DIVING
Four dives are conducted daily directly from a 61-foot dhoni, which is fully equipped with a bathroom, hot water showers and air and nitrox compressors. The dhoni is well stocked with quality diving gear for each guest for those passing through the area as part of a longer trip; nonetheless, the crew's experience and qualifications are well suited for those traveling specifically to experience one of the most amazing diving destinations in the world!
All dives in the Maldives are less than 100 feet in depth. A number of the dives are on sea mounts which rise from a bottom to a coral encrusted, somewhat flat top which is usually between 10 and 50 feet. Dives, which are done from a large, well equipped tender called a dhoni, are similar to wall dives as they are done around the circumference of the sea mount. All dives are led by a guide and often start between 70-80 feet.You then work your way up the wall of the sea mount until reaching the top. Often the safety stop is done at the top of these sea mounts, which allows the divers to continue diving during the safety stop.
The reefs of the Maldives are teeming with life and divers encounter many different species found in few other places. There are lion fish, anemone fish, octopus as well as many species of moray eels. The
Maldives are also known for the big animals. Whale sharks, mantas, and dolphins are often seen and sea
turtles are seen on almost every dive. It's not unusual to find sleeping white tip reef sharks during the day dives and then see them hunting at night. The dive guides are very good at finding rare creatures like blue ribbon eels, frog fish and scorpion fish. The coral reefs in the Maldives are healthy and colorful with schools of beautiful tropical fish in abundance.
Diving with Mantas, wreck dives and very exciting channel dives are also offered during the week. The
Manta cleaning stations tend to be over a flat, sandy bottom with small patches of coral. There are several wreck dives offered which are quite different from the reef dives. The wrecks of the Maldives are small, yet covered with life. In addition to the coral growth divers may find colorful nudibranchs, lion fish, leaf fish and mantis shrimps on the wrecks. The channel dives are in a current where divers “fly” over the reef as the tide goes through a channel, a truly exhilarating experience!
SAMPLE ITINERARY
While our personal Maldives Experience may vary due to weather and conditions, the outline below will give you a good feel for the exciting week in store for us:
Sunday, Feb 26: Male. Guests board vessel around 3 pm; welcome briefing, documents; check out dive North Male, dinner
Monday, Feb 27: North Male, 2 dives; South Male, 2 dives. Crossing to South Ari. Night spent anchored.
Tuesday, Feb 28: South Ari 4 dives. Night spent anchored.
Wednesday, Mar 1: South Ari 4 dives, crossing to Meemu. Night spent anchored.
Thursday, Mar 2: Meemu 2 dives, crossing to South Vaavu, 2 dives. Night spent anchored
Friday, Mar 3: Vaavu 3 dives crossing to South Male 1 dive. Night spent anchored.
Saturday, Mar 4: South Male, 2 dives maximum and crossing back to North Male for afternoon city visit of Male
Sunday, Mar 5: Depart the vessel by 8.30 am latest. Due to the necessity of readying the vessel for our next cruise, we must strictly enforce this early departure.
