DiverMojo's
MALDIVES
manta
MAGIC!
July 20 - August 1, 2027
July 22 - August 4, 2020
MALDIVES
manta
MAGIC!
July 20 - August 1, 2027
The Maldives is on every diver's bucket list and our two-part trip will fulfil every Maldives dream!
The Maldives is a chain of about 1200 breathtaking islands mostly just north of the equator. They are known for healthy hard and colorful soft corals, teeming with large schools of Batfish, Spotted Eagle Rays, Oriental Sweetlips, Fusiliers, Jacks and many others.
The Maldives is home to the largest population of Reef Mantas in the world. We will share the water with many types of sharks, possibly even whale sharks, which also reside in the Maldives. We will keep our eyes open for Napolean Wrasse, Giant Frogfish, Clown Fish and Giant Trevallies.
We will be diving during the Southwest Monsoon, a great time to see mantas and whale sharks due to increased plankton in the water. It is a time of intermittent rain and some wind. It also means lots of critters!
We begin this bucket-list adventure with 5 nights on the beautiful island of Dhiffushi, a short speedboat ride from the airport. We stay at the gorgeous Stone Hotel on the ocean and dive every day from our private dhoni. This large, stable wooden vessel takes us to fantastic dive sites with our exceptional local dive guides.
From Dhiffushi we return to Male where we board the Maldives Master liveaboard and explore the best diving the Maldives has to offer!
On board, we will have deluxe shared twin cabins along with 3 meals a day, snacks and tea, coffee and water. Alcohol is available for purchase.
A shaded outdoor lounge area can be found on the mid-deck, plus four different sun decks: and two separate viewing areas, an open-air deck on the top, and an ocean deck at the stern of the boat, all providing comfortable seating and loungers.
The ocean deck is a unique feature allowing guests to relax in the open air while close to the water. On some evenings floodlights will illuminate the water just off the ocean deck to attract plankton which draws manta rays and whale sharks. There have been many close sightings of feeding mantas and whale sharks. Have your camera ready!
One of the most outstanding features of Maldives Master is the custom-built dhoni (diving support vessel) Blue Shadow. This 19m dhoni is spacious, fast, and equipped with all the modern conveniences. Each diver has their own station with plenty of space to store their gear and kit up, and the dhoni crew is ready to assist.
During journeys to and from the dive sites, you are welcome to head up to the top deck to enjoy the sun and stunning views. There is a toilet with a shower located inside the main deck plus two handheld showers on the back, and separate camera and equipment rinse tanks. A fast engine, two generators, and two compressors with a nitrox membrane system mean you will enjoy a first-rate diving experience in the Maldives.
There are different levels of cabins to choose from on this beautiful boat. All have natural light, private bathrooms and self-controlled air conditioning.
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The Maldives Master
Maldives Master is a 42m liveaboard vessel that boasts two roomy fixed double-bed cabins, ten convertible twin/double cabins and two single cabins. She features an indoor dining area, bar, an indoor air-conditioned lounge and an outdoor jacuzzi.
We begin this bucket-list adventure with 5 nights on the beautiful local island of Dhiffushi, a short speedboat ride from the airport. We stay at the gorgeous Stone Hotel on the ocean and dive every day from our private dhoni. This large, stable wooden vessel takes us to fantastic local dive sites with our exceptional local dive guides.
THE DIVING
Divers require at least 30 dives and deep certification. AOW is highly recommended.
There is a wonderful variety of dive sites. Here are two common types of sites.
1) Thilas:
These are submerged underwater pinnacles, which are known for abundant marine life like sharks, manta rays, and schools of fish. Sometimes there is current here and we will hook on and watch the world go by! Some examples are-
Kandooma Thila in South Male Atoll, known for its shark cleaning stations and prolific fish life. Often seen here are schools of bluefin trevallies, barracuda, tuna, eagle rays and grey reef and silvertip sharks.
Maaya Thila in Ari Atoll, known for abundant grey reef sharks, white tip sharks, schools of barracuda and glass fish. This Thila is small enough to circumnavigate twice if air consumption and currents allow. However, there is so much fish life and action that divers often stay in one place for the whole dive!
2) Channels:
Channel dives are where we love to have current to bring all the sharks! We drift with the current after a negative entry, meeting under the boat.
For example:
Rasdhoo channels are known for currents that enable divers to drift and sometimes hook onto rocks to see the abundant fish and shark life; sometimes even hammerheads. Mantas, Napolean wrasse, eagle rays, jacks and technicolor fusiliers frequent this site. A spectacular dive.
Inside the Maldives Master liveaboard
Packages
Package 1
-
Twin Share Standard Cabin AND
-
Deluxe Seaview Twin Hotel Room
$4420
Package 4
-
Single Cabin
AND -
Grand Seaview Hotel Room
$5685
Package 2
-
Twin Share Standard Cabin AND
-
Premium Deluxe Hotel Room
$4860
Package 5
-
Superior Twin Upper Deck
AND -
Deluxe Family Room (two queen beds)
$5260
Package 3
-
Double Superior Cabin
AND -
Deluxe Infinity SeaView Queen Hotel Room with balcony
$5260
Travel Information
Arrival: You fly into Velana International Airport (MLE). This airport is its own island, most of it being outdoors. Arrive by early afternoon on July 20.
Departure: Any time on August 1.. (Qatar has great flights with one stop in Doha from several US cities).
GOOD TO KNOW
INCLUDED:
• DiverMojo concierge trip leadership
• Donation to the DiverMojo Foundation
• 12 nights shared accommodation
• Full Board
• Unlimited, complimentary tea, coffee and water
• 10 days diving - up to 26 dives
• 80 cf cylinders with air fills
• Weights, weight belt and SMB
• Airport transfers
• Dive guides 1:5 divers
• 17% Goods and Services Tax
NOT INCLUDED:
• Maldives Green tax $84 to be paid in cash on board
• Nitrox (recommended) $105 full trip to be paid on board
• Rental gear
• 100 cf tank $77 full liveaboard trip to be paid on board
• Reef hook $9 full liveaboard trip to be paid on board
• Dive Insurance (required); we suggest DAN.
• Travel Insurance (highly recommended); we suggest Allianz.
• International flights
• Soft drinks
• Alcoholic drinks
A $1000 deposit will hold your place for this trip. (See cancellation policy)
Here’s to forever blowing bubbles,
-Merlin
Things to Remember:
Passport with at least six months validity is required
Dive insurance is required, including repatriation
'Cancel for any reason' travel insurance highly recommended
PLEASE NOTE:
All divers MUST adhere to safe and conservative diving practices at all times.