We can all picture the topside images of the Maldives with sun-drenched white sand beaches, gently lapped by the clear turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. For scuba divers however, there is another equally alluring world waiting to be discovered beneath the waters' surface. The islands have some good coral reefs, but it's the abundance of marine life throughout the Maldives that sets it apart from other liveaboard dive destinations.
Maldives liveaboard diving cruises mean discovering dense populations of fish, exploring caves and caverns festooned with colour, investigating wrecks teeming with marine life. And the islands are famed for encounters with large marine species such as whale sharks, manta rays and hammerhead sharks.
Although the Maldives is a very popular destination for honeymooners, the diving is not ideally suited to absolute beginners since many of its world class sites tend to be drift dives. However, those with a few dives under their belt, a reasonable amount of buoyancy control, and a level of comfort with current, can enjoy some of the most breathtaking sites imaginable. The current that prevails at many of the dive sites visited by the liveaboards exists thanks to the Maldives' unique geography. The island chain is in fact a series of volcanic craters rising just above sea-level. This means that water is diverted in and around the atolls, sometimes squeezing through narrow channels and gathering pace in the form of currents. The currents bring in nutrients which nourish the abundance of marine life in this oceanic oasis such as parrotfish, snappers, Napoleon wrasse, sweetlips, tuna and jacks.
In total, there are 26 atolls and the 1,190 coral islands lie studded like gems in the vast Indian Ocean and are spread over approximately 90,000 km² of warm water. So there are a great many diving spots, making liveaboards the best way to explore the Maldives. And with value-for-money prices, dive cruises are a far more affordable way to explore the islands than a stay at a luxury resort.
Unlike in other parts of the world, liveaboard safari boats in the Maldives are usually accompanied on cruises by a dedicated dive boat called a 'dhoni'. These dhonis are used to conduct the diving activities during the tour, and store all the guests' scuba gear and noisy equipment such as compressors. This not only allows a more peaceful atmosphere onboard, but also frees up space on the mothership. The best liveaboards operating here are therefore often more spacious than you might expect.
We recommend liveaboards that operate in the Maldives' central atolls, as well as those in the atolls further north and south. Check out your options here:
Encounters with large marine species such as whale sharks, manta rays and hammerheads are what you can expect on these diving safaris at Ari, North Male and South Male atolls, as well as thilas and plenty of reef fish. The onboard skipper generally decides on the most appropriate route given the prevailing weather conditions at the time of the cruise. Sometimes Felidhoo, Felidhoo and Rasdhoo atolls will feature in the tour route. [More details on these dive sites: Ari Atoll, North Male, South Male].
This region of the Maldives tends to be the most popular liveaboard choice, particularly with first time visitors, and these charters minimise the inconvenience of internal travel within the country.
> [More details: Central Atolls Trips]The Deep South of the Maldives has become a "best kept secret" for liveaboard divers in the know. Very few dive operators have visited the region and those that have return with tales of wonder. Whale sharks can be found at Huvadhoo Atoll and mantas at Addu Atoll, but perhaps the unique attraction lies at Fuvahmulah Island where thresher sharks, oceanic white tips and tiger sharks can regularly be seen. [More details on these dive sites: Deep South].
The Far North atolls of Haa Alifu & Haa Dhaalu represent a region remote from the main tourist hub of the central atolls. Out here you are unlikely to see any other dive liveaboards or other groups underwater. Pioneering scuba divers can look forward to the exciting possibility of encountering large gatherings of manta rays, plenty of white and black tip reef sharks, leopard sharks and schools of barracuda. Solitude, tranquillity and superb diving conditions are chief attractions here. [More details on these dive sites: Far North Atolls].
Drift diving in current-swept deep water channels to see some fast paced shark and pelagic action is one the main drawcards of the Southern Atolls of Felidhoo, Meemu, Laamu & Thaa. Grey reef sharks, tuna, jacks, eagle rays and Napoleon wrasse are frequently seen. And the region also includes some of the best sites for whale shark, manta ray, hammerhead and tawny nurse shark sightings. Divers who are happy in currents will enjoy this region. [More details on these dive sites: Southern Atolls].
