The Climate, Diving Season and Best Time to Visit
The Maldives is a year-round destination with water temperatures seldom moving beyond the 26-29°C range, except in the far south where the water temperature can drop to 24°C during the northeast monsoon.
Northern Maldives Atolls trips run throughout the year except for June. The exception to this is at Hanifaru Bay, usually between August and November, when hundreds of manta rays and some whale sharks gather on the eastern side of Baa, where vast plankton fields accumulate. The area has been declared a marine reserve and current regulations permit snorkeling only for a maximum of 60 persons at a time.
Cruises to the Southern Maldives Atolls operate all year round. June and July may be a little wet with December to May considered ideal. Deep South safaris only run between December and May because the sea crossings can be unpredictably rough outside of these times. The Far North is dived all year except for June and July, with September to November being generally considered the best time for manta rays.
Liveaboard Ports of Departure and How to Get There
Some liveaboard boats that venture a little south or a little north, but also dive some central dive sites, can operate in and out of the port of Male. On such cruises you will be met at Male international airport by liveaboard staff. This is true of Maldives Northern Atolls cruises.
All other tours of the Outer Atolls depart from ports remote from Male and will require an internal or ineternational flight - one way or sometimes return. Domestic flights can be booked with the airlines Maldivian and Flyme. The experience of a seaplane flight over the atolls is unforgettable and should be seen as a bonus rather than an inconvenience. The domestic airports include Gan/Addu (airport code GAN), Hanimaadhoo/Haa Dhaalu (HAQ), Dharavandhoo/Baa (DRV), Fuvahmulah (FVM), Ifuru/Raa (IFU), Kaadedhdhoo/Gaafu Dhaalu (KDM), Kadhdhoo/Laamu (KDO),
Kooddoo/Gaafu Alifu (GKK), Maamigili/Ari (VAM), and Medhufushi (private flights only).
For cruises that use the port of Gan on Addu Atoll, it is also possible to book at international flight to/from Colombo (Sri Lanka) with SriLankan Airlines or to/from Dubai with flydubai. with More information on: how to get to the Maldives.
We recommend you take out insurance to cover diving and travel activities, including trip cancellation. See our insurance programme for a competitive quotation:

Places to Stay
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.