And it doesnt cost a cent extra. If you hire a private dive guide for an additional fee, its also possible to complete scuba certification courses throughout the trip! In general, the Maldives can be divided into five regions: Central the most famous, easy-to-dive and frequently explored region, North and South; which are a little more off-the-beaten track and Far North and Deep South; the hardest to reach regions. Conclusion The MV Sachika liveaboard has a customer review rating of 9.4, is rated 'Superb'. Comprised of the atolls of Laamu, Thaa and Meemu, this area is also well known for drift dives and a varied, exciting underwater landscape. While its possible to dive remote and challenging atolls in the Maldives, newbies will find plenty of sites suited to their skill level, too. First dive briefing and dive of the day. And, while you are sure to encounter large pelagics elsewhere in the area, this atoll offers up some of your best chances. At the most northern point of the Maldives is the Haa Alifu atoll, a whopping 300km north of Male which has some incredible drift dives, several manta ray cleaning stations, the 80m long Madoo shipwreck, and is an excellent area to see leopard sharks. Another incredible animal encounter youre extremely likely to have on a Maldives liveaboard trip is with grey reef sharks. And there you go thats a brief summary of all five of the major regions in the Maldives. A newer and somewhat fancier addition to the mighty Emperor fleet, the Emperor Explorer is an extremely classy and spacious yacht that was only constructed in 2019. But many itineraries will incorporate other activities to help you make the most of your surface intervals and preflight day. 55 Small Ship Cruises in Maldives - LiveAboard.com Dive safaris are led by the highly experienced local dive guides and. Home Scuba Diving Knowledge & Tips AllScuba Diving Fun FactsScuba Diving KnowledgeScuba Diving SkillsScuba Diving Tips & Tricks Liveaboards Liveaboard Diving Safety Tips You Should Know April 19, 2023 Liveaboards From grilled salmon to roast lamb, creative vegetarian options to tantalizing desserts, your taste buds will be well and truly looked after onboard. Dive gearAll liveaboards will offer you the opportunity to rent a full diving kit or individual itemsat a daily rate. The beautiful interiors of this boat combined with the variety of entertainment and relaxation options make it the perfect choice for divers looking for a little luxury. On average, a full diving kit, excluding adive computerortorch (for those night dives you dont want to miss), will cost you $40 per day. Shad is almost always present on the liveaboard himself to guide dives and he and his crew are an extremely knowledgeable, friendly (as well as funny!) Some islands and marine parks also have national park fees that are not included in most liveaboard/dive safari packages. A large portion of divers rent their tanks from dive shops and charters, so the job of scuba tank maintenance falls on the shop. QUICK ANSWER THE BEST MALDIVESLIVEABOARD TRIPS, CONSIDERATIONS SCUBA DIVING IN MALDIVES. In order to create our best liveaboard lists, the OtterAquatics team starts off by researching the liveaboard landscape for a particular region of world, listing out all of the highest-rated choices. Then comes the bbq itself followed by traditional drumming and dancing from the staff which youre invited to join (they make it look easy, but its a pretty decent cardio workout!). The Best Maldives Liveaboard Trips For Any Level Diver The 16 Best Maldives Liveaboards. There are many beginner-friendly sites as well as those for the current junkies, in these sheltered lagoons, youll see gorgeous coral reefs, ginormous napoleon wrasse, and sea turtles. This beautifully designed modern yacht will take you to the best scuba diving spots in the Maldives without breaking your budget. Head over to the OtterAquaticsAboutPage. Plus, as most liveaboards will depart from central, you often have the opportunity to cover some of the best spots in this area on the way to your next region! The spa occupies an entire 300-square-meter deck, so you can rest assured that this ship will take care of you both under and above the water. You are only required to have your open water certification without any minimum logged dives and can pay extra for your own private dive guide or to complete diving courses. A highlight of a trip on the Blue Force One has to be soaking in one of the two onboard jacuzzis under a sky full of stars. After that its time to dive: Theres a truly insane variety of marine life in the Maldives. Enjoy your time between and after dives relaxing in the shaded outdoor lounge area or in the jacuzzi up on the sundeck. our full guide to diving in the Maldives. Whale sharks and manta rays are the most famous wildlife, but eagle rays, Napoleon wrasse, and reef sharks are