Northern Atolls - Baa, Lhaviyani, Noonu & Raa - At the right time of year, Baa Atoll can be the best place in the Maldives for diving with manta rays. Other highlights include a dizzying volume of fish throughout the area, and an astonishing dive with squadrons of grey reef sharks at Noonu. Safaris in the Northern Atolls attract divers keen to explore new frontiers. [More details on these dive sites: Northern Atolls].
> [More details: Outer Atolls Trips]Please note that liveaboard diving trips in the Maldives are very popular and you need to plan ahead to make sure you get the cruise that you want. We recommend that you book at least 6 months in advance. The best dive safari boats become fully booked many months prior to the departure date and late availability is very rare.
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There are 2 monsoon seasons which dominate the climate here - the northeast monsoon (dry) and the southwest monsoon (wet). Due to its equatorial location, the Maldives do not experience major cyclones. Generally speaking the drier months of the year are between November and April (March and April being the hottest months). The wetter season, runs from May to early November. June, July and August often see the most rain, although most of the rain is experienced in the southern atolls.
Air temperatures are consistent and range between 24 and 33°C. You should pack appropriate clothing such as light cotton garments and sandals and otherwise as you normally would for visiting somewhere in the tropics.
It is possible to dive the Maldives throughout the year, with warm water temperatures being fairly constant throughout the year at 26-29°C (except in the far south which can be a couple of degrees cooler). However, the recommended season for confirmed liveaboard cruise departures is from November to May. This is when the seas are calmest and the skies are most often blue, with peak visibility. Outside of this period the winds and more frequent rains can cause ocean swells and it may be more difficult to find a confirmed departure.
The larger marine creatures of the Maldives are not seasonal visitors: you can see hammerheads, mantas, whale sharks, reef sharks, turtles and Napoleon wrasse all year round.
Male International Airport on Hulhule Island, 10 minutes by boat from the capital city Male, is where most arrivals first set foot on Maldivian soil. It is well connected and easy to get to. The islands are 4 hours flight from Singapore, around 13 hours from London, and 3 hours from Dubai. Colombo, the capital city of Sri Lanka, is some 45 minutes flight away. There is an Airport Development Charge for all passengers above 2 years of age departing from Male airport, collected at the check-in counters.
The major airlines that fly there from the UK include Air Emirates, Sri Lankan Airlines, Qatar Air and Thomson. Air Italy, Air Europe, Eurofly and Lauda Air all connect Italy with the Maldives. Condor and LTU fly from Germany. Other European airlines include Edelweiss (Switzerland), Iberoworld Airlines (Spain) and Aeroflot (Russia).
The main Asian airlines provide flights into Male from various destinations, so check Air Asia, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways and Emirates for details. Divers from China can fly via Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, or direct from Macau with Viva Macau. Indian visitors can fly direct with Air Sahara or Indian Airlines.
If coming from the U.S. of A, it is most convenient to fly via Singapore and take the 4 hour flight from there. There are also regular flights from New York and Los Angeles via Dubai with Air Emirates.
Departure ports are detailed for each trip in the 'Departures & Prices' section in each of our Maldives liveaboard boat pages. They will also be sent to you during the inquiry and booking process. In some cases a boat may only depart the area the day after the trip begins. This means you can arrive quite late on the first day and still board before they set sail the following morning.
We recommend you consider insurance to cover diving and travel activities, including trip cancellation. See our insurance programme for a competitive price:
If you plan on staying in the Maldives before or after your liveaboard diving safari, you can find a wide range of accommodation options at hotelscombined.com, our affiliated hotel reservation specialists. Browse their website, use their on-line chat to raise your queries, and when you're ready simply use your credit card to make your booking:
All bookings are supported up by their 'Low Price Guarantee' to ensure you get top-dollar value for money.
Note: if you have a few hours to kill in Male before or after your liveaboard charter, then you may wish to book a day room at a hotel in Male or on Hulhule Island (where the airport is located). You can shower, store your luggage, and be free to explore the area.
[Your sales staff] were patient as I met some difficulties due to my late booking. They were really fast, helpful and flexible
