Diving in Maldives

The spectacular variety of
marine life is what keeps
divers coming back.

Diving in Maldives

Diving in Maldives is a spectacular experience that everyone should try. Because of its white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, coral reefs and marine life that are evident, it becomes one of the best diving sites in the globe. Maldives is also on many scuba diving check list for its astonishing oceans and is a place where divers go for unforgettable trip.

Manta Rays can be easily seen throughout your dive and it is only one of the many reasons why divers should go visit Maldives. Majestic creatures like different species of sharks, rays, turtles and fishes will welcome you in the ocean. Beneath the clear waters are colorful fishes like Angelfish, Butterfly Fish, Clownfish, Parrotfish, Spotfin Lionfish, Oriental Sweetlip and many others. Can also be photographed are Barracudas and Whitetip Reef Sharks.

Maldives can also feed your eyes with beautiful scenes of corals with its high density of marine life. Pristine reefs are fascinating and it comes in variety. From Brain, Cup, Staghorn, Whip, Star, Sea Fans, Carnation, Tree, Bubble Corals and Sea Pens you can observe more stunning living structure reefs. Maldives is also popular for its liveaboard that will surely give you the best experience that the place has to offer.

If you want to dive in Maldives all year-round, that’s possible with its water temperature being fairly constant throughout the year at 26°-29°C. However, if you want to really enjoy your trip, start packing your appropriate clothes from November to May because it is when the sea is calm and the visibility is excellent which ranges from 15 up to 40 meters though it’s changing depending in the season and location.

Currency:  Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR)
Language:  Dhivehi
Capital:  Malé
Electricity:  Three-Square UK Plug
Government:  Unitary Presidential Constitutional Republic
Timezone:  UTC +5
Calling Code:  +960
Network Providers:  Dhiraagu, Ooredoo
National Airline:  Maldivian

Republic of Maldives or Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa, as the official name, is an independent country island in the north central Indian ocean and southeast of India extended more than 510 miles from north to south and 80 miles from east to west. Maldives’ islands are small and low lying which no one rise to more than 1.8 meters above sea level. It is composed of about 1200 small coral islands and sandbanks but only 200 of which are inhabited.

In the central part of Maldives lies its capital, Male, traditionally called “King’s Island” and is about 400 miles southwest of Sri Lanka. In addition, Maldives is one of the most geographically dispersed countries in the world and it the smallest Asian country.

Given its relatively small area, Maldives also had the smallest population in Asia which is counted at approximately 366 thousand as of the start of 2016. They are almost entirely belongs to the Maldivian ethnic group, which is the result of the different people who lived there.

The people uses Indo-European language called Dhivehi as their official medium of communication. Some Maldivians also speak Arabic, Hindi and English.

As for their religion, Islam became their official state religion in which non-Muslims cannot become a citizen. Maldives embraced Islam in 1153 and since then, it has been followed by the Maldivians that even this religion became part of the school curriculum.

Maldives has two dominate season- the dry season which is associated with the winter northeastern monsoon and the rainy season which brings strong winds and storms. The shift occurs in April and May.

Approximately 1190 coral islands formed Maldives and 99% of the country consists of water. With this, it is clear that its marine ecosystem is very vital and striking to Maldivians. This is where they found their source of living by fishing and tourism.

Coral reefs are very abundant in the place serving as habitat for the variety of marine animals. Multicoloured tropical fishes in various shapes and sizes, shells, sponges, crustaceans and echinoderms comes also in wide range. Commonly observed water creatures throughout the archipelago are variety of sharks, eels, rays, dolphins, whales and turtles.

Maldives has two dominate season- the dry season which is associated with the winter northeastern monsoon and the rainy season which brings strong winds and storms. The shift occurs in April and May.

Tourists who arrive at Maldives usually land to Male Ibrahim Nasir International Airport on the island of Hulhule, 2 kilometers off from the capital Male. In addition, there are also three airports in the archipelago offering international flights. These are on the island of Hanimaadhoo, Maamigili and Gan.

Some airlines offers flights only in certain seasons. Frequently, flights’ schedules  are in line with the demand of the tourists.

Maldives has an excellent health care and hygiene awareness. People here tend to stay healthy by being careful and sensible.

There are doctors in most of the resorts in Maldives. However, if your are seriously sick, you are highly encouraged to go to the capital Male like in Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital and ADK Private Hospital which has the best medical equipments in the country.

Liveaboards in Maldives

The-Theia|Diving in Maldives

MV Theia

The MV Theia is a lovely red and white luxurious vessel. With a 32-metre length body, it can accommodate a maximum of 18 guests with its 8 stylishly decorated cabins. Guests can choose from the 3 types of rooms: Seaview Suite, Superior Sharing and Deluxe double, each with air condition units and en-suite bathrooms with hot and cold water. There are 10 professional crew members who will see to it that all your needs are met on this perfect dive vacation in the Maldives.