frequent visitors, too. Followed by breakfast. While scuba diving is prohibited here, its still a really epic snorkeling spot thats not to be missed. Its a truly mind blowing experience, rammed full of underwater sensory overload and one that occurred twice during my Maldives liveaboard trip; on the first and last days: Regardless of what type of dive youre going on, all dives usually last around fifty minutes or until someone in the group is low on air. Dive insurance is mandatory for the majority of liveaboard operators in the Maldives. There are usually more manta rays and whale sharks around the western fringes of atolls during this period. The dive itineraries are thoughtfully planned out and incredibly varied we saw manta rays at feeding stations (as well as on manta night dives), were engulfed in swarms of stingrays and nurse sharks, witnessed hundreds of grey reef sharks and endless fish and critters whilst diving a varied underwater landscape of coral-adorned pinnacles, canyons and shipwrecks. The best part of visiting here is the lack of other divers. If you love a drink or two at the end of a days diving bear in mind that alcohol is expensive in the Maldives due to high import taxes. We highly recommend getting youradvanced open watercertification for liveaboard diving in the Maldives. Occasionally, this budget-friendly liveaboard offers rare two-week itineraries. The underwater landscape of the Maldives is both varied and dramatic. Plus there is an onboard spa where you can pay for massages! And if you ever feel like you havent enjoyed enough time in the water, stand-up-paddleboards, surf boards and kayaks are available for use. And, if youre looking for luxury, this vessel has you covered. You saw those big green buttons under each of the liveaboard reviews further up this page? These guys work their arses off and can go weeks without a day off. On a liveaboard in the north of the Maldives, there are a variety of manta cleaning stations, epic drift dives full of black tip and silver tip reef sharks, grey sharks plus turtles, scores of eagle rays, and some seriously dramatic typography. When you find the perfect date and trip for you, clicking the green button SELECT shows you different cabin options for a small extra cost you can choose an extra fancy cabin. Do I need dive insurance for a Maldives Liveaboard? Furthermore, theres also an interior living room and stylish bar zone. If you prefer calm conditions and easy reef diving, choose a route in Ari or Male. When you click one of these it takes you to the schedule and booking page for that individual liveaboard on liveaboard.com. You might not see another liveaboard for days. Most trips explore the famous central region of the Maldives although on certain months of the year its also possible to venture down to the mysterious southern atolls where few divers go and strong drift dives await. The north region includes Lhaviyani, Raa and Baa atoll and tends to be a little less visited than the other areas by liveaboards. While its possible to dive remote and challenging atolls in the Maldives, newbies will find plenty of sites suited to their skill level, too. Couch potatoes can spend their days relaxing with multiple sun decks, a spacious and modern lounge, sea-view bar, two on-deck jacuzzis, and WiFi access. 10 Best Aggressor Liveaboards in 2023 Heads up: its not uncommon for liveaboard trips to fill out months in advance!! Youll also find some great deals on liveaboards trips during this time. Soft drinks & alcoholYoull be able to purchase additional soft drinks and alcoholic beverages from the bar on board. The four liveaboards youve read about were hand-picked by our scuba diving experts, but there are numerous other boats available. On a typical itinerary, youll enjoy one dive on the first day along with three dives on each full day and one dive on the last day of the trip. Baa Atoll 2. You usually all ascend to the surface together but its a good idea to have a surface marker buoy and know how to use it in case you have to surface alone. We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Some will offer this for free, and others will charge per tank. Between the atolls lie deep and broad channels which contain many swim-throughs, caverns, caves and overhangs. Youll catch a ride to a nearby island where you can wander around whilst the sun sets and staff prepare food. For this, we visited special dive sites where grey reef shark schooling was known to occur. How long are liveaboard trips in the Maldives? The dive itinerary was extremely varied; we saw mantas, countless nurse and guitar sharks on night dives, huge schools of reef fish and brightly coloured coral reefs as well as turtles, grey reef sharks and more! Check out ourguide to Enriched Air Nitroxto find out why. Carpe Novo boasts an inviting indoor lounge where you can simply relax, enjoy