Scuba Diving in the Maldives
The Live Aboard offered three route options - Northern, Central and Southern trips.
I chose the more remote less traveled Southern route that explores the warm crystal clear waters of Laamu Atoll that is only offered select times of the year when wind and weather allows.
The boat was beautifully constructed out of iron wood with Teak finishes throughout.
The dive deck is spread out giving each diver ample space to setup there gear as well as small storage locker at each dive station for stowing extra gear. In the middle of the dive stations was a large padded covered area with pillows to lounge and enjoy the breeze yet stay out of the sun. For those wishing to work on their tans, a large sun deck with chairs was above the main salon. Both Dining and dive briefing were on the rear deck. The main salon has a large screen for watching movies and internet was available periodically. The overall feel is very spacious and comfortable and never did it feel crowded with 14 guests and 10 crew members.
The rooms are comfortable with single, double, and triple bed suits and have the same beautiful stained Iron wood and Teak finishes as the rest of the boat. Each room has AC, Shower, sink, toilet and a safe.
The boat had a large camera table with a large bank of 110 and 220 outlets with universal plugs. Below the Camera table storage bins were available for each diver to store extra gear.
The sites basically consisted of two types Kandu - a channel between islands and Thila - pinnacles.
Kandu dives were Exhilarating dives with negative entry due to very strong currents that were excellent for dropping down hooking in at the edge of the drop off and watch large schools of big pelagic fish, sharks, and rays. When gas or time was up, we would unhook, and enjoy a drift dive through the channels that were covered in soft coral gardens into the calm waters of the atolls. Every dive had Grey Reef sharks, Eagle rays, sting rays, Tuna, Jacks and and large schools of Barracuda.
Thila dives were much more mellow and allowed time to photograph macro subjects as well as wide angle photography of the pristine coral reefs with large schools of fish, turtles and resting sharks.
The food was combination of European/Western and local dishes consisting of fresh fish, chicken, beef and vegetarian options. Juice, espresso, cappuccino, beer, sodas were free of charge and cocktails and wine are available for purchase.
The dive staff were all European and spoke perfect English, were friendly and courteous and attended to any needs guests came up with. The boat crew were all locals as spoke enough English to help with most needs.
The boat offered free nitrox fills, the crew set up / broke down and washed gear daily. The dive operation was a well oiled machine where both guest comfort and safety was a priority. The boat was equipped with safety gear including Nautilus Lifeline radios for guests, carried large amounts Oxygen due to the remote location.
We dove off of two large zodiac boats that offered comfort and space for large camera gear.
During our ten day trip we explored many remote unpopulated islands where we strolled along white sand beaches and snorkeled in the sheltered coral lagoons.
The boat staff would collect fresh coconuts, bananas, mangoes that where used in our snacks and meals.
Near the end of the trip, a beach BBQ was set up by the crew and the guests and crew dined together before heading back to port.
Diving is well suited for photographers, experienced divers, and intermediate divers that are comfortable with strong currents.
Getting there. Two basic options, via Singapore or Dubai to Male. Inbound required an overnight stay in Male before the flight to Kadhdhoo. Not much of anything to really see in Male and after several long flights, all I wanted was a quite place to rest up. Outbound was a half day layover spent at the hotel pool for a small day use fee, that is a short shuttle ride from the Male airport - Highly recommended.