MV Theia’s unique feature is the ‘Sky Bar’ along with its sundeck and outdoor bar which offer the ideal place to cool down and unwind after a day of diving. The vessel also showcases a beautiful outdoor dining area where you can have your meals served ala carte or buffet style with stunning sunset and ocean views. For indoor relaxation, the lounge is equipped with a flat screen TV, video, DVD, PlayStation 3 and a Wii.

Dive trips to Laamu, Thaa, Male and the best of Ari Atolls are some of MV Theia’s dive routes. Diving will transpire from the dive Dhoni to explore pristine reefs in Laamu, inner and outer channels with schools of fish and encounters with Barracudas and Eagle Rays in North Male, Napoleon Wrasses, Silver tips and glimpses of Whale Sharks in South Ari. The MV Theia Liveaboard is a terrific choice for an exciting and worthwhile scuba diving trip in the Maldives.

MV Manta Cruise|Diving in Maldives

MY Manta Cruise

A 33-meter luxury liveaboard, the MY Manta Cruise can house up to 18 guests with 9 air-conditioned, en-suite cabins. It has two types of cabin and you can choose between a Twin/Double Standard room and a Suite with an ocean view. Not only divers but snorkelers are also welcome on board and the crew speaks English, French, Spanish, and Italian.

There is a Camera station and Photography station which is unique to Manta Cruise, a sun deck where guests can soak up some rays and also a shaded diving deck. International, Thai, Italian, and local cuisine is served buffet style for breakfast and lunch, and at dinner, you can order from the menu and your food will be served on your table.

Your dive gear will be stored on the 20-metre Dhoni dive tender which houses 2 compressors. MY Manta Cruise ventures on Lhaviyani, Raa, Baa, and North Male. The Cruise Director will be hands on with the planning of the whole trip and will see to your requests before the dive. Everyone on board will be invited to go snorkeling on the first day and encounters with Eagle Rays, White or Black Tip Reef Shark, and Napoleon Wrass are the usual along the colorful reefs of Maldives.

MV Sachika|Diving in Maldives

MV Sachika

The MV Sachika is a custom built dive liveaboard that offers year-round diving trips around Maldives in comfort and style. With a length of 33 metres, the vessel has 10 cabins which can accommodate a total of 22 guests. You can choose from their Suite, Junior Suite, and Twin/Double Cabins, where each has individually controlled air condition units, en-suite bathroom and mini-bar.

While on board, divers can unwind at the spacious sun-deck with Jacuzzi, lounge in the roomy salon with entertainment system and 40-inch TV, or at the Captain’s deck and enjoy a cocktail at the panoramic lounge bar. Wifi access can be requested provided the guests have their own laptop or mobile phone. There is also a private massage room where you can have a relaxing massage by a professional Indian therapist. When hungry, the restaurant is on the main deck, where meals are served buffet style with an indoor coffee corner.

MV Sachika takes divers to an exciting fusion of scenic views and submerged landscapes around three of the most famous Atolls of Maldives: North Male, South Male and Ari. The 19 meter luxury diving Dhoni is where diving takes place and gear rental is available which also offers Nitrox. No required logged dives for this trip and you will be assisted by the dive crew and Marine Biologists to get the most out of your diving holiday. Explore Maldives’ stunning coral gardens, spot Needle fish, Scorpion fish, Glassfish, Manta Rays, and just before sailing back to the central areas, divers will have a chance to see the so called “gentle giant”, the Whale Shark.

Scubaspa Ying

The Scubaspa Ying is a member of the Scubaspa Fleet and is a one of a kind liveaboard. With its 50-metre body, it luxuriously combines scuba diving with spa treatments to create the best experience for luxury liveaboards. There are 29 crew members onboard who can speak English and Japanese including 6 full time spa therapists. The vessel only accommodates 22 divers but can hold up to 44 guests. This is to make sure divers are given personal attention from the dive crew for an extraordinary dive experience.

To meet the needs of every guest, Scubaspa Ying has four types of lavish rooms: Sea Star Cabin, Cowrie Suite, Dolphin Suite and Manta Suite. All rooms are luxe, peaceful, and spacious with a third bed in most rooms and Cowrie Suite having the largest shower onboard. Wifi connection is free unlike other liveaboards and the restaurant offers fine dining serving Local and international cuisine and the finest wines.

Scubaspa Ying is has its own well equipped dive boat, which serves as a floating dive center. The vessel organizes diving cruises year round to Central Atolls in the Maldives which includes a Night dive at Maavaru Faru. Divers may come across Manta Rays, Hammerheads, Reef Sharks, and Schools of Fish.