a book from the onboard library or make the most of the HD entertainment system. The entire crew go above and beyond to create an incredibly laid back and tranquil vibe whilst the dive guides maintain professionalism to the highest degree and are incredibly knowledgeable of the local marine ecosystem. Well discuss your daily routine from the moment you wake up up to the moment your head hits the pillow; covering briefings, eatings, sleeping and the dives youll go on plus what youll see. making sure your gear is functioning properly. After this first day, which is very much about getting orientated, your daily routine looks like this: Although some of the largest Maldives liveaboards have a dive deck on the main boat, most are accompanied by a dhoni. Youll be able to enjoy the space, comfort, and convenience of a hotel. CHECK ON PADI TRAVELCHECK ON LIVEABOARD.COM. Now youve got all the information you a scuba diver needs, its time to cross a Maldives diving trip off your scuba diving bucket list. If youre looking for a mix of outstanding luxury and comfort, or have a non-diver in your party, its hard to beat the Maldives Blue Force One. Located in the Indian Ocean, 400 miles southwest . Each of the 20 carefully crafted cabins features ensuite bathrooms, air conditioning, ample storage, and a selection of movies and music on flat-screen TVs. And, liveaboards spot the occasional whale shark feeding on the surface here, too. And with three spacious sundecks, a plush living room, and upper deck bar youll never be short on space to relax onboard. Although you will find some extended itineraries to the deep south that start from central, covering all the best spots in the center, south and deep south. Liveaboard Diving in the Maldives | PADI Travel CHECK AVAILABILITY Guest Reviews: Laundry service Kayaks on board Separate rinse for U/W cameras Its usually best to err on the side of caution and assume it will be more similar to a wet season month minus the plankton build up. When youre on a liveaboard in the Maldives youll be making 3, sometimes 4, dives per day. Blue Force One, Maldives - LiveAboard.com While most Maldives liveaboards focus on the central atolls, excitement awaits further north. The diving routes are extremely popular and varied; Maldives Aggressor II is one of the few liveaboards that regularly operates in all of the countrys major diving regions with central routes, southern safaris and north-bound voyages. While it is possible to island hop by sea plane, diving from a liveaboard is often a much more cost effective way to see the best dive sites. If youre new to liveaboard diving or hoping to continue your underwater education while on holiday, the Maldives might be your best bet. Blue Voyager Review - Diving Squad In this,everything from the liveaboard layout to health & safety is explained and diving groups are assigned (they try to group similarly experienced divers together). You will automatically be granted a 30 day visa on arrival which can be extended to 90 days if requested. Looks beautiful! There are a range of cabin options including two single suites for solo travellers and huge ocean views as well as gorgeous wooden interiors. If the Scubaspa Yang doesnt have availability or youre looking for a different itinerary, we highly recommend checking out the Scubaspa Ying theyre pretty much identical twins. With clear skies, calm seas, and little rain its considered the peak season for diving. There are only a few liveaboards in the Maldives that venture up to the far north, our top pick would be the Carpe Novo. And, youre sure to encounter the regions most famous residents along the way. But, How Much Does Scuba Diving Cost? With over 1,000 islands in total, the diving possibilities around the Maldives are endless. complete guide to the best dive insurance. Many are from poorer parts of the world such as Bangladesh and may go years without seeing their family who they send their money back to. If thats not enough, your dive trip will also be cheaper. Here youll experience exciting drift dives, an abundance of reef sharks, manta ray cleaning stations, and a whole plethora of magnificent marine life! But dont forget about getting to your departure destination and then the boat ride to the site, you want to make traveling as easy as possible. Its also possible to privately charter this liveaboard. Well-equipped in terms of scuba diving facilities, the MV Ari Queen promises that all guests will have the best possible experience. Only experienced divers should take the plunge in this region. And, your best chances of spotting them are at reeftop cleaning stations around the Ari Atoll. 