-Watersports
There is...
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Advantages: Small, Friendly, Quiet, NIce Rooms, Priced well Disadvantages: Too Quiet for some,Long travelling time from uk
...were good and attentive Silva is the main man in the bar
Activities:
-Trips
Since we go on holiday to get away from our busy lives we love the smaller islands, but there is enough to keep me occupied
There are various activities to join in if you wish. There are surprisingly a large amount of trips offered by such a small island and the participation is high
There is island hopping and secluded island game fishing and a dolphin watch cruise some are free others you have to pay for but there is a large board in the Main reception area displaying all the trips and if you want something different just ask.
-Diving
There is a very good dive centre on Komandoo run by Prodivers who have 3 sites in the maldives as of feb 2006 they are Komandoo - Kuredu - Vakarufalhi
I passed my Nitrox 1 and 2 course and it was about £150 including...
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Advantages: Small Quiet Good Coral Disadvantages: Cold Food, Cockroaches, Cracked Bath
...and sunset cruise, some trips had to wait until the minimum number of people had put their names down and reception contact you to let you know the trip is on but reception is the place to look as the trips are advertised there
There are various activities to join in if you wish and you can even paly football with the staff in the afternoons.
-Diving
There is a very good dive centre on vakaru run by Petra. Check in at 6pm on day of arrival for the tour of the dive centre so when you go to the orientation dive the next day its kit up and in you go. There are 3 centres run by Prodivers in the Maldives they are Komandoo - Kuredu - Vakarufalhi visit www.prodivers.com for more information on prices
The divesites are very good and the South Ari Atoll is known for its diving Once again Nitrox is free so it is worth taking your nitrox course before...
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20.01.2007