MV-Moonima|Liveaboard Maldives

MV Moonima

MV Sachika’s sister boat, the MV Moonima promotes world-class diving trips in the Maldives. Having undergone complete renovation, the 30-metre Moonima Liveaboard presents a homey and pleasant vibe with its wooden interiors and furnishings. The vessel can cater up to 16 guests as it has 8 air conditioned cabins with plush canopy beds, and en-suite bathroom.

You will be greeted by their indoor lounge with a bar on the main deck, a collection of books and board games, and audio & video entertainment. The second deck is an outdoor lounge with corner bar, where you can have a taste a selection of wine, drinks, and international liquors. There is also a sun deck and leisure deck with sunbeds, one on a shaded area, and the other at the prow of the boat. Separate rinse for underwater camera is available along with charging stations and the internet connection is upon request.

MV Moonima has its own diving Dhoni where diving transpires with a large space for gear setup and storage. With trips to North Male and some of its unexplored routes, South Male, Felidhoo, and Ari, divers will have the opportunity to discover the picturesque Maldivian waters. Typical sightings are White Tip Reef Sharks and Grey Reef sharks at the Fishermen Island of Gurahidoo, Napoleon Wrass and Green Turtles between the flanges of Kandooma Thila, an abundance of hard & soft coral gardens and schools of Squirrelfish and Yellow Striped Blue Snappers at Kuda Thila Raa, to name a few.

Scubaspa-Yang|Liveaboard Maldives

Scubaspa Yang

Also a member of the Scubaspa fleet, the 50-metre Scubaspa Yang Liveaboard is guaranteed to give you a memorable and soothing dive experience in the Maldives. Sister boat of Scubaspa Ying, maximum number of guests is likewise 44 but only allow 22 divers so they will be specially assisted by the dive crew. Local and International cuisine is freshly prepared in the professionally designed kitchen, while two bars on board serves wine and champagne which were kept to the perfect temperature. With 6 professional spa therapists on board, the Scubaspa Yang provides relaxation and an exceptional diving time.

Scubaspa Yang has 4 experienced dive masters who will ensure your safety and everything is ready for your dive. This liveaboard is accompanied with its own dive Dhoni, and gear rental and nitrox is available. Dive trips to South Male, and North Male are the usual dive routes of Scubaspa Yang. Highlights of the dive trip are Whale Shark Watching/Dive at Maamigili Beyru or at Bodufinolhu Thila, and Manta Rays at Rangali Madivaru known as Manta Point, at the southern part of Ari. A vision of Soft corals, Napoleon Fish, Grey Reef Sharks and Silver Tip Reef Sharks are also known in these parts.

Soleil II|Liveaboard Maldives

The Soleil II

Recently built in 2015, the 44-metre Soleil 2 is designed to be a supreme diving vessel for cruising the Maldives Atolls. This liveaboard has 14 cabins to cater to a maximum of 28 guests. Each cabin is fully air-conditioned with en-suite bathrooms and hot & cold showers with your choice of Standard cabin (on the Lower Deck), Balcony cabin (on the Upper deck with private balcony) or Master Cabin (on the Main Deck).

There are two dining areas, an indoor and outdoor, on the top deck with local and Western cuisines offered. The saloon offers guests a comfortable place to relax with an audio and video entertainment. A large sun deck for taking in the picturesque view or admiring the sunset or you can also try the hot tub after a long day’s dive.

Soleil 2’s diving route is around some of the best sited in Maldives on these four Atolls: Baa, Raa, Lhaviyani, Noonu, and Rasdhoo. The unique diving Dhoni which is used as dive gear storage and looks the same as her name, Pelican, is fully equipped with compressors with nitrox available to extend your bottom time. From there, diving begins to classic Central Atolls with Manta Rays and exquisite reefs, to the less explored Northern and Southern Atolls, with good chances of seeing Grey Shark, Hammerheads, and Whale Sharks.

Blue-Shark-2|Liveaboard Maldives

Blue Shark II

Sister ship of the Soleil 2 Liveaboard and measuring 32 metres in length, Blue Shark 2 offers value-for-money dive trips in the Maldives. It has 10 air conditioned Standard cabins with en-suite bathrooms and shower which can book a maximum of 20 guests. The Blue Shark 2 liveaboard also has a lounge area with audio and video entertainment, library, a bar which serves a selection of wine and beers, and sun deck with cushioned sunbeds at the prow of the boat. Maldivian and Western food along with Vegan options are served at their restaurant and snacks available all day. The crew speaks English, French, Chinese, and Spanish.

The Blue Shark 2 has professional diving instructors who will help you on your diving needs. Gear rental and Nitrox is available and the dive Dhoni has two compressors to extend the possible underwater dive time. Exciting diving trips to undiscovered sites North and South Atolls with pristine reefs or to the Central Atolls and interaction with Manta Rays are the vessel’s main diving routes. Snorkelers are also welcome on this trip.

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