1 Emperor Voyager 2 Blue Force One 3 Honors Legacy 4 Princess Dhonkamana 5 Carpe Novo 6 Emperor Serenity 7 Similar to Red Sea liveaboards, the Maldives is also known for its great assortment of liveaboards catering to all kinds of budgets. Some of the most diverse destinations in the Maldives, North and South Male showcase a variety of underwater environments. This dropoff invites a variety of deepwater pelagics in close to shore. This means that if you buy a product, book a liveaboard, book accommodation or purchase insurance, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. So, be sure to keep your eyes out in the blue. With the Maldives Aggressor II you dont need to compromise on comfort to experience the best diving the Maldives has to offer. If youre up for an adventure, longer voyages lasting up to 14 days are a great way to explore the region in depth. Certain dives follow certain themes sometimes youll visit manta cleaning stations, others you go on adrenaline soaked drift divesand on some you get to be part of a feeding frenzy. Now lets check out the movie below to see an extended cut of one of the stars of the Maldives: Its hard to do justice to just how mesmerising these incredible animals are to witness in real life. Water clarity in the Maldives varies, but divers can expect 65 to 165 feet (20 to 50 meters) throughout the year. Youll often be diving from the dhoni as the main vessel wont always be able to anchor at the dive sites. The warm waters of the Indian Ocean offer great visibility throughout the year. At Diving Squad, were proud to include firsthand reviews of Maldives liveaboards weve been on ourselves, with original movies and photos we created to show you what it was like. But, your best chances for getting up close and personal are in the sheltered waters of Hanifaru Bay, between May and December. The Best Liveaboards in the Maldives - PADI Blog On our first night dive we saw feeding manta rays; which drifted through the dark waters like cruising ghosts, often coming within less than a foot of divers. 1. These itineraries stop at all the hotspots in the central and northern atolls before venturing into less dived areas. It can be either more like the dry or wet season and vary by the year. Another highlight of a liveaboard in the deep south is the Maldives largest shipwreck, at 134 meters long this British ship is covered in a plethora of soft and hard corals, and home to multiple species including crustaceans batfish, frogfish and scorpion fish. Weve finished reviewing the best Maldives liveaboards as well as going through everything else you need to know including how to book one, what to expect when youre there and also different regions, seasons and more. Emperor Serenity MALDIVES LIVEABOARD LUXURY Emperor Serenity 5.0 Pros: Not sure what diving insurance is or the best option for you? Well appointed cabins, fine dining, free WiFi, an on-deck jacuzzi, and a mini gym will keep even the most spoiled guests happy. The Maldives is divided into five regions: central which is the most popular and famous, north and south; which are less often visited and far north and deep south which are the least-explored areas. The swim platform provides guests with the opportunity to take a refreshing dip whenever the boat is anchored. Factor in to your budget a decent tip to give the boat/kitchen-staff at the end. Most divers are comfortable in a shortie, but consider full body coverage if you tend to get cold underwater. Breakfast is eggs, pancakes, toast, spam and fruit. Liveaboards in the Maldives usually depart from Male, which is the capital city and located in the North Male Atoll. Whether you want to focus on a luxurious experience or see as many dive sites as possible, there is a boat for you. Liveaboard.com is a huge collection of liveaboards in countries all over the world, including the Maldives. As you can probably tell by the name, the Scubaspa Ying is the sister ship of Scubaspa Yang. For the second night dive, we saw countless dozens of nurse sharks; which swarmed around us much like the stingrays had during the feeding frenzy. Enjoy the entertainment system in the large air-conditioned lounge, sip on a cool drink at the open-air bar, or top up your tan on the spacious sun deck. The Maldives capital city and main international airport (Velana) are both situated on Male atoll, so its the easiest part of the island nation to reach. I only experienced two drift dives out of twenty during my liveaboard trip on Soleil 2. This can be done for free. The main international airport of the Maldives is Velana, which is located on Male in the central region. During my trip in the Central Maldives I only saw another groups of divers on two out of twenty dives. because they offer the highest-payouts and cover hyperbaric chamber treatment. Feb 24, 2023 Maldives Liveaboards The Maldives is an idyllic island nation of 26 atolls, strung across 850-kilometres of the Indian Ocean and each with its own vast lagoon filled with dive sites. Iruvai is unique in that unlike other Maldives liveaboards, she has a local hardwood