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:
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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[Your sales staff] were patient as I met some difficulties due to my late booking. They were really fast, helpful and flexible
