These Maldives scuba diving liveaboards combine some of the great classic dive sites of the central atolls, before heading to the remoter southern seas which receive far fewer divers. You can expect a fantastic mix of channel dives, pinnacles, wrecks, cleaning stations and coral gardens.
Marine life encounters can include pelagics such as reef sharks, whale sharks, manta rays, eagle rays and perhaps even tiger sharks and hammerheads. The edges of atolls can provide some beautiful overhangs, with vibrant schools of reef fish and plenty of macro life to zoom in on.
Some of the famous sites that you can hope to visit include Broken Rock; the Maldives Victory and Kuda Giri wrecks which are excellent for viewing and photographing macro life; and manta ray cleaning stations such as Lankan Manta Point. The little-visited Thaa Atoll offers healthy corals and a wide variety of marine life, from food-chain toppers such as white tip reef sharks and tuna down to schools of juvenile barracuda.
Meemu Atoll offes great channel dives and pelagic encounters with opportunities for mantas, whale sharks, grey reef sharks, sailfish and even bull sharks on occasion. We can also find here large shoals of barracuda, jacks, tuna, fusiliers, surgeon fish and snappers in the narrower channels.
Heading further south crossing the Equator between Fuvahmulah and Addu atolls, your chances of encountering larger species of predatory sharks increases - as the number of dive boats decreases.
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Atolls visited: |
North Malé - South Malé - Vaavu - Meemu - Thaa - Laamu - Huvadhoo - Fuvahmulah - Addu |
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Experience needed: |
Minimum 100 logged dives with Deep Diver/Advanced Open Water qualification. Must be comfortable in strong currents and drift dives. |
| Number of dives: |
Up to 35 (13 diving days) Night dives may not be offered on your trip for safety reasons |
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Notes: |
One-way domestic flight needed Malé to Addu (or reverse). SOme international flights are available to Addu |
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Dates: |
Northeast Monsoon (January - March) |
Itinerary
Sample 15 Day Itinerary
Day 15: Disembark in Malé or Addu
You will disembark in Malé / Addu this morning.
From your disembarkation point, you will need to take a domestic flight back to Malé or an international flight from Addu.
Why not consider extending your time in the Maldives at one of our carefully selected island resorts for more diving and snorkelling.
Please note: Every liveaboard voyage will be different, with actual islands and dive sites determined according to wind force and direction, ocean currents, visibility, reports of recent marine life sightings, safety and boat considerations taken by the captain and crew. Nothing can be guaranteed, including the number of dives you conduct or the species you might see, but rest assured that the captain and crew have everyone's diving interests in mind and will try to make your experience a very rewarding one amongst these stunning tropical atolls.
Days 2 - 14: Diving
You will spend these days on a one-way voyage from the central atolls which are classicly considered as great places to dive as you explore various sites around North Malé, Vaavu, Meemu, Thaa and Laamu atolls.
Heading further south, you will spend your days diving at the un-named and littled visited dives sites around Huvadhoo, Fuvahmulah and Addu, crossing the equator as you head north or south.
You can expect to make up to 35 dives on a 14-night voyage.
Day 1 - Embark in Malé / Addu
You will embark this afternoon in either Malé, the capital city of the Maldives or Addu, the most southerly atoll in the archipelago.
Domestic flights are available between these atolls, or some international flights are now available directly to Addu.
Dates
Malé - Addu (15 Days)
Maldives Virgo
Christmas & New Year in the Maldives!
Please see 'Itinerary' tab for vessel details
Notes
Maldives Explorer, Virgo & Leo
Prices relate to lower deck cabins. Upgrades to Upper Deck Cabin, Main Deck Suite & Upper Deck Suite are available. Please contact us for details.
Prices include: three meals per day onboard, afternoon snacks, BBQ on a local island (weather permitting), drinking water, tea, coffee, glass of wine with dinner, diving, tanks, weights, NITROX for qualified divers, standard return airport transfers, government taxes and bed tax
Not included: international and domestic flights, insurance, dive kit rental, dive courses, tips, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, juices, spa treatments, non-standard airport transfers, fuel surcharge (if applicable)
Please note: a 12% GST will be charged on onboard purchases. This can be avoided on dive rental gear and courses by booking in advance. An additional 4% transaction fee will be applied to credit card payments onboard.