interior which makes her extremely homely and cozy; even more so thanks to the many lush plants potted everywhere. In this section Ill tell you everything that occurs when you go on the incredible experience of a Maldives liveaboard. All itineraries cover a range of dive sites including manta ray cleaning stations, plenty of shark action, colourful coral reefs, night dives and sometimes even the occasional shipwreck. But youll miss out on the best diving this country has to offer. Although rarely mandatory, it is customary to tip a liveaboard crew about 10% of the total cost of your trip. Sunseeker Maldives Liveaboard. You can check the latest and best deals on Maldives liveaboards using Liveaboard.com below, which opens in a new window: From the table of all Maldives liveaboards below, there are a few stand-out boats to choose from. As well as trips to the most iconic dive spots throughout the Maldives, MV Carpe Novo also offers specific manta-focused itineraries for fans of these charismatic creatures. But, both trips are well worth the extra days at sea. What else do Liveaboards in the Maldives offer other than diving? The diving conditions are still good but the weather is unpredictable so be prepared for some waves. On a good trip, you might spot manta rays, whale sharks, hammerheads, nurse sharks, reef sharks, barracuda and a variety of tropical fish. Photo Credit: Maldives AggressorLiveaboard. On cheaper liveaboards this can mean snorkeling or kayaking. Comprised of Addu atoll, Fuvahmulah atoll and Huvadhu atoll, the Maldives deep south region is located very close to the equator. Thankyou!! Maldives Adora liveaboard review: A review of the Maldives Adora liveaboard reveals a 37 metre (123 feet) custom-built boat for scuba divers. So, its easy to see why many divers opt for extended itineraries. Border staff can be a little picky at Velana; its the only airport my passport was ever scrutinised for having a minor tear (fortunately they didnt see the paper-cut induced blood stains that were on several of other pages!). No matter what your level of skill or certification, youre sure to log some incredible dives in this region. Theres lots of diving liveaboards touring the Maldives and picking just one trip can be a tough decision! Alexa is a scuba diving instructor currently based in Indonesia. QUICK ANSWER - THE BEST MALDIVES LIVEABOARD TRIPS SCUBASPA YANG Best Value CHECK ON PADI TRAVEL CHECK ON LIVEABOARD.COM EMPEROR VOYAGER For Budget CHECK ON PADI TRAVEL CHECK ON LIVEABOARD.COM BLUE FORCE For Groups with Non-divers CHECK ON PADI TRAVEL CHECK ON LIVEABOARD.COM SEA SPIRIT For Extended Itineraries CHECK ON LIVEABOARD.COM This is generally regarded as the best time to dive the Maldives. Theres something I want to tell you. Some of the links in our content are affiliate links. During this time, the northeast monsoon arrives, bringing excellent sea conditions and plankton-rich waters. Currents are strong and treacherous, the sea is often rough, and dive sites can suddenly drop off into the abyss. Cabins are equipped with extra charging points, in case you dont find enough room at the computer and camera table. Reefs, wrecks, and pelagics can readily be found in various sites around the Indian Ocean, and reaching them is best done by liveaboard. The information Im giving you comes from my own experience aboard Soleil 2as well as Lauras time aboard Iruvai. Thoroughly rinse out your ears in between every dive to avoid aches and pains as the week progresses. Between June and November, the southwest monsoons bring strong winds and high seas to most areas. Aris dive sites are a series of submerged pinnacles, rising from the ocean depths. The best way to dive the Maldives is by a scuba diving liveaboard. So there are a great many diving spots, making liveaboards the best way to explore the Maldives. These seasonal fluctuations also have some affect on the weather and dive conditions such as visibility and strength of currents. Due to its distance from Male and the airport, youll most likely have to take a seaplane to reach a liveaboard for the deep south. Most cabins are fairly basic in their internal decor with porthole windows but there are some surprisingly spacious options. *OtterAquatics is reader-supported. Its usually a ten to fifteen minute ride to a dive site in the dhoni and during this time youll pass many of the tiny Maldivian islets and islands. So its a great spot if you want quieter dive sites. In between diving with manta rays, sharks, turtles and scores of fish, you can look forward to yoga classes, kayaking and not one but twobars! The dhoni is a smaller boat kinda like a skiff. There are more known scuba diving sites around Male and Ari atolls than anywhere else in the Maldives- they were the first places to be properly explored by scuba divers.
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