The Maldives seem tailor-made for liveaboard diving. This nation of islands is a vast underwater playground made up of nearly 1,200 small bits of land ringed by reefs and grouped into a collection of 26 coral-studded atolls. Set in the clear waters of the Indian Ocean, these atolls stretch more than 500 miles north to south, and encompass hundreds of square miles of coral reefs, lagoons, current-washed channels and underwater pinnacles.
Yes, there are a number of first-class dive resorts scattered across these islands. But to take in the full measure of the region's underwater riches requires a greater degree of mobility. Small wonder that the liveaboard fleet that plies the waters of the Maldives is among the largest and most lavish in the world. And there's something for every diver, from first-time travelers just getting their fins wet to seasoned veterans in search of the next big underwater adventure.
With so many options to choose from, and so much territory to cover, selecting “the best” liveaboard may seem like a daunting challenge. The choices become easier once you define what “best” means in terms of your personal expectations. Liveaboards come in all price ranges from budget-friendly to five-star indulgence. Itineraries are equally varied, with some boats focusing on easier, beginner-friendly schedules or even a mix of diving, snorkeling and water sports. At the other end of the spectrum are the adventure trips to more remote and seldom-dove sites.
Diving variety is never a challenge, as every area covered by liveaboards provides a rewarding mix of reefs, underwater pinnacles, cleaning stations, channel dives and offshore sites. That said, there are three primary areas that divers might want to consider when planning a trip. Learn more about Diving in the Maldives.
CENTRAL ATOLLS – A DIVING SAMPLER
Many locals would tell you that if you only make one liveaboard trip to the Maldives, it should be to the central atolls. These highly-popular trips typically originate near the international airport on Male, allowing divers to get in plenty of diving even on a one-week schedule. Manta rays are a given on numerous sites in this region, and there's usually a strong possibility of a whale shark sighting.
North Male Atoll offers vibrant coral reefs, fish-covered pinnacles and a first-class wreck dive – all suitable for divers of most every skill level. Itineraries usually take in South Male Atoll as well, where divers will find more dramatic underwater landscapes and an abundance of pelagic fish life. Trips that include Ari and Vaavu Atolls may require more advanced diving skills, as this area is known for brisk currents, big animal sightings and some of the most exhilarating pass diving in the Maldives.
SOUTHERN ATOLLS – SHARKS AND DRIFTS
Experienced divers who are comfortable with currents and eager to meet up with some apex predators may want to sign up for a cruise to the less-visited southern atolls. Laamu, Meemu, Thaa and Felidhoo Atolls are the most frequent targets of southern liveaboards, and each offers an array of exciting drift dives in tidal channels. Here divers propelled by currents share the water with reef and white tip sharks, along with a menagerie of marine life that includes turtles, Napoleon wrasse, huge schools of humpback snapper, trevally, tuna and an ever-present population of mantas.
And there's more to the south than channel diving. Caverns, pinnacles and open-ocean reefs and shipwrecks add variety. Night dives may bring whales sharks lured by underwater lights, and for an added dose of adrenaline divers can visit the site known as Tiger Zoo, where up to a dozen of these big predators may be encountered on a single dive. Southern reefs are known for a greater variety of colorful soft corals, and with few boats and lots of territory to discover, any given trip may put divers on near-virgin sites.
NORTH ATOLLS – OFF THE BEATEN PATH
Relatively few liveaboards venture into the northern atolls of the Maldives, making some trips true exploratory ventures where divers may not see another boat for days at a time. The area is known for a lesser abundance and diversity of colorful soft corals and some hard corals, higher densities of fish life and seascapes dominated by steep underwater pinnacles and walls.
As some pinnacles begin in deeper water, this is definitely a place for divers with more entries in the logbook, and a Nitrox certification is a welcome addition. On many sites the constant presence of reef sharks is a given, hammerheads are a possibility and there's plenty of mantas and passing whale sharks. A highlight of some trips is a visit to Baa Atoll, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its rich variety of corals, diversity of marine life and intriguing underwater landscapes of canyons and swim-throughs.
MEET THE FLEET
While prices for Maldives liveaboards range from budget-friendly to full-on splurge, even the less expensive options offer an excellent range of amenities and extras. At the very least, you can count on booking a modern vessel with comfortable private cabins and excellent food. Many offer extras such as beach BBQs, kayaks and paddleboards for post-dive relaxation, sun decks and well-equipped entertainment lounges are a given, hot tubs are common, and some boats up the ante with yoga classes, massage rooms, fitness stations, private balconies and even full-service spas and opulent suites.
One unique feature of most all Maldives liveaboards is the use of dive support vessels known as dhonis. These vessels trail the liveaboard to provide the platform for daily diving. Instead of diving from the back deck of the mothership, divers transfer to the mid-sized dhoni for all diving. These vessels are typically a bit larger and better equipped than the day boats used by most land-based resorts. In addition to sheltered decks and full bathrooms with warm showers, these boats may include lounge areas and kitchens where crews can whip up full meals. Divers who are accustomed to loading into the small inflatable tenders used by liveaboards in many parts of the world will find dhoni diving to be a real treat.
If you are ready to make a Maldives liveaboard your next great diving adventure, Caradonna is ready to make it happen. Our agents can put together a package that suits your budget and diving expectations, while taking care of airfare and all the details to make your trip enjoyable and easy. To learn more, give us a call at 800-330-6611 or send us an email to sales@caradonna.com.